Introduce my dad to NYC

July 19, 2006 9:16 AM

My parents are visiting me the first week in August, but I just found out that I need to briefly interrupt their visit to attend a meeting in New York. My dad has never been to NYC and I'll have some down time, so I'm thinking about taking him with me. Help me plan a fun two day visit for him.

There are a few restrictions: (1.) My dad is old and overweight, and he can't do a lot of walking or waiting in line. (2.) He is a devout Mormon and does not like to be in settings where everyone is drinking. (3.) I can't spend too much money.

Bonus points for people who can recommend cheap places for things like evening boat rides on the Hudson, cheap helicopter rides for viewing the skyline, and other stuff that will allow him to take in the city while sitting on his ass. ;-) Thanks in advance.

posted by Crotalus to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

Put him on one of those open-topped double decker tour busses, then put him on the circle line ferry tour around Manhattan.
posted by nyterrant at 9:31 AM on July 19, 2006

The Staten Island ferry is free, you get a nice view of the Statue of Liberty.
posted by Marky at 9:32 AM on July 19, 2006

Try the Immigration Museum href="http://www.ellisisland.com/ellis_home.html"
and the Statue of Liberty (same ferry), a double decker tour href="http://www.sightseeingworld.com/tourdetailmain.asp?TourCode=111"
and the Metropolitan Museum href="http://www.metmuseum.org/"
posted by rootcause at 9:50 AM on July 19, 2006

When my grandfather, who has arthritic hips, came to visit me in NYC, I took him on the Circle Line Tour all the way around Manhattan. It allowed us to see a lot (including the then still-smouldering ruins of the WTC) while sitting down, drinking hot chocolate.
Also recommend the musical "42nd Street" for viewing with prudish older relatives, it's easier to get into than "The Lion King". "Cabaret" was a mistake.
posted by Sara Anne at 9:57 AM on July 19, 2006

Also, we went to see "The David Letterman Show," and the concierge in charge of the line really went out of her way to make the wait easier for my Grandpa. She recognized his discomfort and took our whole group to a waiting area with seating and later seated us first in the theater. If you decide to go do something like this I suggest you approach the people running the waiting lines and perhaps they can accomodate your father.
posted by Sara Anne at 10:03 AM on July 19, 2006

Mormon, eh? While you're in your meeting he could check out the Museum of Biblical Art, which is within a couple blocks of Central Park, Lincoln Center, and Columbus Circle. Lincoln Center has lots of nice performances and concerts going on right now.
posted by np312 at 10:04 AM on July 19, 2006

If you haven't been, you might want to visit the WTC site. Pretty good view from across the road (World Financial Center). Can get there by cab or public transport without too much walking and not a strenuous take from WFC.

Hit the theatre one night (decent deal from TKTS at Duffy Square). Late night stop at the Carnegie Deli for food and some atmosphere. NY Public Library (have to walk some, but can do at your own pace with plenty of places to stop and rest). Same at most museums (Natural History, MoMA, Guggenheim - pick your pleasure).

South Street Seaport might be appealing for scenery & shops.

Second the Staten Island ferry idea (and less effort than walking around Ellis Island or Liberty Island). Its been a long time, but the Circle Line still cruises the Hudson (I think) for some good sightseeing, although they used to serve alchohol on board if I remember correctly.

A cab ride through Central Park could be fun. And, depending on the weather you can spend some time sitting in a variety of outdoor eating establishments watching the city move by.

I always find the contrast between skyscrapers and classical religous architecture interesting, so depending upon your mobility (again, I'm thinking of places that you can kind of sit down and "take in" once you're there) you might want to check out Riverside Church or the Cathedral of St John the Divine (uptown, near Columbia University; I have fond memories of Riverside's bells and I believe St John's in the largest gothic cathedral in the country), St Patrick's Cathedral (mid-town, near Rockefeller Center), Trinity Church (downtown, Wall Street)

Two days isn't a lot of time in Manhattan... you should find plenty to do. Good luck.
posted by dragonbay at 10:24 AM on July 19, 2006

I've recommended this before: Top of the Rock. It's a great view of the city and your ticket (which you can buy online, I think they're around $18) gives you a time to show up, so there's not a lot of standing in line. Right around sunset/dusk is a great time to do it.

It's funny because my Mormon parents are visiting me in a couple of months, and my dad has bad knees so he can't walk around a lot, so I've been thinking about this stuff. Although they used to live in Connecticut, so they don't really want to do the touristy stuff. Mostly I'm just thinking "What restaurants can I take my parents to which have great food and they'll pay?" :)

I'd say get used to the idea of taking a lot of cabs. It's worth it to shell out the money for someone who has difficulty walking around. Otherwise they'll have a terrible time in the city.
posted by witchstone at 10:45 AM on July 19, 2006