Comments on: Which NYC bus routes have the most to see?

Question: Which NYC bus routes have the most to see?

ThePinkSuperhero — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:46:13 -0800

What New York City bus routes are the most scenic?

I thought it would be a nice idea to take some visiting family members on those big red tourist buses, but the price is too rich for my blood (it's more than $50 per person, if I remember correctly). It then occured to me that for the low price of a Metrocard, we could take public buses instead. So which bus lines should we ride to see all NYC has to offer? Manhattan preferred, but outer borough lines won't be ruled out.

By: Grither

Grither — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:00:09 -0800

Not sure about the buses, though the red buses do run up 1st Ave by me which would be the M15, but I can't imagine it's that exciting. If you're looking for some cheap sight-seeing, I would recommend the free Staten Island Ferry. Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyline, etc. And did I mention that it's free?

By: 2bucksplus

2bucksplus — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:02:50 -0800

I've taken the M15 a few times when I was not in a rush. It runs the length of the island from the southern most tip up the east side past the UN through the UES and East Harlem and then back down. It is also a big loop so you can get on and off and the same stop or within a block or two.

By: 2bucksplus

2bucksplus — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:04:13 -0800

I think the bus is fun so long as you get a seat by a window. And watch out to avoid the handicap courtesy seats, and the seats that fold up for wheelchairs. On the M15 the seats in the back are generally better for site seeing.

By: moonmilk

moonmilk — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:04:15 -0800

After I visit any of the Museum Mile museums I always enjoy taking a 5th Av bus down from the 80s to 14th St or so - park on one side, museums and mansions on the other, and then you go past the shiniest of midtown, the main library, heck, even the Apple store.

By: Grither

Grither — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:10:44 -0800

Incidentally, the M15 is the busiest bus route in the US....so you shouldn't have to wait long to get on....

By: suedehead

suedehead — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:51:57 -0800

Offrail: Grither, really? The busiest bus route? I'm curious - I take that bus pretty often - do you have any evidence?

By: MsMolly

MsMolly — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:03:47 -0800

I did this when a couple of friends visited me there and wanted to see Times Square, but I didn't want to have to walk through the Times Square craziness. So I'd recommend whichever bus goes down 7th Ave.

By: redfisch

redfisch — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:05:54 -0800

If your family members are into glitz, go up Madison Avenue from the 30's to the 90's and come back down on Fifth.
(Madison Avenue bus every day.)

By: chengjih

chengjih — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:07:06 -0800

Take a few buses, mainly the north-south ones. If you take the M15, you're going to miss Museum Mile, Times Square, etc.

Depending on how long your route is, you may be able to freely transfer a few times, but the unlimited Metrocard would probably be best, since you can hop on/hop off/take a different line.

The bus map is over at:

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf

By: Grither

Grither — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:26:24 -0800

suedehead
Well, it's wikipedia, but it's the best I could find in a hurry:
Busiest Bus Route in the US

By: sondrialiac

sondrialiac — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:58:53 -0800

Any bus that goes down 5th Avenue. Especially during the holidays. Down is better than up, more things to eat and do when you decide to get off.

By: saladin

saladin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:21:53 -0800

The NYTimes' Billie Cohen recently praised the views from the X68 Express.

By: These Premises Are Alarmed

These Premises Are Alarmed — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:50:40 -0800

To get off Manhattan you could take the bus out the City Island. BxM7B - City Island - Midtown via 5 Av. And have a good seafood dinner while out there. (NB I've never taken it.)

By: Dormant Gorilla

Dormant Gorilla — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:31:03 -0800

The M9 would take you around Battery Park, up the East Side, through the South Street Seaport, and then into the East Village- that might be a nice alternative.

By: Dormant Gorilla

Dormant Gorilla — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:31:22 -0800

Lower lower lower east side that is, along the water- not the UES.

By: gjc

gjc — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:57:09 -0800

I saw quite a lot taking the Tremont bus from the zoo to Lehman...

But that's probably not what you are talking about. Maybe it is- NYC is a spectacle to outsiders, probably an afternoon zig-zagging around strategic sites would be a great time.

Oh, and the Staten Island ferry.

By: sparrows

sparrows — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:27:46 -0800

The M4 is famous for this! It takes you up Museum Mile and up Broadway to the Cloisters. You get to see a huge range of interesting architecture, different kinds of people, different neighborhoods... and then you end up in the Cloisters, maybe the most beautiful haven in Manhattan.