NYC/NJ: Tour ideas like the Hop On/Hop Off Bus, but something else...
January 6, 2025 1:04 PM Subscribe
My grandma in her 90s loves going on all kinds of tours and cruises. Previously I've taken her on the Hop On Hop Off Bus in NYC and she loved it. I'm looking for other ideas in the NYC/NJ area for May-June.
She loves being on boats or being driven places to go see things. The starting point for this adventure can be in NYC or NJ, but with some limitations:
- She walks slow, can walk up to 1 mile with breaks, can do 1-2 flights of stairs very slowly. Taking public transportation from her house to midtown might be too much for her at this point. Ideally I would find something where I can drive and park nearby.
- I don't mind spending up to ~$100 per ticket, but I don't want to spend $100 on tolls, congestion pricing, parking, or Lyft. She lives in Brooklyn, I am in NJ, so I have to factor in time and money to pick her up and drop her off, OR she sometimes stays at our place for a couple of days so the starting point can be in NJ, which cuts down on the back and forth driving in 1 day.
- She does not speak English. So this has to be something that is visual or where I can talk to her/translate without bothering others. She loves the ballet, opera, musicals, concerts, but this time she specifically hinted at more of a "go see things" type of adventure.
I'm looking at Cornucopia Cruises, but is it too much of a party vibe with the DJ? I also don't love the idea of sharing a table with 8 strangers when she can't participate in the conversation.
Any ideas?
She loves being on boats or being driven places to go see things. The starting point for this adventure can be in NYC or NJ, but with some limitations:
- She walks slow, can walk up to 1 mile with breaks, can do 1-2 flights of stairs very slowly. Taking public transportation from her house to midtown might be too much for her at this point. Ideally I would find something where I can drive and park nearby.
- I don't mind spending up to ~$100 per ticket, but I don't want to spend $100 on tolls, congestion pricing, parking, or Lyft. She lives in Brooklyn, I am in NJ, so I have to factor in time and money to pick her up and drop her off, OR she sometimes stays at our place for a couple of days so the starting point can be in NJ, which cuts down on the back and forth driving in 1 day.
- She does not speak English. So this has to be something that is visual or where I can talk to her/translate without bothering others. She loves the ballet, opera, musicals, concerts, but this time she specifically hinted at more of a "go see things" type of adventure.
I'm looking at Cornucopia Cruises, but is it too much of a party vibe with the DJ? I also don't love the idea of sharing a table with 8 strangers when she can't participate in the conversation.
Any ideas?
Co-sign Circle Line, but of course the most budget-friendly option would be the (free) Staten Island ferry.
posted by praemunire at 1:14 PM on January 6 [2 favorites]
posted by praemunire at 1:14 PM on January 6 [2 favorites]
Whale watching from near Coney. There may be something similar that leaves from NJ. I went, it was fun. It's easy to figure out where the whales are coming up bc everyone runs to that side and points, no need for English guidance.
There's also just the straight up nyc ferry up and down the East River. You could easily drive to one terminal and ride the ferry to the final terminal and back.
posted by greta simone at 1:16 PM on January 6 [1 favorite]
There's also just the straight up nyc ferry up and down the East River. You could easily drive to one terminal and ride the ferry to the final terminal and back.
posted by greta simone at 1:16 PM on January 6 [1 favorite]
Met Cloisters This museum is another world apart from New York very close to the city. You can get a sense of the collection and the grounds from this website. You would most likely be able to obtain a wheelchair for her so she can rest and amble at will.
posted by effluvia at 3:54 PM on January 6 [2 favorites]
posted by effluvia at 3:54 PM on January 6 [2 favorites]
Open House New York does cool boat tours in the summers, though I think they usually leave from South St Seaport:
https://ohny.org/format/boat-tour/
You can do Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island departures from Liberty State Park in Jersey City. There’s also a ferry now between St George (where the Staten Island ferry terminal in SI is) and the Brookfield Place/World Financial terminal, which in turn has ferries to Jersey City, so maybe you could piece together a round trip out of that.
There do seem to be Hudson River cruises, maybe some of the closer ones would work.
Random thought: the UN offers tours in various languages & has wheelchairs available. But transit logistics might be tough.
posted by yarrow at 7:07 PM on January 6
https://ohny.org/format/boat-tour/
You can do Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island departures from Liberty State Park in Jersey City. There’s also a ferry now between St George (where the Staten Island ferry terminal in SI is) and the Brookfield Place/World Financial terminal, which in turn has ferries to Jersey City, so maybe you could piece together a round trip out of that.
There do seem to be Hudson River cruises, maybe some of the closer ones would work.
Random thought: the UN offers tours in various languages & has wheelchairs available. But transit logistics might be tough.
posted by yarrow at 7:07 PM on January 6
Thirding the Circle Line! It seems like a perfect option for her. It's a very pleasant, relaxed time.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 7:40 PM on January 6
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 7:40 PM on January 6
My mom is a senior and she absolutely loved this adventure. We booked the restaurant at One World Trade (next to the Oculus and NJ Transit). This allowed us to be VIP and avoid all the lines. She enjoyed going up to the top, eating at a restaurant and the views. You can also book a tour. It is next to the new Perelman Arts Center and she may enjoy the guided tour there of the new arts space.
This does not have driving and cruises but it does give her chance to look out into big skylines of water and go on a tour without too much effort. My mom was so impressed that she is taking her friends on this trip.
posted by ichimunki at 10:21 AM on January 7
This does not have driving and cruises but it does give her chance to look out into big skylines of water and go on a tour without too much effort. My mom was so impressed that she is taking her friends on this trip.
posted by ichimunki at 10:21 AM on January 7
Tea Around Town is a tour bus in NYC that does a full afternoon tea service on the bus. I know someone who did it with her mother, and they both really enjoyed it.
posted by Pineapplicious at 1:50 PM on January 7
posted by Pineapplicious at 1:50 PM on January 7
In a different state, I had a lovely time on a ferry with family.
posted by oceano at 9:16 PM on January 7
posted by oceano at 9:16 PM on January 7
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posted by JohnnyGunn at 1:07 PM on January 6 [6 favorites]