Compare Out and About in NYC: History, Skyscrapers and Iconic Landmarks by Road Scholar

Day 1
Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation, Empire State Bld.
New York D New Yorker Hotel
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:30 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar meeting room (the location will be posted in the lobby on an LED board across from the security desk; usually the Brooklyn Room on the lower level). Register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your envelope when you check in.

Dinner: In the Tick Tock Diner just off the lobby of our historic hotel, we’ll have our first meal together and order from a select menu. This 24-hour diner features American cooking and “comfort food.” Dinner in the diner is included even if you arrive late. You may eat later but please attend Orientation first. Or, get “take out” and bring your plate to the meeting room.

Evening: Orientation: 6:15-7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar FLEX program. The schedule includes extensive free time for you to explore New York independently, to see and do what interests you most according to your personal preferences. Before you leave home, we highly recommend downloading the “Transit • Bus & Subway Times” app (https://transitapp.com/ — select New York City) to your phone and familiarize yourself with the transit system. We also suggest you come with a “bucket list” of sites you want to see and things you want to do so the Group Leader(s) can assist you most effectively. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities for ideas. Our Group Leader(s) will be happy to offer suggestions and help you organize your plans to make the most of this experience. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Next, we will walk over to the Empire State Building. From the 86th floor observation deck, we’ll have a bird’s eye view of the Manhattan street grid and all five boroughs with New Jersey in the distance (weather permitting). It’s a great way to orient yourself to New York’s geography and get your first “big picture” look at the city. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day 2
NYC History, Rock Center, Radio City, Ellis Island Intro.
New York B,D New Yorker Hotel
Activity note: Use of New York public transportation (subway). Walking approximately 5 miles; city streets and sidewalks.

Breakfast: In the hotel meeting room, we’ll have bagels, muffins, bananas, hard-boiled eggs, cold cereals, cream cheese, jelly, butter, plus milk (regular/low-fat), orange juice, coffee/decaf, tea, water. During breakfast, we will register with the MTA for a senior citizen MetroCard (if you are 65 or over). A representative from the MTA will take your picture and a copy of your driver’s license to process your permanent MetroCard application. They will give you a temporary card to use for the week, enabling you to ride for half price. A few weeks after you return home you will receive a permanent card in the mail — your official invitation to come back to New York and ride around for half price. If you have been on a previous program and have a senior citizen's MetroCard, please bring it with you.

Morning: We’ll be joined in the meeting room by a local expert for a lecture on the history and architecture of New York City and begin to gain an understanding of the five boroughs it comprises — the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island — each with its own history, personality, and appeal. We will travel by subway with our Group Leader to the Rockefeller Center area. We’ll also stop at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Completed in 1879, the cathedral is a symbol of the success of New York’s immigrant Irish Catholic population. We’ll then stroll to Rockefeller Center with our expert. This remarkable complex is the legacy of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. It opened in 1933 in the depths of the Great Depression as both a business venture and a manifestation of the belief that public art is an act of good citizenship. The art deco motifs and sculptures were intended to signify human development in spirit, science, industry, and more.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: We will regroup at a designated time and place for our next field trip, to Radio City Music Hall. At this Art Deco masterpiece, we will have an expert-led exploration that takes us behind the scenes of its famous productions. We’ll marvel at the art, architecture, engineering, and see hydraulic lifts from the early 20th century that still move the many stages. The remainder of the afternoon is free for personal independent exploration.

Dinner: At a neighborhood Chinese restaurant, we’ll have a family-style meal with choices of soup, appetizers, and entrées; coffee, tea, water included, other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: We’ll be joined by a former Ellis Island National Park ranger for a presentation on Liberty Island, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, setting the stage for our field trip in the morning.

Day 3
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
New York B New Yorker Hotel
Activity note: Use of New York public transportation (subway). Walking approximately 5 miles; city streets and sidewalks.

Breakfast: In the Tick Tock Diner, we’ll order from a select menu.

Morning: We’ll head straight out this morning to take the best advantage of our time on Liberty and Ellis Islands where you may explore both iconic islands at your own pace to see and do what interests you most. We’ll begin by boarding the ferry to Liberty Island. The Statue of Liberty — officially “Liberty Enlightening the World” — was a gift to the people of America from the people of France, our oldest ally. It was the biggest event in the country on the Fourth of July 1884. Years later, these words of poet Emma Lazarus were added: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Complimentary audio guides tell the statue’s incredible story. For those who are interested in more in-depth information after your self-directed study, the National Park Service offers several on-site, Ranger-led presentations. At your own pace, move on to Ellis Island via the ferry.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like. Both Liberty Island and Ellis Island have cafeterias. A somewhat larger selection can be found on Liberty Island where you can enjoy lunch al fresco, overlooking New York Harbor. Ellis Island includes indoor as well as outdoor seating.

Afternoon: The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration traces the history of immigration from 1892 when the station opened until it closed in 1954. This was the gateway to America for more than 12 million people, and their “golden door” to new lives. Today, the descendants of these immigrants make up almost half of all Americans. The museum tells the story of where people came from and what their experience was like. During this self-directed exploration, we will see exhibits that chronicle Ellis Island’s role in the context of centuries of immigration to America. You may stay as long as you like on both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, returning independently when you please. The last ferry usually leaves Ellis Island around 5:00 p.m.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure. You might like to take in a Broadway show or a stroll on the High Line.

Day 4
Theater District, Times Square, Free Time
New York B,L New Yorker Hotel
Activity note: Use of New York public transportation (subway). Walking approximately 3 miles; city streets and sidewalks.

Breakfast: In the Tick Tock Diner.

Morning: We’ll set out on an expert-led exploration of the Theater District and Times Square. There are 40 theaters in and around the area known worldwide as Broadway. There is also a TKTS discount ticket booth in Times Square, operated by the Theatre Development Fund, a not-for-profit organization supporting theatre and dance productions that enables diverse audiences to attend live performances. Most of us know Times Square from televised events on New Year’s Eve. The name comes from the old location of the New York Times. The Times Tower, built in 1905, was then the second-tallest building in the city. The first New Year’s Eve event was staged to celebrate its opening. Like the newspaper, times changed and Times Square went through ups and downs. Today, the not-for-profit Times Square Alliance works to cultivate the creativity and energy that have made this iconic public space a symbol of New York.

Lunch: In Bryant Park, we'll have boxed lunches.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Broadway shows offer a matinee on Wednesday. Most shows are at 2:00 p.m.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure. Explore on your own or enjoy some R&R at the hotel.

Day 5
Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York B,D New Yorker Hotel
Activity note: Use of New York public transportation (subway). Walking approximately 3 miles; city streets and sidewalks.

Breakfast: In the Tick Tock Diner.

Morning: We will travel by subway to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where an art historian will join us to provide an overview of the museum and tips on navigating its galleries. On the way, we’ll traverse Central Park as our expert talks about its history and points out areas of interest. Some 42 million people visit Central Park each year. Its 843 acres are managed by the private, not-for-profit Central Park Conservancy, formed in 1980 to improve and restore the park to prime condition after a period of decline. Central Park today is America’s greatest and grandest public green space, providing respite and inspiration for residents and visitors alike.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like. At the Metropolitan, there are choices from the cafeteria to the elegant Petrie Court Café. There are also numerous restaurants and other eateries in the vicinity of the museum.

Afternoon: Free time. You might like to see more of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, arguably the largest museum in the Western Hemisphere. A variety of docent led explorations will guide you through the collections of your choice. Or, walk to other nearby museums such as the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the Neue Galerie. You may also wish to ramble back through Central Park, or have a coffee and watch the passing people parade. It’s New York, so the possibilities are virtually endless.

Dinner: At a restaurant near the hotel, we’ll enjoy a plated farewell dinner with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure after our closing session in the morning.

Day 6
Brunch, Program Concludes
New York BR
Activity note: Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon.

Brunch: We’ll enjoy a closing brunch with new Road Scholar friends to share favorite experiences. We expect to end by approximately 10:30 a.m. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!