With its numerous historical attractions, buildings, museums and vibrant culture New York attracts millions of tourists from various corners of the world. However, it is not necessarily youngsters and families who can enjoy a vacation in the thriving city. It has plenty of options to make the tour enjoyable as well as affordable for elderly visitors. Senior citizens visiting the city, alone or with family members, can enjoy the tour if they plan carefully. The nice public transportation system and affordable accommodation will come as pleasant surprise for them.
Transportation in NYC for elderly people
Fortunately, elderly people visiting various parts of New York do not have to face transportation problems much. If you are above 65 years, it is possible to avail reduced bus and subway fares in the city. A majority of city buses have wheelchair lifts with option to lower front entrance for easier access. Seniors may also sit behind driver.
Planning for seeing NYC attractions is important for senior visitors
The tourist attractions in and around New York are aplenty but senior visitors need to plan carefully. Attractions that need lots of walking or climbing stairs can make them feel fatigued soon. Keep in mind that places like Central Park and Times Square can be best explored by walking.
Senior visitors who do not like to walk yet want to cover the most iconic landmarks and places in the city, have two options. A bus ride will cover many spots or a boat tour around the Manhattan region should suffice for them. The Manhattan island cruise takes over 2 hours and covers Statue of Liberty, Roosevelt Island and Ellis Island. Availing the Bus network is economical, as it is. It is better to check bus routes online beforehand. Gray Line bus tours are quite popular and routes cover Statue of Liberty and other top sightseeing options in the city.
Affordable tourist attractions for seniors in NYC
A number of New York tourist attractions are affordable for senior visitors. It would be a good idea to visit the museums during daytime as seniors get free entry. Some attractions have special hours like Museum of Modern Art and Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The Bronx Zoo has an option to pay what you can afford for admission.
Elderly people planning to explore the city for a week should opt for New York City Pass. It helps save both money and time. It includes heavy discounts for attractions like the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History and Metropolitan Museum of Art. The pass also entitles the buyers to opt for a Hayden Planetarium show and Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise. Senior visitors with grandchildren can obtain better discounts for the companion.
Getting close to nature
For some elderly visitors, the grandiose edifices and buildings of NYC may seem less desirable than the natural attractions like parks and zoo. They should head to various parks in the city. The historic Richmond town, central park zoo and Queens Country Farm Museum are ideal for such visitors.