New York Visit

I would make time to go the the Hi-line park, it's a park made on top of an abandoned rail line. it starts at 30th street and goes down to about 14th street and you can go to Chelsea market and eat we did it last week end and I would highly recommend it.

I just reread your post might be a little much for a 5 year old, there was a train store on 34th street by the Empire State building I'm not sure if thats still there maybe some else on the forum knows.

Grand Central plus FAO Schwartz should be fine for 6 hours.  Sadly, I do not think there are any train shops in Manhattan worth going to anymore.  In Grand Central you can see trains arriving and leaving.

Peter

We have cruised out of NYC often. Grand Central Terminal would make a nice trip on a quite Sunday morning. But I think the Interpid  requires some consideration. It is next to the cruise piers

http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/

I've been in NYC's Grand Central Station a fair number of times, but I've never really looked at it from a tourism perspective. It is a beautiful and interesting station. I was not aware that you could see the trains themselves. Where would one go to see the trains?

There is a toy train shop with a layout on the lower level of Grand Central Station by Track 33.

Just stay away from Penn Station.  It's a toilet.  If you want to visit a train shop look into taking a cab to Trainworld.  They have two stores.  One on Long Island in Lynbrook and the other in Brooklyn, I think the Brooklyn store would be closer.  Or you could take the LIRR from the dreaded Penn Station to Lynbrook.  6 hours is a long time to kill But I don't know how daring you may or may not want to be.  The Intrepid I think is a must see.  Just my .02. Goodluck and enjoy the trip!

Grand Central Terminal is a great stop. I agree with the folks above about there being no train shops to visit. Getting to Brooklyn to see Trainworld might be a little tight logistically if you want to see GCT.

Was just on the trainworld site.

Says they are closed Sundays.

how about a visit to the NJ Hi-Railers, about a 35 minute cab ride to see the worlds largest 3 rail O gauge layout. if you are interested please email me. October 27 is our big Monster and Ghost Halloween Show

OCTOBER OPEN HOUSE: The 2013 Halloween Monster Invasion

Nick I think you have your answer!

Nick:

Are than any other US ports of call on your cruise schedule?

Thanks very much for all the info. guys!

Sounds like it's the NJ-High Railers. 

John,

       Tried to email you but it bounced back. Have added my email to my profile.

Kind Regards

Nick

I emailed you Nick, hope you get it.

Nick

   If you have the time, make the trip to the NJ Hirailers. There is no other layout like it in the world nor has a better group of people. Six hours is easy to spend while there. You feel like you have just visited old friends.

Ray Marion

Grand Central is awesome to visit in NYC, and any kid would love FAO. A earlier poster is wrong there is no toy store by track 33 on the lower level. Track 33 is on the upper level and the transit store is there. It has a Lionel layout only at Christmas time. But visit GCT it is great..Also squeeze in the 9/11 memorial it is special!

Are you flying back to Port Canaveral or sailing back again? If you are flying and can arrange to fly out of Newark I would definitely take in the train world's "jersey boys". If you are sailing back to Florida...just be sure you don't miss 'da boat!

Take the F train to Ditmas Avenue in Brooklyn. It speeds, clatters and bangs. Your train mad 5-year-old will love it. Going from Manhattan to Brooklyn, the subway becomes an EL (elevated). Great views from all sides. Get off at Ditmas Avenue. Go downstairs to street level. Visit [the late Peter] Bianco's Trainworld at 751 McDonald Avenue.

Heading back to Port Canaveral on the ship. No don't want to miss it The better half would not be to happy!

Reckon the youngest and myself will have a couple of hours at the NJ Hirailers and then head back to meet up with my Wife and the eldest at FAO.

I think the taxi guy is bound to wonder why the Limey who just got of the cruise ship wants to go to a silk mill in NJ.

Thanks again for all the suggestions guys. 

Nick

I think you will really enjoy the NJ Hi-Railers club in Paterson NJ.  Great group of guys and very family oriented and most of all FUN!

AlK. 

Trainworld is not much to visit really order on line you are not missing much by not dropping in the store.

They do have some circles of track and some stuff on display though.

I would go with the NJ high railers that would be fun.

Also the little one might be more interested in Toys R Us in the heart of the city pretty cool for the little ones (not a train store at all)  and FAO Schwarz for kids.

Some news that lessens my angst about you missing your ship: both the NY Jets and Giants are on the road that Sunday. So I'm less concerned about bottleneck traffic in north Jersey that afternoon. You'll love the cruise and New York City....and never forget the Highrailers.

Also consider the NY Transit Museum in Brooklyn.

http://www.mta.info/mta/museum/

It is a huge collection of subway equipment from over the decades, located in an actual former subway station.  Easy to get to via subway (of course).

Quite awesome.

Forget Trainworld.  It's a dump.  Not worth the trip.