🛕 May 3 Group A 🗽 May 3 Group B 🚢 May 4 Liberty + ESB 🌳 May 5 Park + Museum 🚗 May 6 NYC - Niagara 🌊 May 7 Falls + Hershey
Times Square, NYC
Photo: Unsplash
🌤 Weather & what to wear
🌡 High: 17°C / 63°F❄️ Low: 12°C / 54°F💨 Wind: 12 km/h SW🌅 Sunset: 7:54 PM
👕 T-shirt + light jacket · jeans · comfortable shoes · BAPS: modest dress (no sleeveless, no shorts above knee) · SUMMIT: wear pants (mirrored floors), flat non-marking shoes
1. Checkout from Hanover Marriott Driving day
11:00 AM
Checkout from Hanover Marriott, Whippany, NJ Load luggage into car · settle hotel bill
11:15 AM
Drive to BAPS Akshardham, Robbinsville, NJ ~50 miles · ~1 hour via I-287 S → NJ Turnpike → I-195 W
2. BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Free entry
12:15 PM
Sunday = reservation required — book time slot online in advance
12:30 PM
Visit Akshardham Mahamandir + campus Largest Hindu temple in the US · 183-acre campus · marble carvings · ~2–2.5 hrs
2:30 PM
Lunch at Shayona Café (inside temple campus) Pure vegetarian Indian food · open 11 AM–8 PM · ~45 min
Dress code: No sleeveless · no shorts above knee · remove shoes inside MahamandirNot allowed: No photography inside · no large bags · no outside food
3. Drive to NYC + hotel check-in ~1.5 hr drive
3:30 PM
Drive Robbinsville → Manhattan ~60 miles · ~1.5 hrs via NJ Turnpike → Lincoln Tunnel
5:00 PM
Park car · pre-book on SpotHero (~$30–50/day) 5:30 PM
Check-in at The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel Both groups check in now
4. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt ~$54/person
6:15 PM
Walk to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Hotel → Grand Central Terminal · 12 min walk · or S shuttle (2 min)
Entry: Vanderbilt Passage inside Grand Central (NOT main office lobby)
6:30 PM
SUMMIT experience — 3 immersive floors (91st–93rd) AIR: mirrored rooms + floating orbs · LEVITATION: glass skyboxes 1,063 ft up · APRÈS: terrace + café · ~1.5–2 hrs
8:30 PM
Exit SUMMIT · walk to Times Square · 12 min Klook: ~$52 Best
GetYourGuide: ~$54
Official: From $54
Kids <6: Free
5. Times Square night walk Free
8:45 PM
Times Square at night LED billboards, street performers · M&M's Store, Hershey's, Disney Store · ~1 hr
10:00 PM
Walk back to hotel — 3 min
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86
Photo: Unsplash
🌤 Weather & what to wear
🌡 High: 17°C / 63°F❄️ Low: 12°C / 54°F💨 Wind: 12 km/h SW🌅 Sunset: 7:54 PM
👕 T-shirt + light jacket · jeans · comfortable walking shoes · ☂️ carry compact umbrella
1. Secaucus → NYC hotel Uber ~$55–80
11:00 AM
Uber/Lyft from Secaucus to Manhattan Friend's home, Secaucus NJ → The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel · ~20–30 min
11:30 AM
Drop bags at hotel front desk Room not ready until 3 PM — hotel stores bags free · freshen up in lobby restroom
2. Lunch — NYC pizza experience No booking needed
12:00 PM
Walk to John's Pizzeria of Times Square 260 W 44th St · 5 min walk from hotel
12:15 PM
Lunch — classic NYC coal-fired pizza Inside a converted 1888 church with stained glass · whole pies only · ~$15–20/person
Alt: Joe's Pizza (1435 Broadway ) · Alt: Shake Shack (691 8th Ave )
3. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum $36 adult / $26 child · CityPASS
1:30 PM
Intrepid Museum — aircraft carrier + space shuttle + submarine Flight deck: real military jets, cockpits · Space Shuttle Enterprise · Submarine Growler · ~2.5 hrs
4:00 PM
Exit museum · walk back toward hotel · 15 min CityPASS: Included Best
Official: $36 / $26
Klook: ~$33
4. Hotel check-in + freshen up Room ready
4:15 PM
Hotel — pick up room key, move bags, freshen up · 30 min 5. Bryant Park + NY Public Library Free
4:45 PM
Walk to Bryant Park · 5 min east (1 block) 5:00 PM
Bryant Park — relax + kids play Free ping pong, chess, pétanque · Le Carrousel ($4) · lawn chairs · clean restrooms
5:30 PM
NY Public Library — quick peek · 10 min Free entry · iconic stone lions · Rose Main Reading Room (52-ft ceiling)
6:00 PM
Walk back to hotel · rest until evening · 2.5 hrs 8:45 PM — Both groups meet for Times Square night walk
6. Times Square night walk (with Group A) Free
8:45 PM
Times Square at night — everyone together M&M's World (until 11 PM), Hershey's, Disney Store · ~1 hr
10:00 PM
Walk back to hotel — 3 min
Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor
Photo: Unsplash
🌤 Weather & what to wear
🌡 High: 18°C / 64°F❄️ Low: 13°C / 55°F💨 Wind: 11 km/h SE💧 Humidity: 65%🌅 Sunset: 7:55 PM
👕 T-shirt + light jacket (remove midday, put back by 5 PM) · jeans · sneakers · ☀️ SPF 30 · 🚢 Ferry: jacket on · 🌉 Bridge: jacket in backpack · 🏙 ESB 8 PM: jacket zipped (~13°C + wind)
1. Subway to Battery Park $2.90/ride
8:10 AM
Subway: 1 train (red line) downtown Board: 42 St–Times Square · Exit: South Ferry (last stop) · direct · every 5–10 min
8:30 AM
Walk to Castle Clinton ferry terminal 3 min into The Battery · security + boarding (30 min before departure)
2. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island CityPASS included
9:00 AM
Statue City Cruises — first ferry Battery Park → Liberty Island (15 min) → Ellis Island (15 min) → Battery Park · Hindi audio
9:15 AM
Liberty Island — Statue + museum · ~1.5 hrs 10:45 AM
Ferry to Ellis Island · 15 min 11:00 AM
Ellis Island — Immigration Museum · ~45 min 11:45 AM
Ferry back to Battery Park · arrive ~12:00 PM CityPASS: Included Best
Official: $25.50 / $16.50
10% off: DESCOUPON10
3. Lunch — Bombay's Indian Restaurant No booking needed
12:30 PM
Lunch — vegetarian Indian Malai Kofta, Paneer, Chana Masala, Dal, Naan · ~$15–20/person · Alt: Benares (45 Murray St )
4. WTC 9/11 Memorial Free
1:30 PM
Walk to WTC Memorial · 10 min 1:45 PM
9/11 Memorial — reflecting pools Two reflecting pools · free, open access · Oculus visible · ~45 min
5. Brooklyn Bridge walk + DUMBO Free (carousel $2)
2:30 PM
Walk to Brooklyn Bridge entrance · 10 min 2:45 PM
Walk across Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan → Brooklyn · 1.1 mi · stay LEFT for views · ~18°C (64°F) · ~35–40 min
3:25 PM
Washington St photo spot · Jane's Carousel ($2) · waterfront · ~1.5 hrs
6. Return to hotel + rest $2.90/ride
5:00 PM
Subway: F train uptown Board: York St (DUMBO) · Exit: 42 St–Bryant Park · ~30 min
5:30 PM
Hotel — rest & freshen up · 2 hours 7. Empire State Building — sunset CityPASS included
7:45 PM
86th floor observatory — open-air 360° deck Sunset ~8:05 PM · golden hour · city lights after dark · ~1.5 hrs
9:15 PM
Walk back to hotel · 10 min CityPASS: AM/PM incl. Best
GetYourGuide: From $42
Klook: From $42
Official: $44 + $5
Central Park, Manhattan
Photo: Unsplash
🌤 Weather & what to wear
🌡 High: 18°C / 64°F❄️ Low: 14°C / 57°F💨 Wind: 10 km/h NE💧 Humidity: 66%🌅 Sunset: 7:56 PM
👕 T-shirt + light jacket (carry in backpack midday) · jeans · sneakers · ☀️ SPF 30 · 🌳 Central Park 9 AM: ~14°C jacket on · 🌿 High Line 3:45 PM: ~18°C jacket off · 🌬 Vessel: breezy
1. Central Park morning walk Free
9:15 AM
Central Park — south loop walk Pond → Bethesda Fountain → Bow Bridge → Strawberry Fields · playground 72nd St · ~1.25 hrs
10:30 AM
Exit park 79th St west → museum · 5 min 2. American Museum of Natural History CityPASS included
10:40 AM
Museum visit — 3 hours Dinosaurs (4th floor), Blue Whale, Hayden Planetarium · Discovery Room, Butterfly Vivarium
CityPASS: Included Best
Official: $28 / $16.50
Klook: ~$27
3. Lunch — Saravanaa Bhavan No booking needed
1:35 PM
Walk to Saravanaa Bhavan · 1 min from museum 413 Amsterdam Ave · pure vegetarian South Indian
1:40 PM
Lunch — dosa, idli, uttapam, thali · ~$15–20/person Alt: Swagat NYC (411A Amsterdam Ave ) — North Indian, next door
4. Subway to Little Island & The High Line $2.90/ride
2:40 PM
Subway: 1 train downtown Board: 79th St (2 min walk) · Exit: 14th St (7 stops) · 12 min · walk west 8 min
3:45 PM
The High Line walk (northbound) Elevated park · Gansevoort St → Hudson Yards · 1.5 mi · art, gardens · ~45–60 min
5. The Vessel — Hudson Yards $10/person
4:45 PM
The Vessel — climb the honeycomb staircase 154 flights, 2,500 steps · elevator available · 30–45 min
General: $10 Book online
Flex: $15
Under 5: Free
5:15 PM — Group splits · choose your evening
Option A: Edge NYC Observation Deck $38–44/person
5:15 PM
Edge — 100th floor · glass floor, 360° · ~1 hr Walk 2 min (same complex) · Klook: ~$40 · Official: $44/$38
6:30 PM
7 train → Times Square · back at hotel Option B: Rockefeller Center — LEGO + Nintendo Free
5:15 PM
7 train → Times Sq → S shuttle → Rockefeller Ctr · 15 min 5:30 PM
LEGO Store + Nintendo Store · free entry · ~1.5 hrs 7:00 PM
Walk to hotel · 8 min Option C: Return to Hotel & Rest Free
5:15 PM
Hudson Yards mall · 15 min · then 7 train → Times Sq (5 min) 5:50 PM
Hotel — rest, pack for May 6 Niagara · departs 8:30 AM CityPASS covers: AMNH (included) · Edge, Vessel, stores are separateOption A (Edge): Book on Klook (~$40) to save vs official ($44)Tomorrow (May 6): Depart NYC 8:30 AM for Niagara Falls — pack tonight
Leaving NYC - heading north
Photo: Unsplash
🌧 Weather & what to wear
🏙 NYC departure: 17°C / 63°F🌡 Niagara high: 16°C / 61°F🥶 Niagara low: 8°C / 46°F💨 Wind: 15 km/h🌧 Rain: Moderate🌅 Sunset: ~8:22 PM
🧥 Coldest day of the trip - feels like Gujarat January night at Niagara. Warm jacket essential. Pack waterproof jacket/poncho for falls mist tomorrow. 🧃 Carry snacks, water, chai thermos for the drive. 👦 Kids: extra layer + entertainment for 4.5 hr stretch
1. Depart NYC Checkout by 8:30 AM
8:00 AM
Checkout from The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel Load car · settle hotel bill · fill water bottles, pack snacks
8:30 AM
Drive north: I-87 N (NY State Thruway) NYC → Albany · ~150 miles · ~2.5 hrs · toll road (E-ZPass or pay at booth)
2. Lunch near Albany (~11:00–11:30 AM arrival) Choose one option
Option A
Dosa Grill — South Indian · Buffet $13.99 · ⭐ 4.6 (1,167 reviews) 1225 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203 · Opens 11:30 AM · 5 min off I-90
Dosa, idli, sambar, paneer, chana masala, naan · comfort food after 3 days of American food
Option B
Great Indian Kitchen — North Indian · Buffet ~$14–18 · ⭐ 4.5 (1,024 reviews) 1652 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203 · Opens 11:30 AM · 5 min off I-90
Full Indian buffet + bar · very clean · free mango ice cream reported
Option C
Simone's Kitchen — Mediterranean bowls · ~$12–15 · ⭐ 4.8 (277 reviews) 1475 Western Ave #38, Albany, NY 12203 · Opens 11:00 AM · 5 min off I-90
Fresh falafel bowls, hummus, pita, quinoa · healthy, fast · highest rated in area
Option D
Eat your own food — Pattersonville Plaza (I-90 Westbound, MM 168) Thruway service area · on highway, no exit needed · indoor tables, restrooms, WiFi, microwave · Free
3. Drive Albany → Niagara Falls ~4.5 hrs
12:15 PM
Back on I-90 West Albany → Syracuse → Rochester → Buffalo → Niagara Falls · ~290 miles · ~4.5 hrs
~2:30 PM
Rest stop — Junius Ponds Plaza (I-90 W, MM 324) Midway point · restrooms, stretch break for kids · 15 min
~4:45 PM
Arrive Niagara Falls, NY 4. Hotel check-in + rest Seneca Niagara Resort
5:30 PM
Rest, freshen up, early dinner at hotel or nearby 5. Evening — optional falls walk at dusk Optional · Free
8:00 PM
Optional: walk to Niagara Falls State Park (10 min from hotel) Sunset ~8:22 PM · illumination from Canadian side starts ~8:45 PM (partial view from US side)
Dress warm — 8°C + wind + mist · return by ~9:15 PM
OR
Skip evening, rest fully (recommended) Morning is better: sunlight creates rainbows in mist, warmer, full energy
E-ZPass: NY Thruway is toll road — E-ZPass saves time, or pay cash/card at boothsKids: Download shows/movies on tablet before departure for 4.5 hr Albany→Niagara stretchFuel: Fill up in NYC or at Albany lunch stop · service areas on I-90 have gasTomorrow: Niagara Falls morning (9 AM–12 PM) then drive to Hershey via Vraj Temple
Niagara Falls, New York
Photo: Unsplash
🌊 Weather & what to wear
🌫 Niagara 9 AM: ~11°C / 52°F🌡 Niagara high: 17°C / 63°F💨 Wind: 12 km/h🌦 Rain: Low🍫 Hershey evening: ~17°C / 63°F🌄 Sunrise: ~6:05 AM
🧥 Morning at falls: 11°C + mist = feels like 7-8°C. 🌧 Waterproof jacket/poncho required for Maid of the Mist (free poncho provided but bring your own waterproof layer). 🧦 Extra socks in backpack. 📱 Phone waterproof pouch recommended. Hershey evening warmer (~17°C)
1. Niagara Falls State Park — morning experience Maid of Mist: $30.25/$19.75 · Park: Free
8:30 AM
Breakfast at hotel · check out · load car Pack waterproof poncho, extra socks, phone pouch
9:00 AM
Drive to Niagara Falls State Park · Parking Lot #1 333 Prospect St · ~5 min from hotel
9:15 AM
Prospect Point — American Falls viewpoint First views of American Falls + Horseshoe Falls in distance · photos · 15 min
9:30 AM
Maid of the Mist — boat ride to base of falls Tickets at Observation Tower · elevator to dock · boats every 15 min · ~30–40 min ride
Past American Falls → into Horseshoe Falls basin · free poncho provided
Morning sunlight = rainbows in the mist — best photos of entire trip
10:30 AM
Goat Island walk Pedestrian bridge → Bridal Veil Falls → Three Sisters Islands → Terrapin Point (closest US view of Horseshoe Falls) · ~1 hr
11:30 AM
Gift shop, restrooms, change wet clothes if needed 12:00 PM
Depart Niagara Falls Adult: $30.25
Child 6–12: $19.75
Under 5: Free
Family of 4: ~$100
Park entry: Free
2. Drive Niagara Falls → Vraj Temple ~5 hrs · packed lunch on the way
12:00 PM
Drive: I-90 East → I-81 South Niagara Falls → Syracuse → Scranton → Schuylkill Haven · ~310 miles · ~5 hrs
~2:00 PM
Lunch — eat packed food at Thruway rest stop Chittenango or DeWitt Plaza (near Syracuse) · indoor tables, restrooms
~3:30 PM
Quick rest stop — kids stretch break · 15 min ~5:00 PM
Arrive at Vraj Hindu Temple 3. Vraj Hindu Temple (Shrinathji Haveli) Free · Open 7 AM–7:30 PM daily
5:00 PM
284-acre campus in Blue Mountains · Shrinathji swaroop · Pushtimarg Vaishnav
5:15 PM
Sandhya Aarti darshan + temple visit 60-ft tall Haveli · 3 stories · Rajasthani architecture · Chandra Sarovar lake · Girirajji
Canteen: vegetarian prasad — rotli, shaak, dal, chai at minimal cost
6:30 PM
Depart Vraj for Hershey ~65 miles · ~1.25 hrs via I-78 W → I-81 S → US-322 W
Dress code: Modest clothing · remove shoes inside Haveli · no photography inside templeCanteen: Simple vegetarian prasad — like home · chai, bhajiya availableContact: (570) 754-7067 · check vraj.org for darshan timings
4. Drive to Hershey + check-in ~1.25 hrs
6:30 PM
Drive Vraj → Hershey, PA · ~65 miles · ~1.25 hrs 8:00 PM
Dinner nearby + rest · early night Maid of the Mist: Tickets at Observation Tower — no reservation needed. Boats every 15 min. Season opens early May — confirm at maidofthemist.comVraj darshan: Check vraj.org for exact Sandhya Aarti timing on ThuTomorrow (May 8): Hershey's Chocolate World → drive to Washington D.C.
