Here is part of the Greyhound only times (weekday)
Departs Arrives Duration Transfers Carrier Schedule
12:40am 03:05am 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8504
01:30am 03:55am 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8508
02:30am 04:55am 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8510
02:30am 04:55am 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8514
04:00am 06:25am 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8520
04:30am 07:05am 2h, 35m 0 GLI 8524
04:45am 07:10am 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8522
05:45am 08:10am 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8516
06:00am 08:25am 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8626
07:00am 09:25am 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8534
08:00am 10:25am 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8536
09:00am 11:25am 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8538
10:00am 12:25pm 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8540
11:30am 01:55pm 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8544
12:01pm 02:25pm 2h, 24m 0 GLI 8502
12:30pm 02:55pm 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8546
01:30pm 03:55pm 2h, 25m 0 GLI 8548
As you can see, the express bus takes 2 hours and 25 min. It leaves from AC Terminal, right next to the AC Train Terminal....about 2 blocks from the beach front casinos.
There is also NJ Transit BUs and Academy Bus service.
Its possible to take the train, but involves too many transfers. (And goes through 30th St Penn Station in Philly)
BUS Non discounted fare for 2 adults and 2 kids R/T is about $98.00.
During rush hours, all busses have dedicated highway lanes not available to any autos....( Bus only lanes, not HOV lanes...which are next to the bus lanes. )
If you drive, exit Seaview on Rt 9 and go N to the light at Jimmy Leeds Road. , and make a left. Stay on Jimmy Leeds Road until you pass under the NORTH Bound lane of the Garden State Parkway....and make an immediate left at the light and the entrance to the GSP Atlantic City Rest Area. Turn Left and left again and you should be on the GSP North bound lanes.
Follow N and you may pick local or express as you get furthur north. After you pass over a very big bridge, be prepared to exit the GSP and enter the NJ Turnpike. The NJ Turnpike has several NYC exits....but you are aiming for Manhattan?
The signage saying Turnpike extension and Holland Tunnel will bring you to downtown Manhattan....ie Canal Street area.....No...right?
So, stay on the NJ Turnpike furthur north (past Newark Airport) and follow signs to the Lincoln Tunnel. That will exit you right at the parking at the NY NJ Port Authority parking....between 41 st and 42 st...very near the theater stuff. (This is where the Port Authority Bus Terminal also is, and where MOST of the busses into NY will let you off....like the Greyhound mentioned above.
Parking is expensive.
You will be able to walk to TKTS, for 1/2 price tixs or walk to many restaurants. If your family is good at walking, they might be able to walk to Radio City and the REAL RCA building (now called the GE building) where the NBC studios are.....( Sarnoff {
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Sarnoff } is flipping)