Another New York City thread, I need some help!

[wilkeliza]

Yes, everyone has been wonderful with their helpful posts on this thread. I will definitely come back and let you all know about our trip.

Thanks for the recommendation. I added S'MAC to my list. I think our hotel is in Murray Hill area, but I am not sure. I have to check.

I still have to plan our Washington DC and Philadelphia part of our trip. Too much to do and DD12 just came back home from camp with a bad cold. We all are keeping away from her so that we don't get sick before our trip.

You hotel is pretty close to the Smac in Murry Hill. The Murray Hill location is 33 between Lex and 3rd and I remember you saying you were either on 33 and park or Lex.

 

[findmewdw]

Just a quick note - if you decide to buy your theater tickets at TKTS - they only take cash - no credit cards.

]

Thanks. I have not read they only take cash! We are hoping to get tickets for Newsies. I never carry cash.

This thread has been very helpful for me, too. We are going in July.

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks SingingMom, you have been very helpful.
I added Bond45 to the list. I also added Ellen's Stardust. Someone mentioned it on a post and I forgot to add it. I have heard about Carmine's being a tourist trap. I am just making a list and check them online, so that if we are close to any of these restaurants, I will recognize them.

Ellen's Stardust Diner is fun. It is a crowded place, the food is diner fare, but the singing waiters are great!

Also - TKTS accepts credit cards now. It *used* to be cash only. They have a helpful app. TKTS is run by the Tdf - Theatre Development Fund. The app lists current day's ticket availability and hours.

Have fun!!!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[findmewdw]

Also - TKTS accepts credit cards now. It *used* to be cash only. They have a helpful app. TKTS is run by the Tdf - Theatre Development Fund. The app lists current day's ticket availability and hours.



"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Thanks, I just downloaded app. Glad to hear they accept credit cards,too.

 

[NYCDiane]

I know people keep mentioning the TKTS booth but you would honestly be better off with BroadwayBox.com.

Go to the site, choose the shows you want and see what discounts are available for your dates. Write down the code for each show or print out the discount and bring it to the box office.

The reason I say this is because you'll almost be able to choose your own seats and likely get much better seats than from TKTS.

I've always had great success with the BroadwayBox discounts. One time, my daughter wanted to see a particular show. I got the discount code and went to the theater already having decided what seats I would want. The ticket person told me there was no way I could get any of the seats I wanted and that all orchestra seating is sold out for the next 2 months or so. As we were going back and forth over various seating, he tells me "you're not going to believe this. Two seats JUST opened right behind the original seats you wanted" and we booked the seats and got a 40% discount!!

We've seen so many shows with the BB discounts and have always gotten amazing seating.

You can also look at ILoveNYTheater.com --- they will tell you what shows have "lottery" and student rush tix (with valid, current student ID). Lottery is great (we've seen Wicked twice that way!!!) but you can only buy 2 tickets (same with student rush)

Lottery: About 2 hours prior to show time, you line up and put your name on a slip of paper and put it in a barrel thing. About 1.5 hours prior to show time, they spin the barrel and pull out 12 names. If you're one of the lucky 12, you have to show valid ID and you can buy 2 tix ($26-$30 each). They're typically orchestra seating, possibly first row. Cash only.

Student Rush: You show your student ID at the box office, you can buy 2 tix at discounted rate. Cash only.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Yes, everyone has been wonderful with their helpful posts on this thread. I will definitely come back and let you all know about our trip.

Thanks for the recommendation. I added S'MAC to my list. I think our hotel is in Murray Hill area, but I am not sure. I have to check.

I still have to plan our Washington DC and Philadelphia part of our trip. Too much to do and DD12 just came back home from camp with a bad cold. We all are keeping away from her so that we don't get sick before our trip.

We were just there last month. S'Mac is soooo gooood. It was my kids fav restaurant in NYC.

 

[fabulousfive]

We had a fantastic meal at Carmine's the other day - couldn't believe how delicious it was! We were also surprised at his much we loved Ruby Foo's in Times Square for sushi too! Usually we hit restaurants more off the beaten path, but since we had our kids in tow, we wanted more central, touristy places. Of course, we also did American Girl Cafe for lunch.

 

[findmewdw]

They also have the red double decker buses that give you a tour of the city. We plan to do that someday.


"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Are these red double decker buses the Hop on Hop Off bus? I thought we may like a tbus our of the city and the Explorer pass has one hop on hop off bus on it. I read some reviews on TA that were negative about the green hop on hop off buses. Not sure which bus the Explorer pass has on it. Anybody know?

 

[SingingMom]

We had a fantastic meal at Carmine's the other day - couldn't believe how delicious it was! We were also surprised at his much we loved Ruby Foo's in Times Square for sushi too! Usually we hit restaurants more off the beaten path, but since we had our kids in tow, we wanted more central, touristy places. Of course, we also did American Girl Cafe for lunch.

We had tea at American Girl when DD was younger. Still have fond memories of my husband sipping tea amongst all the little girls and their dolls! ;-)

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[SingingMom]

Are these red double decker buses the Hop on Hop Off bus? I thought we may like a tbus our of the city and the Explorer pass has one hop on hop off bus on it. I read some reviews on TA that were negative about the green hop on hop off buses. Not sure which bus the Explorer pass has on it. Anybody know?

I honestly don't know details other than I think the red ones are called City Tours. Sorry I can't be more help!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[crazyme5kids]

I know people keep mentioning the TKTS booth but you would honestly be better off with BroadwayBox.com.

Go to the site, choose the shows you want and see what discounts are available for your dates. Write down the code for each show or print out the discount and bring it to the box office.

The reason I say this is because you'll almost be able to choose your own seats and likely get much better seats than from TKTS.

I've always had great success with the BroadwayBox discounts. One time, my daughter wanted to see a particular show. I got the discount code and went to the theater already having decided what seats I would want. The ticket person told me there was no way I could get any of the seats I wanted and that all orchestra seating is sold out for the next 2 months or so. As we were going back and forth over various seating, he tells me "you're not going to believe this. Two seats JUST opened right behind the original seats you wanted" and we booked the seats and got a 40% discount!!

We've seen so many shows with the BB discounts and have always gotten amazing seating.

You can also look at ILoveNYTheater.com --- they will tell you what shows have "lottery" and student rush tix (with valid, current student ID). Lottery is great (we've seen Wicked twice that way!!!) but you can only buy 2 tickets (same with student rush)

Lottery: About 2 hours prior to show time, you line up and put your name on a slip of paper and put it in a barrel thing. About 1.5 hours prior to show time, they spin the barrel and pull out 12 names. If you're one of the lucky 12, you have to show valid ID and you can buy 2 tix ($26-$30 each). They're typically orchestra seating, possibly first row. Cash only.

Student Rush: You show your student ID at the box office, you can buy 2 tix at discounted rate. Cash only.

I agree about BroadwayBox.com. I usually just order online (always choose the seats I want) and then pick my tickets up at the box office before the show.

I have a question for Wilkeliza. You mentioned that all (or most?) museums are pay what you want admission. I don't know of any other than the MONH and the Met, or museums that have specific days/times that are free or reduced admission. I do know of museums that are free though.

So, since many times I decide spur of the moment to go to a museum I would love a list of places that are pay what you want admission everyday. It would be nice to go more often to different museums, so saving some money on the admissions would enable me to do just that .

 

[Iamthequeen]

Also - TKTS accepts credit cards now. It *used* to be cash only. They have a helpful app. TKTS is run by the Tdf - Theatre Development Fund. The app lists current day's ticket availability and hours.

Have fun!!!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Thanks for that information. I was reluctant to post about paying cash since its been a few years since I've used TKTS and that was only once.

 

[SingingMom]

We have already bought tickets for Independence Hall online. They were free, but we had to pay a fee for buying them online. We have seen the Denver Mint. I have the Franklin Museum on my list, but haven't checked it online yet. Thanks for these suggestions.

How old are your children? We were very disappointed in the Franklin Institute. It seemed more geared to younger children. I am sorry we didn't take that time to go to the Art museum instead that day. Penn's Landing is a nice place to walk around. I used to like Bookbinders Restaurant but unfortunately it is now closed.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[SingingMom]

I know people keep mentioning the TKTS booth but you would honestly be better off with BroadwayBox.com.

Go to the site, choose the shows you want and see what discounts are available for your dates. Write down the code for each show or print out the discount and bring it to the box office.

The reason I say this is because you'll almost be able to choose your own seats and likely get much better seats than from TKTS.

I've always had great success with the BroadwayBox discounts. One time, my daughter wanted to see a particular show. I got the discount code and went to the theater already having decided what seats I would want. The ticket person told me there was no way I could get any of the seats I wanted and that all orchestra seating is sold out for the next 2 months or so. As we were going back and forth over various seating, he tells me "you're not going to believe this. Two seats JUST opened right behind the original seats you wanted" and we booked the seats and got a 40% discount!!

We've seen so many shows with the BB discounts and have always gotten amazing seating.

You can also look at ILoveNYTheater.com --- they will tell you what shows have "lottery" and student rush tix (with valid, current student ID). Lottery is great (we've seen Wicked twice that way!!!) but you can only buy 2 tickets (same with student rush)

Lottery: About 2 hours prior to show time, you line up and put your name on a slip of paper and put it in a barrel thing. About 1.5 hours prior to show time, they spin the barrel and pull out 12 names. If you're one of the lucky 12, you have to show valid ID and you can buy 2 tix ($26-$30 each). They're typically orchestra seating, possibly first row. Cash only.

Student Rush: You show your student ID at the box office, you can buy 2 tix at discounted rate. Cash only.

Totally agree. I would never count on TKTS for tickets for a special trip. We only use them if we head into the city spur of the moment.
Broadwaybox.com and theatremania.com are good sites. And, if you don't care about prices, the BEST place for good seats is the theatre box office. ;-)

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[disneypharm]

How old are your children? We were very disappointed in the Franklin Institute. It seemed more geared to younger children. I am sorry we didn't take that time to go to the Art museum instead that day. Penn's Landing is a nice place to walk around. I used to like Bookbinders Restaurant but unfortunately it is now closed.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Thanks. DD15 and DD12 (almost 13 in a month). We will be in Philadelphia for only one night (arrive around noon and leave the next day around 5:00 pm). We are planning to see the Independence Hall and Liberty Bell right after checking in the hotel. I haven't planned anything else yet. I think the kids will be very tired by the time we get to Philadelphia, so I didn't want to plan too many things before.

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks. DD15 and DD12 (almost 13 in a month). We will be in Philadelphia for only one night (arrive around noon and leave the next day around 5:00 pm). We are planning to see the Independence Hall and Liberty Bell right after checking in the hotel. I haven't planned anything else yet. I think the kids will be very tired by the time we get to Philadelphia, so I didn't want to plan too many things before.

You can take a horse and buggy ride outside of independence hall and the driver will give you a tour of the cobblestone streets. Probably not great on a hot day, but nice if it isn't too bad out.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[disneypharm]

You can take a horse and buggy ride outside of independence hall and the driver will give you a tour of the cobblestone streets. Probably not great on a hot day, but nice if it isn't too bad out.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

That sounds fun. I think we will love that. Thanks

 

[kajs22]

This thread is great - love all the tips We have lived in NY for 26 years and I can't imagine living anywhere else (but if I did it would be central Florida)! I skimmed the responses & not sure if someone else recommended, but, if you are chocolate fans may I suggest Max Brenner? You can even make advanced reservations online It's one of our favorites. The Nintendo store is fun too if you are fans. Enjoy your trip - NYC is an amazing place!

 

[disneypharm]

This thread is great - love all the tips We have lived in NY for 26 years and I can't imagine living anywhere else (but if I did it would be central Florida)! I skimmed the responses & not sure if someone else recommended, but, if you are chocolate fans may I suggest Max Brenner? You can even make advanced reservations online It's one of our favorites. The Nintendo store is fun too if you are fans. Enjoy your trip - NYC is an amazing place!

Chocolate fan? I consider myself a chocolate snob . I just checked the website, yum!! I will definitely add it to my list. Thanks

 

[wilkeliza]

Chocolate fan? I consider myself a chocolate snob . I just checked the website, yum!! I will definitely add it to my list. Thanks

Oh I always forget about Max Brenner! Not because it isn't good but it's one of those places I just always stumble down to and wait how ever long. I love their menu and always get a few pieces of chocolate from the chocolate shop on the way out.