Budget New York trip..?

[MickeyP]

Don't forget Tom's Resaurant (the diner that Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine frequented)-very cheap. Diner food-not bad, but very cool getting your picture taken on the corner outside.
We have gone into NYC for the day on a Sunday and parked on the street for free. I guess the key to this is to get there by 7:30 am.

 

[marciagms]

Check out Grand Union Hotel on 32th St. We stayed there the weekend before Christmas and it was around $110 per night. Go to www. hotels.com and see what they have to offer. It was a very good location and clean if you are wanting just somewhere to sleep at night.

 

[MyGoofy26]

I was ding some research - I got an "ad" in my school email about the Big East Career Fair in NYC and thought about going, figured it'd be this big amazing career fair and started planning a long weekend to go up and check it out. I came across this place and it seemed like a pretty good deal -it's not in the middle of the "excitement" since it seems to pretty much die after the workday, but for a 2 room suite with free breakfast (not continental - FULL breakfast) and free drinks, LOL, we were going to go for it. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...tel_New_York_City-New_York_City_New_York.html

But then I found a list of participating organizations and realized I wasn't insterested in a single one and the trip was off. LOL!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I was ding some research - I got an "ad" in my school email about the Big East Career Fair in NYC and thought about going, figured it'd be this big amazing career fair and started planning a long weekend to go up and check it out. I came across this place and it seemed like a pretty good deal -it's not in the middle of the "excitement" since it seems to pretty much die after the workday, but for a 2 room suite with free breakfast (not continental - FULL breakfast) and free drinks, LOL, we were going to go for it. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...tel_New_York_City-New_York_City_New_York.html

But then I found a list of participating organizations and realized I wasn't insterested in a single one and the trip was off. LOL!

Yup - stayed there right after it reopened after 9/11. Breakfast is good too, rooms nice size. If you get a harbor view it's very nice.

Sorry you decided not to visit - maybe you can just come for fun?

 

[LeesyUD]

I know someone mentioned the Super 8 but I was not impressed with it at all. Our shower did not work and we got someone up to fix it. He tried to but then said he didn't know what the problem was, oh well and left. We were there only one night so it wasn't life or death but I was pissed. Also the elevator is VERY old in that building. We were on the top floor and the screen that showed what floor the elevator was on broke after a few hours we were there. When we left it was still showing that the elevator was on floor 6. The worst part was the heat. We went in the winter and the heat was up way too high and there was no way for us to turn it down. There was only a small little window in our room to open. It was so hot in there I was getting sick. I ended up complaing to Core hotels later and they did give me a partial refund though which I appreciated.

I would definitely check into the Hampton Inn. Its on 8th ave near 51st. We loved it there! The rooms were just rennovated, the staff was very nice and we got a good deal. The best part was the beds!! They were soooo comfortable! We paid the same price for what we had at Super 8 and it was so worth it! They have a free continental breakfast, but they have some hot items too like scrambled eggs. Also they had free hot chocolate, tea, and coffee in the lobby and we loved that as well. It is very close to all the theaters. (and right across from Wicked which is my favorite! )

Also if you are looking into seeing any shows....check out playbill.com and theatermania.com. They always have good deals on show tickets if you sign up for free. They are having a special for The Wedding Singer right now which is getting ready to open for $66 per ticket. (too bad I had already paid $110 each for mine, though I don't mind bc I have fantastic seats on opening weekend).

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Here is what we did (not as much as planned as I had a cold so was a bit tired)....

Checked in to NY Hilton - nice room, basic, room service was so expensive and flavorless for the most part. Would stay again with the good deal I got from Priceline ($120/nt)

Dylan's Candy Bar - cool place for the kids, lots of neat things. Will go back for stocking stuffers for xmas. Will also go back for one of their ice cream sundays - they looked AMAZING. Spent $95 on I don't know what

American Girl Place - very cute. Make a reservation for a meal with your DD - it looked adorable, faux fancy with the dolls sitting in little high chairs - will definately come back when my DD is old enough - can't wait. Spent $45 on Coconut the dog and Licorice the cat. Nice quality for the price.

Build A Bear workshop - huge, some items are not available in other stores. DS got a boxer and put him in the most authentic FDNY bunker gear I've seen (and we know as DH is on the FDNY). Fun experience, were there for over 1 hour. $50

Friends to be Made - part of Build A Bear but you make little dolls. Cheaper than the bears, very cute. DD made a little doll and got a ballerina costume - total $24.

Museum of Art - kids loved the Arms & Armor room. Were bored most of the rest of the time, but DH and I had a ball. Only did about 1/3 of the place - will go back sans kids for now

MoMA - kids loved it. Bright and colorful. Friday nights are free and CROWDED - be prepared to wait outside for some time or arrive well after 6pm.

We also walked up and down 5th Ave, went into several "fancy" stores and entered the Empire State Building. Would have went up, but we just recently did that on another trip. If I felt better we definately would have skated at Wolman Rink in Central Park. Did the Carosel which was fun! The zoo is nice too.

Chelsea Market - kids loved to run around, no one minded, had some great breakfast at Sarabeth's (I believe she has 2 other places in Manhattan as well). Hale & Hearty Soups is excellent. I often drive in just for the soup.

I know we did more, but can't think of it right now. Hope this helps someone.

 

[babslittleones]

Wonderful thread. We are possibly looking at making a trip to that area this summer also. We will also be visiting Conneticut to see friends during the trip.

I would love to hear more tips.
Thanks
Beth

 

[disneyleslie]

doesn't priceline only guarantee a room for 2?

 

[MyGoofy26]

Yup - stayed there right after it reopened after 9/11. Breakfast is good too, rooms nice size. If you get a harbor view it's very nice.

Sorry you decided not to visit - maybe you can just come for fun?

Well, that's the plan! A couple of my friends have never been to NYC, and I've only been once and it was just redeye bus trip and even though we managed to pretty much stay in commando mode and hit a LOT more of the city than most people do in a day, I feel like we really missed out by rushing from one place to another. When the career fair came up I thought, "perfect opportunity! A girls' weekend in NYC, I can just take off one afternoon to spend a couple hours at the career fair and meet up with them when it's over!" Then I realized I had no interest in the companies participating, LOL!

But I have my fingers crossed for a spring trip.

I've also been considering relocating - I finish my 2nd degree in a couple months and have been doing 'preliminary' job searches and have found a number of jobs that I'm well qualified for, that pay pretty generously, so I'd like to spend a little more time in the city to decide if it's truly right for me.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

doesn't priceline only guarantee a room for 2?

Yes, that is true, but so far with 4 trips we have not had a problem getting 2 beds (Orlando twice, New York and Connecticut). This time the woman at the desk reworked things to get us 2 beds. Typically I call a day or 2 ahead to confirm my reservation and make the request.

Since we drove this time we had the aerobed in the car just in case or we would request a roll away.

I can't say that I would use Priceline for a lengthy "important" trip though. I get too worried about where we will end up.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Well, that's the plan! A couple of my friends have never been to NYC, and I've only been once and it was just redeye bus trip and even though we managed to pretty much stay in commando mode and hit a LOT more of the city than most people do in a day, I feel like we really missed out by rushing from one place to another. When the career fair came up I thought, "perfect opportunity! A girls' weekend in NYC, I can just take off one afternoon to spend a couple hours at the career fair and meet up with them when it's over!" Then I realized I had no interest in the companies participating, LOL!

But I have my fingers crossed for a spring trip.

I've also been considering relocating - I finish my 2nd degree in a couple months and have been doing 'preliminary' job searches and have found a number of jobs that I'm well qualified for, that pay pretty generously, so I'd like to spend a little more time in the city to decide if it's truly right for me.

WOw, congrats on finishing your 2nd degree. At 32 I'm just heading back to complete my first

I do LOVE the city. We live in an outer borough so can visit anytime, not sure if I could live there with kids and a car (parking for the month costs about as much as a one bedroom rental here). You could really live some life there though - so much great stuff to do and places to eat! There are some beautiful areas in Brooklyn (pretty brownstones) that are 1/3 of the rent in Manhattan and here in Staten Island we have some very nice wooded areas still left (best for families with kids IMO).

Best of luck and I hope you get your girl's trip in the Spring!!! If you do, don't for get the Red Door spa

 

[ptrbryant]

But, I wanted to say I loved the Mars 2112 photos! I guess we'll chance it when it comes to reservations or else call a little closer to actual travel date!

Thanks!

Karla B.

 

[ReneeQ]

Bumping this up. My sister just informed me she wants me to plan a trip to NY for her 40th BD ((in two years!) for the two of us and our younger sister. Found this threat doing a search and it's great!

 

[cnj]

Don't forget Jekyll and Hyde restaurant! It is a theme restaurant like Mars 2112, but with a scary theme. It is very cool. We visit this restaurant every time we go.

Jen

 

[nymets]

Make a trip to the New York Museum of Art and walk in Central Park , see Strawberry Fields [John Lennon], take a carriage ride, see Alice in Wonderland On saturday mornings they have a farmers market at Union Square. Also head to Little Itlay and go to Paesano for lunch great food [mullberry st] Remeber NYC is the city that never sleeps

 

[Paxtrist]

Please keep these ideas coming. We will be in New York in June and the kids can't wait!!

 

[nymets]

Jekyll & hyde has much better food then Mars 2112 they also give a show on Frankenstein , Tarzan opens on Broadway May 10 Another fun place to visit is the Central Park zoo and Merry go round. They also have a fair at Wolmans ice skating ring in the park during the summer.

 

[ReneeQ]

Anyone stayed at the Hampton Inn at Times Square, 851 8th Ave. at 51st St? We're trying to keep our trip to a "reasonable" budget and I've always been pleased with Hampton Inns. AND they include a continental breakfast.
Thanks for any info.

 

[tabrizia]

We love NYC. We tend to go up about once or twice a year (though we are doing Disney this year instead it seems), since we are only a 3 hour train ride away.

What we tend to do is take the train up and then the subway to our hotel that way we don't have to deal with a car in the city. We stay at the ****ord Plaza which is right off Broadway. It has Phantom of the Opera right next door and Spamalot and Producers right down the street. It is less then a block from the Toys R Us and the TKS booth. We tend to get our tickets before hand, but if you aren't picky TKS is a great resource.

We really like the Mil ford (one word no clue why I that is blocked) Plaza, it is right in the center of everything but it is resonably priced (normally around $155 a night) which is a decent deal for where it is located. It is directly across the street from the Subway as well so it is really easy to get too. There is a nice bagel shop right down the street where hubby tends to go to get breakfast and they have a deli in the hotel which does great deli type food and isn't too outrageous pricewise (for NYC anyways).

We love going up for about 3 or 4 days, seeing a show or two and just wandering NYC. It is a great place to visit and see.

I'm actually going up at the end of April without hubby, my cousin is having her wedding shower in a restaraunt in the city, and my mom, my sister and I are going to get a hotel room and take in a show since we are going up there anyways.


As for shows I highly recomend both the Lion King and Wicked both are amazing and child appropriate (Wicked is a bit darker though).

 

[moopdog]

Okay... love this thread, but still have a couple of questions!

First off: since we're flexible and want to avoid the crowd as much as possible, when is the best time to visit (this summer)? Are some weeks better than others?

2nd: Since my DH has no interest in going, but I hope to sway him otherwise, I need to make him feel "okay" about it and convince him that it IS safe and that it IS okay to do with kids.

3rd: Coming from Northeast PA but not wanting to actually DRIVE or PARK in the city, how do we get there? I am interested in the Secaucaus NJ thread.... but how cheap is the bus into the city??

4th: Totally off-track here - sort of. We may want to stay on the Jersey shore or another beach area, and spend a few days at the beach... is there a metro that goes to NYC from any beach town so we could spend a couple of the days in the city?