Mary Poppins tickets and New York for kids?

[rella's fan]

I know there has been several threads about New York but I'm still overwhelmed. I just got $9 flights to and from New York for my cousin and I and our 3 DDs (2 are 6 and 1 is 4). I've been to New York before but we want to make this a cheap, kid's trip. We really want to go to Mary Poppins but should I buy tickets in advance or try for them the day before we want to go (it says on the TIX booth site that tickets are available at the South Seaport location the day before for matinee shows) Should I risk that they will have them or is there anywhere else to buy them at a discount before we go? I'm also having trouble finding a not bad priced room - any suggestions? We are flying into LaGuardia - is a cab the best way to get into the city? Also, what are some fun things for us to do that won't cost a fortune? Sorry for all the questions but we're leaving in 3 weeks - and we'll have 2 full days and need to stay 2 nights.

 

[pezheadmeg]

Google broadway discount codes, there's usually one out there for Mary Poppins. You're much better off getting the tickets from the box office or ticket master AHEAD of time. The box office is no guarentee the week of a show. I had a code and got seats for half off a few months ago--it was worth it. TKTS is no guarentee for tickets, and if they have them, you're lucky if you can get 2 seats together. Most of us natives if we really want to see a show, order the tickets from the box office or ticketmaster. If you want to see the show that's the best bet.

Cabbing it in will be the easiest. Especially with luggage. If you want to save on hotels, there are a bunch by LaGuardia. I know for Thanksgiving, the Hilton was about 1/4 of what the ones in Manhatten was. It's a simple subway hop to Manhatten then.

 

[wiggles02]

Well, my sister went to see Mary Poppins on Saturday July 5th. They walked up to the box office to see if there were seats available and they got 3rd row. Just the day before she was checking on ticketmaster and the seats she almost got were not as good and more expensive. She loved the show, as did her girls who are 3 and 6.

 

[sk!mom]

Check broadwaybox.com or theatermania.com for discount tickets. If you definitly want to see Mary Poppins, then purchase ahead. If you're flexible then try the Tkts booth.

DH and I have used TKTS when it's just us but when we took DD to NYC we purchased ahead as many shows wouldn't be suitable for a 10 year old.

As far as other low cost activities, browse Times Square- hit Toys R Us and ride the ferris wheel. Walk 5th avenue, including American Girl and FAO Schwarz. My DD loved Central Park- we rode the carrosel and rented a row boat on the lake. An unexpected bonus for us- They were filming Enchanted in the park that day.

We enjoyed the Museum of Natural History and The Met. Both have highlight tours. Take a ferry for a close up of the Statue or Liberty- don't bother to go out to it- close is good enough. Go to the top of the Empire State Building.

My DD's favorite rest. was Ellen's Stardust Diner. The singing waitstaff makes it a fun place for kids. We planned it once for dinner and then ended up going back twice for dessert after shows because DD loved it.

 

[Terry36]

DD and I loved Mary poppins. Advice - Sit in the middle section. You will not regret it....

We did AG, Build a Bear, Toys R Us (ride the Ferris Wheel) and walked around Times Square.

We plan to go back to do the other stuff we did not get to: Central Park, SOL, Museum of Art etc.

 

[mjhd]

OOOHHHH!!! We took the kids last year and had a blast! Mary Poppins was MUCH more popular then and I had to pay a ton for the tickets but it was worth
EVERY penny! I even cried! It was magical! I would buy them beforehand. Some things the kids enjoyed...Central Park, Museum of Natural History (this is a suggested donation so pay what you'd like), Ellen's Stardust is overpriced but fun, Top of the Rock is IMO much better than Empire State Building, Toys R Us ferris wheel, the kids LOVED Build A Bear, FAO Schwarz & the piano is a must do, riding the subway, Staten Island ferry (free and it goes right by the Statue of Liberty), I could go on all day...NYC is my favorite place in the world (sorry Mickey!). I would take a cab from LGA into the city if you are unfamiliar with the bus/subway system. We took the bus/subway into Manhattan w/the kids and it was fine but on the way back we had more luggage so we took a cab. When DH and I go, we always take the bus/subway route. PM me if you want more info. Otherwise, have fun and enjoy just being in the greatest city in the world!

 

[*Flower*]

OOOHHHH!!! We took the kids last year and had a blast! Mary Poppins was MUCH more popular then and I had to pay a ton for the tickets but it was worth
EVERY penny! I even cried! It was magical! I would buy them beforehand. Some things the kids enjoyed...Central Park, Museum of Natural History (this is a suggested donation so pay what you'd like), Ellen's Stardust is overpriced but fun, Top of the Rock is IMO much better than Empire State Building, Toys R Us ferris wheel, the kids LOVED Build A Bear, FAO Schwarz & the piano is a must do, riding the subway, Staten Island ferry (free and it goes right by the Statue of Liberty), I could go on all day...NYC is my favorite place in the world (sorry Mickey!). I would take a cab from LGA into the city if you are unfamiliar with the bus/subway system. We took the bus/subway into Manhattan w/the kids and it was fine but on the way back we had more luggage so we took a cab. When DH and I go, we always take the bus/subway route. PM me if you want more info. Otherwise, have fun and enjoy just being in the greatest city in the world!

We started doing the bus/subway thing in December- and as we usually go for short trips, it's really the way to go for us.
A cab for 2 into Manhattan usually costs us about $35 with tip, and taking public transportation knocks our $35 trip down to $4 for both.

We also do it in both directions- we just allow some extra time to get to the airport so that I don't panic while trying to get through security.

We were at the matinee on July 6 for Mary Poppins- and it was totally amazing!

 

[JNCMOM]

My SIL actually works on the show - so lucky for us we got to see it twice. Once for free on opening night and once we took our brownie troop to see it. It is well worth it!!!!! -

You might try TravelZoo.com

$22.50 & up -- Broadway Shows This Summer, up to 60% OFF
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/20291188-437188/
Source: Multiple Broadway Shows



Here is a link that they sent me = I don't think they have Marry Poppins discounts - but they do have other shows and don't forget to check out their New York discounts page for other info and places to go.

Good luck and have a great time!!

 

[bettyann29]

I dont have any advice, but just wanted to say we just got back from NYC the week before last and we had the time of our lives!! I have to agree that this is one of the best cities to go to.. and I cant wait to go back.. I think me and DH will go by ourselves next year for a long weekend because I want to hit a broadway show since I didnt get to do that this time..

The ferris wheel at TRUS was only $4 a person if I remember right.. Times Square was amazing.. You might even go by the M and M world in TimesSquare.. its a 3 story store! also the Disney Store was pretty cool and they have character meets there.. its walking distance to TimesSquare..

 

[mjantz]

Check & see if American Ballet Theatre is doing any kind of kids program while you're there. They do a kids workshop usually the day of & the day before one of their programs and the programs are wonderful! The one we saw was about an hour & featured scenes from Swan Lake, La Bayadere and Sleeping Beauty.
One place I wish I could have had the time to take DD was Alice's Tea Cup. My DD loved the Museum of Modern Art but she's an art girl so YMMV.

 

[bamor]

I've posted these before, maybe they will help.
www.tripadvisor.com offers extensive info on travelling into the city from the airport and the many options available to you in the NYC forum section.
IMO, with three kids, I'd pay for the cab.
www.hopstop.com will help with walking and subway directions and www.menupages.com will help with restaurant choices.
The Staten Island Ferry is free and will offer you a great view of the Statue of Liberty. Both the Am Museum of Nat History and the Met Museum of Art are suggested donation only. If you look, you'll be able to find a discount coupon out there for the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center.
As far as Mary Poppins goes, we have seen this and thought it was great.
Balcony seats are the best and the cheapest. Check www.broadwaybox.com for discounts, they are always out there. Try for balcony, center.
John's Pizza in Times Square is very good and might be a good option for the kids. Chinese is always good to, pretty much anywhere and inexpensive.
Bryant Park is a great place to sit and ride the carousel then go into the NY Public Library.
For hotels, check www.travelzoo.com as well as look into www.radiocityapartments.com (also www.hotelconxions.com) and the Affinia Manhattan. Both of these have full kitchens which would help keep costs down, esp for breakfast. Our room at the Affinia Manhattan had two queen beds, a sleep sofa and two full baths for $239.00 night last month!
Have fun.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Check & see if American Ballet Theatre is doing any kind of kids program while you're there. They do a kids workshop usually the day of & the day before one of their programs and the programs are wonderful! The one we saw was about an hour & featured scenes from Swan Lake, La Bayadere and Sleeping Beauty.
One place I wish I could have had the time to take DD was Alice's Tea Cup. My DD loved the Museum of Modern Art but she's an art girl so YMMV.

What is Alice's Tea Cup and where is it? This caught my interest.

 

[mjantz]

Alice's Tea Cup

As I said, we didn't go there but I wish we had. It looks so fun & girly.