New York Budget

[zoo2tycoon]

We have SW credits and saw we can fly to NYC cheap. Looking to keep the rest of the trip cheap as we just did a cruise over Xmas. Where is a cheap area to stay (I have no trouble looking if guided to safe, clean areas in New Jersey or New York). We are a family of 4 (2 parents and 20 and 19 year old sons). I saw I could get a GO NEW YORK pass from Costco that looked like a decent deal. We are looking to go in May after the 11th. How long to stay...we were thinking 4 days would be plenty or is that too long.

Budget is under 250 per night for a hotel. Is that realistic.
Were thinking Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, 9-11 Memorial, top of Empire State Building, etc. Any other must sees (we aren't big Broadway people so that isn't really an interest.

THANKS

 

[rnorwo1]

You can stay in Long Island City very inexpensively, and many of its hotels are very close to a train station... 5 minutes on the train and you're in the city. We were going to stay there, but I stumbled on a brand new hotel in the flower district next to a station that was offering amazing opening deals. If you don't have to stay in Times Square (which we would have never done, regardless of budget, but that's where most people want to stay), you can probably find a room for under $250 in the city, depending on when you go. The subway is so easy, it didn't matter to us where we stayed, as long as we were within a block or so of a station. (We stayed at Cambria Suites in the flower district, beautiful hotel and it was so nice seeing all of the flowers each day! But, I think their prices have gone up sonce we stayed there)

4 days is definitely not too long! You could stay a lot longer and not do much of what's there. The passes weren't saving us money, so price out your must-sees and compare to the pass for your family. Depending on when you want to go, you may need to get your Statue tickets soon!

All of the museums are great (and many just have a suggested donation amount so you can give whatever you want for admission), 9/11 memorial is incredibly moving, walking around Central Park and some of the neighborhoods, Rockefeller Center, etc. There is so much to do. Trip Advisor is a wealth of info.
It's easy to eat cheaply there, too.
Have fun, we love NYC!

 

[clori]

Personally I think for a one time or rare visit I would prefer to stay in Manhattan itself. NYC is a place that has so much to do you can easily fill as many days as you want but 4 days gives you time to see a lot. I usually look at travelzoo.com and hotels.com for hotel prices and compare to hotel direct website including AAA prices then check reviews on tripadvisor. I think if you stay outside of Times Square the room will be under $250. We usually stay near Penn Station which is close to Times Square.

Last trip it was just dd14 and I. I got an unlimited 7 day subway/bus pass since even though we weren't doing 7 days it was cheaper and easier then worrying about cost of individual trips. By staying in NYC vs NJ I had no additional travel expenses for the NJ transit. I'm not familiar with the Go New York card but have used the www.newyorkpass on a few touristy trips - if your planning enough of the included places it can be a really good deal. I would also recommend a tour of the United Nations if that is available on your dates. Madame Toussauds Wax Museum has been a hit with many of my friends. Central Park is free to walk around. I've never been but High Line is supposed to be nice as well. if your interested in TV studios there is an NBC Studio Tour.

 

[rnorwo1]

Personally I think for a one time or rare visit I would prefer to stay in Manhattan itself. NYC is a place that has so much to do you can easily fill as many days as you want but 4 days gives you time to see a lot. I usually look at travelzoo.com and hotels.com for hotel prices and compare to hotel direct website including AAA prices then check reviews on tripadvisor. I think if you stay outside of Times Square the room will be under $250. We usually stay near Penn Station which is close to Times Square.

Last trip it was just dd14 and I. I got an unlimited 7 day subway/bus pass since even though we weren't doing 7 days it was cheaper and easier then worrying about cost of individual trips. By staying in NYC vs NJ I had no additional travel expenses for the NJ transit. I'm not familiar with the Go New York card but have used the www.newyorkpass on a few touristy trips - if your planning enough of the included places it can be a really good deal. I would also recommend a tour of the United Nations if that is available on your dates. Madame Toussauds Wax Museum has been a hit with many of my friends. Central Park is free to walk around. I've never been but High Line is supposed to be nice as well. if your interested in TV studios there is an NBC Studio Tour.

I agree, jersey city is too far out, especially when LIC is only a 5 minute train ride. And, I'm also sure you can find a hotel in Manhattan for that budget as long as it's not in the square. Many people will argue that you should be in the square, but there is nothing about that that appeals to me. Maybe with you having older kids, though, it may be a good place.

Be warned, though, that Manhattan hotel rooms are TINY! The reviews for Cambria Suites raved about how large their rooms were for NYC, and it was one of the smallest rooms I've ever been in!

I second the subway pass. I calculated that we could probably come out a little cheaper paying by ride, but the freedom of not contemplating should we walk to save a ride was wonderful.

Definitely look at trip advisor so you can see what interests you. I personally loved the library, it was one of the highlights for me... DH sat on a bench the whole time and waited for me, bored to tears! You can read all of the options, see what looks interesting and then make a tentative list... Folks here and/or on TA can give you feedback.

 

[wilkeliza]

For 250 a night you can defintly stay in Manhattan. I live in the NoMad area of NYC and there is a Hinton, Double Tree, and Cambria here that you could probably get under 250. It is walking distnace to Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Flat Iron, and Union Square in any season but winter. There is easy access to several trains near Macy's.

 

[mjkacmom]

This thread is down below on this page:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/visiting-new-york-advice.3456560/

 

[HeatherC]

I would recommend the Marriott Courtyard Manhattan Midtown East. the rooms are huge by NYC standards, it is next door to a subway stop and walking distance to Times Square, Rockefeller Center, etc.. For a family of four it is a great option.

Hope this helps!

 

[dclpluto]

Why do you want to go to NYC?

 

[msmama]

I stayed halfway between Rockefeller center and Times Square last night for $150 so you can definitely stay in Manhattan for under $250. Be aware that it'll be a small room but doable (or you could do 2 rooms ar aLess expensive hotel with 2 older kids). Alone I always try to stay as close to the action as possible. With others I don't mind a longer walk or subway.

I agree with others that trip advisor is your best bet but you may also want to look at living social and/or groupon as they often have NYC hotel specials. You also might want to think more about what you want to do to pick a central location.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Why do you want to go to NYC?

First thanks to everyone for the advice on things to do and places to look into staying.

Fior the why there. ..why not? It's totally different than our small Midwest town. We like new places. Have never been and for all 4 of us to fly $125 total after our SW credit. Lots of neat things to do...Statue I'd Liberty, Ellis Island, Empire State Building, 9-11 memorial. Totally different and a fun quick trip.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Why do you want to go to NYC?

Is this a serious question? Maybe because it's one of the greatest cities in the world.

Some interesting places you might want to visit are the Tenement Museum (requires advance reservations); Katz's Deli is a short walk away for lunch; Central Park and museums; 911 Museum is now open and is very moving (also need advance tickets); walk around Times Square just for the experience; etc.

 

[dclpluto]

First thanks to everyone for the advice on things to do and places to look into staying.

Fior the why there. ..why not? It's totally different than our small Midwest town. We like new places. Have never been and for all 4 of us to fly $125 total after our SW credit. Lots of neat things to do...Statue I'd Liberty, Ellis Island, Empire State Building, 9-11 memorial. Totally different and a fun quick trip.

Now you have to get your crown tickets for Statue of Liberty ahead of time. Just go to Statue of Liberty website if you want to go to the crown.

 

[4shinystars]

With 4 adults, trying to share one room will be next to impossible, unless you get a suite or are willing to pay for 2 rooms. a relative stayed at a hotel that was noted for their large rooms, and with 2 adults and 2 teens she said she'd never do it again. This is a person who believes a room is only to sleep in, and doesn't care about luxury (They think staying at POP in one room was huge compared to the NYC hotel,LOL)

 

[HeatherC]

Me again. I am the one who suggested the Marriott Courtyard Midtown East. The rooms here will easily fit four people...we are a family of five and have stayed here several times. NYC hotel rooms are TINY..but the rooms here are very spacious by any standard.

Just wanted to clarify for you OP since people were saying it would be tough to fit 4 in a room comfortably in NYC.

Hope this helps!

PS..check out the reviews on tripadvisor too.

 

[GAN]

Is this a serious question? Maybe because it's one of the greatest cities in the world.

Don't sweat it ...they're probably from NYC. Just a typical response.

 

[elphaba91]

We went November 2014 and stayed 7 nights. We're heading back in September and staying 10. 4 nights will definitely not be too much! We got the New York pass and found that it did save us money. Plus we were able to do things we wouldn't have otherwise, like doing both Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building. We did have the 5 day pass though, which is better value. Highlights were the Circle Line Cruise (we did the full island, which was nice to relax and stay warm inside, but I would probably recommend the half island) and saw Liberty but didn't go on the island, the 9/11 Memorial and Tribute Centre (One World wasn't open yet and the museum wasn't included on the pass at that stage - they both are now I believe), the Soho/Little Italy/Chinatown walking tour, the Radio City Music Hall Tour, Empire State Building (but the ride they've got there made us feel sick), Grand Central, Central Park and the Rockefeller Centre.

We stayed at the Hotel Edison, which is right near Times Square. It possibly could just scrape in under budget if you look at the Pizza Package - bizarrely you get a much cheaper rate plus a voucher for pizza for each night of your stay (which you obviously don't have to eat...but it is really good pizza!). We fitted 3 adults in the room and coped okay. The location was great for us, particularly as we were at the theatre every night but our arrival day. We walked almost everywhere except the 9/11 Memorial (took the subway) and Soho/Little Italy/Chinatown (took a cab there and subway back).

 

[Anthony1971]

I agree, jersey city is too far out, especially when LIC is only a 5 minute train ride.

Sorry to be a rude NYer but I can assure you LIC is not a 5 minute subway ride.... depending on where in LIC more like 20-30 minuets to midtown and 40+ to downtown ... In reality Jersey city will take less time on the PATH train it is about 10 minuets to either midtown or WTC. both are actual train times not waiting for a train... Please be aware that both LIC and Jersey city are NOT good areas you do not want to walking around late at night in either but both areas are also highly populated.. PATH also offers an unlimited train card which is different from the unlimited metro card for NYC subways. A pay by trip on Metro cards can used on the PATH system as well as NYC subways. PATH fares are cheaper than the subway but there are only a few stations so you may need a Metro card as well unless you do not mind walking a few miles back an forth to certain places you may visit.

 

[njpyro]

For anyone on a budget, I would like to recommend my absolute favorite restaurant in NYC (there are 4 locations in NY, 3 in the city).
Gyu-Kaku: It's a japenese korean-style BBQ restaurant. It's a delicious, a lot of fun (you grill your own food at a grill in your table) and if you go during happy hour (lunch time or by 6pm), alcohol is 50% off and most entrees are discounted. We generally eat until we feel sick and it's under $30 for 2 people right near times square. There are 3 locations in the city, but the times square one is convenient if you are in that area. You can google the menu and address. It's really my favorite meal, so we go quite often.
Also, don't stay in Jersey City. You really don't want to.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

Don't do what I did to my poor mother the first time she visited me in NYC. She asked me to find her a room for $50/night (this was in 1995). I found one on 8th Avenue and booked the room for her and my 12 year old sister without checking out where it was on 8th. It turned out to be between a peep show and an adult store! We laughed and laughed, because it was also a place you could clearly rent by the hour. Inside, it was just a normal looking hotel room, so we made the best of it. Her subsequent trips were at the Salisbury Hotel on West 57th, which is lovely and in a fantastic location. I just peeked on their website and their rooms start at $335, which is more than you want to spend, but I bet you could get it for cheaper. Considering she used to spend $250/night there over 20 years ago, they haven't gone up that much.

May is one of my favorite months in the city. Out of all the famous tourist spots in NYC, my favorite is the Empire State Building, at night. I never did Ellis Island of the Circle line - we took the free Staten Island Ferry round trip and saw Lady Liberty from a distance. Central Park is one of my favorite places on Earth and I would spend hours in when friends/family came. The goldfish pond, the Alice in Wonderland and Hans Christian Anderson statues, the Carousel, Strawberry Fields, the Sheep Meadow, Belvedere Castle, Shakespeare in the Park and the Shakespeare garden, Central Park Zoo, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and I would go across to the Plaza to see Eloise's Room.

Have an awesome trip!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Thanks for all the information! I have looked at the Marriott mentioned and that was over budget, but I am realizing my budget might not exactly be realistic. I did find a La Quinta in Manhattan that had decent reviews on tripadvisor in Manhattan. Still processing and searching through everything. THANKS AGAIN