New York Budget

[Sagginit]

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!

There are only a handful that have a suggested donation. Unlike DC or London most museums are private and since they are not publicly funded they do have a required admission. The good news is a few of the big ones like the MET and Museum of Natural History have the suggested donation. Also you must buy tickets in person and cannot buy online, which may cost you some time in line (although it shouldn't be too much).

To save if you can try to go on weekdays, hotel rooms may be exponentially more on the weekends. Also museums have less people on weekdays and you can get more out of it. You can then also cash in on restaurants that have lunch and happy hour specials. I vote for Manhattan but outside of times square. Times square is extremely noisy and when I stayed there even at a luxury hotel they couldn't drown out the noise and we had to wear earplugs to get any rest. One of the issues with staying outside Manhattan is some train lines are notorious for delays and closures. This way you aren't stuck if something is out of service.

 

[MichiganKris]

The La Quinta is OK, I have stayed at better and worse. You are very close to Macy's and Penn Station. I also preferred going to the Top of the Rock over the Empire State Building. The line for the Empire State Building was hours long when we were there the last time. We also added the Rockefeller Center Tour to the Top of The Rock, it was very interesting and you learn a lot about the history of the area, art work and architecture on the tour.

 

[mjkacmom]

There are only a handful that have a suggested donation. Unlike DC or London most museums are private and since they are not publicly funded they do have a required admission. The good news is a few of the big ones like the MET and Museum of Natural History have the suggested donation. Also you must buy tickets in person and cannot buy online, which may cost you some time in line (although it shouldn't be too much).

To save if you can try to go on weekdays, hotel rooms may be exponentially more on the weekends. Also museums have less people on weekdays and you can get more out of it. You can then also cash in on restaurants that have lunch and happy hour specials. I vote for Manhattan but outside of times square. Times square is extremely noisy and when I stayed there even at a luxury hotel they couldn't drown out the noise and we had to wear earplugs to get any rest. One of the issues with staying outside Manhattan is some train lines are notorious for delays and closures. This way you aren't stuck if something is out of service.

I've found that hotel rooms are cheaper on the weekend, when business travelers go home.

 

[sk8jdgca]

Did you look at the Hampton inn. I got a decent rate there before

 

[okeydokey]

Did you look at the Hampton inn. I got a decent rate there before

Which one?

 

[abbiesmomma]

We stayed at the Manhattan at Times Square in September 2014 (2 adults, 2 teens)-- it is just a few blocks north of Times Square and near many of the theatres. Very safe and clean-- it is older and was in the process of refurbishment at the time but it was fine for our purposes--we were there to see the city not hang out in a hotel. I was looking at several hotels in Jersey City/Hoboken but the reality is that the trains do add time every day to your trip into the city. If you can swing a room in Manhattan, do it. We got the room for around $200 per night and it was totally worth it to be within walking distance of Central Park, Times, Square and the theatre district as well as several subway stops.

 

[hsmamato2]

be aware of certain things in NYC.... of course it's expensive..... but you can search out bargains with orbitz,etc. keep looking. also- MANY hotel rooms are for 2 people,and can be very small. Just read the details before booking. You may need 2 rooms.
There are many low cost things to do in the city, the State Island ferry is my favorite cheapo thing.... you jump on the ferry below battery park,ride past the the Statue of liberty,get off in Staten island,and get back on to ride back to Manhatten- it's sgreat ride by view of the whole harbor,and you can't beat the price.
You can also visit the Met ,Natural Historyand some other museums for 'pay what you want' - just tell them at the desk how much you want to pay to enter. Central PArk, CHinatown, Times Square, lots to walk/see/do.

 

[hsmamato2]

oh and the food prices.... about on par with Disney food prices (average) so expect to pay more than you do at home....

 

[sk8jdgca]

Sorry for the late reply we stayed at Hampton inn time square north

 

[leebee]

Try the Wyndham New Yorker. We stayed in a metro double room in June 2015 that was decently-sized and around $225 with taxes. I usually check prices via Kayak but then go to the hotel website, where I can check off any discounts for which I am eligible- AAA, govt. employee, AARP, etc. We also stayed at the Hampton Inn Manhattan Times Square in Nov. 2015 for $210 plus tax a night. Once again an OK-sized hotel room, 2 queen (I think) beds, breakfast included. Hmmm... back in 2012 we stayed at the Manhattan Inn Times Square North (it's across the street from the theater where Wicked plays) for $208 a night, but that was awhile ago!

I try to stay in Manhattan so that my hotel room is convenient. Touring is tiring, and if you are staying outside of the city, you are "stuck" there until it's time to go back to the hotel. I find we are less tired if we go out and do something in the morning, have lunch, go back to the room for a little break, then go out again for supper and the evening. You can't do this if your room is across the river in New Jersey.

Our favorite thing to do on our first night in the city is to take the Grey Line's twilight/evening bus tour. It leaves at dusk, and you can ride outside on the top deck of the bus, up "in" the lights of NYC. Take plenty of warm clothes, though! The bus goes through the city, past many iconic buildings, and over to Brooklyn. You get an amazing view of the city at night from across the river! It's a fun evening, and we saw places we wanted to visit that we hadn't planned on, just from the bus tour. (I don't recommend the hop-on, hop-off buses during the daytime. You spend most of your time sitting in traffic!!)

Don't just "float by" the Statue of Liberty. Get the ferry tickets and go see the Lady. IMO the hike up to the crown isn't worth it- the view is small/limited and the spiral staircase gets very small; DH, at 5'10", couldn't stand up straight in the stairwell. HOWEVER... you can go into the pedestal and go outside to walk along the balcony just below the statue's feet. Inside the pedestal there's a pretty interesting museum, too. Then go over to Ellis Island, get the headphones, and do the self-guided tour. We find Ellis Island to be fascinating- I'm totally awed by what immigrants would go through to get to our great country!

If you get a New York Pass, we really enjoyed the "Food on Foot" tour. Not sure they still include it, but it was fun! We also like having dinner at Becco. GREAT pasta at an affordable price (by NYC standards); their daily "sinfonia" has a bread and app plate, and then AYCE of the 3 or 4 pastas they prepare daily, for under $25 (last time we were there). They also have a great wine list with over 100 bottles at under $25. These are great prices for Manhattan!!

 

[a742246]

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

Keep in mind, May is one of the more expensive "Hotel" months! It is also one of the best months to travel to NYC! With late age teenagers I would budget more because they are getting at the age when future trips with you may not happen! Hotel location IMO is more important for you as a first timer! If you do your homework NYC can be a fabulous vacation! I would save money on other items like eating late lunches instead of dinners, just for example. Anyway, I believe you will have a great time!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Keep in mind, May is one of the more expensive "Hotel" months! It is also one of the best months to travel to NYC! With late age teenagers I would budget more because they are getting at the age when future trips with you may not happen! Hotel location IMO is more important for you as a first timer! If you do your homework NYC can be a fabulous vacation! I would save money on other items like eating late lunches instead of dinners, just for example. Anyway, I believe you will have a great time!

I am honestly still working on trying to find a hotel or VRBO! The hotels are over $300 and I was trying to do for less than that. I have found some VRBO's and calendar will show updated and I sent message off and the owner will say booked. It is frustrating! Thanks again for your reply.

 

[TwoMisfits]

If you're willing to gamble on Hotwire (and Betterbidding.com can probably help you figure out what hotel this is), I can get you this hotel for $269+tax (fees included)...
Manhattan, New York, United States of America
1 Room, 4 Adults
Fri, May 13 - Mon, May 16
Questions?
855-272-7927
Reference#: 154-983-040-24
See the hotel the last person got: The Time Hotel
33%offTimes Square North area hotelShow 85% recommendedBooked 15 times todayThis hotel typically charges guests a resort fee of about USD29 per room per night$359*
$239
per night

 

[wilkeliza]

I am honestly still working on trying to find a hotel or VRBO! The hotels are over $300 and I was trying to do for less than that. I have found some VRBO's and calendar will show updated and I sent message off and the owner will say booked. It is frustrating! Thanks again for your reply.

Can you do 4 week days like say the 14-18 or does it need to be 2 weekend days and 2 weekdays? That will change the prices. Just doing a quick Expedia search for hotels in my area you could stay at the Four Points by Sheraton (have not stayed here but walk by it on the way to the dog sitter we use), Hilton Garden Inn Chelsea, and the Hotel Indigo all for under and average of 300 a night. Most only have 2 doubles though so either one kid has to sleep on the floor or they have to be comfortable sharing that tight of a space. Same for you and hubby. The Hilton Garden Inn Chelsea has two queen beds.

 

[JessM]

Try the newish Fairfield Inn in Long Island City. I stayed there last summer and the subway ride over to Times Square was only around 15-20mins. They had a shuttle that left the hotel every half hour to take you to the subway (5 min ride). You can walk too but NYC is enough walking as it is. There is also a new Hampton Inn (I think, its a Hilton brand) in Brooklyn. That also looked like it was near a subway line. It wasn't open yet when I went last summer.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Research, research, research. Our first trip to NYC was over Thanksgiving in 2011. We stayed 4 nights at the Crowne Plaza Times Square, it included breakfast, at only $209 a night. It was unreal, especially for Thanksgiving weekend. We had booked another hotel and this popped up on Priceline about 6 weeks out(not a bid, just the general site). We went last year and stayed at the Hilton Times Square right on 42nd St. That was also $209 a night. I have March 31-April 3 booked at the Millennium Hilton by the Trade Center site for an amazing rate of $119 a night. I was shocked to see that rate and jumped on it(it was through Hilton.com about a month ago). 4 days honestly is not enough, but you can get a good variety of activities done.

 

[circhead]

Suggestion - stay in Westchester county and use Metro North into Grand Central Station.

There are many hotels in Westchester that would suit your needs and would be an easy commute.
Metro North fares are separate from NYC and BeeLine transit (Westchester County's transit line) but if you purchased the unlimited Metro card it is usable on both systems.

Also - with only four days there is going to be lots left on your must see list.
This city is incredible - so much to see and do.
I've been to LA a few times was not thrilled - you get very spoiled if you're a native New Yorker (why do I hear the Bee Gees singing)
I swear LA rolls up their sidewalks at 10 pm. New York never sleeps. Truly!

 

[circhead]

oh and the food prices.... about on par with Disney food prices (average) so expect to pay more than you do at home....

I never even blink when I get a check for meals at Disney - used to the prices from home.
Hear lots of other guests going "How Much!" - excuse me your homes location is showing.

 

[IvyWinter]

I never even blink when I get a check for meals at Disney - used to the prices from home.
Hear lots of other guests going "How Much!" - excuse me your homes location is showing.

Haha, same here. Born and raised New Yorker. A beer in WDW is about the same price as a beer here...same with meals. I never think twice! it's just like going out more consistent nights in a row than usual

Also, to OP, DO please come to NYC! We thrive on tourists and contrary to the stereotype, we ARE nice people who want to help you out!

 

[GAN]

we ARE nice people who want to help you out!

Sorry -couldn't resist. You are all really nice.