New York & Children

[angel659]

Hi

This is going to be todays silly question, but I have to ask. I am starting to think about my dh 30th birthday March 2007 and I thought about NY. I am not sure if my parents and inlaws would have the children for 3 nights. I was wondering whether to take the children. I think they are too young. They will be 7, 3 and 3 at the time. What do you think? If the parents would have the twins then would my 7 yr old still be too young.

Sorry for a silly question. I have never been. My friends go to Paris all the time with thier lo's apparently thier metro is much better than our underground.

Thanks

 

[carolfoy]

I think it is possible although only 3 nights would make it all a bit rushed, theres so much to do in NY you'd probably not get much chance for shopping, I'm sure they'd love the empire state building, the carriage ride around caentral park, the staten island and liberty island ferries, maybe they'd enjoy a couple of the museums (?). I think that it'd be a totally different experience though if you went as a couple and you'd get around a lot more, and faster.
I purposely didn't take my DS when I went just 'cos I couldn't imagine he'd want to do any other shops apart from FAO schwartz and the big disney store. But only you know what your kids are capable of.
Its a great city and I think if you went as a couple you'd have a better eating/dining experience than if you dragged jet lagged and tired children around.

 

[angel659]

Just asked my dad if he and mum would have the kids overnight. I said I know its early but I need to know for some figures on how much the holiday will cost me so I can take the money without my dh noticing. He said yes. All I need to do now is confirm with Pam my mil and I know she will say yes. I will be booking it in April. We are going to London overnight I cant wait.

Carol I think your right I didnt think about the jet lag issue. Thanks for the advice. I have never been so any advice on hotels etc...

I have seen the New York Helmsley? Looks nice.

 

[carolfoy]

Any hotel in the central manhattan area that fits your budget will be fine, after all, you're really not going to spend much time in there. I remeber a company called big apple loop tours that ran double decker busses constantly around all the major sites, you bought a ticket and hopped on and off at any point you were interested in, it was a great way of getting your bearings and finding places you would like to return to. They also had good tour guides who would keep us enthralled with facts and trivia about each place.

 

[disneyholic family]

I prefer the grayline bus company's double decker buses....
their buses are hop on/hop off ....
they have 3 loops (routes), southern manhattan, northern manhattan and brooklyn...
it's all included for one price (i think you can buy a 24 hour/ 48 hour / 72 hour ticket....

we tend to ride them all the way around once.....the first time we used them we used it to hop on/ hop off, but now we just ride it around once.....
they have live guides on board who give a running commentary about the places you're passing (the guides we've had have all been excellent)..

you can begin the route anywhere, but if you want to start at their main office it's on 8th avenue, between 47th and 48th streets..

as for the Helmsley Palace, yes it's a nice hotel......
go to www.tripadvisor.com to read reviews of various hotels..

we always stay at the waldorf towers, as i very much like the location, since when we're in NYC, we either walk or take cabs....so i like to be well located to be able to walk as much as possible...

 

[angel659]

I like the Waldorf as well. The Plaza looked nice. Thomson were offering a good deal with Virgin, but I prefer the flight times with BA we can arrive home Monday night so we can stay at my mil house and take kids home the following morning. We arrive at JFK on Friday at 10:20am .

 

[angel659]

I would like to see ground zero, but the tradgedy behind it makes me think twice.

 

[carolfoy]

ooh! If you can afford the plaza or the waldorf definately stay there!! fab hotels.
As for ground zero, I think its important that we never forget the tragedy this event caused, I'm sure its a very moving experience visiting it but I feel its something you'd really have to see to comprehend the size of the twin towers.
I still remember how huge they were when I visited, its unbeleivable they're not there, I'd definately visit the site.

 

[carolfoy]

just to add, it was definately the greyline bus tour that Beth described that I did, we had both 'loops' and it was really good

 

[kristieuk]

I can see how it would be easier not to take your children with you, particularly if you are going for a relatively short time, but if you do decide to take them, there is so much you can do with them. We took DD when she was 18 months, but it was easier because she was in a pushchair. She didn't come with us last year and we had a completely different trip, but we enjoyed both times equally. We are thinking of going for DF's 30th next year, and she will definitely come then - she wants to do the whole Central Park thing and see all the things she watches all on the time on Eloise at Christmas!

The Ritz Carlton at Battery Park is a wonderful hotel - you can pick up good deals (we paid less than £200 / night Feb 05, which is not bad for 5* by NY standards), and it has fantastic views across to the Statue of Liberty. It's very quiet down there, but you are really close to Wall Street and Ground Zero, plus obviously the river. It's an easy and v quick subway ride up to central Manhattan, but I really like returning to the relative quiet of Battery Park City.

My cousin and his wife live in Manhattan (just overlooking Ground Zero actually) and they have a young family (8yrs, 6yrs and 3yrs). They get so much out of the NY life, so if you do decide to take your children, I can get them to do a list of must see's for kids.

Good luck planning your trip. You'll have a wonderful time

 

[Nubbedy]

DH and I went to New York for my 30th last year. I would say it is far better to do it as a couple first to give you a chance to really see and appreciate everything you want to. That said, we are planning to return next year with DS who by then will be 4. We (or rather he) plans to see Central Park Zoo (thanks to Madagascar) and no doubt some trips to FAO Schwarz, Disney Store and Toys R Us Times Square among others! KristieUK, I would really like to find out some child-friendly things closer to the time if you wouldn't mind?

We stayed at The Waldorf, and had a really good deal booking direct with Hilton Hotels. It was lovely and really added to the whole New York experience.

We also used the Gray Line loops bus tour. As well as the uptown, downtown and Brooklyn loops, there was also a night time tour included in the same price ( we missed this due to bad weather).

I personally think that Ground Zero is a must to appreciate the enormity of the tragedy, but also the hope for the future. I have never felt so united with complete strangers as when we stood, looking at the remains and the cornerstone that had been laid for the new buildings. Also the globe in Battery Park that survived from the lobby of oneof the towers is truly incredible to see.

Sorry I have waffled but New York was such a trip of a lifetime for me. I hope you have a fantastic time. Good luck with the child-minders!

 

[Frances999]

We love New York so much that we bought timeshare there and now try to visit as often as we possibly can. It's truly the most magnificent city.

On our last trip with the children, they were 3, 5 and 7. There is lots to do to keep them occupied.

Our three really enjoyed the National History Museum and Planetarium which is near Central Park. It is absolutely huge and there are lots and lots of things for children to do. There is, of course, a huge variety of shops as well such as FAO Schwarz across the street from The Plaza and the wonderful Disney Store (it's a really beautiful store).

DS who was seven really enjoyed the audio tour on the Empire State Building. We all got a bit bored of it, but he absolutely loved it! The Statue of Liberty is quite child-friendly as well. If you pre-order tour passes online (they are free but you need to pre-book), you can access the Statue itself and have a guided tour. Our guide was really friendly and great with all the children. DS had one of the tacky Statue of Liberty hats on and she made such a fuss over it and explained the history and significance in a very interesting, amusing and child-friendly way.

There is so much to see and do, but a lot of the attraction is simply the wonderful atmosphere and awe-inspiring buildings and views. If you don't decide to take the children it will obviously give you more freedom to do what you like and not have to worry about keeping them interested. I highly recommend the Plaza (we don't stay there anymore since we have timeshare), but on our last stay there it was excellent. I believe they closed the entire hotel down last August, for a complete rennovation. I expect it is looking particularly grand now.

 

[SammieG]

We did NY last October with our nearly 6 year old.
HE LOVED IT! He thought it was the best place he had ever been to! (despite 11 trips to WDW!)

His favorite place? A restaurant called Mars 2112 - www.mars2112.com
it kind of had to be seen to be believed.. but it was fun!

He loved it all..
we stayed in a fab suite hotel .. the doubletree guest suites on times square.
FAB hotel (if you want more space than just a hotel room) and really great location! Seeing the TKTS booth from our window was enough to send me into a spin!

 

[angel659]

Hi

I was just looking at the Four Seasons and it looks lovely. I received a quote on this yrs prices with BA and flights were 798.00 but 1,000 for 3 nights at Four Seasons. If we booked a package holiday with Virgin we can stay for 700 inc flights for 3 nights. I cant remember which hotel though. I noticed if we flew to JFK we can get a 9:30 flight with Virgin and left from Newark at 8:20am.

Is newark far?

 

[Frances999]

Hi

I was just looking at the Four Seasons and it looks lovely. I received a quote on this yrs prices with BA and flights were 798.00 but 1,000 for 3 nights at Four Seasons. If we booked a package holiday with Virgin we can stay for 700 inc flights for 3 nights. I cant remember which hotel though. I noticed if we flew to JFK we can get a 9:30 flight with Virgin and left from Newark at 8:20am.

Is newark far?

I've never stayed at The Four Seasons in New York, but we stayed at The Four Seasons in San Francisco just a few weeks ago - it was extremely nice. Four Seasons is a very good chain of 5 star hotels. We were not disappointed and I think the New York Four Seasons is very highly regarded. I think you would be very pleased with it

Personally, I much prefer JFK over Newark. JFK to Manhattan takes around 30 minutes, but it does depend on the traffic. Newark to Manhattan will take over an hour. There are often problems at Newark with delays, runway issues etc. It's a smaller airport so I guess that is inevitable. There is an AirTran service to Manhattan but it involves changing and seem to be a lot of fuss, especially after a long flight. I would stick with arranging a personal transfer from either airport.

 

[Tink78]

DH and I went to NYC last April, so we can chat about it at the DIS Meet if you like.

We loved going there just us, so my opinion would be to try and go just the 2 of you, esp. as it will be your first trip there.

There is SO MUCH to see and do, and I think if you took the kids you would come away wanting more, whereas when we came home, we had seen so much we felt we had done NY justice.

We went to Central Park (Zoo and H&C ride), 5th Ave, Bloomingdales, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island (very moving), Ground Zero and the little chapel across the road that has a collecion of letters and fireman helmets etc (extremely moving - we both cried), Little Italy, Chinatown, Bar 89 (89 Mercer Street) - cool toilets (that's all I'm saying!), Magnolia Bakery (from Sex and the City), Empire State Building, Times Sq, saw Phanton of the Opera, Chrysler Building, Grand Central Station, Wall St, Brooklyn Bridge (take the subway to Brooklyn and walk across Brooklyn Bridge towards NYC rather than walking towards Brooklyn - much better views and you don't have to walk across it twice then!).

We also looked in lots of shops, went to great bars and restaurants.

Wish I could go back.
Hmmmm - I'm 30 in 2 years!! Now there's a thought...