New York City for a first timer

[pinkxray]

We are taking a break from Disney this year and are looking for things to do close to home. We live in CT so we have easy access to NY, NJ, RI and MA.

Even though DH has lived in CT most of his life he has never been to NYC I have been a few times but mostly class trips and other times always went with my sister who knew her way around.

We are also thinking of taking our DD7 to a Yankees game, which would be a first for all of us.

Does anyone have any tips, must do's, budget helpers when taking a day trip to NYC?

 

[Sagginit]

i would say pace yourself. pick a part of the city to explore. think of going from neighborhood to neighborhood like park hopping in WDW. time in transit can be much longer than expected. subways are a breeze to use once you can read a map and find the stations. trains are very well labeled these days, much easier to tell apart than they used to be. i love walking thru times square but it does get a lot of hype, as a friend says its americas biggest strip mall. there is a lot to see in midtown, if you want to really explore, i say head out into a specific neighborhood,or pick something like a yankee game and build your day around that. NYC for a day trip is way budget believe it or not. there are plenty of discounts, lots of free things to do, and food does not need to break the bank if you go for a smaller less touristy place.

 

[smitch425]

Love NYC! Some places we took our kids (our DD was 7 at that time, too) in 2010 were:

Rock Center area:
Nintendo World Store
American Girl Place
Lego Store

Times Square area:
Disney Store
Toys R Us
M&M World
Hershey Store

We only had a day and a half when we took the kids, but DH and I went without the kids a few months beforehand and we really enjoyed the Museum of Natural History. It was really incredible to see, and it is right across the street from Central Park. We can't wait to go back! Best of luck in your planning!

 

[cornflake]

Stay out of Times Square.

Go to the Park, the MET, the Tenement Museum, the Cloisters (fairly close to Yankee Stadium). Go walk around the Village, Chinatown, go up to Columbia and walk around the campus (then go eat at Ollie's or the bistro thing or get the world's biggest slice of pizza at Koronet).

Go to the Empire State late at night, take the Staten Island Ferry.

 

[SamSam]

Love the Gray Line Tour as a way to get a feel for Manhattan, and decide on things to go back and spend more time at. It's hop on and off, so you can actually see quite a bit just doing the Gray Line for a day.]
Also loved the Greenwich Village Food Tour http://www.foodsofny.com/
there are others, but I didn't do them so can't give an opinion on them.

 

[smitch425]

Stay out of Times Square.

Go to the Park, the MET, the Tenement Museum, the Cloisters (fairly close to Yankee Stadium). Go walk around the Village, Chinatown, go up to Columbia and walk around the campus (then go eat at Ollie's or the bistro thing or get the world's biggest slice of pizza at Koronet).

Go to the Empire State late at night, take the Staten Island Ferry.

Why should they stay out of Times Square? We had all of these grand plans to take our kids to the museum and the Statue of Liberty, but they were so in awe of Times Square that we hit it both days. Did you see that OP has a 7 year old daughter? I would think taking her to Toys R Us and going for a ride on the indoor ferris wheel would be an amazing experience for their DD. I know my kids loved it.

 

[Kitzka]

If one of you has an iPhone I HIGHLY recommend downloading the hopstop app. You plug in where you are, where you are going, and it tells you what subway to take, where to get ff etc.

I have worked in NYC for 11 years and use it to get around all the time. I only know the 1 & a line. The others are more of a mystery so I use hop stop.

Lara

 

[cornflake]

Why should they stay out of Times Square? We had all of these grand plans to take our kids to the museum and the Statue of Liberty, but they were so in awe of Times Square that we hit it both days. Did you see that OP has a 7 year old daughter? I would think taking her to Toys R Us and going for a ride on the indoor ferris wheel would be an amazing experience for their DD. I know my kids loved it.

To each their own.

I think they should stay out of Times Square because it's just a giant, endless blob of tourists looking at lights and random mall stores. And now, thanks to our tiny little mayor, lawn chairs.

I'd take a 7-year-old to the Park, to the carousel or Wollman rink, to the Alice statue, to the castle and turtle pond, to the Shakespeare garden, to ride the ferry and feed the birds, to the Empire State to see lights, to the Cloisters, the Met, the Planetarium, etc. I think those are way more fun than a Toys R Us and different. If you like Times Square, go nuts; if someone asks me, I'll suggest they stay away.

 

[shoney]

Here is a post I made on Tripadvisor about our day in NYC. The NYpass
can be a good deal if you really plan your day. www.newyorkpass.com



Back in June I posted our experience with the pass. We decided to do it again yesterday for my older son's b-day.




Took the LIRR into Penn Station. Arrived 9:20am.




Walked to Planet Hollywood to pick up pass.




Walked to NBC studio tours. There were only 2 tours left by 10am...so get there early if you want one. We got tix for the 2:45pm tour.




Took a cab to the CSI experience. Very cute, but of course overpriced so glad it was included. There are 3 different "crimes"...you get 1 with admission. They did not give us a choice, but it seemed like we got a "milder" one because we were with kids. My boys are 10 and 12 and fans of the show, so they probably would have enjoyed a different one more. (we had #3)




Walked over to Madame Tussauds. There was a little bit of a line, but the pass had a separate one so we walked right up. It was crowded in there, but got a few good pics.




Walked over to Johns Pizza and had lunch.




Took a cab to the top of the rock. No lines at all. Went right up.




Went on NBC Studio Tour. That was fun! We saw the set of Dr, Oz, Jimmy Fallon and SNL.




Wanted to take a cab to the BEAST boat ride, but traffic was soooo slow it was faster to walk. It is by the intrepid museum. We got there a few minutes before 5pm and got on the last ride of the season. Sooo much fun! They stop next to the Statue of Liberty for pics.




Walked across the street to Lucky Strike bowling. The boys bowled a game each (10per person per game plus $5 for shoes = 30.00 for 1 game of bowling...ouch!) It was also happy hour so my husband and I enjoyed 2.50 Sam Adams and .25 chicken wings....biggest bargain of the day! We hung out on their couches and watched the Jets game.




We got on the bus to go across town to hit the Empire State Building. Traffic was a mess! We finally gave up and walked!!!!! Much quicker!




My husband took the boys into Heartland Brewery to use the restroom. I listened to the sales pitch given by the guys that sell tix to ESB on the street. Please do not listen to them. They were selling "priority Tix" because of the 2 hour wait! Guess what? There was hardly a line once you went in!!!!! The NY pass doesn't have a separate line here...you wait with everyone else. The line was short and had tickets within 5 minutes. (we took just our youngest son back in June and did ESB first in the morning....much, much more crowded...lines were very, very long!)




We went on the NY experience ride first. Totally outdated.... but the kids loved it and that is what matters. It is kind of embarassing that in such a great city, they would show tourists such an old movie! I would never have done it if it weren't included in the pass.




the line for the elevators was short, but the viewing deck was very crowded. We prefer top of the rock. My older son had never been before so it was a must see for him.




We walked to Penn station and within 5 minutes we were on the 10:25 train home....




I know for many, this pass isn't worth it. For what we did, it was to us. I equate it to purchasing a theme park admission ticket for the day.




Had a great day...



Hope that helps!

As for not going to Times Square, I think a first time tourist should go there and experience it. My kids love going to Times Square (and they love Chinatown too) but when my husband and I go into the city, we avoid Times Square at all costs!!!

I would do separate day trips for a Yankee's game vs. touring the city. That would just be way too much in one day!

 

[shoney]

another day trip we did was loosely based on the movie Arthur.

We went to:

1. grand central station for the whispering canyon
2. central park for the playground, carousel and zoo
3. walked to Dylans candy bar
4. lunch at Patsy's (think pizza like via napoli in disney)
5. a ride on the Roosevelt Island tram


There is soooo much to do in the city.....and you live sooo close!!!! Day trips are fun!

 

[scrapquitler]

To each their own.

I think they should stay out of Times Square because it's just a giant, endless blob of tourists looking at lights and random mall stores. And now, thanks to our tiny little mayor, lawn chairs.

I'd take a 7-year-old to the Park, to the carousel or Wollman rink, to the Alice statue, to the castle and turtle pond, to the Shakespeare garden, to ride the ferry and feed the birds, to the Empire State to see lights, to the Cloisters, the Met, the Planetarium, etc. I think those are way more fun than a Toys R Us and different. If you like Times Square, go nuts; if someone asks me, I'll suggest they stay away.

I love the chairs and pedestrian mall thing in Times Square! Last summer I sat at a table and had a coffee and enjoyed the BEST people watching ever!

Ditto on the HopStop App! It's great to help you figure out how to get where you are going. Just keep in mind that you'll want to turn off your phone or at least turn off searching for wifi while you are in the subways...the searching for a signal in the subway kills the battery on your phone.

I'd suggest that you add a ride on the Staten Island Ferry to your plans. It's the closest you can get to the Statue of Liberty without actually going to Ellis Island, and it's FREE.

I love to go to China Town and Little Italy and walk around those neighborhoods.

I think that your kids would love the Met!

 

[cornflake]

I love the chairs and pedestrian mall thing in Times Square! Last summer I sat at a table and had a coffee and enjoyed the BEST people watching ever!

Ditto on the HopStop App! It's great to help you figure out how to get where you are going. Just keep in mind that you'll want to turn off your phone or at least turn off searching for wifi while you are in the subways...the searching for a signal in the subway kills the battery on your phone.

I'd suggest that you add a ride on the Staten Island Ferry to your plans. It's the closest you can get to the Statue of Liberty without actually going to Ellis Island, and it's FREE.

I love to go to China Town and Little Italy and walk around those neighborhoods.

I think that your kids would love the Met!

I keep hoping Weiner will come back to the mayoral race because he promised like the first thing he would do was take a sledgehammer to the pedestrian deal in Times Square and the tripled bike lane things (I have no problem with bike lanes but the giant things with the double crosswalk and turn signals are ridonk).

Agree with the Ferry. Ellis Island is good - the trip to the Statue is another one of those total tourist things to avoid. You can see it fine from the ferry and it's an expensive time waste to actually go over there.

There's cell service in some train stations now, just btw, and more coming.

 

[minnierocks]

Subbing...we are taking my mom to NYC on a girl's trip in May. It will be our first time as well...and I am loving the advice!

 

[Dani4girls]

From reading the above posts, it becomes obvious that everyone has different ideas of fun. OP, you need to look at the people who are going and plan your trip according to their interests. I have been to NYC once myself, but I have helped several different people plan trips there. The fun is doing the research, finding those perfect places that you know that person will love! I would recommend getting Fodor's NYC guide or some other similar book to help you sort through things, because there is a LOT to do in NYC!!! Having said that, if I were taking my kids, we wouldn't do a museum...they would think it too "school-like". They would LOVE to see Lion King on Broadway! They would LOVE Ellen's Stardust Diner, where the staff sing and dance around you while you eat...very loud, but very fun! I have one daughter who would love the American Girl Doll store, and one that would love the Central Park Zoo. Oh, and don't forget FAO Schwartz and the big floor piano!! Whatever you decide, I hope you have an unforgettable trip!!

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd suggest that you add a ride on the Staten Island Ferry to your plans. It's the closest you can get to the Statue of Liberty without actually going to Ellis Island, and it's FREE.
!

Just a FYI - the SOL isn't on Ellis Island (which I happen to love, but with older kids). If the OP is going to a Yankees game, that doesn't leave a lot of free time.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Great thread!!!!
We took the kids to the Statue of liberty last year and we loved it!

Now I'd like to take them to NYC just for the day sometime this spring(we are about 1 1/2 hours away) They will be almost 5, 9 and 13.
We need to keep it cheap but I have no idea where to park that we could walk to Times Square and a few other things. My dh has NEVER been to NYC and I have only been there on field trips when I was in high school so I really have NO clue where to begin.

 

[shoney]

Great thread!!!!
We took the kids to the Statue of liberty last year and we loved it!

Now I'd like to take them to NYC just for the day sometime this spring(we are about 1 1/2 hours away) They will be almost 5, 9 and 13.
We need to keep it cheap but I have no idea where to park that we could walk to Times Square and a few other things. My dh has NEVER been to NYC and I have only been there on field trips when I was in high school so I really have NO clue where to begin.

We often park here when in that area. It's large, self park, no tip!

http://www.panynj.gov/bus-terminals/pabt-services.html

 

[loveysbydesign]

I keep hoping Weiner will come back to the mayoral race because he promised like the first thing he would do was take a sledgehammer to the pedestrian deal in Times Square and the tripled bike lane things (I have no problem with bike lanes but the giant things with the double crosswalk and turn signals are ridonk).

Agree with the Ferry. Ellis Island is good - the trip to the Statue is another one of those total tourist things to avoid. You can see it fine from the ferry and it's an expensive time waste to actually go over there.

There's cell service in some train stations now, just btw, and more coming.

I have to say that the SOL is not expensive at ALL, nor is it a waste of time ! I would say it might be better as a daytrip by itself.
We went from the NJ side(Liberty State Park) and it was the 1st time for us, inlaws and our kids and everyone really enjoyed it! We went on Father's Day. The ticket's were under $100 for all 7 of us and it includes EI and the SoL. We packed a lunch and ate it at Ellis Island at the tables outside, then toured EI, grabbed an ice cream cone for a snack and then took the ferry over to the SOL. My kids also thought the old train station that you walk through to board the ferry was neat. It was an amazing experience. We bought our tickets through http://www.statuecruises.com/ Plus the view from up there is amazing!

 

[cornflake]

Great thread!!!!
We took the kids to the Statue of liberty last year and we loved it!

Now I'd like to take them to NYC just for the day sometime this spring(we are about 1 1/2 hours away) They will be almost 5, 9 and 13.
We need to keep it cheap but I have no idea where to park that we could walk to Times Square and a few other things. My dh has NEVER been to NYC and I have only been there on field trips when I was in high school so I really have NO clue where to begin.

Begin by finding the train schedule so you do not drive into NYC. Don't do it. Parking runs $50+ for the day, from a cheaper place, and depending on when you come in, you could spend an hour in traffic trying to go half a mile. Don't do it.

Then... begin with what you'd like - Tenement Museum, lunch in Chinatown, dessert at Veniero's, a B'way matinee, the MET, the Cloisters, Columbia, the Empire State, coffees and hot cocoa at L'express and home?

The Park all day, FAO, Empire State, skating at Wollman Rink, ice cream at Serendipity, tea at Alice's Tea Shop, a space show at the Planetarium?

What do you like?

 

[shoney]

Begin by finding the train schedule so you do not drive into NYC. Don't do it. Parking runs $50+ for the day, from a cheaper place, and depending on when you come in, you could spend an hour in traffic trying to go half a mile. Don't do it.

Then... begin with what you'd like - Tenement Museum, lunch in Chinatown, dessert at Veniero's, a B'way matinee, the MET, the Cloisters, Columbia, the Empire State, coffees and hot cocoa at L'express and home?

The Park all day, FAO, Empire State, skating at Wollman Rink, ice cream at Serendipity, tea at Alice's Tea Shop, a space show at the Planetarium?

What do you like?

Agree to disagree. With 4 kids and 2 adults the train fare would be very expensive, much more than parking! If you go in drive in the morning and leave at night it is fine. I've done it a lot.

My husband has to drive in Manhattan in order to go to work and he rarely finds traffic to be that bad.

I should revise that...didn't come out the way I wanted it to. Yes, traffic is terrible...it is rarely so bad that it takes him an hour to go a half mile.

I would park the car in one spot and then go back to it at the end of the day.