NY City with a 3 year old?

[lecach]

My DH has to go to NY City the weekend before Christmas for work. I plan to tag along. The flight is only $157 and the hotel is across from Madison Sq. Garden and of course is free for me. We're trying to decide if we should take DS. He'll be 3 on Dec. 7. I think he'd love the tree at Rockefeller, the Little Mermaid on Broadway, the toy stores, etc.

Any advise? Should we do it?

 

[Aliceacc]

Absoultely!!! Why not? NYC is completely magical at Christmas time.

edited to add: google "NYC with kids"... you'll find a ton, including this: http://www.ny.com/kids/

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

My DH has to go to NY City the weekend before Christmas for work. I plan to tag along. The flight is only $157 and the hotel is across from Madison Sq. Garden and of course is free for me. We're trying to decide if we should take DS. He'll be 3 on Dec. 7. I think he'd love the tree at Rockefeller, the Little Mermaid on Broadway, the toy stores, etc.

Any advise? Should we do it?

It depends on how you want to do the city. If you're ok with going slow in a fast-paced city, you can definitely take him. Will you have a car? There's always the whole car seat/taxi issue. I refuse to take my baby on the subway. Those are always the things that nag at me about taking babies to NY. I haven't taken mine (we go a few times a year), but I think it may be a whole family outing next time.

I think Christmas is NY is AMAZING!!! Your DS will absolutely looove it!! It truly is magic!

 

[kribit]

I looked at the Little Mermaid show as well. The tickets were $251 each!

I would take a 3 year old to NYC, especially since it's free. You will love it.

 

[Aliceacc]

Hit Radio City instead of Broadway. The show there is wonderful. And, if you have the tickets, be sure to watch the Thanksgiving Parade on NBC so you can see (and point out) the Rockettes!! There's a TGIFriday's not far from Radio City, and Rockerfeller Center and the tree are right there too. That's one day, easy.

South Street Seaport is another really cool place, any time of year. The list goes on and on and on, and I'm a pretty dedicated suburbanite; I only get into the city once a year or so.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Hey, if you hit Radio City, a friend of mine is in the vocal group in the Christmas Spectacular!! Look for Emily Drennan.

 

[tinkandpan]

I say go for it. We live right outside the city and do tons with our little ones. Also- great if they are into trains is the Botanical Gardens Holiday train show.

 

[hthrbells]

We live near NYC and we go in all the time with our DS's 3 and 18 months. It is no biggie, the kids love it, people watching for them is great. All the toy stores are great too.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Come !! You'll have a great time.

Don't give riding the subway with your child a second thought. Thousands of people do each and every day.

I say go see the tree
Hit Radio City

Time Square Toys R Us (you HAVE to ride the Ferris wheel)

Your hotel is only a few blocks from Macy's- check out their Santa Land- Two years ago they had a cute little puppet. I'll check to see if I can find any info about. If so, I'll post a link.

Hit the 5th Avenue Disney Store

 

[momto2girls]

Absolutely! We took our girls to NYC last year and we all had a fabulous time! My girls were 3 and 6 on our trip. My 6 year old turned to me at one point and told me that she loved NYC even more than Disney World!

 

[emma'smom]

Yes...go! I've tagged along on DH's business trips with my little ones plenty of times. I even did the St. Patrick's Day parade alone when it was dd2 and dd 6weeks!!

NYC is amazing at Christmas! As for pace...just go your own pace. Here are some ideas:

FAO Schwartz
Lord and Taylor Windows
Toys R Us
Disney Store
Santa Land at Macy's (yes!...yes!)- We went all the way to NYC for dd1's first visit to see Santa to do it here. They had a puppet show too!

The Rockettes can be pricey and a three year old may or may not make it through the whole show. You know your child best to judge this!

When all else fails, just head to the Manhattan Children's Museum on the Upper West Side. It's warm, its child-friendly, and it's fun! (and lunch at Artie's Deli just around the corner afterwards is great too!)

I do take my children (now 5 and 2) on the subway...but I didn't when they were really little because I couldn't manage the big stroller and carry the baby at the same time. If you are just there for a short visit, just cab it....it is a bit pricey, but so worth it. You can get cabs at your hotel and at Macy's cab stand really easily....(and just put out your hand, of course).

To be honest, with dd5 and dd2, I don't really get all worked up about the car seat for the short rides we take..I just strap them into using the seat belts. I'm sure there are some purists who would be appauled, but it works for me and for the cab drivers! I'm sure you can always call a car service to assure you have access to a car seat, but I would just strap a three-year old in using the seatbelts.

The city is just magical....just walking around with dd3 will be a blast!

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

We spent one night (or two, I can't remember) there when dd was 16 months old. It was great! We saw the Statue of Liberty, got on TV for the Today Show (I think that was the name of it), Empire State building, spent half a day just in Toys R Us, visited ground zero, and much more. I really wanted to see a show on Broadway but dd was to little.

It wasn't Christmas when we were there but we did get a picture of dd sitting on the circle plaque on the ground where the tree stands.

 

[momsoftwins]

i did nyc with my 4 yr old twins and we loved it. at that time of yr should be a blast. if i can do it with twins and a double wide stroller ...anyone can
be sure to hit the world of disney store it rocks ..they even have characters there. bonus in my book alittle bit of disney world in the heart of the NYC

 

[grlpwrd]

We have 5 kids and the youngest two are 4 and 2. We've visited many times because my dh used to live and work in Bethpage.

One "issue" we had were bathrooms. Of course, when we have visited we always had one child either potty training or were new learners. It was a challenge so I made sure to take opportunities for them to use an available bathroom whenever we could. We were always in "bathroom" mode. lol

Another issue would be using a stroller. Getting to the subway and all over it seemed you had to use an escalator. That kinda slowed us down, but we didn't want to take the chance of taking the stroller on the escalator. We also used a double stroller. If you take a stroller, be sure to dress him warmly. The wind chill factor is harsh.

Yes, take him! The city is beautiful and he will also be in a Christmas wonderland.

 

[Aliceacc]

We have 5 kids and the youngest two are 4 and 2. We've visited many times because my dh used to live and work in Bethpage.

Did he work for Grumman by any chance? Bethpage is a 5 minute drive from here.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Another issue would be using a stroller. Getting to the subway and all over it seemed you had to use an escalator. That kinda slowed us down, but we didn't want to take the chance of taking the stroller on the escalator. We also used a double stroller. If you take a stroller, be sure to dress him warmly. The wind chill factor is harsh.:

If you bring a stroller, be sure to purchase a plastic cover. Many people use them in the winter to protect their children from the wind.

 

[micksnewfriend]

Without any hesitation, you should go...I have traveled on numerous times for business and stayed most likely at the hotel you are staying at (32nd and 7th/8th)...Bring the stroller as you will likely be doing a lot of walking...

You are within a couple of blocks of Macy's (just remember, it's "Miracle of 34th Street")...you are a "healthy" walk to Times Square (42nd/44th)...Toys-R-Us and the indoor ferris wheel is a can't miss with young ones...Subways, although initially intimidating, are not a problem and become easier to navigate...

Although I have not seen it, I would consider the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular...If my memory is correct, there are 4 or more daily shows beginning at 11 am..

Enjoy your trip....

 

[NewRocDad]

I must join the chorus and say, GO FOR IT!!

DW and I lived in the East Village in Manhattan in our pre-kid life. I still work in Manhattan and now we live in New Rochelle, which is a half hour from midtown.

I just don't see how you can pass up the chance to go to NYC at a magical time of the year for so cheap!

In addition to all the other things folks have written here, I have another suggestion:
--The Children's Museum of Manhattan. (www.cmom.org) DS is 3 weeks shy of 4, and he's loved going to this place ever since he was 2, and DW even enjoyed it at 1! It's not really a museum, just an interactive play place. LOTS of fun for a 3 year old!

I also want to "re-suggest" something that Tinkandpan mentioned earlier:
The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Gardens. This is an incredible treat for a toddler. They set up a large area of the Conservatory (the huge original greenhouse) with electric train tracks, and many different trains circle replicas of famous NY buildings made of sticks and wood. The whole place is lit up and very captivating for little ones and adults alike! And the NYBG (located in the Bronx) is VERY easy to get to from Manhattan. One train (not a subway train, a "Metro North" train) takes you to a stop called Botanical Gardens right across from the entrance.

Anyway, no matter how you spend your time in NYC, I hope you decide to come! You and DS3 will have a blast!

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

One "issue" we had were bathrooms. Of course, when we have visited we always had one child either potty training or were new learners. It was a challenge so I made sure to take opportunities for them to use an available bathroom whenever we could. We were always in "bathroom" mode. lol

It's funny you mentioned bathrooms. We went last Christmas season (sans kiddies). Charmin had rented a spot in Times Square and turned it into a huge bathroom stop. I think it had 20 individual bathrooms. After each person used it, the employees sprayed it with Oust and cleaned it. It was hilarious!! It was definitely nice not to have to hover!!

This was the only picture I could find...