NYC experts / AG in NYC?

[champagne27]

My girlfriend and I were thinking of taking our DD's to NYC to go to the AG store.

Can anyone recommend a safe and reasonably priced hotel in the city for a 1 night stay? Or the best website to research this...

Also - anyone been to AG have any comments?

Also plan on going to the Disney store while were there for me !

Thanks!

 

[anty30]

Hi. I live an hour north of the city and I am there all the time. Done the AG store, cafe, show, etc. numerous times. It is great fun. All of the hotels in the Times Square area are safe. As a matter of fact, I would say all of the hotels in 90% of the city are safe. If you want to be in the middle of it all book the Marriott Marquis or the Hilton. I love the Marquis because it is literally in the middle of Times Square and it has a great rest. on the top floor called The View that rotates. My kids favorite rest. are Mars2112 (food is bad, but great fun for the little ones), Ellens Stardust Diner (the waitresses serenade you), & Serendepity3 (the best frozen hot choc. in the world).
Definately book AG early. I just booked a brunch for my DD and some friends for a sat. am and the soonest I could get is March 10!
If you have any other ?'s just ask away. I went to see Achorus Line last sat. and the Martha Stewert Show Tues. Going in for dinner tomorrow night with DH to Mortons. Cannot wait.

 

[emma'smom]

For inexpensive (everything is relative, but it was under 200 through Travelocity), but safe and clean in the Times Square, we've been happy with the Holiday Inn Midtown.

We've also done the Skyline..but that is over a few blocks (I think it is on 9th Avenue). Still a safe area and walking distance to the Times Square area...but not quite in the heart of it all.

My favorite hotel in NYC is The Lucerne on the Upper West Side. We like it because it is a easy walk to the Manhattan Children's Museum and to Central Park (including the Natural History Museum and the Swiss Cottage Puppet Theater). It is also a hop, skip, and jump to the part of Broadway that has great restaurants without the tourist mid-town prices. We take the kids to Artie's Deli every time we go. This is a bit pricier...unless you find good internet deal..which is how we stay there.

We've done AG for the tea...it was really fun! We'll do it again sometime, I am sure!

 

[shelly3girls]

Planning a trip for DDs this summer. Thanks fo the great info!

 

[java]

On AG- my tip...leave your wallet home!!!!
What I was really surprised with was how reasonably priced the meals were. We opted to go see a Broadway show after our meal thougn- Our day included- shopping and breakfast at AG, ToysRus!!!(rode the Ferris Wheel inside- so cute!) then onto see Beauty and the Beast which I believe is closing so if you want to see that go soon! Then we shopped some more ate someplace else? can't remember? we go in often so it is a bit of a blur....But all in all a great day. Oh and on affordabilty spots to stay- don't ask me I have never had luck with that - my dh just paid $500 a night for a girlfriend and I to spend the night in NYC. Just a thought though- the NYPalace is actually in a nicer area than Times Square and close to AG-(now during the day TS is fine- at night it can get a little strange.... we met some out there people when my friend and i were in- so much so that we went back to the hotel- and we are city girls it creeped us out- The last straw was the guy in the Spiderman costume following us everywhere we went- opening doors for us ect... but it was just really strange.(he wasn't looking for $$ either ) We decided time to call it a night.

 

[emma'smom]

the NYPalace is actually in a nicer area than Times Square and close to AG-/QUOTE]

There are many nicer areas of the city than the Times Square area to stay...it just depends on the NYC experience you are looking for. As I already mentioned, I'd pick the Upper West Side anyday. However, some folks like to be down by the Battery so that they can have ready access to the Liberty Ferry/Ellis Island area.

AG is on 5th Avenue...so your moving away from Mid-Town at this point. Not as many practical restaurants/coffee places on 5th (although I'm sure others will start naming them), but 5th Avenue are has a different "NYC experience" feel.

 

[shelly3girls]

We are thinking of going to NYC on a Saturday afternoon in the summer to see Beauty and the Beast then staying overnight and spending Sunday morning into the afternoon at the AG show, store, and cafe. I looked on Expedia and saw that I can get many of the hotels around the AG store for reasonable (<$300/night reasonable for NYC). Can anyone suggest where to stay, eat, or visit? I go to NYC a couple times a year but I only take the train in and go straight to Wall St. so I really do not know my way around at all. We plan to drive but will most likely use public transportation once we are there.

 

[anty30]

Go to Playbill.com and register to be a user. It is free. You can get all of the discount codes for Broadway plays and discounts on rest. as well. It has a ton of info about Broadway and the surrounding area. Besides the regular Disney Braodway shows (which are all fabulous), my DD really enjoyed Hairspray and Mama Mia. I would definately keep those as possibilities.

 

[polixeny]

Where is the toys r us with the ferris wheel located? Also how far away is the World of Disney? Thanks.

 

[anty30]

The big TRU is in Times Sq. The Disney store is on 5th ave. between 55th & 56th. If you walk down 5th you will pass by St. Pats, Rock Center, Saks, AG & the Empire State Bldng. is down on 34th. MSG is also down there. All within walking distance of eachother.

 

[polixeny]

Thank you

 

[SeeDisney]

I would also suggest DO A BROADWAY show as well,, something geared towards your little ones. See Rockefeller Center, right in the neighborhood, the Trump tower, FAO toy store, central park.

Lots of great hotels in safe good areas.

Just to mention, my girlfriend when to NYC during Christmas week (height of tourism) and she and her daughter HAD TO WAIT AN HOUR!!!!!!! just to get inside of the AG store! Crazy! Hopefully that won't happen to you.

Have a great time!!! I love NYC!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We took our girls to the AG store in May and made a day of it. BRING LOTS OF MONEY!!!! We had lunch (which wasn't terribly expensive) the girls had their dolls hair done, they did the "magazine cover" picture and we saw the show. They also went shopping (hence the bring lots of money).

DH took ds to Toys R Us to ride the Ferris Wheel (and shop) and to the World of Disney Store where they were picked to open the DIsney store (of course I wasn't there to see it but they gave them gold ears and a picture).

After that we took a cab over to ground zero and saw St. Paul's Church.

We had such a nice day that we're going back in May again.

 

[shelly3girls]

Great advice, I feel much better planning this trip. Thanks to the OP for asking this!

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

We will be going to NYC for the day in August with our dd's 11 and 7. Just curious what the AG show is like. Thanks...

 

[champagne27]

Thanks for the information! We have the AG lunch booked and I'm now researching kid friendly restaurants for dinner.

I can't imagine waiting an hour just to get in the store - that is amazing!

DD will have $100 to spend from Christmas money and I will probably buy her a shirt. That will have to do but I'm sure it will be very difficult. If anyone see a crazy lady in there muttering to herself - "we are going to Disney - don't spend any more money" that will be me!

 

[anty30]

I took my DD and she enjoyed it. It is "real" girls dreaming about the Historical AG's lives and playing them out. It is a musical and tells the story of each historical doll. It was really nice.

 

[honeymom]

For inexpensive (everything is relative, but it was under 200 through Travelocity), but safe and clean in the Times Square, we've been happy with the Holiday Inn Midtown.

We've also done the Skyline..but that is over a few blocks (I think it is on 9th Avenue). Still a safe area and walking distance to the Times Square area...but not quite in the heart of it all.

My favorite hotel in NYC is The Lucerne on the Upper West Side. We like it because it is a easy walk to the Manhattan Children's Museum and to Central Park (including the Natural History Museum and the Swiss Cottage Puppet Theater). It is also a hop, skip, and jump to the part of Broadway that has great restaurants without the tourist mid-town prices. We take the kids to Artie's Deli every time we go. This is a bit pricier...unless you find good internet deal..which is how we stay there.

We've done AG for the tea...it was really fun! We'll do it again sometime, I am sure!

The Lucerne is a great hotel. We have stayed there and loved the location although you would have to taxi or subway to AG. When we went to AG, we stayed at Hilton Times Square. It wasn't too bad a walk. The Palace would be closer and there are several other 5th avenue hotels (albeit pricey).

 

[Grandmouse]

Just an FYI for those who are hoping to see Beauty & the Beast on Broadway -- it ends July 29.

 

[Desnik]

I just wanted to say that I was just in the AG store. DH and I were in the city and I ran in while he waited for me in the car. Well, an hour later I came out with some things for DD. I cannot tell you how DEAD it was in the store!! I swear there was about 5 other people in the whole store with me!! I was in heaven. It was a Monday at 4:30. The people working there told me it was the best day to visit, especially at that time. Just an FYI incase anyone wanted to know.