NYC here we come....tips and advice!!!

[stnet]

Our family vacation is heading to New York City in a little over a month and I would love any insight into what we can't miss. I think I have most of the highlights taken care of we are planning on the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, tickets to see the Lion King, FAO Schwartz, Times Square, the 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, and the Natural Museum of History. Would love any tips anyone has on how to make this a smooth vacation and any other suggestions on things we just can't miss!! Probably our only time to vacation in NYC so really want to try and do it all!!

 

[CinderElsa]

FYI: FAO is closing on July 15th, so I hope your trip is happening before then.

 

[stnet]

FYI: FAO is closing on July 15th, so I hope your trip is happening before then.

Yes it is...thank goodness this is one place both of my kids really wanted to see!!

 

[CinderElsa]

Yes it is...thank goodness this is one place both of my kids really wanted to see!!

Have you thought about booking Breakfast with a Toy Soldier? You'll be able to enjoy the store when it's empty & in addition to the continental breakfast, the kids (and you, if you want ) can go on a candy raid. I think it costs about $40 pp.

 

[NJlauren]

I just got to go to the observatory at one world trade as an invited guest before it opens to the public. I recommend checking it out the views were amazing. Opens next week.

ETA what about a baseball game?

 

[stnet]

Have you thought about booking Breakfast with a Toy Soldier? You'll be able to enjoy the store when it's empty & in addition to the continental breakfast, the kids (and you, if you want ) can go on a candy raid. I think it costs about $40 pp.

Had not heard about this will check it out. Thank you!!

 

[LBIJim]

Free stuff to do in NYC:

Staten Island Ferry
High Line-a mile long elevated park built on a former railroad viaduct
Central Park
South Street Seaport
Walk across Brooklyn Bridge

 

[clori]

depending on the ages of your kids they might enjoy Sony Wonder Technology Lab which is free but reservations suggested, National Museum of Mathematics which is fun math geared for middle schoolers (younger can have fun without understanding the math. My girls enjoyed the United Nations tour. I got discount tickets to experiencetheride from living social and dd14 and I both loved it.

 

[bsblady01]

if the Yankees are home while you are in new York take your kids to a game you can sit in the top of the stadium for $5.00

 

[The Mystery Machine]

One thing I wish we went to was the Art Museum. However my kids would not have enjoyed it. They were too young at the time.

I did force them to Chicago Art Institute a couple of yrs ago, they were much older. At the time they did not enjoy it but DID appreciate it afterwards.

 

[Newsies]

All I can say is that if you pay more than $1.50 for a hot dog, you're paying too much

Just kidding! Have you considered a trip to the Central Park Zoo? The CPZ is my fav. Also, if you're going to times square, I recommend Bubba Gumps for lunch/dinner- and a trip to the big Toys R Us and Disney Store in Times Square

Have so much fun!

 

[Bearvet]

DS21, DS19 and myself went to NYC for 1 night last summer. We saw Aladdin on Broadway and then went to the Empire State Building. I suspected that there may be long lines at that time, so I purchased tickets ahead of time online and decided to splurge for the express pass - it was worth every penny!!! You get to bypass all of the lines on the way up AND on the way down. We estimated that it saved us close to 2 hours of waiting time. If you go at a busy time, I highly recommend the express pass - I think it was $20 extra per person. It was a magical experience for us

My guys chose not to go to the 9/11 museum and instead we went to the USS Intrepid, which we all loved! We also did the Tenement Museum, which was wonderful, but may depend on your kids ages.

Some of the unexpected things were memorable - grabbing breakfast to go at a nearby deli and sitting in a small park to eat, trying the different food trucks, etc. A fun family restaurant near Times Square is Carmines, which is family-style Italian - make reservations though! John's Pizza is also fun!

It sounds like you have a lot of great things planned!

 

[NewRVLady]

Do "Top of the rock" INSTEAD of Empire-that way you get to SEE the Empire State Bldg AND its WAYYY quicker to get to the TOP!

 

[NewRVLady]

One thing I wish we went to was the Art Museum. However my kids would not have enjoyed it. They were too young at the time.

.

which one? there are LOTS!!!
The Met has cool stuff for guys and kids-like Horses with full set of armor and a rebuilt Egyptian temple ( but my fave is the Impressionists)
MOMA is very wild and modern (they have the Andy Warhol Cambell Soup can paintings!!)

 

[bsblady01]

also check out the Bronx zoo

 

[Holly Quinlan]

Just following along. We just booked one of the NYC cruises so looking for ideas. Whoever mentioned the zoo thank you! I would have never thought of that!

 

[AustinTink]

This food tour was one of the absolute highlights of our trip. http://www.foodsofny.com/

It was fun, full of historical facts and delicious all at the same time! We love the "original greenwich village" tour so much, we signed up for the nolita tour on the spot and took it a few days later.

 

[Skippy918]

The NYC transit museum is pretty cool. You can combine that with a walk on the Brooklyn Promenade and get a great view of the city. You could also walk to the Brooklyn Bridge from there and into Manhattan and visit the south street seaport.
The Hall of Science in Queens is good for the elementary age kids.

 

[NewRVLady]

The High Line Park....11/2 miles of elevated park on west side
My DS proposed to his wife there
On the High Line is Chelsea Market....a very cool hip bunch of stores and eateries

 

[LBIJim]

Do "Top of the rock" INSTEAD of Empire-that way you get to SEE the Empire State Bldg AND its WAYYY quicker to get to the TOP!

I almost fainted when we recently saw the prices for Top of the Rock. I think it was $32 for a ticket in the building lobby, so we declined. I was expecting $20 tops.

No doubt there are some discounts, and it's likely the Empire State Building and the new World Trade Center are similarly priced.