NYC in the spring

[wshupnastar]

DD is really wanting a trip into NYC, so DH and I are thinking of taking our two girls and my mom this spring.

We are already planning a Disney trip...so this would be an "extra" vacation...which means very tight budget!

I don't mind splurging on the hotel, to stay close to everything. ($200 or so a night, if possible, I would consider that "budget" for NYC. I could go higher, but would rather not. ) The hotel we are looking at now is the Embassy Suites, in the financial district...is this close to any "tourist" places? I am very open to suggestions!

Does anyone have any suggestions for cheap, or even better, free things to fill a few days?

Also, I read a while back on a site that sells tickets to Broadway shows for a discount? Anyone know any legit sites that do this? We definitely want to see a show....again, will pay full price...but would rather not!

We figure if we go dirt cheap on everything but the hotel and show, we may be able to do this!

Thanks!

 

[java]

Financial district is WAAAAY downtown. So unless you are planning on just doing Seaport, Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero- I would suggest Midtown. Much easier to navigate vs. financial district.

Often the Mariott Marquis runs specials. It's right smack in the middle of it all and the rooms are a good size for nyc. Watch that one.

I can't help on the broadway site because I always end up paying full price myself.

How old are the girls- that would help with suggestions.

 

[Green Tea]

watch travelzoo.com for specials on spring hotels in NYC. I used priceline and got a great place for about $100 a night, but they listed some specials that were great deals.

travelzoo also had some great prices for broadway sales. There are half price tickets available in times Sq and down on wall street, but there were sales for Little Mermaid and other kid friendly ones this spring.

 

[wshupnastar]

Thanks! And, it probably would help to let everyone know how old the kids are...they will be 15 and 13 at the time. Can't believe I didn't think to add that! The 15 year old is the one who is obsessed with going to NYC! We have never been...keep taking those trips to Disney...I guess we need to get out and see the rest of the world!

 

[Chelley00]

watch travelzoo.com for specials on spring hotels in NYC. .

This is what we did for our trip in June. We got Millenium Broadway for $159 a night from travelzoo. We also got our Broadway tickets through them for $80 each (front row!)

Sign up for Playbill.com and they send out specials on Broadway tickets.

The hop on/hop off busses aren't too expensive and a good way to see everything. Especially if you do a 2 day pass. We used a private walking guide instead so I can't comment on how good the tour is.

 

[Kitzka]

ou def want to stya midtown. That;s where the 'action' is at. The financila district is much quieter.

For shows you could either check out Broadwaybox.com or when you get the the city go to the TKTS booth. There is a special that goes on where kids can get in for half price. i can't recall who organizes it but they run a special on most broadway shows.

since you are going in the spring it is tough to say which shows will be opening or running when you come but some ideas are:

Bye Bye Birdie (first revival since the original run in the 60s)
Billy Elliott
Mamma Mia (super fun for the whole family)
Wicked (prob no discounts here)
Rock of Ages (supre cheese 80's hair band fun)

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Lara

 

[java]

AH! teens! Well I have one of those so I can steer clear of the American Girl suggestion-

They sell a NYC go pass with attractions built in or this where you can pick and choose
http://www.smartdestinations.com/new-york-attractions-and-tours/_d_Nyc-p1.html

My sister is in her 20's and she LOVED the Titanic Exibit
TITANIC: THE ARTIFACT EXHIBITION

Address: 226 W. 44th Street
(between 7th & 8th Avenues)
New York City, NY
866-9-TSXNYC (866-987-9692)
http://discoverytsx.com/titanic.php

The Museum of Natural History is donation entry- so it can be free if you want(the Planetarium does cost $$ but you can enter without doing that)

The Metropolitan Museum of art is another FREE one with donations suggested. But you can really just walk on in. We pay sometimes sometimes we don't.

Central Park! So much to see there.

Food my favorite is Becco NYC. Great reasonable Italian food and my kids loved it. Another hit with them is Virgil's BBQ.(both midtown)
Ellen's Stardust is great for breakfast.

We love just walking around particularly the Street fairs
This site lists them but they only have 2009 as of now

http://www.nycstreetfairs.com/sched.html

If they are tech minded there is the Sony Wonder lab Experience which is FREE
http://www.sonywondertechlab.com/

Window shopping! I would think you have to hit Bloomingdales.

CUPCAKES!! My favorite is Billy's Bakery around 23 and 9th. But I do like Crumbs too! They are all over the place. And Magnolia is a popular place for the beauty of the cupcakes (me I prefer taste and Billy used to be the baker at magnolia then left and started his own basic place)

Boy I blab on and on about ny. Sorry I got so long winded.

Oh one more thing- GET OUT ON THE HUDSON! it's a great way to see the city- you can take the Staten Island Ferry for FREE and get very close to the Statue of Liberty.
Or you can take The Chelsea Screamer for a wild ride but that's $20 a person.

 

[sharonW]

broadwaybox.com is legit and a great discount site.
I have used them many times. Happy Planning!

 

[Kitzka]

OH I forgot. If you are looking for great cupcakes in NYC my personal fav is Cupcake Stop. It's a van that parks in various parts of the city and sells GREAT cupcakes. I am hoping to do a cupcake tour of the city one of these days.

lara

 

[Green Tea]

My teen LOVED Wicked. We paid full price for the tickets, and it was still worth every penny.

 

[clori]

The Staten Island ferry is free and you see the Statue of Liberty. The New York Pass can possibly save you money depending on what you use it for. I think your girls might be too old but SonyWonder Technology Lab was free last time I was there. Ellen's Stardust has singing waitstaff - breakfast is a cheaper time to go but get there early since lines form. You can try looking at restaurant.com for some restaurant deals. Public transportation offers a 1 day pass and perhaps weekly passes and once you start using it it is usually easy to get around by bus/subway.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks! And, it probably would help to let everyone know how old the kids are...they will be 15 and 13 at the time. Can't believe I didn't think to add that! The 15 year old is the one who is obsessed with going to NYC! We have never been...keep taking those trips to Disney...I guess we need to get out and see the rest of the world!

We took my dd 's to NYC in 2002 and they would go back in a heartbeat. Well worth it. We want to go back.

We did stay at the Sheraton in Times Square which was 300 a night though. It was pretty cool.

 

[Skatermom23]

I just did a girls week in NY with DD16. We stayed at the Marriott Marquis right in Times Square for $199 a night. It is a beautiful hotel! The rooms were okay, nothing super special. The location was perfect. The Food in the hotel is way overpriced but there are several cheap cafe type places within a few minute walk. DD got hooked on pizza from this little deli and we had to have our $4 slice of pizza every day for lunch!

I bought Wicked tickets way in advance, from Ticketmaster, and got a good price. We did stand in line once for the same day discount tickets. I won't do that again. For me it just isn't worth it. Most of the seats you get are front sides, which cost a good deal to start with. Course they offer them at 20%-40% off. But if you buy in advance, you can get better seats with better views for cheaper prices! I think the same day ticket booth is more for those who haven't planned and don't mind giving up a few hours to stand in line.

 

[Minnie's Pal]

I bought Wicked tickets way in advance, from Ticketmaster, and got a good price.

How far in advance do we need to get these tickets? We are planning a mother/daughter weekend next summer and Wicked is a must see for our group.

 

[Skatermom23]

How far in advance do we need to get these tickets? We are planning a mother/daughter weekend next summer and Wicked is a must see for our group.

I would buy them at least 5 months prior. That way you get great seats for a great price. I highly recommend the first row, center, front mezzanine. I liked being able to look down on the stage and not miss a thing. Plus no heads in front of me and I think I only paid $100 for these tickets. Totally worth the price!! My dd16 is still talking about this show!

 

[JohnsPrincess]

Oooh, check out the Disney Store and FAO Schwartz!!
Your girls might still enjoy going to the American Girl place...heck I'm 30 and I want to go, lol.
Times Square at night is Amazing.
Statue of Liberty & Elis Island of course.
The top of the Empire State Building.
Central Park has a bunch of stuff to do.

I haven't been to NYC in years and years and I'm Dying to go back!!

 

[mjkacmom]

I would buy them at least 5 months prior. That way you get great seats for a great price. I highly recommend the first row, center, front mezzanine. I liked being able to look down on the stage and not miss a thing. Plus no heads in front of me and I think I only paid $100 for these tickets. Totally worth the price!! My dd16 is still talking about this show!

I think Wicked it the best show for this age! Definitely get them far in advance. We use broadwaybox.com for tickets, but we've already seen Wicked, and since we live right outside NYC, we can wait for the popular shows to become less expensive. If it's a special trip, pay the full price for Wicked.