NYC with 1 1/2 yr old- What should we do?

[Lisa_M]

We're going to NYC for 2 days, so nice quick trip and I'm in need of some pointers of things to do with DD. Any ideas? I would love to go to a show, but she doesn't have the attention span and isn't quiet enough for that. Restaurant ideas are also appreciated too! This is my birthday weekend, on a small budget

 

[justhat]

Happy Birthday!

My mom lives in NJ so we've gone into NYC with my kids often and what they have liked best is The Disney Store, which has a lot of little programs for kids. Last time we were there they had facepainting, make your own magic wands, pirate meet and greets, and other random crafts and such. The toys r us at times square with the ferris wheel is always popular too. My daughter's favorite restaurant is Mars 2112, but she was 4yo when we ate there, not 1.5yo. The food is not that good, but there are aliens walking around and stuff and my daughter liked it a lot.

 

[Lisa_M]

Thanks for the suggestions. Where is the Disney store? Times Square? We were at Disney a month ago, so DD knows the characters. It sounds like it would be fun for her in there.

 

[java]

Mars 2112 is a tourist trap. And the food stinks. And the help is rude. I would pass on that one.

Another "touristy" spot to eat is Ellen's but that one we like. For breakfast it's a great deal and you get a show! My kids love it.

CENTRAL PARK!! the zoo is cute and small and doable for about an hour or 2. And if you are going in the summer there will be tons of performers out and about.

There is a great Children's museum. But it's your birthday trip so I don't think you have to do that.

Eating a favorite "nice" family friendly place is Becco NYC. It's the cheaper sister of Felidia(my favorite italian in the city) and I think just as lovely. The ingredients aren't as fancy but the food is delicious.

Juniors is a deli that serves your basics and is good.

Carmines is very popular- family style Italian.

And hmmm Bryant park can be fun depending on when you are going.

 

[justhat]

The Disney Store is on 5th Ave, walkable from Times Square. My daughter walked it at 4yo so clearly not too bad, but I can't remember the cross street at the moment, big time pregnancy brain going on!

I agree that Mars 2112 is a tourist trap, but my kids thought it was the greatest place in the world. It's been 1.5 years since we ate there and they still talk about it (well, my daughter, as my son was too young to really remember much, but he was dancing with the aliens and loved it).

 

[java]

My kids hated it. We've been 3 times. First time GREAT and the food was actually not bad(like 6 years ago maybe) next time not so great but we thought off night. Last time (a year ago) it was just awful. Even the kids thought it stunk. The aliens weren't involved at all. No dancing going on. And we couldn't find our waiter to save our lives. I have 4 kids and they all gave it a thumbs down last time. So it's off the list.
In NYC there are so many other places to try anyway- that we figure we'll keep looking. We might have just had 2 off nights- but that's too much $$ for an iffy place

 

[justhat]

If your kids are older, Java, have you tried Jekyll and Hyde? I went there a lot as a teen and thought it was neat. The Motown Cafe was fun too.

 

[java]

Justthat. I have a 4,6,11 and 15 year old. When I went in with just the 11 and 15 year old we hit Jekyl and Hyde and they LOVED it. I thought it was funny too. Now THAT was a show(also not cheap though) Never have tried the Motown Cafe-We'll try it

One of our favorites as a family is also Vergil's BBQ. Kids LOVE the train wreck fries.

 

[justhat]

Justthat. I have a 4,6,11 and 15 year old. When I went in with just the 11 and 15 year old we hit Jekyl and Hyde and they LOVED it. I thought it was funny too. Now THAT was a show(also not cheap though) Never have tried the Motown Cafe-We'll try it

One of our favorites as a family is also Vergil's BBQ. Kids LOVE the train wreck fries.

I had forgotten about Vergil's! I need to keep that in mind for our next trip.

Motown is okay for the little ones too, though I haven't taken my kids there yet. I know my daughter would be too freaked out at J&H so we'll stay away awhile longer, but I think it is such a neat place. It is pricey (but then again, aren't all those themey places?) but since I live in DC now and am not up there too often I don't mind so much anymore.

And sorry to hijack your thread, OP! I got way carried away in my memories there!

 

[Lisa_M]

And sorry to hijack your thread, OP! I got way carried away in my memories there!

No need to apologize. I appreciate hearing about your experiences.

 

[Metsfan520]

Virgils website:

http://www.virgilsbbq.com/

Carmine's

http://www.carminesnyc.com/

Both on 44th St. I love them both. Carmine's can be a little expensive. It is family style, so you get lots of food, but if you don't have a place to put leftovers, it'll go to waste. Virgil's serving sizes are good, the food is really good, service is great.

 

[Metsfan520]

World of Disney is on 5th Ave. & 55th St.

http://destinations.disney.go.com/wod/index?bhcp=1

 

[Lisa_M]

World of Disney is on 5th Ave. & 55th St.

http://destinations.disney.go.com/wod/index?bhcp=1

Thanks! DH mentioned maybe a Mets game, but we are Yankees fans and they are out of town then. I have to measure DD. If she is 32" or under we don't have to buy her a ticket. I think she is close...

 

[Metsfan520]

Thanks! DH mentioned maybe a Mets game, but we are Yankees fans and they are out of town then. I have to measure DD. If she is 32" or under we don't have to buy her a ticket. I think she is close...

Well, obviously I'm biased, but Citi Field is really nice. You can get there on the 7 subway line, which starts at Times Square. When will you be here?

 

[Lisa_M]

Well, obviously I'm biased, but Citi Field is really nice. You can get there on the 7 subway line, which starts at Times Square. When will you be here?

Friday

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Go shopping in the Village, stop into Mario Batali's Otto for a fresh pizza, enjoy the electricity of the city. I'll also put in an enthusiastic second for Central Park! Central Park Zoo, the Carousel, Shakespeare Garden, cocktails at the Boathouse for Mom & Dad...you could really spend an entire day in the park, and did on many occasions when we lived there.

Honestly, in all the time we lived in the city with kids, there wasn't a single occasion when we wanted to go to Mars 2012, Jekel & Hyde, or any of those touristy spots. I'll never really understand why people suggest these places. As far as I'm concerned, if you can find a colorful, gimmicky flyer for it in the rest stops as you head north on the NJ Turnpike, I'd consider skipping it altogether.

As to World of Disney, well, I lived in Manhattan for years before I decided to give it a look and was completely underwhelmed. There's so much to do and see in the city, please don't make a special trip for it.

I'd also consider either going online or to your local Barnes & Noble and purchasing a copy of Time Out NY or Time Out NY with Kids. It's the best resource for finding the most current events going on in the city during the exact dates you'll be there.

Have fun!!

 

[luv2sew]

I think your brave....I would not want to take a 1 1/2 year old to the city. Just my opinion. New York City, unless you know someone that your visiting there is not a place to take that young a child there are better places you could visit with someone that age.

 

[java]

I think your brave....I would not want to take a 1 1/2 year old to the city. Just my opinion. New York City, unless you know someone that your visiting there is not a place to take that young a child there are better places you could visit with someone that age.

You're kidding right? Tell that to the millions of families that live there.

 

[justhat]

Honestly, in all the time we lived in the city with kids, there wasn't a single occasion when we wanted to go to Mars 2012, Jekel & Hyde, or any of those touristy spots. I'll never really understand why people suggest these places. As far as I'm concerned, if you can find a colorful, gimmicky flyer for it in the rest stops as you head north on the NJ Turnpike, I'd consider skipping it altogether.

But these people are tourists, and the restaurants are entertaining for kids. I lived in NJ my whole life and went into NYC all the time as a kid and we often did touristy things like that cause they're fun. We don't head to those restaurants just to eat, we have other preferences for that, my own being several places in Little Italy. But for doing the tourist thing when we have friends visiting or whatever, those are unique places you can't find all over.

As to World of Disney, well, I lived in Manhattan for years before I decided to give it a look and was completely underwhelmed. There's so much to do and see in the city, please don't make a special trip for it.

I only say this because you said you've lived in NY for years before checking out WOD and I'm wondering if you mean the old one or the new only that opened in, I think, 2005? The old one was just an average Disney Store, but the new one has various character meet and greets and lots of free activities for kids all day long. My kids always ask to go there to make a craft and get face paint.

If the trip were just the OP and her husband I would completely agree with you, but with a toddler, if you don't add some fun, little kid things in throughout the day, they start to revolt.

 

[Lisa_M]

I think your brave....I would not want to take a 1 1/2 year old to the city. Just my opinion. New York City, unless you know someone that your visiting there is not a place to take that young a child there are better places you could visit with someone that age.

LOL, we'll be fine, we're only going on Friday and coming home Saturday.