NYC With Kids - HELP PLEASE

[scoochie75]

I wan't to take my two older kids (DS7 and DD5) to NYC for a weekend getaway in the fall. I am trying to figure this out and find myself getting very overwhelmed and intimidated. Has anyone ever done a trip into the city with kids (I am sure lots of people have )? If so - I am in desperate need of hotel recommendations - possible convincing that the subways aren't scary (I live near DC so the most I know of subways is the metro) - don't miss places for kids - and if a broadway show is worth it or a waste of money at the ages they are at (I was looking into Lion King or the Little Mermaid - which for some reason doesn't have tickets available after the end of August).

I feel like this shouldn't be such a difficult thing for me to plan but I really get stressed everytime I try to pick a hotel (can't figure out how to get from train station to a hotel with luggage and two small kids - I know I sound crazy)

Thanks a million to anyone who can offer some help

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Just went to NYC last month with DD10 and DD6 - we had a great time! We stayed at the Marriott Marquis, which was conveniently located. We did the typical touristy things - the Statue of Liberty (you can take the Staten Island Ferry for free if you just want a ride-by, or you can get ferry tickets to go to Liberty Island and Ellis Island) - get tickets in advance online), Empire State Building (pay extra for the Express Pass - totally worth it), a horse and carriage ride around Central Park (about $40 - my DD6 swore she saw Cinderella's carriage!). We had brunch at the American Girl cafe (very cute), played on the big piano at FAO Schwarz (free and fun), went to Dylan's Candy Bar (Dylan is Ralph Lauren's daughter), ate in Chinatown, etc.

We did not do a show - just not enough time, and DD6 won't sit still for a movie, let alone a Broadway show. Little Mermaid is closing August 30, which is why you can't find tickets for it after then. It didn't get great reviews. Lion King and Mary Poppins get rave reviews. Shrek is also on Broadway. There is also a Gazillion bubbles show that looked great in the ad, but we didn't have time to do it.

Take a cab or town car from the train station, then use the subway. My kids loved the subway and taxis.

Happy planning!

 

[Irish9697]

I went with my mom, my ex-husband (we were married then) and my kids, ds 5.5 and dd 4.5 (then...they're now 9.5 and 8.5), in August 2005 for 5 nights and it was FANTASTIC!! We stayed in the Doubletree in Times Square which was incredibly kid-friendly (they each got a backpack with coloring book, crayons, etc. at check-in along with cookies, etc.). My ex-husband mostly worked, but my mom and I hit the city with the kids. We're from the south (Memphis, TN), but had been to NYC several times because my uncle lived there for many years, so we were familiar.

We visited Central Park and the zoo, the Museum of Natural History, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Tavern on the Green for lunch (very kid-friendly), Carnegie Deli, Dylan's Candy Shop, Toys R Us in Times Square and rode the Ferris Wheel, Serendipity for frozen hot chocolate, China town, the Empire State Building, the Today Show (talked to Al Roker and my kids LOVED Rockefeller Plaza!), etc. We had a blast and really felt like we saw and did a lot. My kids still talk about it. While we were there, my ex-husband and I got tickets and were audience members at David Letterman while my mom watched the kids (we got these tickets fairly easily by calling the regular reservation line). My mom and I attempted to do Regis and the View, but were cut off in the Regis line (we were #30 and 31 or so and they cut off so close, like 29) and The View was on hiatus. We also had in-studio tickets to Good Morning America (very easy to come by), but didn't end up using them.

We walked (many times we used one of those lightweight umbrella strollers for the kids if we had a long distance to cover), we took cabs, we took the subway. We weren't scared at all...it was an incredible trip that we all enjoyed! Y'all will love it!

 

[woodkins]

The subway is very safe, I take my 6yr old dd on it all the time by myself (we live on Long Island & venture into the city about 1x per month). The museum of natural history is a fun kids museum & the admission fee is a "recommended" amount, meaning you can pay less if you want to which is great on a budget. It is right across the street from Central Park & my dd's fave thing is to hit the museum & the Hayden planetarium then grab a hot dog from a street cart, eat it on the steps and then walk around the park. Central Park has a great zoo as well. The Staten Island Ferry is an inexpensive and fun trip and gives you an amazing look at the Statue of Liberty. I have also found that most NY-ers are more friendly than you think & if you ask someone for directions etc. they are more than willing to help.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I forgot about mentioning Serendipity 3 for frozen hot chocolate, but I thought it was overrated. My kids saw the $1000 ice cream sundae on the Travel Channel or Food Network, so we had to go there (we didn't get the sundae, though!). Our waiter told us he had sold one a few weeks before - I guess he got a nice tip!

We did like Ellen's Stardust Diner with the singing waiters for lunch. The singing was actually pretty bad , but it was a fun place and the food was good. The kids enjoyed watching them sing, too.

 

[cinderella73]

Well I have to say NYC is in my opinion a great safe city. But as you know from DC the city is a crazy fast paced place so I understand why you worry about going with kids.


The only hotel I have stayed in was the Essex House over near Central Park. It is really overpriced though and not as central as the Double Tree in Times Square that another poster reccomended. I have never stayed there but have been inside for auditions . Its really in the heart of everything and odds are with some planning you can avoid the subway system completly depending on what your plans are.

Do you know what you want to do with the kids or do you need some idea's?
If you stay in the Double Tree which is in mid town there is lots to do.
I love mid town and think its a really kid friendly place to be.

Toys r us has a huge ferris wheel inside and 3 floors of cool displays .
American Girl is nearby .
My kids favorite is the Nintendo Store . It has some really cool stuff.
Right around the bend is the NBC studio store . They also tape the Morning show right there at 7 am I think? Or maybe 8. Have to double check that.
A cute Hershey store is located in Times Square
There is a Hard Rock Cafe right there.
A large Mc Donalds ( cheap place to get something fast)
tons of great diners
Central Park is a quick cab ride . I have even walked it but with kids you might want to hop the cab. ( It was around 6.50 for me to get from the NBC studios area to the middle of Central Park. So from the hotel maybe 10.00 ?)
There is also the Met Museum and the Museum of Natural History .
Fao Swartz is not far away.
And of course you cant miss the large 3 floor Disney store.

Almost all of these I have walked to from the central location of the hotel I mentioned above. I have had to hop Taxis but I would honestly tell you if you are alone and with kids just try to skip the subway if you can. I dont think you will need it .

If you decide what you want to do and need help planning out how to get around LMK and I will try to help you map it out .

I think you are a awesome Mommy for taking your kids into the city. Its a wonderful experience.

When do you plan on going? I will be going in soon myself for the day hopefully.

I will try to think of more places later. Broadwat shows are a great idea but at that age not sure they can properly appreciate them yet. But you would know better than anyone. They have a kids museum in the city that I am trying to think of the name of.... It will come to me later. I bet they would love that.

BTW if you are from DC have you ever checked out your areas Childrens Museum? My kids love it there. And soon Disney will have a resort there right across the street!

 

[scoochie75]

Wow thanks so much for all the responses so far. The Doubletree was one of the hotels I had on my short list - so I am happy to hear someone else has stayed there - I am off to look into the Marriott one now too. I think I am going to bring my 2 yo up to my parents in Albany and then take the train down to either Penn Station or Grand Central - I think that will depend on what hotel I get. I am now getting excited instead of nauseous (sp?).


Cinderella73 - the childrens museum down here closed for renovations a few years back - just when my oldest would have been ready to go - I think it opens back up either this fall or next spring - can't wait to get the kids over there. Think I might do a weekend down at the National Harbor - there is a really nice hotel there - and do all the touristy stuff that we tend to find hard to fit into our lives later this fall - hopefully it will be open by then. Thanks for all of the ideas you posted - I am still going back and forth on the play - my older child would love it my littler one could go either way.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Something I did when taking my 2 to NYC (one trip they were 2 and 7, next 4 and 9)- I invited friend's teenage daughter to go along with us. (She was 15 first trip, 17 the second.) It was a minimal extra expense to add her in; I paid for all her stuff for going with us. She was thrilled to go and it was a win for both of us.

 

[PaulaSue]

THanks for all the ideas!

BTW, how much are the tixs for Statue of Liberty? I have been searching on line and keep coming up with different prices (I am guessing different tours but don't understand exactly, Plus all the fees.)

I am guessing I have to pay for the ferry and then each island and then to go up in the statue? It has been too long since I went.

 

[lila]

Subway is fine although I would avoid during rush hr with kids.

Mermaid is closing Aug 30 I think.

Statuecruises.com for statue liberty tix.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

THanks for all the ideas!

BTW, how much are the tixs for Statue of Liberty? I have been searching on line and keep coming up with different prices (I am guessing different tours but don't understand exactly, Plus all the fees.)

I am guessing I have to pay for the ferry and then each island and then to go up in the statue? It has been too long since I went.

$12 for adults and $5 for kids. There is no extra charge to go up in the crown on or the pedestal, but you have to reserve in advance. It's pretty important to get tickets in advance anyway - the lines can be huge!

 

[EthansMom]

For a show, my son LOVED seeing Blue Man Group! There were lots of kids in the audience. They don't talk in the show, but there's lots of rock and roll music and lots of silly antics. My son especially loved the end where the audience pulls rolls of paper (pretty much toilet paper/paper towel mix) down over their heads and the audience in the orchestra seats is swimming in paper.

Tix aren't cheap but you can get a discount through http://www.broadwaybox.com.

 

[mjkacmom]

Subway is fine although I would avoid during rush hr with kids.

Mermaid is closing Aug 30 I think.

Statuecruises.com for statue liberty tix.

I think I just heard that tickets to get to the crown are sold out until February. We get to the statue from NJ, so we don't need to buy tickets ahead of time (we don't go in).

 

[unionville]

We have stayed at the Doubletree Suites in Time Square. The location is perfect with kids and you have a little more space in the rooms than other hotels. Lots of things are in walking distance from the hotel - the theater, shops, and restaurants.

 

[3boymthr]

I think I just heard that tickets to get to the crown are sold out until February. We get to the statue from NJ, so we don't need to buy tickets ahead of time (we don't go in).

The crown is sold out I believe, but you can probably get tickets for the pedestal into which they allow a lot more people.

Totally worth it to go up into the pedestal and I think the tickets are either the same price or like $2 more. Only a small percentage of people go up into the pedestal and the views are great plus going into the pedestal is the only way to see the original torch (the one currently at the top of the statue is a replacement). There is also a great museum inside the pedestal. As a bonus you don't have to do scary stairs as there is an elevator. As a note, if you want to do this as pp mentioned you MUST book the pedestal tickets in advance as they sell out and they will not allow you into the pedestal without the special ticket. We saw dozens of people being turned away last year when they tried to get in without the special pedestal ticket. They were not happy.

Another suggestion for a place to visit that I haven't seen mentioned in previous posts is the Intrepid (sp?) Battleship which is NY harbor. If your son is anything like my DSs he will totally love this. You can see what the ship is like in the Disney movie National Treasure - yep, that's the boat Nicolas Cage jumps off.

We didn't stay in NY but in NJ so can't help with the hotel recommendations, sorry.

 

[Kitzka]

I live in NJ and work in the city. I bring my daugther in about 4-6 times a month and ahve since she was 3 (she is nearly 11 now).

The subway is very safe and if you have a plan for where you are going i recommned using Hop stop.com. It will tell yuo where to go and how to get there.

There have been some great suggestions but here are things i think your kids may like:
Sony Wonder lab-it's on 56th and Madison (i think). It's free to get in and is a cool musuem all about technology. There are lots of interactive thigns to do. It probably takes about a 2-3 hours to get through all of it.

As for shows-i highly recommend the Gazillion bubble show. Tickets are inexpensive and the show is entertaining as the kids watch the bubble show. DD has seen it as well as other broadway shows.

Let me know if i can answer any additional questions. i work on broadway in the 50s.

Lara

 

[scoochie75]

As for shows-i highly recommend the Gazillion bubble show. Tickets are inexpensive and the show is entertaining as the kids watch the bubble show. DD has seen it as well as other broadway shows.
Lara

Are there certain seats that you would recommend for the show?
Thanks for all the info - I think for the list of things I want to do with them now I might need a whole month there

 

[mommycrawford]

I've lived in Manhattan my whole life, taught young children here, am raising my daughter(10) here, and don't know how to drive!

I cannot suggest a hotel, but if you find one and then have questions about travelling by subway and bus, or anything else, feel free to PM me.

FYI... people from the city are scared of detatched houses in the suburbs and country, and vice versa!

 

[irish_trip_mom]

We took two of our 7 yr olds in March, stayed at the Marriott Courtyard Midtown (great price for the amt of time in the room!)

Totally agree on the Sony Wonderworks...and free to boot! I think that was one of our kids' faves.

Ellen's Stardust was great for them too.

We also took them to the top of the Marriott Marquis, where the floor revolves. They got $12 milkshakes, we had cocktails. Add in the buffet and it was NOT budget, but did I mention we had cocktails??? And they LOVED it and the revolving floor.

Saw The Lion King. Fabulous.

We did Top of the Rock instead of the Empire State Bldg, at sunset. It was gorgeous, and we have fantastic pictures of us all with ESB behind us.

Their favorite part? Climbing rocks in Central Park. No joke.

They still talk about NYC, how it was a great vacation. Our other son has autism and he would have HATED so many parts of that weekend (the crowds, the noise, sitting for a play) so it was nice we could enjoy something with them without worrying about his difficulties.