OT - Help with NYC Family vacation

[Merriwind]

Hi all-

Ok, depsite having grown-up on LI, DH and I spent very little time in NYC. Some day trips, some evenings out--that's it. We haven't been back in a long time (except Dmom, DD and me spending a few hours at AG a few years ago.) Well, DD9 has been anxious to go to NYC, so we are planning to spend a week there this summer.

I need help!!

First, as a good DISer, I am a compulsive planner. Please point me to the best books (and websites) on planning a family vacation in NYC.

I was thinking that Times Square would kind of put us in the middle of the action. Is that a good location? I'm looking at the Marriott Marquis (pull out sofa and the new beds) or the Renaissance Times Square (4AAA diamonds versus Marquis's 3). Are these good choices? Marquis seems to tout itself as family friendly... Other choices? (Have to stay at a Marriott. DH's million points are paying for this!)

Must sees/do? How to schedule? Great, fun restaurants? Is there still the TKTS line for discount show tix?

Help! Thanks!

 

[mom2aredhead]

http://www.gocitykids.com/?area=197

Info there about upcomeing events, restaurant recommendations, etc. that are family friendly.

There is still a TKTS line - you never know what shows they'll have available for that day, so if there is one that you absolutely want to see, buy tix ahead of time. If you don't care about a specific show, its a great way to one inexpensively.

I think the Times Square are is a great location - pretty central to lots of areas - not to mention the things that are right there.

- You can visit Toys R Us, ride the indoor ferris wheel, have your names put on the outside marquis and get a picture of it (there was a coupon on their website to do this for $20)

- World of Disney is not too far uptown - maybe a 15 minute walk. Great store with lots of NYC Disney stuff - added bonus - there are characters there sometimes (schedule is on their website)

- Go to lower Manhattan (Battery Park) and take a ferry ride to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. (Ferrys are run by the Circle Line company, may have info or schedules on line?) On your way down you can stop by and pay respects at Ground Zero.

- Visit the South Street Seaport Area, go shopping, have lunch

- Little Italy is still there, but unfortunately has diminished in size. It's still a nice place to have dinner - Mulberry Street. The surrounding area is Chinatown. Canal street area is a great place to go shopping. You will probably be able to find a good deal on a "designer" handbag. (Not that I would ever endorse the purchase of a knockoff Coach or Prada bag )

- Go to a Yankee game. OK, I'm biased since I'm a fan, but that stadium is closing (they are building a new one next door) It's one of the last chances you'll have to see a game in "the house that Ruth built"

- Museum of Natural History - www.amnh.org


A few restaurant recommendations in that area

www.becconyc.com
www.theoldhomesteadsteakhouse.com
www.bubbagump.com
www.carminesnyc.com
www.virgilsbbq.com
www.rosamexicano.com

www.ricetoriches.com - this is in the TriBeCa area - a must do for dessert if you're there!!

Have fun!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

we are going to NYC in July so I thought I would just add my name here for info.

 

[Merriwind]

Mom2aredhead--wow! Thanks! I printed out your whole post.

 

[jamesmommy]

Don't forget to get advance tickets if you want to tour the Statue of Liberty, we didn't have tix last year (well, we did, but they moved DH's surgery up a day) and so we were unable to do it.
http://www.nps.gov/stli/

It might be fun to check out FAO Schwartz, you can play on the keyboard like the one they used in the movie "Big". They also have a very nice "doll nursery" where you can adopt a "baby", since I have a boy we didn't do that tho. We went to the Central Park Zoo, and went up into the Empire State Building. We did a Yankee game too, we all wanted to go to a game in Yankee Stadium.

We took the subway everywhere, and really enjoyed NYC. We hope to go back when DS is a little older, and can remember it. I think your DD is at a great age for it. Have fun!

Amie

 

[mom2aredhead]

Although I am a "Jersey Girl" at heart, I happen to love NYC.

New York has an unfortunate reputation that's based in the past. The city is fabulous and the people are wonderful. It makes me happy when people come here to visit and enjoy everything that we have to offer.

Don't forget Rockefeller Center - you can visit the "Top of the Rock" and/or see the Today Show being taped...
and MTV studios/TRL films right in Times Square - don't know how old your daughter is, but that may be worth a look too.

Feel free to post or PM me with any specific questions that may come up between now and your trip!

 

[DVCLiz]

If your DD is at all "into" American Girl dolls, the American Girl Place store is a must. I took my daughters there last year - DD was 12 and aging out, but she still enjoyed shopping, and we stayed for tea. They also have a show, I believe. It's one of my best memories!!!!

If she is a shopper, there's a great makeup store in Times Square - Sephora. My girls are old enough to buy the regular women's brands, but when they were smaller there were lots of body wash-type things appropriate for a pre-teen. Going to Spehora is like visiting the mothership for us - it's the first thing we do. Then we go to the H&M store and shop til they drop!!! Your daughter won't be old enough for their sizes yet, but when she is a teen it's a great choice for cool clothes at decent prices.

Have a great trip!! Try to see Wicked if you can - absolutely amazing!!

 

[Keara'sMom]

Hi,
Just thought I'd add that the TKTS booth in Times Square is behind the Marriot Marquis right now (could be convenient for you ), instead of at its typical location, where they're doing construction. Actually, it seemed less crowded to me than usual last weekend when we were at the city. There's also a TKTS at Southstreet Seaport, and that area is fun to explore as well.

I didn't read all of the info provided by others, but we had fun last summer with dd (then 9) at the Bronx zoo, as well as at AG. My dh is chair of a university theatre dept.,--we usually go to a couple of shows each time we're in the city, so that's the focus of our trips, but there are many other fun things to do. In addition to the zoo, the ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island is free and takes you right by the statue of liberty. The Museum of Natural History is fun, as is the Metropolitan Museum of Art (make sure you and your dd read, "From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" before you go there--it's about kids who run away and hide in that museum!).We're always hunting for good, family friendly restaurants, so if you come across one, let me know!

My dd10 loves the city and is begging to go back, so we'll probably end up there this summer, too! Have a great trip!
Leslie

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[jackdis]

We love going into the city. How about seeing Beauty and the Beast?? It's closing in July. We are taking DD8 to see it in June. I can't wait!

The Marriot Marquis is well known. I don't think you will go wrong there. On out last trip we stayed at the Courtyard Marriot Times Square South. Also a great location! We've also been at the DoubleTree suites right across from the Marquis. I would stay at either one again.

I was going to recommend the World of Disney store on 5th Ave. as someone else already did. How about the Empire State Bldg.? I've been there before, but it still takes my breath away. Oh, Top of the Rock has a great observation deck too.

I've been wanting to do the Circle Line tour...that might be an idea. The last time we left the city, we drove to Liberty National Park in NJ. To see the Statue of Liberty so close is spectacular!!

Have a great time!!! Oh, Virgil's is DELICIOUS BBQ near Times Square!!!

 

[ptmmg]

Just got back from a weekend in NYC with my dd her friend and her Mom. We had a great time. We went to a Red Sox vs Yankees game one night it was awesome because the Red Sox won!! We saw Wicked it was an incredible show I highly recommend it! We also did one of those open bus tours where you could hop on and off at different stops this was a lot of fun to. And of course we shopped !!!!!!!

I have stayed at the Marriot Marque before and the location is excellent this time it wasn't in the budget so we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn very reasonable and a great location not in the center of time Square like the Marque but within walking distance to everything and about a block from The Gershwin theatre where Wicked is playing.

Happy planning!

 

[Merriwind]

Wow, everyone--thanks! I've got some research to do! DH just booked us at the Marriott Marquis and is growling at the airline sites. I'm sure I'll have more questions, but you have all got me off to a great start!

PS - Please keep the bargains coming!

 

[jackdis]

Yay!! You will have a wonderful time!!!! Enjoy!!!! I will cross my fingers about the airfare for you. I know the feeling!!!! I'm not sure when and where you're looking at, but we love Jet Blue. They always seem to have the best fares for our dates/destinations.

 

[Keara'sMom]

As I said in a previous post, we've taken our dd10 to see many shows, and there are many shows that are "kid-friendly" (aside from the Disney ones that you would expect to be). "Wicked" is awesome, but you won't find that on the TKTS board! My dd loved "Hairspray" as well From what I understand, steer clear of "Spring Awakening" (for subject matter), "Jersey Boys" (for language), and "Pirate Queen" (just not a very good show!!). Any questions, just ask!!

 

[ntink]

Did anyone post about Central Park? They have a zoo, carousel and the Balto statue (my dd really wants to see that b/c they just read it in school).

 

[lillykat]

A fun family restaurant is Jekyll & Hyde Club ( http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/splash_eerie.html

It is kind of disney meets indiana jones type of place. Worth doing a lunch or dinner at.

 

[devalsam]

Subscribing. We live in southern PA and my daughter, 8, has been asking me to take her to NYC to see the Statue of Liberty for months now. I'm thinking about taking a few days off in the summer or taking a long weekend in December. Does anyone know when the Christmas decorations start going up and when it starts getting TOO crowded?? Also, what are some of the best family friendly hotels in the Times Square area? Is that where I would want to stay with a 7 & 8 year old who would want to do AG, FAO, WoD and see a show?

 

[disney ambassador]

We have a 9yr old dd and a 3yr old dd.

We aren't doing any shows this time because of the busy 3yr old. We are planning mostly doing shopping. American Girl, Disney Store,FAO Swartch, Toys-r-Us, Build-a-Bear. Are we missing anything?
I think we are going to go to the Brooklyn Zoo? too.
Are there any good plus size women clothing stores around where we will be shopping or any good kids clothing stores (Limited Too, Gymboree)?

Thanks everyone!! I didn't think to ask here about our trip. I should have know with all the info everyone has on Disney that someone would have great info on NY!!!

 

[dana1003]

im glad to read about people going to ny for vacation and not being afraid..im a jersey girl..been here for 30+ years and never had anything bad happen to me there. i love it and you know what if your lost people WILL STOP to help if you ask...it does move pretty fast but once you get used to the pace youll be fine..just remember...all those people passing by you are rushing to and from work...your on vacation...relax!!

 

[ntink]

We have a 9yr old dd and a 3yr old dd.

We aren't doing any shows this time because of the busy 3yr old. We are planning mostly doing shopping. American Girl, Disney Store,FAO Swartch, Toys-r-Us, Build-a-Bear. Are we missing anything?
I think we are going to go to the Brooklyn Zoo? too.
Are there any good plus size women clothing stores around where we will be shopping or any good kids clothing stores (Limited Too, Gymboree)?

Thanks everyone!! I didn't think to ask here about our trip. I should have know with all the info everyone has on Disney that someone would have great info on NY!!!

I would recommend Central Park - the zoo and the carousel. I'm not sure about a zoo in Brooklyn but the Bronx zoo is great. Also if you have seen night at the museum maybe try the Natural History Museum