Woo Hoo! Trip to NYC, need suggestions

[Jessd]

Hi!

We have decided with our AirTran Wendy's coupons that we are going to NYC in June. There will be 5 of us, me, DH, DS 11, DS 9, and DD who will be just 2 weeks shy of 2 years old.

Does anyone have any suggestions? We plan on staying at the Embassy Suites in Lower Manhattan, pricy but gives us plenty of space and breakfast. Is this a good location? We want to take in a Yankees game as well.

Does anyone have any suggestions on must see things? We want to hit the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, FAO Schwartz, I think they have a Build a Bear and American Girl store, that we want to go to.

Does anyone recommend any good travel books? I like to read and be prepared a little.

I am so exicted! I just love to travel.

Thanks,

Jess

 

[Jennasis]

You could try to get tix to a show, you could see Times Square, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa), or The Museum of Natural History (my favorite). Definitely get a slice of NY pizza and have a NY bagel. See Central Park (no carriage rides please...those horses do NOT need to be working), eat at Jekyll and Hyde and take a walk through Soho!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Go to the TKTS booth in Times Square and buy tickets to see a Broadway show. By buying them there you'll get a discount anywhere from 25% to 50% off...maybe even more. That's how I was able to catch Brent Spiner(sp?) (the guy who plays Data in Star Trek Next Generation) as John Adams in 1776-great show. I was also able to catch Bety Buckley in Sunset Blvd. I'd get there real early in the morning, the line gets really long. Also, have someone go with you. This way someone can stand in line and the other can go to the front of line and check out the board to see what show is still available. And have a 2nd and 3rd back up for a show. Last time I went, I wanted to see Beauty and the Beast and when I got the show had sold out.

 

[nordkin]

Take a boat ride over to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Ellis Island is awesome and makes you realize what people went through to get into this country.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

As a New Yorker:

Forget the Broadway show, unless you've got a babysitter lined up. Kids under 5 years old are not permitted into most shows, including Disney's The Lion King.

FAO, Build A Bear, and World of Disney are all within 4 blocks of each other on 5th Ave. in the 50's, so that's a quick and easy thing to do.

As far as Ellis Island and the Staute of Liberty, instead of doing the Circle Line tour, which costs big bucks and the younger kids would probably get bored, I would take the Staten Island Ferry. It's free, it goes right next to the statue. It doesn't stop at Ellis Island, but c'mon, do the kids really want to see that? Added bonus, you can get a beer on the boat!!

If you're going to do a museum, The Museum of Natural History is the best for kids. The dinosaurs, the Hall of Aquatic Life, the Butterfly Conservatory, the list goes on and on and the kids will love it.

To be honest, I recommend getting Fodor's around NYC for Kids. It's priceless and has tons of great tips for things to do around the city with young ones. NYC isn't exactly the most child friendly outpost in the world and there are alot of places that will straight up not allow kids. You've got plenty of time to plan so if you do it right, you'll be ready to roll.

 

[Forevryoung]

Take a trip to central park! Play on the playground, see the zoo (it's small but really nice) and the animal clock, and walk around and enjoy the greenery.

Go to the Hayden Planetarium (sp?) at the Museum of Natural History while you are there- I LOVE that place and it is great for kids and adults. Lots of hands on activities and things to see.

I will keep thinking...

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I think I'd skip Build a Bear and American Girl--unless your boys are really into that and cannot get it at home. Your DD will not remember and the boys will likely be bored to tears. Besides, if you are worried about ES being "pricey" why drop that kind of coin at BaB and AG? If cash is limited, I'd go with sights and "trinkets" vs big ticket items.

I second AMNH. It is a great museum. If you are Catholic, and even if you aren't, you may enjoy St. Patrick's Cathedral. Nearby is the NBA Store which your boys may like-even if you don't buy anything. There are interactive games downstairs. A walk around Grand Central Station is enjoyable--avoid rush hours.