re: NYC with kids

I enjoyed Luma Hotel. Right in Times Square and have rooms with 2 king beds, which is not the norm in NYC. For restaurants, Piccola Cucina is the best Sicilian restaurant I’ve ever been to. Ellen’s Stardust Diner was really fun. Actors and Actresses aspiring to make it on Broadway are waiters and take turns singing famous Broadway musical songs. I echo the other guy about Hamilton. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy it. Down the street from Luma Hotel is Bryant park. They have an outdoor ice skating rink. It’s also next to the New York Public Library. Since you are going in December, you have to go to Rockafeller Center to get some photo ops with the big Christmas setup there. I found Summit One Vanderbilt to be a cooler skyscraper view experience compared to Empire State. Since you have boys, maybe a tour of Yankee Stadium. People watching in Times Square can be fun. There are always various performers there. Maybe checkout Little Italy before it disappears forever. It used to run multiple blocks, but now is only 2 blocks. Chinatown is huge.

Prepare to smell weed EVERYWHERE! You will see the occasional crack head/homeless person on the subway, but they keep to themselves. I think the media exaggerated the issues in the subway a good bit. Just talk to your family about being aware of their surroundings and you’ll be fine.