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First Trip To NYC
Posted on 6/10/25 at 4:07 pm
Posted on 6/10/25 at 4:07 pm
My family and I are planning a trip to NYC next May for my son’s high school graduation trip. I’ve never been. We plan on seeing the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, new World Trade Center, Trump Tower, catch a Broadway play, eat at Joes Pizza, and etc. My question is, where is a safe yet decent place to stay? Hotel expense is hefty, but it’s a once in a lifetime trip for my family of five. I’m not familiar with the layout or what area to stay clear of and etc. Any suggestions you can pass on would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
13
Posted on 6/10/25 at 5:13 pm to chadzthename
You can get adjoining rooms at the Le Meridien on 5th. Safe location, can easily walk to a ton of the tourist attractions, and convenient to the subway if you want to go check out WTC, West Village, etc.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 6:31 pm to chadzthename
If budget is a concern, Brooklyn is much cheaper and not far at all to Manhattan. But there is a lot of cool stuff in Brooklyn as well. Crown Heights, Park Slope, Carrol Gardens, Prospect Heights and Downtown Brooklyn are all areas of Brooklyn that are safe, have great restaurants, bars, parks and museums and convenient to the city via subway, which I think is part of the new york experience and very safe in spite of what you may hear. We always stay in Brooklyn these days since half the stuff we want to do is in Brooklyn. Williamsburg is also a great Brooklyn hood but it's very popular so not sure it's much cheaper than Manhattan.
This post was edited on 6/10/25 at 7:22 pm
Posted on 6/10/25 at 7:47 pm to chadzthename
I would look into the city pass . It could save you a pile on all the main attractions. We stayed at Hilton Club The Quin New York on the south end of Central Park and loved the hotel and location. I made my first New York trip in February. Did Hadestown on broadway and it was pretty good.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:30 pm to chadzthename
My personal favorite is south of Central Park, roughly in between 5th and 8th, and north of Times Square. Times square itself is just a completely different vibe, but for a teenager just out of high school, this may be just the spot for you.
NYC is extremely easy to navigate, and just know you'll never even remotely see it all on one trip. One thing that was particularly cool on our last trip was SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. It's an awesome interactive experience for viewing the city. I realize the Empire State Building is a classic, but the views here are spectacular, and your son will grab some Insta worthy pics.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Also, another fun thing to do is walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Seems kind of boring (it's a bridge), but the views are awesome.
Definitely walk to Times Square at some point and possibly eat at Carmine's after your Broadway show. They serve huge, family style, plates of Italian food. They take reservations.
NYC is extremely easy to navigate, and just know you'll never even remotely see it all on one trip. One thing that was particularly cool on our last trip was SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. It's an awesome interactive experience for viewing the city. I realize the Empire State Building is a classic, but the views here are spectacular, and your son will grab some Insta worthy pics.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Also, another fun thing to do is walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Seems kind of boring (it's a bridge), but the views are awesome.
Definitely walk to Times Square at some point and possibly eat at Carmine's after your Broadway show. They serve huge, family style, plates of Italian food. They take reservations.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:41 pm to chadzthename
Daughter (no pics) lives in Hell’s Kitchen. I am not a huge Times Square guy but you have to see it once. Subway access is so easy that you can pretty much stay anywhere. I would aim for Central Park and south + central or west side of Manhattan. The upper is quiet and has cool spots on both the east and west but less touristy.
What kind of budget per night are you thinking about?
What kind of budget per night are you thinking about?
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:44 pm to chadzthename
Lots of people overlook using their subway card for the bus system. The buses work very well and are easy and much quicker for certain trips. Enjoy!
This post was edited on 6/11/25 at 7:08 am
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:46 pm to CaptainJ47
quote:
Hell’s Kitchen
I'm staying here right now and the location isn't the most convenient. I really like the Chelsea area and typically stay there when I visit.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:51 pm to H2O Tiger
Daughter is on 43rd and 9th. It is incredibly convenient to get to Times Square subway and then anywhere else. Now other parts of HK… agree.
Chelsea is a great spot. If it wasn’t a high school aged person I would recommend somewhere near the village.
Chelsea is a great spot. If it wasn’t a high school aged person I would recommend somewhere near the village.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 10:25 am to chadzthename
I went in April and stayed in Midtown Manhattan. It was a great location, and lots of things were walkable or a quick subway ride.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 10:59 am to chadzthename
Went for Thanksgiving with the kids. Stayed in a Doubletree on 8th and 36th. Good location, just loud as shite. I'd lean Central Park area.
Summit One is cool.
Get in line at John's of Bleeker before they open.
Summit One is cool.
Get in line at John's of Bleeker before they open.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 11:40 am to Zappas Stache
quote:
If budget is a concern, Brooklyn is much cheaper and not far at all to Manhattan. But there is a lot of cool stuff in Brooklyn as well. Crown Heights, Park Slope, Carrol Gardens, Prospect Heights and Downtown Brooklyn are all areas of Brooklyn that are safe, have great restaurants, bars, parks and museums and convenient to the city via subway, which I think is part of the new york experience and very safe in spite of what you may hear. We always stay in Brooklyn these days since half the stuff we want to do is in Brooklyn. Williamsburg is also a great Brooklyn hood but it's very popular so not sure it's much cheaper than Manhattan.
OP called it 'once in a lifetime' and seemed to understand cost wouldn't be cheap. Especially for a first time visitor with his preferred itinerary, I'd probably push Manhattan. Not because BKN is worse than Manhattan, and my dad lives in Williamsburg (like you, I spend most of my time in BKN), but convenience to some of the main attractions.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 12:24 pm to chadzthename
Fiance' and I are going at the end of July, havent booked anything yet so will be following this thread. She's been a few times, this will be my first
Posted on 6/11/25 at 12:41 pm to hoopsgalore
I would agree. Love Brooklyn, but if you’re going for the first time and doing all the typical tourist things, you want to be in Manhattan.
We always stay at the SoHo Grand. I would just recommend not staying near Times Square or Midtown in general.
We always stay at the SoHo Grand. I would just recommend not staying near Times Square or Midtown in general.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 3:40 pm to chadzthename
We just completed a trip and stayed at the M Social on Broadway. Lots of places around. There was a subway stop right by the hotel which was a straight shot to WTC, Wall Street and Statue of Liberty
Posted on 6/11/25 at 3:44 pm to Glock17
I’m seriously contemplating on staying in the Secaucus New Jersey area and hitching a ride via bus (Metro fee for a week of unlimited bus/subway $34 per person for a week) for a 13 minute ride to most attractions we want to see/experience.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 4:19 pm to chadzthename
Also, you mentioned a Broadway show...my kids are 16 and 13 and we saw "The Play that Goes Wrong". We all thought it was really good, super funny and chaotic. We saw it in the afternoon then went to Carmine's for dinner. Just a fun NYC experience
Posted on 6/11/25 at 4:44 pm to chadzthename
quote:
I’m seriously contemplating on staying in the Secaucus New Jersey area and hitching a ride via bus (Metro fee for a week of unlimited bus/subway $34 per person for a week) for a 13 minute ride to most attractions we want to see/experience.
I would really encourage you not to do that. It’s not going to be 13 minutes.
Totally understand that manhattan hotel prices can be jarring. But if you’re looking at NJ as an option, maybe consider Hoboken. You can take the ferry across into manhattan.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 5:15 pm to chadzthename
quote:
I’m seriously contemplating on staying in the Secaucus New Jersey area and hitching a ride via bus (Metro fee for a week of unlimited bus/subway $34 per person for a week) for a 13 minute ride to most attractions we want to see/experience.
I would not do this. It's more like a 25 minute bus ride (at best) from most of the Secaucus hotels to Port Authority. Long Island City will likely have cheaper hotels than Manhattan and is a bit more convenient than Secaucus to get into Manhattan.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 5:25 pm to chadzthename
quote:
I’m seriously contemplating on staying in the Secaucus New Jersey area and hitching a ride via bus (Metro fee for a week of unlimited bus/subway $34 per person for a week) for a 13 minute ride to most attractions we want to see/experience.
Do not do this
if you insist on staying in NJ, at least do Jersey City or Hoboken. shite, even something like Morristown sounds better than bussing from your hotel to Secaucus Junction.This post was edited on 6/11/25 at 5:27 pm
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