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NYC with Family Trip Planning Help

Posted on 2/10/18 at 6:44 pm
Posted by LSUOFFSHORE
Madisonville,LA
Member since Nov 2007
522 posts
Posted on 2/10/18 at 6:44 pm
Planning on a Mardi Gras 2019 trip to see the main things. (Statue, Empire, TSquare, etc..) I’m thinking about adding a detour to Niagara (2 days) and maybe Hershey, PA (1 day) over the 7 days.

Any NYC hotel recommendations in Manhattan near Broadway or Time Square?
Any advise on the detour, fly or drive from NYC?
Airport preference from MSY? Leaning Jet Blue & JFK

Posted by lsujag
Member since Jan 2012
2317 posts
Posted on 2/10/18 at 8:56 pm to
I’m looking forward to the responses. Thinking about surprising wife for her birthday with a trip.
Posted by Wade Phillips
Member since Dec 2008
572 posts
Posted on 2/11/18 at 10:29 am to
Go with an AirBnB and save a ton of money. I prefer staying around Greenwich Village (Bleecker Street area). Gives you a feel of what living on the island would actually be like and is walkable to great areas. Staying in the midtown tourist trap is a mistake, especially when you can catch a ride up there and walk around for half a day to get your fill.
Posted by hungryone
river parishes
Member since Sep 2010
11987 posts
Posted on 2/11/18 at 1:02 pm to
Weather can be unpredictable at that time of year. I’d stick to NY and not complicate things logistically with Hershey or Niagra. There’s plenty in NY to keep you entertained.
Posted by AbitaFan08
Boston, MA
Member since Apr 2008
26537 posts
Posted on 2/11/18 at 1:48 pm to
quote:

I’m thinking about adding a detour to Niagara (2 days) and maybe Hershey, PA (1 day) over the 7 days.


I would highly discourage this.

There are plenty of places where a week is more than enough time to explore and going to surrounding areas would be a good idea.

You can barely cover one neighborhood in NY properly in a week.

But that’s just my two cents. You do what will make the trip most enjoyable for you.
This post was edited on 2/11/18 at 1:49 pm
Posted by Lawyered
The Sip
Member since Oct 2016
29243 posts
Posted on 2/11/18 at 1:55 pm to
Niagra is a loooooong way from NYC.

We took a train from the city to Albany to visit some family and the scenery was gorgeous and then drove for what seemed like forever to get to Niagra .


I would stay and focus solely on NYC for the week you’re there as there is plenty to do to fill your time .

Also, how old are the kids ??
Posted by LSUOFFSHORE
Madisonville,LA
Member since Nov 2007
522 posts
Posted on 2/11/18 at 3:17 pm to
Appreciate the advise. Kids are 7,9 & 12. I was planning on at least doing the following
* Statue of Liberty
* Ellis Island
* Air & Space Museum
* Empire State Building
* Top of the Rock
* Time Square

Unsure on the 9-11 Muesum due to kids age.

- We have a whole day that is taken up by the 2 Harry Potter plays, but that doesn’t seem like enough for 7 days.
Posted by AbitaFan08
Boston, MA
Member since Apr 2008
26537 posts
Posted on 2/11/18 at 4:02 pm to
Seriously, consider hiring a sitter to hang out with the kids at the hotel one night while you're there so you and the wife can have an “adult night” in the city.
This post was edited on 2/12/18 at 9:57 am
Posted by Wade Phillips
Member since Dec 2008
572 posts
Posted on 2/11/18 at 4:20 pm to
Kids that age will love the natural history museum in NY. That alone could take up most of a day. Museum of modern art would probably be cool to kids that age as well, although I'd be surprised if they could appreciate the 9/11 museum. You could still take them to the water memorials and the top of One World Trade.
This post was edited on 2/11/18 at 4:22 pm
Posted by hungryone
river parishes
Member since Sep 2010
11987 posts
Posted on 2/11/18 at 4:27 pm to
Also the Met, where the Temple of Dendur (an actual full size Egyptian temple) is a pretty cool thing for kids.

Agree that the Natural History Museum is a kiddie must. Have them watch Night at the Museum on the flight over.
Posted by skeeter531
Member since Jun 2014
2406 posts
Posted on 2/11/18 at 4:33 pm to
I don't think both side trips (Hershey and Niagara) are do-able in 7 days, but if you choose to do one, do Niagara Falls. It's amazing! But it is a looooong drive from NYC.
I highly recommend the Museum of Natural History and also the Metropolitan Museum but the 2 younger ones might not love it as much as the oldest. I vote no for the Museum of Modern Art. I also vote no on the 9/11 museum for kids that young. You must must must take them to the Intrepid!!!!
The Crowne Plaza hotel right in Times Square is very nice and in a great location for sightseeing. The Doubletree in Times Square has some suites that would give you more space, that might be a good option for you.
Take them to a Broadway show--maybe Aladdin or Wicked.
Posted by Lawyered
The Sip
Member since Oct 2016
29243 posts
Posted on 2/11/18 at 5:13 pm to
Don’t know if any of your kids are into baseball but a tour of Yankee stadium is pretty cool and I enjoyed that, as it’s not really in the hustle and bustle of the city and something different. Just my 2 cents .
Posted by H2Oproof Tiger
Natchez, Ms.
Member since Jul 2004
136 posts
Posted on 2/12/18 at 9:54 am to
Trip advisor forum

My family went to NYC this past Xmas. Stayed 4 nights at Crowne Plaza in Times Square, flew jet blue to JFK out of MSY. Trip was amazing. No complaints. Crowne plaza was nice, entrance/exit onto Broadway. Close to subway. We averaged walking 9 miles a day. I recommend getting the 7 day subway pass.

We did not take the boat ride to see the Statue of Liberty or go to Ellis Island. Time consuming.

Museum of natural history, Met Museum. Intrepid. Go see the pools at 9-11 memorial. We didn't go to the museum.
Choose one of the buildings to go to the top of, pretty much same view from all.

My boys are older(16 & 21) than yours, we got them tickets to the Knicks Christmas day game vs 76ers. Wife and I took a carriage ride of Central Park, rip off, don't waste your money.

All of us went to see Ruckerpark in Harlem, then over to Yankee Stadium.

We saw the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, great show.

I highly suggest taking 1/2 a day to go to Brooklyn, sight see around/under the Brooklyn Bridge and go eat pizza at Grimaldi's.

Wall Street, Battery Park, Chinatown, 5th avenue, Little Italy.

As others have suggested, 7 days is not enough to see all of NYC.

We are going back this Christmas. See some things we missed and re-visit some stuff at a much slower pace. I have room reserved already(at crowne plaza), we could possibly have 2 more older kids going this year. I haven't decided if I want to get another room at the CP or book a large suite at the Double Tree Suites in Times Square.

This trip, SOL, Ellis Island, see Wicked or Lion King. Tour more of Brooklyn.
This post was edited on 2/12/18 at 10:01 am
Posted by DandyPimp
New Orleans
Member since Jan 2007
1090 posts
Posted on 2/12/18 at 11:16 am to
We leave tomorrow and got a VRBO in Greenwich Village. I will report back.
Posted by Wade Phillips
Member since Dec 2008
572 posts
Posted on 2/12/18 at 2:55 pm to
quote:

We leave tomorrow and got a VRBO in Greenwich Village. I will report back.


Try to check out the Comedy Cellar one night. Never know who might show up. Hit the High Line for a walk on a nice day. Drink at the Standard Hotel beer garden.
Posted by LSUOFFSHORE
Madisonville,LA
Member since Nov 2007
522 posts
Posted on 2/12/18 at 7:11 pm to
I really appreciate all of feedback folks. A lot of good information in this thread.
Posted by Lawyered
The Sip
Member since Oct 2016
29243 posts
Posted on 2/12/18 at 9:48 pm to
Some have mentioned going to Brooklyn... I would second that...

Check out Barcade... the kiddos can play pinball and a bunch of other arcade games while you and the Mrs. can have a beer and relax while the kids play or jump in and play with them also. some quality family time can be had there.
Posted by HaveMercy
Member since Dec 2014
3000 posts
Posted on 2/13/18 at 1:08 am to
Your kids might be a little young for NYC. Especially that time of year - it can get miserably cold.

But if you want to go for it, here are my suggestions:

Stay at the Palace Hotel - it's on the lower end of the upper east side - it's an easy walk to Grand Central which will get you anywhere easily. Don't be afraid of the subways, just know your stops.
I like the Palace bc the windows open - not completely but enough to let in some air. NYC buildings are ridiculously hot in the winter. Wear layers and prepare to strip down to a t shirt. I'm not kidding.

Take in lots of shows - wicked and School of Rock if still playing4 and The new Harry Potter show should be in full swing.

Also, look for a guided tour of some movie or show your kids like. There is a NYC Christmas movie tour that will hit the scenes from Home Alone II, Elf etc.
Posted by sandraccoon
In the middle of nowhere
Member since Apr 2013
1449 posts
Posted on 2/14/18 at 12:16 pm to
I would recommend you guys just stick with NYC. Having gone there multiple times with and without children, there is never enough time to take the whole city in.

The first time I went to NYC I decided to pay the money and stay in the heart of Manhattan. Since then, I have found that staying at the Hyatt or one of the other hotels in LIC (Long Island City/Queens) has been the most affordable. The area is nice and the subway is maybe a 5 minute ride from the middle of Manhattan. The rooms at the Hyatt in LIC range from $125-$175 and the hotel was built like 6 months ago so it is my goto.

As for the kids, there are many, many things to do in the city. American Museum of Natural History, The Met, MoMA, Ripley's, cheap cruises around the city, Central Park is large wonder in itself, Times Square, Empire State Building, Hershey's Store, M&M Store, NFL Experience, Stardust Diner, Dylan's Candy Bar, broadway shows, Sea, Air, and Space Museum....etc etc
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