New York City...need advice~ About This Page:

[SHawk]

Hi everybody!
We don't usually take a summer vacation...we do Disney in the fall/winter during off season...last June we did go to Colorado,...this summer we want to go to NYC. Here's my questions:
1)..we homeschool, but my older son is in a private High School, his last day is May 24th,..should we try to go that weekend, or wait since it's a 3day weekend and go after the 28th. I know NYC is always gonna have a gazillion people, but for the things we will probably want to do, will the crowds be greater given this holiday?

2)...where do we stay? I know for the size we need, we are gonna have to shell out some$$$...a family of 5 can't be crammed into a teeny tiny room---I am thinking this is gonna be the biggest chunck of the travel budget...

I have a friend at church who is a travel agent,...should i speak with her about places to stay, or do y'all think I can get enough feed back from here and the other boards to make a decision? I just felt like if I asked "disney" vacationers y'all would be like-minded since we all have that vacation mindset. I know it won't be anything like Disney--I just know that we all have that idea of space/rooms for families and y'all can help me compare the NYC hotels to that. Hope this isn't coming off confusing!! LOL!!!
Thanks for any help you can send me!!

[Tere WDW]

I have a suggestion for a hotel: Hampton Inn Times Square, 851 Eighth Ave (at 51st Street), 212-581-4100. I stayed here a few years ago and loved it!. The location (Times Square area) is perfect because you are in the middle of the action. Also, they have 2 queen-sized beds which is rare in Manhattan. And, being a Hampton Inn, a nice hot breakfast is on the house. You said you are a family of 5, so I'm not sure if one room would be enough, but I would call them and see what they say.

Part of the charm of NYC is all the people. Summers are always crowded but remember that schools in NYC don't end until later in June, so you won't be bumping into the local school camps before then.

Enjoy your trip! Let us know what you will be doing.

[SHawk]

Hey Theresa! Thanks!! We love the Hampton Inns!! When Hurricane Rita came through here a few years ago, we had to 'live' at the Hampton for 2 weeks!! In a tiny town with NOTHING to do!!! We have family in that area and when I say nothing to do, I am not kidding! LOL!! But, the staff was the best of any place (outside of Disney) that we have ever stayed. Anywhere. Ever. They treated us wonderfully!! In fact,my husband had to go out of town, up that way last week, and that's where he stayed!!
I will call tomorrow and see what they say, and what their suggestions would be...I have an idea of a few things we really want to do..I will post that later and see what everyone thinks!
I forgot to tell you in the first post, but kids will be 16,13, and 9 at trip time--2 boys then a girl.

[Tconst]

I'm interested in the answers to these questions as well. We would love to visit NYC, but I feel like I need a native to guide me around! I need a passporter for NYC!

[SHawk]

Originally Posted by Tconst

I'm interested in the answers to these questions as well. We would love to visit NYC, but I feel like I need a native to guide me around! I need a passporter for NYC!

Exactly!!

[TinkRocks]

Have you tried VRBO or other "rental by owner" sites? You may be able to find an Apartment to suit your needs. Just a thought.

I have not personally rented through VRBO, but my inlaws have listed/rented their own home (in upstate NY) on the site with success.

[SHawk]

Originally Posted by TinkRocks

Have you tried VRBO or other "rental by owner" sites? You may be able to find an Apartment to suit your needs. Just a thought.

I have not personally rented through VRBO, but my inlaws have listed/rented their own home (in upstate NY) on the site with success.

No, I haven't checked into this yet...If I can't find anything with the few Hotel recommendations I have so far, this might be the next step!! Thanks so much!!!

[carters_mom]

We are considering a NYC trip next year and we thinking about renting a condo/appt when we go. HomeAway is also a great site. I will be checking up on this site for everyone's input!

[Huntermom]

If you want to save money, you can look into staying just outside the city on a subway line. NYC has good public transportation.

When we traveled as a family of 5 (same as you two boys and a girl) we often used priceline and got 2 rooms. As long as you stay 3*'s and above you should be fine. I haven't used in in the NYC area, however. My Dsis lives a half hour out of the city.

[tcmary]

My parents recently scored a great room off of priceline right in Times Square. They had a very nice 2 room suite. I'll have to check with them on the name. We live close enough to NY that we do many day trips, although my DH and I go in once a year without the kids. We spend more but go for a room with a view, fireplace, king bed and a bathtub you can swim laps in!!

One of our favorite things to do is hangout in Time Square at midnight. Part of the street is closed down and there are tables and chairs all over. We share a pretzel and a coke from a street vendor, hang out and enjoy the lights, the people, the sights and sounds. It's one of the safest places you can be as there are cops all over the place. Now that we live in the country, hanging in Time Square for an hour fills my senses with everything I miss about the Big Apple.

Just like going to Disney, it is wise to have a plan for what you wish to accomplish. ie - Downtown: Statue of Liberty, WTC memorial, South Street Seaport. The WTC complex still takes my breath away but it sure is worth a visit. The Staten Island Ferry is an inexpensive way to see the Statue of Liberty without actually going to the island.

Do you want to see a Broadway show? If you have a specific show, buy tickets in advance. If you are willing to get tickets when you are here, in Times Square is a place called TKTS which sells discount tickets to whatever shows may be available. Also in TS is the largest Toys R Us with a ferris wheel inside. There is a giant M & M store with the most expensive M & M's in the world!! You can buy your favorite color for about $13 a pound. I will admit it I can't resist picking up a bagful.

Rock Center is a short walk away. If you are early birds you can try and get on camera for one of the morning shows. Take a ride to Top of the Rock for a great view. Across the street from Rock Center is St. Patrick's Cathedral. It is a beautiful church and worth seeing if you are so inclined. When I worked up the street, I used to go to Mass here on Holy Days. Tourists stroll through, even during mass, to light a candle, say a prayer or just to take in the beauty. Like other cathedrals that are open throughout the day, you'll also see a few down on their luck people, with all of their worldly possessions in the pew with them. I always say a prayer of thanks for all that I have and a prayer for them as well.

If your daughter is into American Girl dolls, the holy mecca is on Fifth Avenue right next to Saks. They have every imaginable doll and outfit available in the store. They have a hair salon for dolls, which is a hoot, as little girls watch their dolls be transformed once again into their original state. I paid for it once, asked lots of questions, took notes and now can create all sorts of hairstyles at home. We had a surprisingly good dinner at the American Girl cafe. It reminded me of going to tea with my grandmother. You can visit the photo studio for a portrait sitting and have your daughters photo be placed on a magazine cover. Prices are similar to Disney photo prices. My DH can't bear to bring himself inside the store, so he stands outside and people watches. To hear him tell the story of the stretch Hummer pulling up with a dozen Jersey housewives and their daughters keeps me in stitches. No offense to anyone from Jersey!!

Head uptown to Central Park with the zoo and the Museum of Natural History. The Art museum is amazing although my kids prefer the MNH. I do force them to accompany me to cultural places and they always love it even though they complain a lot in advance. I love walking through Central Park and reading all of the memorial plaques on the benches. Wow, there are many beloved dogs in NY.

If the boys are interested in taking in a Yankee game, getting to the stadium is not difficult. I would recommend getting tickets in advance. The same holds true for a Ranger hockey game in Madison Square Garden.

I have touched on some of the favorite tourist places. Again, just like in Disney, talk to your family in advance to see what they would like to do. Some of our best times are walking around and exploring tiny parks, hole in the wall restaurants and enjoying the sites.

We did learn that my DS 13 really is a country kid. He hates the smells and the sounds and absolutely refused to go to Top of the Rock in fear of the building collapsing. This was a real fear and one we didn't expect or know about until I was standing on line to buy tickets. My oldest DS, 19, loves eating from the food carts. With him, we'll never have to go to a gourmet restaurant. Hot dogs, gyros and pretzels make his day. DD, 9, will accompany me to NYC at the drop of a hat. When I have a few $$ to spare, we'll take the train down and do whatever suits her fancy. Her most recent favorites are Ripley's Believe it or Not and the Wax Museum.

A few other tips - Don't be afraid to ask a city cop or paramedic to take your picture. They have taken some of my favorite family photos!

Avoid walking mid-town at lunch time or rush hour. My slow and pokey country boys were not prepared for the rush and the crowds.

The American Girl Store has a coat check that is awesome. If it gets too warm and we are carrying a bunch of stuff, I leave our load at the coatcheck and come back for it hours later when we are done touring around. It's free and I've never had a problem. I was even surprised when they declined my tip.

In the lobby of most hotels you will find clean bathrooms. I've never been turned away in my hour of need.

Don't be afraid to ride the subway. Go online and look at the maps. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

[SHawk]

Thanks girls!! Mary..thanks for all the great tips! Funny our kids are the same line up! LOL! My older son and my hubby went for a short father-son trip about 2 years ago--he loved NYC...I am worried about the 12 yo! Don't knowif I posted it here or not, but he and I get headaches..a lot! most are allergy/sinus and weather related.but I get migraines..he just gets headaches. Too many overpowering smells and stimulations will get both of us! Which is one reason we love going to Disney and going at a non-peak time....we both do well with it!! So, all that too say, I have put off taking a family trip there just because I didn't think the younger two could hang with it...now I think we can navigate and manage alright! So, all the tips are highly appreciated!! I am def gonna have us travel in areas/zones...see a few must-dos and see what happens each day after that. I am gonna work on exact days and locking in airfare today!!
Keep those ideas coming tho,..we are up for trip-planning help!!

[tcmary]

Feel free to post any questions you may have. I'll check back and see if I can help you out. Good luck with airfares and hotel rooms.

I feel the same way that you do about traveling off season. I can't imagine ever being in Disney during peak periods.

[notjustamom]

There are so very many hotels that it's hard to make suggestions. Maybe peruse hotels.com or a similar site, find a few that seem a good fit and ask about those? Just remember it is NYC and most rooms are small Don't get overwhelmed by the idea of visting NYC, we really are very nice people!! Best suggestion is to make a list of MUST SEE attractions and then plan accordingly. Whenever I had out-of-town friends visit I would take them on the Staten Island Ferry. It goes right past the Statue of Liberty (allowing for fab pics) and isn't a big time waster or money sucker. The Intrepid Air, Sea and Space Museum has a ton of interactive exhibits for kids, and the Space Shuttle Enterprise is actually arriving in the next few days and will be on display there!! Happy planning. I just brought the kids (11 & 8) in to NYC last week to the Museum of Natural History and we had a blast. I think if my DD 11 could move in there tomorrow she would