New York, New York... for first timers, DS(16) and I.. advice, tips?

[Lifestyleparent]

Always wanted to go to New York and finally have opportunity with a little money put aside. We are going in November and advice on where to stay, stuff to do that teen will love... please. On a budget. Tha

We usually go for just below central Park - not quite so bustly and of course next to the park and nice restaurants on the upper West side.

I agree with juneau.

Google a map of Manhattan. Midtown is your best bet for somewhere to stay, if location is a priority. As I said in my previous post, the Pod hotels do get good reviews, if you don’t mind a small room.

I would recommend finding somewhere between 20th-50th streets, preferably near to a subway station. You can do a LOT of walking in New York, but the blocks can feel much longer than they originally seem!

I would avoid staying in Times Square though, due to noise and the sheer volume of people. Times Square is a good place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to fight my way through the crowds every time I went out.

Thanks for the tips. The pp who suggested BA package - some great deals on there, though most are for a double bed and DS and I certainly not going to share! REquesting a twin seems to put the price up a couple of hundred pounds.

Trying to decide on whether to go AirBnB - which means being a little further out, say Brooklyn, but a bit more space, and not having to share room with snoring DS! Obvs a bit further to travel to the sights... or go for a hotel in Midtown... and have things on doorstep...

Thoughts on this location please?

www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/27485430?s=51

I’d stay away from AirBnB in New York - have read up on it a lot as also visiting at the end of November, but decided against it as apparently lots of them get closed down?

I would definitely stay away from Air Bnb in New York. Many of them are illegal - if there are 3 or more apartments in the house/building it is definitely illegal. If there are 2 apartments in the building, or it is a whole house being rented it may be legal but you would need to check very carefully. I personally wouldn't risk it - as a PP said many get closed down and tourists arrive to find they have nowhere the stay and have to pay out for an expensive last minute hotel.

The New York City forum on the tripadvisor forums has some really knowledgeable posters who can help with recommending hotels to suit your budget and requirements, they may also be able to help check if an Air Bnb is legal. They do occasionally find ones which are - it may be worth asking if they have any recent finds. Otherwise, they can recommend apartment style hotels which would have more room for you.

And just to add, last time I went i stayed in a hotel in Long Island City in Queens, just across the east River from Manhattan. I couldn't come out of the hotel and walk to any of the sights, but it is only a short subway trip to midtown Manhattan. It was cheaper than a Manhattan hotel and I had amazing view of the skyline from my room.

Most people would probably recommend staying in Manhattan for a first visit though, to get the full "stepping out of the hotel onto the streets of Manhattan" experience and to be closer to some of the sights- this was my 3rd trip. Thay said, in Long Island City as long as you are close to a subway station you may well find you are closer to midtown Manhattan than if you were to stay in a Downtown Manhattan hotel.

Most hotels have two double beds in the room tbh. DH and I had a massive queen sized bed each, it was absolute bliss!!