New York or Rome with a 17 month old?

[fairybeagle]

Sorry posting for traffic. (Although maybe IABU to consider New York with a 17 month old!!

So, which would you choose? Would be for about 4 nights end of April/beginning of May.

Rome - beautiful city, won't be too hot, shorter flight (no jet lag), and Italians love (well-behaved) children.

Seconding Rome.
You won't find much in the way of children's facilities (nappy changing tables, highchairs etc) but the Italians' attitude to small children makes up for it - we went with a three year old who was treated like a demi god throughout.

I have been to NYC a few times and would not recommend it, long flight, busy noisy city! There is lots for children to see and do but I would personally wait until the child is a bit older.x

I would say Rome mainly because we are going on holiday there this year .Mainly because as a family we love history and Rome is a beautiful city .And have been told by people who have been the Italian's are really family oriented and children are always made to feel welcome. I can't wait to go .

Rome.

Smaller, more navigable, less having to get the subway/metro from place to place (and the subway can be GRIM compared to the underground).

In Rome everybody loves babies, so when you take baby into restaurants (and restaurants are used to and perfectly happy with babies in a way that America can be uptight about) everybody will ooh and aah over him/her, and I mean EVERYBODY.

It's a pleasure bringing children to Italy.

New York is fabulous, and I've done it with young children (DH is from near there), but Rome is waaaaaaay better.

I wouldn't choose to do a city break with an under 2yo but of those, Rome due to shorter flight.
Italians tend to be really lovely with kids too.

Rome.

I wouldn't do either personally with a child that young, but of the 2 I'd choose Rome.

Lightofday What an awful response. People less miserable than you do actually have loved ones to visit and enjoy.

whoah! Strong reaction there! As someone who has been to both and also 'that dick who took a baby on a plane' to the US at a similar age I would say Rome for this trip. Wait until little one is old enough to enjoy and appreciate NYC and travel better. Rome is cleaner, less crowded and the Italians cater much better for children.

Rome. Watch out for the taxi touts but otherwise, one of the best places to travel with kids. Don’t expect high chairs or a ton of changing facilities in restaurants but it’s really really family friendly in attitude. Also pasta, pizza and gelato - what more could a toddler want? And a shorter flight which is easier for parents with little ones who want to walk/crawl all the time!

Rome. Much shorter journey.

The baby isn't going to care. At 13 months old you may as well take them to Rhyl. They are not going to remember anything.

Rome. But be aware that there are lots of steps and lots of cobbles - take a sling over a pushchair if that's an option for you. We took a secondhand pushchair and Rome essentially killed it

Do the Baths of Caracalla while you're there - they're very interesting and beautiful but also relatively unknown and quiet, so your dc will be able to toddle about happily. DS loved charging about around there.

iPad with CBeebies for on the plane and plenty of drinks and snacks, and you'll be golden. Have fun!

Ahem... also speaking as dick who took a 17 month old to Thailand.

Rome. Could spend the whole time just pottering round the Borghese gardens with a toddler. April/May also best time of year before it's too hot.

If they don't like pizza, pasta and gelato then I highly recommend "toast" which is in fact a cheese toastie.

Take them as much as possible before they're 2 - they cost more then! (My daughter flew at 3 weeks- we had to, and it was the best rest I'd had since she was born).

Definitely Rome, no jet lag, easier city and very baby friendly.

so if you insist on being 'that dick who took a baby on a plane', Rome.

Jesus wept.

OP go to Rome to experience a society where kids are actually valued. And for the shorter flight.

I took a five month old to New Zealand. SIL was getting married so I had no choice. Sometimes people need to fly with children, the PP needs to get over herself.

Definitely Rome. I was there for 3 days at the beginning of Feb and it’s unreal! So stunning.

I ditched my kid for the trip sorryDS but the Italian attitude to kids was fantastic from what I saw.

Second the advice to take a carrier/sling. I don’t think they allow prams in some of the museums anyway.

Take the comfiest shoes you possibly can. We walked 35 miles in two days!

I was the dick who took my 18m old in business class last month I guess lightofday would really hate me.

I'd say Rome for the reasons mentioned above. The subway in NYC is tough with a pushchair but its a child friendly city with plenty to do. The jetlag is hard for a relatively short trip though.

I took my son to Rome at around that age. Everyone was so friendly to him and the food is so small child-friendly. The flight was nice and manageable to (and he loved the plane and was no bother at all). The whole city is walkable so we didn’t need to faff about on public transport.

New York is amazing but I think it would be much harder work with a child that age.

Assuming you're in the UK or Europe, 100% Rome.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Had been leaning towards Rome so hearing everyone's comments has made the decision! I've been to New York but not Rome.
Also great tips, was going to get a cheap stroller but will take the carrier instead. I'm so excited now!

@Lightofday what a ridiculous comment. I suppose you think children should be seen and not heard.

He's flown several times already and has always been really good and enjoyed it. This time we will definitely take the CBeebies iPad tip! Thank you

I did Vegas with my 18 month old and the Americans were so welcoming to kids, it was amazing. Also did Rome when DS was 17 months, not quite as accessible due to lots of steps and pushchair not being allowed in certain places but I had reins for him and it was all fine.

I have never found my DCs to be tricky on a flight, always take loads to amuse them and it is fine. I have only ever been on one flight that had a screaming baby and that was a very young baby on a flight to Florida, it was awful but they were too young to amuse poor thing.

I would get the cheap stroller as well - that way you have somewhere to put them if they need a nap or even just for navigating airports.