NYC with 9/10 month old- are we insane?!

[CheeseChomper]

DP and I are planning a 5 or 6 day break to New York later on this year, probably October or November, and are considering taking DS who will then be 9/10 months old (currently 5 weeks!)- are we insane or is an enjoyable trip doable?!

Has anyone taken their baby/toddler, and what was it like? If trip was ok, can you recommend any baby-friendly cafes/restaurants/attractions? Would we have problems anywhere i.e. main attractions with regards to using a buggy? Alsom any kiddie-friendly hotel recommendations that aren't too expensive?

DP and I live in London so already getting used to using buggy on public transport, although we're more than happy to walk most places.

Bit worried about the flight though, would that be okay with a baby? Would we have to pay for an extra seat or could we just get one of those travel cots that i've seen on planes? Would the jet lag mess up any potential routine that we have established by then?

If it all seems like a massive ballache then we quite possibly have the option of leaving DS with GPs for those few days, but want to check out all the options first! We might want a break alone by then anyway!

If he doesn't walk the flight will be much easier than when he's mobile. Jet lag is always fun with kids, but just go with the flow, and be prepared to watch TV very early in the morning etc. (We like hotels where the pool opens at 6 am.)
NYC on the whole seems very child friendly, any hotel you want will almost certainly be accommodating.

Do make sure you have warm enough clothes for him, and don't take a big buggy. NYC, well Manhattan, is quite spread out, so I would think you will be suing a lot of public transport, so one that easily folds will be best.

I took my first to Washington DC at 10 weeks (much easier subway for buggies), and have taken the others to NYC a couple of times, Boston a couple too. On the whole the US is more child friendly.

I would recommend the central park zoo (the Bronx one is probably too big for that age group), Staten Island Ferry, and just doing things you want. Do allow extra time just to chill and let him play.

We went to NYC with an 11 month old and a 2 yr old!. It was fab, extremely friendly...we got lots of very friendly comments from passers by. No problems in any of the cafes etc that we went in.

We combined it with a few nights on long island which was also lovely.

We did the open top bus and also a water taxi out past the statue of liberty so we didnt have to queue for a proper trip.

The natural history museum was v. good and central park lovely.

Oooh thank you- your positive experiences make me feel a bit better about taking him if that's what we decide to do!

Think it's the thought of going somewhere longhaul with him that gives me the wibbles, rather than NY itself IYSWIM?!

Know exactly what you mean!! We went to Oz with 12 month ds1 and i was crapping myself about the flight. In fact it was fine. Now they are 3 and 5 it seemed so easy when they were little as you didnt have to 'entertain' them quite as much.

it will be a fab holiday!

Hello

I just posted a thread, but I'm thinking of taking my 4.5 month old DS to NYC...is that insane? Is he too young?

We're going to NYC and New England with our 8mo in Sept, and I've been googling ideas of what to do with children, so far it seems very friendly. I'm def taking a folding umbrella style pushchair because my big off-road style one just won't cope with the subway (not that its very good in LDN either) The thing I hope is that we get the bassinet seat on the plane, otherwise it'll be a long trip on with her on our laps!

I'd say go for it, surely the younger they are the easier they are??