New York with a toddler - am I crazy?!

[AngryGnome]

DS is 18 months old. I've always had a hankering to go to new York, and this could be our last chance to do it for a while- once ds hits two and we have to start paying for his plane seats etc it will become too expensive.

DH and I are in a complete dilemma as to whether or not we should go from it. We're planning 4 or 5 nights in a hotel next to central park. I think new York itself will be fab- but flight could be hell! Also, (and am probably being PFB) but are there any health risks regarding toddler ears when taking off/landing?

Any advice appreciated!

DS didn't suffer from jetlag at all. But his eating patterns were a little odd!

We had 1 night of jet lag with DS1 when we went out and 2 with DS2 (who was a crap sleeper anyway) and then it was fine - again only a couple of nights of jetlag issues when we cam back. The secret is to adopt the time where you fly into as soon as you arrive, get plenty of fresh air and playground time and knacker them out so thoroughly they sleep all night.

Go for it! DS was 4 months for his first NYC trip and 18 months for his second. Night flights, always night flights - he slept the whole flight away both times. In contrast doing Jamaica when he was 8 months for a day flight - complete nightmare!
Make sure you have either a buggy or a trunki for the immigration queues and no matter how you feel about them - reins are a life saver.

Go. Ds1 was 13 month for his first trip, 2.3 for his second and 4.9 last time. Ds2 hasn't been yet but hopefully soon. We all loved it. The cp zoo is great and I recommend top of the rock instead of empire state. It's so easy to get around and people are so friendly and helpful. Last time we won't I was 22 weeks pregnant and people gave up their seat every time on the subway!

FAO Schwarz is fab and you can let DS have a go on the "big" piano and toys r us in times square is ace! ds1 keeps asking when are we going back.

We stayed in the embassy suites on the battery in 2008 and 2010 but it's now a Conrad I think but the room style is great and right across the street is a beautiful playpark (manicured daily, I kid you not) right on the Hudson. It's a lovely location so worth looking at.

We haven't done the highlife or the natural history museum yet and ds1 wants to visit the USS Intrepid so they are on the list.

Now for my next serious bit have a look at doing a voyage either to US or return on the QM2 you could end up paying less than an independent trip. I am serious plus it's a lovely way to really relax. That's how I would recommend doing your trip.