Half Term In New York

[Belindabelle]

I have been looking around for a holiday for half term and a week in NY for four is coming out cheaper than a week all inclusive in Cypress. I have never been to NY before but I bet some of you have and I wondered if you could answer a few questions.

Which airport, JFK or Newark?
Do you just get a taxi from the airport. How much?
Where do I want to stay? Midtown, Downtown, Times Square.
Any hotel recommendations? The Plaza and Waldorf have come up in budget but are they just too posh for us.
Should I book B&B or just go with room only?
How much spending money for food and drink per day per head? DS,s are 16 and 9.
What attractions should we definitely see?

Sorry about all the questions and not using the travel topic but our half term is in 3 weeks and as usual DH is away and has left it all to me. We normally holiday in the UK but didn't manage to get away in the summer so I want to push the boat out. Also this is likely to be our last holiday with DS1 so would like it to be memorable.

Thank you.

After much research I have deceived not to do the Liberty/Ellis Island trip as I think my boys will be disappointed not to be able to go inside. We are just going to go on the Staten Island Ferry and see it from there.

I looked into the New York pass and the City Pass but the only ticketed things we really want to do are Top of the Rock and Intrepid. I have been put off Empire State by online reviews. I want in to be like the movies and it just isn't! I will pre book the tickets to save time queuing.

I know from visits to London and Edinburgh that art galleries and history museums are not high on my children's list of favourite things to do. Philistines. I may negotiate half a day on my own and go and see what I want while DH does something else with them.

I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of free stuff we want to do. Highline, Brooklyn bridge to visit BB park and promenade, Central Park, Grand Central, Battery Park. The rest of the time we just want to wander round Greenwich, Little Italy, China Town etc to eat, shop and get a feel for the place.

Ah so jealous!

For wandering around and nice little shops/cafes/restaurants (my favourite thing to do too!) I loved Williamsburg in Brooklyn - just a quick trip on the metro. The area around the Brooklyn Bridge (Dumbo) is nice too. It's quite a hike between the two though - we tried to walk but ended up in a cab, which turned out to be quite interesting in itself as it went through the Hasidic Jewish area. I'm sure it would just be a quick hop on the subway though.

Chelsea/meatpacking at either end of the Highline also great for a wander. The part of Madison Avenue running parallel to the park too, where all the designer shops are - fantastic for people watching the Upper East Side's rich and their lovely little dogs...

In terms of museums/art galleries, we only did the Guggenheim and I wasn't that impressed - a large part of it was closed (may of course be open when you get there).

Enjoy yourself!

We're going the same week OP and my our agenda looks identical to yours

I agree that Times Square is horrid. Just like Leicester Square – busy, noisy, dirty and just full of other tourists.

It's ages since I went to NYC but I stayed in the Meatpacking District and it was lovely; laid-back, pretty, cobbled streets and nice houses, little cafes, real neighbourhood feel.

I loved the Guggenheim! MoMa is overrated IMO, but the gift shop is very good.

I'd recommend going to see a musical, if not at least go to Time Square one night and experience the atmosphere.

Also, hire bikes round Central Park (if its warm enough) we had great time doing this.
There are organised trips round NYC by local people, they show you the 'real NY. I've never used them but know people who have, they really recommended them. They pick you up from your hotel-show you whatever area you like. Think its free. Sure if you google it, will come up.
Agree with everyone, eat out-not in hotel. We alwasy ask local where they recommend to eat.
Have an amazing time!

I live in NJ and work in NYC since the start of the month. I have been checking out the museums and my employer has deals with certain institutions. Agree that Moma is overrated but they do a great arts morning for kids and the cafe is to die for. All of these places have suggested donations and they are just that. They will try to make it look like you must pay but you don't have to. I get the evil eye all the time and I don't care as I donate about $600 a year. Pay what you can afford... The Frick collection is opposite the Met and it is excellent.

Foodwise they have ratings on the windows now. I don't eat at places without a rating or with a C or below. It isn't worth it. Bring your walking shoes and if your child is in a stroller bring a maclaren as the subway is unforgiving. I threw a ribbon on mine so I can carry it over my shoulder as I tuck a child under each arm and haul everyone down the stairs. I still use my lonely planet guide and borrowed an updated one from the library last year.

MOMA is free Friday nights 4pm - 8pm.

Do visit the Highline as it was the highlight of our trip to NY in the summer.

We discovered 'Free tours by Foot' who are local people who do 2 hour group tours of NY for free ( you just give a tip of what you thought the your was worth). We did 3 tours including a cycling tour of Cental Park. All the tours were excellent, especially the Highline tour with Ellen.

Are your children into films? The Musuem of the Moving Image is our all time favourite museum in the whole of the city. It's in Astoria (Queens) but still easy to get to, especially if you're here for a week. It's really hands on and interactive. They can do new voiceovers for famous films and tv, make small movies, etc and it's not expensive, particularly if you look on Groupon (you can probably actually join for less than an entrance fee via groupon!).

It also gives you the chance to see a bit more of NY than Manhattan and there are loads of child friendly restaurants around.