Does anyone think my New York itinerary is missing anything?

[ineedamoreadultieradult]

New York Trip with DH and DS's 10 and 7 I'm just over a month and I've had the time over Christmas to come up with an itinerary. Can anyone spot any problems with it such as 'must do' things missed or any things in there that are a waste of money.

Day 1: arrive at approx 9am having left UK at 6am so find hotel (near Time Square) to drop bags off then explore Time Square, 5th Avenue area including M&M world, Macy's etc check in at 3pm dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner then have a relaxing evening in the hotel and an early ish night
Day 2: Central Park, Central Park Zoo and Ice skating at the Woolman rink
Day 3: Natural History Museum and Rousevelt Tram
Day 4: One world observatory, 9/11 memorial (not the museum), Staten Island Ferry, Sea Glass carousel then walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to watch Basketball at the Barclays Centre.
Day 5: The Highline, Trump Tower and anything else we ran out of time to do on the other days or things we want to go back to etc
Day 6: check out and fly home

We can check in at 3pm do you think an afternoon nap then up and out again for dinner etc would be better than pushing through and an early night, jet lag wise I mean?

I don't think I'd nap. I'd push through and have an early night.
Have you got statue of liberty on your list? I really enjoyed seeing it in the flesh.

You will see some of the trump towers in asking anyway if ur at 5th avenue heading towards Central Park so no need to make a special trip
Oh and if u head to the tkts booth near the Lincoln centre it's a lot quieter than the one in times sq

Was also going to suggest skipping the High Line. We did it one April while Connecticut was in the middle of a blizzard. No snow for us, but I have never been so cold in my entire life!

Go early to the Stardust Diner. It’s very popular and no reservations are taken. When I took DD there was a long queue and it was the pairs that got seated quickly and parties of four that had a long wait. Just be aware, especially on your first evening with jet lag that there’s a risk of a longish wait in the cold. Might not be, of course!

No - it's doubful an afternoon nap will help jet lag - unless you keep it very short and do it early. I'd agree with trying to push through to regularise your body clock as much as you can.

I was just saying - bear in mind that by lunch time you may have exhausted whiney children who aren't going to want to do anything involving much energy.

TKTS booth linked above is what I was referring to as the half price booth in Times Square. It's great and you can often get great deals.

Carlos' Bake Shop just past Times Square and toward the 42nd bus depot is worth a visit but mega busy! How about Katz's deli too?

I loved the Stardust diner btw, the food was immense and the singers so good. We went to the South Street seaport TKTS booth as the others had huge queues - obviously it's further to travel but didn't mind as we were sightseeing

Make sure you get lots of bagels and pizza!

I'd be very careful planning too much for your 1st day. We landed at 1pm, it took nearly 3 hours of standing in line to get through immigration and then we got stuck in rush hour traffic into Manhattan. We stupidly booked an airport shuttle bus that went entirely round Manhatten before dropping us last near the financial district. We were in bed asleep by 8pm and seriously jet lagged, then awake at 5am.

The 9/11 museum was incredible, and we loved the entire site. I'd make time to go through the new transport hub, they were just finishing it when we were there and it looked incredible. We preferred that end of Manhattan to Times Square, there is a great esplanade from the 9/11 site down the side of the river to Battery Park and the Staten Island ferry.

On our first day we did one of the bus tours. That way we got to see a lot of the 'sights' and it helped us to get our bearings, esp whilst feeling a little jaded from the flight.

For a relative short trip I would use jet lag to your advantage. Early nights (though not massively early) and early starts (when places are less busy.)

Another vote for Ellis Island- it's absolutely fascinating. I didn't do it the first time I went to New York- many don't but it was actually the highlight of my second trip.

Forget the high line.

If you're at Central Park go to the Met.

And FGS Empire State!

We were in bed asleep by 8pm and seriously jet lagged, then awake at 5am.

I got one of the best mornings of photography done in my life, wandering around NYC in late december at 4am...only the roadsweepers, hotel workers changing shifts and refuse collectors around. Loads of hot steam coming out of the ground and fantastic reflections. Wonderful. Freezing, but wonderful.

Were here for a fortnight right now with teenagers make sure you have all the thermal stuff hats gloves snoods leggings long sleeve tops and a big padded coat. Be prepared for how much jet lag, cold virus from plane etc and horrendous queues change all your plans as everyone flock to everything indoors for a bit of warmth, we were at the natural history museum yesterday and it took an hour to get in at the back planetarium enterance judging by the main queue they’d be there 2 hours and that’s in -9. The Empire State queue was bad too but I understand it’s an obligation personally I’d consider a drink at a rooftop bar

Ok push on through to an early bed time then early mornings it is. Has anyone done the Empire State Building and One World Observatory who can tell me pros and cons of both, we can only afford to go up one tall building!

We went in February with DS1 (12) and DS2 (6)

Definitely do either Top of the Rock or Empire state building.

9/11 musuem is fantastic and DS1 found it very moving...DH took DS2 to the FDNY museum just around the corner.

We did bus tours as well which was really useful as it got us used to where everything was.

There is an amazing ice-rink on Bryant Square...we ended up there every night so the boys could skate. It was free (apart from skate hire) and was so pretty with all lights all around it. DS2 was the absolute centre of attention and ended up skating with some rather "interesting" looking american teenagers while I gripped the sides and crawled around. If you ask him what his best bit of the holiday was...it's that!

Get a NYC pass...it's one big outlay but it means you get into most things free (including the bus tour).

I would probably say the Top of the Rock is better as you can then see the Empire State building.

I think your first day sounds way too much... Don't forget by the time you check in at 3pm it will be 8pm UK time and you children and you will have been up since at least 4am....ellen stardust is so fab but loud, you have to queue outside eyc... I wouldn't do it with tired kids on first night.

I would wholly recommend The Ride... It looks cheesy but was the best fun I had with two 17yr old last yr.
It's warm and in a bus and not too long

Oh and another recommendation for Ellis Island immigration museum... So good,

We did Top of the Rock and Empire State and both were great but if only time for one then do TOTR. Would also suggest a boat tour that goes round the Statue of Liberty so you get to see it up close but not get off boat to touch it etc. You get to see lots on the boat tour and something a bit more relaxing for a change than traipsing round a lot which will be most of your visit.

We found Times Square quite creepy at the best of times as lots of weirdos wanting you to pay for photos with them - DD 8 was quite freaked out. A visit past (or inside) Radio City Music Hall is cool too.

Wrap up warm as it will be freezing and probably will have lots of snow. A wander round Bloomingdales will warm you up 😀

It may be lovely going to the zoo, but the one in Central Park is a bit crap. I’d skip it and go the Met instead, or if you must zoo, go to Brooklyn.

Do the Empire State early in the morning and the Top of the Rock at night. Wouldn't bother with the One World.
Do the downtown big bus tour - you can hop on and off at all the attractions - but you get to see the bustle of NYC.
My highlights were also 9/11 Museum, Natural History Museum, Library, Grand Central Station ....
second Bubba Gumps

Also you couldn't get near Trump Tower when we were there as he was 'at home'. Do the Staten Island Ferry not the tours as the queues for them can be crazy. It's also free.

In Central Library there are the original cuddly toys that Winnie the Pooh was based on - the actual Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore and Piglet that belonged to the real Christopher Robin - they're worth a look. DS, like your DS was fixated on a Trump Tower visit, but do it when you're on your way to Central park as it's in that area.

Maybe instead of the High Line, look round the Met - great collections and lovely view from the roof terrace, over Central park.

I'd also do a Broadway show if possible.

Wouldn't take a 7 yr old to the 9/11 (PPs suggest it's worth a visit.) Mainly because you'll get incredibly upset and that will upset them. The Westfield Shopping Mall near the memorial is amazing, and the girl facing the Bull statues on Wall Street nearby are also worth a look while you're there.

Personally, I’d fit in a trip to Woodbury Common

Isn't it a couple of hours away by coach? The exchange rate Is so bad at the moment even obvious bargains (Levis, converse etc) aren't that cheap.