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

Another freebie worth a look is the Museum of the Native American down near South Ferry. It's a branch of the main Smithsonian Native American Museum in Washington DC. The building itself is beautiful. The exhibitions aren't necessarily the most child-friendly but are fascinating and as it is free entry, you aren't committed to staying very long if the children aren't engaged by it.

Watching with interest. I want to go to New York again.

I go to New York twice a year. If this is your first time, I would visit century 21 as it sometimes has some amazing bargains (sometimes) and jacks wife Freda, for brunch. Also a walk around Greenwich, soho, and it's worth visiting Brooklyn just to check it out. The standard grill is also alright.

I would do the Top of the Rock, where you have better views, shorter queues & an excellent view of the Empire state. The Empire state involved extremely long lines , (horrid with DC) the expo at the top of how it was built was potentially very interesting but extremely tatty & poorly done
I wouldn't spend a whole day in central park. & you can skate at Rockerfeller building.
Ellis island debatable in winter. & I'm not sure a 7 yr old would enjoy the expo.
You really should go to Grand Central Station, you can get a guide, it's very interesting

I returned from there very recently; daytime temperatures are freezer like. Even thermal gloves like North Face are ineffective after a while.

If you want to visit the Top of the Rock and the Empire State I would go as early as possible after opening; lines are shorter then.

The Rockettes Christmas show is now over for another year.

The NFL experience has recently opened in Times Square which is worth it if you like American football.

Rockefeller Center charge $12 for skate rental as well as an admission fee of $23 per adult. General admission is on a first come first serve basis, no online sales or online reservations are available for general admission. $15 for children under the age of 11.

Virgils BBQ just off Times Square is a good place to eat particularly if you like BBQ.

You really should go to Grand Central Station, you can get a guide, it's very interesting

Oh yes completely agree!

I live in BRooklyn. We’re struggling through a snow storm right now, Saturday is set to be -14C. For a week here at the end of the month, I would keep an open mind about your entire itinerary. Times Sq is ridiculously noisy, you should ask for hotel rooms at the back of the building. If these temps hold, you will be scuttling around everywhere, the weather will dictate everything. It’s desolate out there. Even the Bridge has barely any tourists on it. Get yourselves subway cards, be prepared to pay for taxis because you will lose the will to live at some point.

Brooklyn Bridge, Junior’s, Barclays Ctr, Transit Museum, Dumbo (which is always a few degrees colder than anywhere else) are all doable in the same day, albeit not really walking distance. If it warms up a bit, you should check out BRooklyn Bridge Park at the bottom of the bridge - excellent views of the city, free, Dumbo is in it. Right across the East river from Sth St Seaport.

Smitff thanks for the information about the Brooklyn side of the bridge I think we will definitely head over (probably on the subway) earlier than we need to to check out the DUMBO area and get some food before the basketball.
As someone who is experiencing the cold first hand maybe you can advise on clothing for the kids. Ive got waterproof hiking boots, thermal socks, thermal long John's and vests, jeans and joggers, t shirts, hoodies, gloves, hat and a coat (not any sort of special cold weather coat just a standard padded coat) are we going to be ok like that or do you think we are going to need ski jackets etc? We only have hand luggage so they are going to have to wear a lot of clothes through security then take them off once on the plane!

It's hard to say what you'll need to wear at the end of Jan. It is unusually cold at the moment, whereas I was there a couple of weeks ago and you didn't need thermals, hats, gloves etc then.

You're going to have to wait and see what the forecast says I think, then decide what to bring.

I returned from a New York trip only 3 days ago - I can share a few ideas (some may be repeats - sorry!)
It was minus 11 degrees and windy for us - I would invest in ski gloves for kids - and ear muffs to hold hats on! Also for you, I ended up buying Ugg gloves out there because my hands cracked wearing 2 pairs of wooly gloves at the same time! Tights under trousers too- body will be fine with a decent puffy coat and multiple layers but my legs were going numb (jeans and leggings)
Central Park - the horse and carriage rides will likely be a rip off - if it snows go and see the park in the snow its magical (maybe watch Home Alone 2 before you go!) The ice rink is nice to see and just remember the park is over 2 miles long you wont cover it all so research what you want to find
We did empire state and Top of the Rock - both first thing (just after 8am)in the morning as over Christmas Period the lines were awful by 930-10am - im talking 2+ hours. If you can only do one I would do Top of the Rock - although empire state has better views in Statue of Liberty direction. Walked straight through on both. Bottom of the Top of the Rock there is also the lego shop which is pretty cool. There is also a Nintendo shop nearby (cant remember exactly! If your kids like that)
I highly recommend statue of liberty and ellis island trip (I apologise if you already commented on this I did skim part of it) there were loads of kids on the boat who all loved it. If you do I recommend booking a time slot and tickets online and get there about an hour before. You can take yourself around the islands and it doesnt have to drag out for the little ones - would be a great family photo! And great views from the boat- my ticket was I think 22 dollars in advance. Definately buy online in advance
Didnt go up One World - 911 memorial definately worth it- I thought museum was great but potentially a difficult for younger children - it does recommend the main exhibit (an excellent and chilling exhibit) is not suitable for under 10s but also doesnt physically stop them. Did get the goose bumps many times through the museum.
Macys, Bloomingdales are worth a visit and huge! Im guessing their Christmas window displays will be down but something else impressive will be there im sure
Times Square - a must see- will be crowded! M&M shop, Hirsheys, Disney Store, the lights, general shopping - a tourist trap yes but you are one! Bubba Gump is a fun experience (I would have an early dinner or late lunch to avoid massive wait) planet hollywood, restaurants around the area often had very long waits- it may be quieter when you go - I would enquire
Magnolia Bakery near Radio City Hall if you like cakes
Bryant park had a lovely Market- not sure if it will still be on but worth looking into.
The Cheesecake Factory! Calorific.
We walked across Brooklyn Bridge and back but it was flipping cold - try and get on to it if you skip walking right across - another good family shot!
Local diners or sandwich shops for breakfast - minimise places where you have to leave a tip (that will get expensive)
Remember their portions are huge!
My hotel was only one block from Times Square and the noise didnt bother us- sirens yes but it will never be silent. Be aware of a large police presence in the tourist areas.
Look into a City Pass - this skips a few queues and may make things cheaper.
Get a good subway map and work out your route (colour number letter) in the morning somewhere properly. I personally find the subway confusing (others probably wouldnt!) But once you know its easy- we just used metrocards and topped them up started with 10 dollars and went from there. Same charge per journey regardless of length.
Sorry that was long!

Yes, hard to say what you’ll need at the end of the month. Right now, your regular snow gear with all the thermals etc would work, but the wind is blowing the snow horizontally so short of wearing a balaclava being outdoors is really no fun. This is an unusual snowstorm - but we seem to be saying that each year these days. Last year we had no snow until February. Year before our car parked on the street was hidden under snow by the third week of Jan.

Normally, at the end of Jan, you’d be fine with a duvet-style coat, hat, gloves, scarf, sunglasses, fur-lined boots. The key is layers. You’d be dressing/undressing a lot. The city is really good with plowing the streets, you’ll be fine getting about, even if a couple of feet of snow falls.

Have to say, four people visiting at the end of the week, staying in a hotel (no washing machine), just hand luggage - I’d find that ambitious. Just underwear, socks, jumpers/fleece would take a lot of weight allowance. What about toiletries for a week? Perhaps you’re more efficient packers than I am!

Keep an eye on the weather. I’ll keep an eye on this thread and let you know what on-the-ground conditions are like when you’re due to leave

I prefer New York in winter - dipping in and out of delis for coffees. But it's best to bank on snow/cold at the end of Jan.m Even if you forget something weather wise you'll find the street traders miraculously pop up with what you need (hats, scarves gloves etc) I've bought so many brollies in NY!

Smitff thank you. We are good at travelling light and we are flying with Norwegian who have a generous 10kg per person hand luggage allowance so we will be ok (I hope) plan was to buy toothpaste etc when we get there and use the hotels freebie shower gels etc, I don't wear make up which comes it quite handy for things like this.

Haven't read the whole thread.
Why don't you take the Ferry to the statue of Liberty and then Ellis island? Great views of manhattan.
9/11 museum, meh. 9/11 memorial stunning
Also visit the oculus its a subway station, underground shopping area, right next to 9/11 memorial. Stunning
Definitely try & see a broadway show, if your budget stretches to it.
Trump tower - big range building. and you have to go through airport style security to get through.
You will need a whole day to do natural history museum. do your kids like musuems that much? you can go into the main entrance for free.

Its so cold here atm, like Smtiff says its hard to tool up well clothing wise for it! This week and today has been out of the ordinary though cold wise with the sodding wind.

Today I was shoveling snow in a set of uniqlo thin base heat tech thermals, snow pants, reflective heat seeking thinsulate thermal, hoodie, fleece jacket and proper ski gloves, and snow boots. The only part of me really cold was my hands

When its a 'normal' day I usually stick to a long sleeved thermal top under a normal top / jumper, jeans, decent wool socks, snow boots, duvet coat, hat, gloves and snood.

I can't recommend uniqlo enough for well priced thermal stuff that actually works without over heating you. The challenge is the heating is whacked up everywhere indoors so you need to layer or similar otherwise you expire as soon as you get inside

You are cramming in an awful lot but...
Definitely visit Top of the Rock, the views are AMAZING!!!!!!
Trump Towers doesn't take long, in and out in a few minutes on the way to Central Park!
Try and make time to visit St Paul's Chapel when you go to Ground Zero, it's such a lovely little place! Have a fab time!!!
I can't wait to take my kids to NYC soon!

Oh and pop into Grand Central Station too, it's amazing!
get a bite to eat down in the food court and wander down to the platforms, it's like being in a movie!

Yes, would second food court. Also go to indoor market it is stunning. Buy food there to eat in food court

Place marking for my visit in April.

Ellis island is really interesting and you can take a ferry from the statue of liberty island I think.

Is Ellis Island fully re opened - I know Sandy was some years back, but the museum got utterly whumped

I would given Ellen's stardust a miss, terrible over priced food and really rushed.

But I would go and visit the central station - just because it's beautiful and in so many movies!

Ellis Island museum is fully operational (the café there is very good to eat in) and the Liberty Island ferry service stops there after dropping people off at the Statue of Liberty.

I've finally found my thread again, so now I'm place marking so I don't lose it again. Just incase anyone is still interested my updated New York itinerary has a lot more room for manouver as suggested by many of the PP's.

It now looks more like this:

Day 1: arrive and get through security, taxi to hotel and drop bags off, explore surroundings of hotel i.e Times Square food at Bubba Gumps and buy Metro card from somewhere to use the rest of the trip

Day 2: Top of the Rock, Natural History Museum (I have downloaded the app and we are just going to head to the bits we want to see most), Top of the Rock again after dark.

Day 3: National Museum of Mathematics, Central Park including ice skating, Roosevelt Island cable car thing

Day 4: Staten Island Ferry, 9/11 memorial (not the museum, I have downloaded instructions for a walking tour of the area you can access for free), Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn side for some photo ops, DUMBO, Brooklyn Nets basketball game.

Day 5: free incase we run out of time to do some of the above

Day 6: fly home

Somewhere in there we will visit Trump Tower (for DS), possibly try to get cheap tickets for the SpongeBob Musical, eat at Ellen's Stardust Diner (for DH) and visit Grand Central station.

Just under 2 weeks to go...

Looking forward to your post when you get back! We're going in about 6 weeks, really looking forward to it now... winter is dragging