Planning New York City trip - practicalities

[Wigeon]

Thinking about a trip some time next year to New York (me, DH, DC who will be 7 and 10) - got lots to go on in terms of what to do there, but got some questions about some practicalities:

When’s best to go: I’ve googled lots about this, and looked at holiday weather websites, but still note sure what the summer weather is really like. The holiday weather sites say the average temperature in July and August is 25C, which doesn’t seem too bad at all, but all the guides say it’s boiling hot and unbearable. What’s summer really like? Or how about Easter / April time? Other option would be October half term.

Where else to visit: thinking we’ll stay over in the States for a couple of weeks, given the cost and time involved in getting there, with one week in NYC and another week somewhere else. Any recommendations? Wondering about Boston or Washington - any other ideas? Don’t want something a flight away really.

And any other practical tips welcome too!

Driving in the city isn’t as daunting as it seems, I enjoy it.

April will be fine and if you do DC, you might even be able to make the cherry blossom festival, which is very pretty.

Erring on the side of April....

I’m going in April. I can’t wait. We are taking 2 teenagers and staying in Brooklyn because for 2 rooms it’s much cheaper.
I really will have no idea how to pack. Probably very warm coats just in case.

If you do go to Boston or DC, how are you planning to get there?

Was thinking of going by train if we went to DC/Boston...

We went in August and it was fine. High 20s mostly and yes quite humid but to be honest we are used to it being hot wherever we go in August. We went to the playground in Central Park where there are water fountains so the kids got soaked and cooled off. All the restaurants and buildings are air conditioned. Followed that with a week on Cape Cod which was lovely weather wise and then a couple of days in Boston. Perfect holiday.

Train is very doable to both places from NYC.

When packing, remember there are self serve launderettes in US cities, so you can wash and dry your clothes. You will need to get lots of quarters to feed the machines though.

Ive been in July and August, its ok, humid but still ok. Everywhere has air con so I really wouldnt be too worried.

Took my kids when they were 11 and 7 in may half term last year.. was very hot.. loved every second and my kids had a whale of a time! There’s so much to do with children... in the summer Central Park has a water play area and we went there a few times for them to let off steam.. all the sights they loved and it’s very iconic so they felt they were in a movie. It is very expensive.. not just shopping but food and drinks too. I was worried about my youngest with the walking but she coped brilliantly and we used the subway and taxis..

I’d like to do another us city break again this year.. maybe Washington.. good to read your tips on this..

We did NYC and Washington DC in October half term and it was brilliant. DC is great and all the museums are free. The train to DC is good but expensive. On the way back to the airport we got a hire car as it is much cheaper. Did air B&B in DC so had a whole house for the price of 2 hotel rooms

If you want to see the Holocaust Museum in DC you need to book a timed entry pass in advance. Same goes for the Museum of African American History and Culture.

nmaahc.si.edu/visit/passes

www.ushmm.org/information/visit-the-museum/admission-tickets

New York can be expensive but you can also do it very cheaply- pizza slices for a dollar, papaya dog hot dogs etc. If you’re going at a warmer time of year, don’t forget the beaches. Coney Island/ Brighton Beach makes for an interesting day trip.

The Holocaust Museum in DC is amazing, but I'm not sure it's something you'll want to take primary-aged DC to - particularly a 7-year-old. You could talk to the 11-year-old beforehand and explain what they're going to see, but it is truly heart-rending and very sobering seeing all the exhibits and the photos and the life stories in there and I, personally, wouldn't take my DC there yet (they're 10 and almost 7).

Similarly, I don't know if you're thinking of visiting the 9/11 museum in NYC? We visited the outdoor part of the Ground Zero site, which is really beautiful, very dignified and our DC loved the incredible water features. We explained (briefly) what it was to our older DS, who was almost 8. He's now 10 and the subject of 9/11 just came up in a book he was reading, so I talked to him about it (but again not giving lots of detail, just the bare facts).

I've the years I've been 5 times at Easter & it's always been perfect weather, but maybe I've been lucky. February was freezing with wind howling down the streets.

I would avoid winter or summer with kids- as pp have said, NYC is famous for its changeable weather but when it's cold it's unbearable and when it's hot it's stifling. April seems like your best bet if Octobers not possible

Late April was typical spring weather, lovely with torrential rain only 1 day out of 9. End of June was muggy to start then became crazy humid.