Feb Half term 2019 / NYC / with kids EEK!

[angelinwellies]

OK so I made a rash comment which is turning into reality. Im thrilled but Im out of date with NYC recommendations as Ive not been for 10yrs. I used to go enough to get around, but with babies and stuff its not somewhere Ive been for ages.

This trip is about FAMILY not BOOZE or BUSINESS. So, Mumsnet, where does one take the family who are aged 8 & 6 in NYC? Whats good? Where to stay? (Sheraton Times Square Im looking at on Virgin at the moment!) Where to go - restaurants, sightseeing, theatre, free stuff and anything fun? Even where to shop? (both kids are girls) What will kids love???

Everything I know is kinda dated around SATC which is embarrassing. I need updating badly please.

Mumsnet, a mum needs you! Make me the coolest mum to ever hit a plane please!!! Love to you all xxxx

There's so much for teens to do in NY!! It seems to change every day!
Here's a site that could give you some pointers: click
here

Central Park - there's a fab play park at the southern end. DD spent hours there - we had to make sure we dropped by at some point every day. Ice skating in CP if it'll still be on at that point?

Empire State building, the high line, big bus tour, statue of liberty boat ride. Avoid Madame Tussauds.

Have a look at flight+hotel on BA too.

Watching with interest as will be taking our DD next year too! Other than the obvious such as Central Park and the Staten Island ferry, someone I know recommended Ellen's Stardust Diner - it's staffed by would be Broadway stars who sing while you eat. Looks overpriced and over busy on Tripadvisor but my DD has big Broadway dreams so she'll probably love it.

Ellen's is worth every penny but be prepared to q for a long time. Once in it's brilliant and food good too.

February will be ultra cold. Expect icy winds so DC may not enjoy walking and the Highline will freeze you! However you can stop off at Chelsea Market.

I like the Radio City Music Hall tour, (not sure teens will want a play area in freezing Central Park), MoMa, the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan museum are all good on cold days. You could walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, go up Top of the Rock, shop at Tiffany’s, have a look around SoHo and maybe go to the Tennement Museum in the Lower East Side. Go on the Staten Island Ferry and also go to Ellis Island.

Look at Lonely Planet for restaurant suggestions if you don’t want the tourist joints. Good ideas for things to do as well. It’s my Bible!

February will be super cold. Some days you won’t want to be outside for long at all, others will be chilly but with glorious sunshine.

Sheraton Times Square is indeed a good choice of hotel and location for this trip.

Assuming you don’t want to leave Manhattan, things to do with kids could include...

Tour bus (inc night tour) to get your bearings and spot places you might want to get off and look round
The Ride (kids adore this)
Madame Tussaud’s
A Broadway show (Mean Girls would be a good bet for you)
Chinatown, Canal Street and a walk through Little Italy
Met Museum to see the mummies
Natural History museum
Radio City Music Hall tour
Afternoon tea at Alice’s Tea Cup
Ice skating in Bryant Park
Staten Island ferry and Bryant Park
Top of the Rock
One World Trade viewing point
Cable car over to Roosevelt Island for amazing views
Bleachers in Times Square (brilliant for photos)
FAO Schwartz and American Girl for shopping, plus department stores on that part of 5th Avenue too

Will probably think of loads of other stuff after I’ve posted this too

Unfortunately FAO Schwarz closed down several years back but American Girl Place at Rockefeller Plaza is still in business.

Would second the advice to wrap up well, it can be very cold there then.

The hotel you've cited is ok too.

My girls adored the American Girl cafe - think the toy shop closed though. A show is a good idea, Central Park of course, we did a couple of art museums and various other museums too (no surprise our eldest is now studying history at university). We took the Staten Island ferry as the Statue of Liberty was closed and didn't get to the Ellis island museum due to time but plan to go later this year. We stayed near Columbia university as friends live there, but where to stay is mostly down to budget, friends last spring managed to get a room for £150 a night but was quite basic apparently.

Unfortunately FAO Schwarz closed down several years back but American Girl Place at Rockefeller Plaza is still in business.

FAO Schwarz recently re-opened (16th November) at the Rockefeller Center. I went in while I was there and the queues were quite long, but quick moving.

FAO Schwartz is now open, though located further down 5th Avenue rather than in its previous location behind the Apple store.

If you think your girls would appreciate it then afternoon tea in the Palm Court at the Plaza hotel is lovely or if you fancy a view of Central Park (THE view) then the Mandarin Oriental.

Max Brenner’s for chocolate overload and the original Winnie the Pooh toys were in an exhibition at the Public Library.

Serendipity for the hugest desserts ever. They cost a fortune and I'd recommend 1 between 2 but it's s cute place on upper east side. We did a Gossip Girl walking tour but yours might be a bit young.

Coney Island is fun and only 45 mins on subway. Def Statue of Liberty and try and get tickets to climb the crown - bit scary but fun.

Coney Island will be all closed up in February so I wouldn’t recommend.

We went in Feb half term and was -14 and ds got hypothermia so go prepared with layers (we wore thermals under trousers and pull up snood things on faces plus all the usual hats/gloves/ski jackets).
Good advice above from others. At their ages they'll love Ellen's Stardust Diner, new FAO Schwartz, maybe skating at the Rockefeller Centre, Staten Island ferry, American Museum of Natural History, Gugenheim Museum working down from the top. If not too cold waking across Brooklyn Bridge for views back to Manhattan and pizza on the other side. Enjoy!

Natural history museum (see night at the museum before you go!)
Use the app TodayTix for on the day Broadway tickets, otherwise Broadway is just stupidly expensive and you might as well go to the west end instead.
Central Park but not for too long as will be v chilly. We went in April and it was very cold indeed.

We loved the Arial team to Roosevelt island, it's really odd being in the middle of the city in it, but you get different views of the city. It's on the NYC transport system, so travel passes cover it. It was in the old Spider-Man movie with the green goblin.

Another vote for Ellens stardust diner, the high line and central park. We found it worth creating a Groupon account for the USA site. There were loads of walking tours for half price, like a cupcake tour, and other foodie stuff. China town us also worth a wander around, might be fun to get the kids to research and pick a restaurant to eat at that does a different type of food not often found in the UK?

We had Ethiopian food that was really tasty, and there's tons more sushi places than in the uk too if you are into that.

Ok, maybe 8 and 6 are too young for researching online, sorry, noticed that on rereading! But they could pick a genre of food? If they like cupcakes the walking tour would definetly be up their street then!

Dylan's candy store opposite Bloomingdales was a hit with my DC.
Original Shake Shack in Madison Square Park near Flatiron.
The High Line started off near Chelsea Market.
We took the commuter boat from 14th street East River over to Brooklyn and walked the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan. It is cheap as chips and you get the spectacular views of the Chrysler Building, Citicorp Centre, Queensborough Bridge etc. Sit on the top deck.
M and M World.
FAO Schwarz and American Girl.
Enjoy!

I wouldn't bother with the highline in February, it will all be brown and very cold. The trees were bare in Central Park in April even, so we didn't bother with the highline then.

The Highline is actually lovely all year round. If you do go, walk down it from Midtown to meatpacking, as there is more to look at and do at that end when you finish.

If it’s not blowing a freezing gale, the High Line is ok in Feb. You just need to walk briskly and definitely do N to S. It’s a fabulous concept whatever the time of year.

We always avoided tacky tourist NY. There is so much that’s world class in terms of galleries and history.

That’s good to see it reopened (I remember it’s original site)

Is it a permanent fixture at the rockefeller center (hope so), l thought I read somewhere it was a pop up store.

Roosevelt Island cable car
Cycle across Brookly Bridge and in C Park
Avoid Serendipity - it was shit and overpriced with appalling service. I’m sure there’s better.
UN building and tour is very cool if your kids like topical issues.
Empire State Building
Candy Stores
Can ride in yellow taxi
Maths Museum
My 7 year old absolutely loved Washington Sq as he scooted around there for hours and the skater kids joined in with him. Very atmospheric.
We loved the little fire brigade museum in/near Tribeca
Graffitti tour in Brooklyn - look up free tours by foot
Look for famous pizza joints

My son loved every minute of his trip. It’s a spectacular place for kids.
I’d recommend taking scooters if you can.