New York - help! Where can we stay that’s in the middle of everywhere?

[Fairylea]

My mum died in March and we have inherited some money. We would like to use some of it to take ds and dd on a once in a lifetime trip to New York. But I don’t have a clue what I’m doing! - the only holidays we’ve been on as a family have been Haven

So... help me. Ds has autism and mild learning disabilities, he is 7. Many people seem to think we’re crazy for attempting a trip somewhere so busy but it’s actually for ds that we’re mainly going - he’s obsessed with New York as he loves the yellow taxis and signs and doesn’t actually mind busy places.

I’ve looked online at Virgin Holidays but I don’t really know what I’m doing, the hotels etc all look okay but I don’t know which area is bad / good / near anything. There’s a couple near Central Park, is that a nice bit to be in??

We’d like to do the 9/11 museum I think and lots of other touristy stuff. Fast food, shops, Times Square.

Is most of it pretty accessible from wherever you stay?

Any advice / tips welcome!

Please don’t take a child so young especially with complex needs. It’s a humbling experience and most of us can remember where we were when the planes hit. It’s really really not suitable.

Thank you for your comments. I remember where I was too, as I’m sure almost every other person does. I have looked online at the details of the museum and memorial and this is why I’m asking about it as it would mean a lot to me to be able to visit and one of the main reasons I want to go.

My mum was American as are the whole side of her family, many working in New York, and it’s one place I always told her I would visit.

But yes perhaps not suitable with ds. That’s okay we can change our plans so one of us does something else and then swap or make other arrangements.

I am very open minded about how things might go, I really never know what to expect.

Thank you very much for all your recommendations. The ghostbusters tower sounds fab! I didn’t even know it was a real place!

Lots of other things to explore too.

The menu at Andrews looks great! I am all about the food

We loved ghostbusters. Look up hook and ladder 8. The high line is nice too. If the weather is hot there are splash parks all over so carry ds some swimming shorts and a micro towel. Nice to cool off in between sightseeing! The charging bull was a good photo stop

I took my dd and ds to New York in 2016, with just myself dd was 8 and ds was 10 at the time. I took them both to the 9/11 museum and they had no difficulty with the experience. They like learning and talking about it. I don’t think they did fully grasp what it meant. But I had no issues taking them at all.

We booked a pacakahe through British airways, you can get some good deals through them. And we stayed at the Sheraton just off Times Square. It was a perfect location for us a few minutes walk to time square and only 10/15 mins the opposite direction to Central Park. The central location was perfect for us. And I’d stay there again. With young children I didn’t want to stay to far out because I didn’t know if they could keep up with all the walking and travelling around. They actually did amazing. Even walkinva round in -10 temperatures.

We ended up getting stuck out there cos they had a freak snow storm hit the day before we were due to leave. But Central Park was amazing in the snow.

*pacakage

*package damn fat fingers and inability to spell

I have been twice with my daughter. We stayed at New York Palace hotel on Madison Avenue opposite St Patrick's Cathedral and a stones throw from The Rockafella Centre on 5th. Perfect location

I’m going in a few weeks with DS who is 18. Staying at the Westin in Times Square. Booked a package through Virgin. Wouldn’t be my first choice but it will work. Friends have stayed there and would stay again so I’m sure it’s fine. Stayed at the Sheraton just off Times Square when we took him years ago - also fine.

Have also stayed at the Lexington which seemed a bit off the beaten track.

I went on my own last year for a short trip and stayed here. www.wolcott.com/rooms.aspx

It was very central, convenient for mid-town. It was clean, I had a huge room. Yes it is a little old fashioned but was very reasonable compared to the boutique hotels.

I went to the 9/11 museum (it was a very personal visit for many reasons). I wouldnt take a young child.

I did Ellis Island and statue of liberty island. If you are organised and book in advance you can go up the statue. Very long security queues - check to see if children with needs can bypass. I waited 90 mins in February. I did the Empire State building but not the Rock. Watch for fog. I did look at the various passes but decided I wouldnt make enough use.

I went to the Museum of mathematics - it wasnt that good. I tried to walk the hi-line but closed due to snow. I walked from my hotel - quite a walk but so interesting.

A friend of mine has just come back from NY and she did a circular boat tour on the hudson - that sounds a great way to see a lot.

Have a great holiday.