New York

[ShouldIbeEmbarrassed]

Looking to book 4/5 day break to New York, first time going so looking for some tips please, such as area to stay, hotel recommendations and mostly what sort of spends we would need each day for 2 adults and 2 teens. Thanks

@Cacacoisfarraige I don't remember there being a Six Flags in Pennsylvania but if you mean the one in NJ it would still be a strange addition to a 4/5 night trip to NYC.

Certainly not a "must do". Getting anywhere in Pennsylvania of any interest would take the OP several hours.

Ooh, I forgot about the Roosevelt island aerial tram. Its on the public transport system, but its just a bit of a different way to see the City, I loved it!

We also loved the Ellis Island hard hat tour. Its a bit dearer than the regular statue of liberty tours, but if you are into medical history and old buildings then it might appeal.

You can also tour the federal reserve. Its free, but needs booked in advance and there are not many tickets, but you might get lucky. We got to see inside the vault and saw the stacks of gold bars. It was like something out a movie. I also learned they keep in stock enough cash for all of manhattens cash points in case of an emergency. Thats something ridiculous like $5 million. They did tell us how much gold there was, but I've forgotten. It was many billion though as other countries stash their gold there too!

Finally booked, staying 5 nights at InterContinental Times Square. Feeling very excited and fingers crossed we definitely will be able to travel 🤞

@ShouldIbeEmbarrassed

Finally booked, staying 5 nights at InterContinental Times Square. Feeling very excited and fingers crossed we definitely will be able to travel 🤞

When did you book for? I'm April 22 so seems like a long countdown!

Newnormal99 we've gone for October this year, hoping it's not wishful thinking 😁 If it can't happen then, it will be April 22 for us as well.

OP - we stayed at the InterContinental in December 2019. It was OK but I must warn you about the in-house takeaway shop. It is INCREDIBLY expensive - I even took a photo of the Turkey BLT which was $13.45!! I would recommend the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square - not actually on Times Square but very central to most places of interest.

Museums and galleries have pay what you can evenings ( check on line). There will be queues but it is quite fun and tends to be more locals.
Don’t miss the boating lake in Central Park. It’s a bargain and you can get quite far ( turtles were everywhere).
Take the subway to Brooklyn and walk the bridge back.
The Empire State is the best. It’s not just the views, it’s the history. There will always be new buildings, better views but if you’re just doing one, The Empire State is iconic.
Favourite cheap eats on our last trip were Los Tacos No 1. They have a couple of locations. Authentic Tacos, standing only! My boys wanted to eat here daily.
Murray’s bagels is great and seems to have thus far avoided becoming a tourist landmark.
They have Pret and the prices are pretty equivalent. We used it for breakfast or a cheap dinner a couple of times.
I splurged on tickets for the Knicks at Madison Square Garden ( bought online beforehand).It was absolutely worth it.
Midtown accommodation is best but not too near Times Square ( it is awful but needs to be seen once).
I second all the pps re walking. Half the fun is in the things you weren’t planning on seeing. We found an amazing fossil and bone store, we got given tickets to the newly re opened MOMA, we ate cheap pizza on 6th watching football with the guys at the bar. We would have missed a lot. We walked everywhere. The only time we took the subway was out to Brooklyn but even then we walked back. You miss the city if you just zip around between sights.

Times Square is a good location for getting around! ( I just saw where you had booked ).
You will be quite near on of the Los Tacos No 1..

I see you've booked OP, good luck!
We loved the Beacon Hotel- not central but gorgeous neighbourhood. Huge rooms.

Re food/budget...what worked for us (admittedly with younger kids) was sort of front loading the day. We ate out for breakfast/brunch and really filled up/treated ourselves.

Lunch would be later, on the go, street food, take out, cafe/diner.

Then by the time we finally collapsed back in our room, it was stuff like some roast chicken, bread, salad etc or even just cereal for the kids. Beacon has a kitchenette in family rooms.

Yes I know we missed the nightlife /fine dining, but with the age of our kids and limited budget, it worked well for us.

Borders open on Monday, I hope anyone booked from them gets to go on their trip.
Our trip is at the beginning of January, so hoping that we will be able to go, but not entirely convinced yet!

My two are 12 & 14 and at different schools. DD Is scheduled to get the vaccine mid December, but still no date for DS from his school.
Enjoy your trip anyone going soon

I am going to Chicago and New York in February. I am looking at Williamsburg Hotel in Brooklyn to stay at. I normally like to stay in Midtown but I hear so many people rave about this hotel so thought I’d give it a try!

Just back from an amazing 4 1/2 days in NY with DH, DS10 and DD8. We travelled on the day the borders opened and was all hassle free. We checked, triple checked and printed off all Covid requirements etc. We simply had the BEST time. The weather was beautiful and mild, very warm for Nov apparently. Stayed in Hilton Midtown which was faultless and somehow managed to get upgraded to a corner room with the most amazing views. Kids absolutely loved the trip. Masks required in shops, even for kids.

@fretting123 glad to hear you had a great time! Can I ask you for a guide on covid tests and your day 2 test on return? Am travelling there between Xmas and NY and looking for guidance from someone who’s been on what we need to do!

@Trendytrousers Well, we flew with BA, so followed their guide. This was, a lateral flow taken no more than 3 days before flying to US. On their website they linked several companies to book the LFTs with (we went with Chronomics as they were cheapest) All fine, they arrived in good time and it was simple to upload results and obtain an on line certificate which we then needed to upload to the 'Verifly' app. No tests needed before we left US. Needed a day 2 UK test, again this could be a LFT. For this we just purchased the cheapest, but needed to do this before we left UK as the passenger locator forms on returning to UK required the reference number of these tests. Hope that makes sense? I still can't believe we actually make it there!!

Thank you @fretting123 we are with BA too and I’ve booked the outbound supervised lateral flow. Not helped that we fly day after Boxing Day so hoping to try and get a slot for supervision of tests on Xmas eve!

Good shout on the day2- I haven’t ordered these yet but will now so they can go on PLF. how were queues in JFK on landing? And what’s mask policy like when you’re there?

@Trendytrousers

The queue to show passports etc was fine and fast moving. Collecting luggage took a while, as did taxi queue. Masks wise, very strict. On the flights it's everyone over 2 who must comply! A few shops in NY said kids needed to wear them, the attractions weren't so strict on kids though. If you have one, take your little vaccination card to show along with photo ID (we took our driving licences rather than passports) as any dining in and attractions ask to see them.

@fretting123 I'm so pleased you got there and had a great time.

You said you used Chronomics, I thought it had to be a video or in person test?

We're also staying at the Hilton Midtown, are there any rooms with views over either Times Square or Central Park? We're there for New Year and it seems like it will be carnage. To spice things up a little DS broke his ankle last week and I am pretty sure he'll still be on crutches when we go (I've looked at wheelchair hire for him as well for the million miles we probably will walk!).

I thought if the hotel had a room with a view we might maybe end up watching the fireworks from the room?

Can I ask what did you do on an evening? Our kids are a little older than yours and I'm not sure what we'll do on the nights. Mine are 14 & 15, boys, and too cool for school so won't want to see a show (though may enjoy it once there), I looked at the Rockettes Xmas show but they just wouldn't get it and it's too expensive to do if I just know it's not their thing. I've jam packed our days so maybe we'll just collapse and chill on an evening?

So glad you had a good time :-)

@Curlybrunette

We had an amazing time thanks, would go again in a heartbeat. The weather was so kind to us, got up to 21 degrees at one point, could have worn summer dress and cardy, although it became a lot chillier the day we left.

In regards to Chronomics test, are you doing a PCR or LFT? We did LFT and didn't have to videolink or anything like that. Maybe they've changed the rules?

We also stayed at MidTown Hilton!! We were on floor 27 and on arrival got upgraded to a corner room! This meant slightly bigger room (we think) and extra window, I will attempt to attach view from our room. We arrived in the evening, so all we could see was the surrounding building, roads etc, which looked amazing, but, the next day as the sun rose, we realised we had a decent view of Central Park! I'm sure you'd have a great view of any fireworks as long as you're high enough.

Your poor DS, I would definitely consider a wheelchair, we managed on average 30k steps a day. My DC said they would have happily sat in a double buggy! We didn't use underground though as the weather was so pleasant.

In the evenings we were mostly back at the hotel by 7. I woke at 4 most mornings, closely followed by my DH and DC, we never really adjusted to the time difference. But that had its advantages. On the first day we were out by 6.15 am. Did Starbucks for breakfast, walked to and around Central Park, along 5th Ave, through Times Square and were at Top Of The Rock by 10am!! Our days were jam packed so just exhausted come the evening. I would have loved to do a show, but the DC were just too tired out. Your DC may enjoy Mrs Doubtfire which is showing?

Have you booked any attractions yet? We purchased a Sightseeing Pass for 4 days, which ended up being great value.

I really hope you have an amazing time, feel free to quiz me some more!

A hop on hop off bus tour is great to see all the sights quickly.

NY is breathtaking. Feels so familiar because we see it in film and TV so much.