Anyone done New York as a family holiday in summer?

[toecoffin]

We have three kids age 8-16
Some tips would be appreciated!

Thanks

We did 3 days in New York on way to another city in August 2015. Kids were (DD) 16yrs and (DS)6yrs at the time.

We did a sightseeing bus tour to get our bearings first. I took DD to see a show on Broadway after we had dinner together at Ellen's Star diner (was great fun).

As both kids had different interests we did split up a bit in 5he day time as DS would've hated shopping which DD was desperate to do but he loved central park zoo and the play area and we just used the metro to get around and met up at various points in the day. DS remembers the big toysrus in Times Square mostly. Was really hot and sweaty but we stayed in a family room not far from Times Square so could go and shower change in between day time activities and evening meal. We didn't have time to do the High Line and Statten Island which I would have liked but there's always the next time!

I would ask your kids (and adults) for their top things to do and build an itinerary from there.

Thanks @Scotlass

All I’d say is it can be really really really hot. I’ve not done it with kids but wouldn’t go July/August as I’ve been myself and it’s been 90deg+ which in a big concrete city is quite oppressive.

I went to New York with my then 16yo DS. He absolutely loved it. There was so much to do - Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, museums, art galleries... I think his favourite things were a tour of the United Nations building and a trip out to Queens to watch the Mets play baseball.

The only thing to be aware of is that New York in the summer is hot - it was around 30 degrees every day. We walked miles, which was tough going in the heat. But obviously all the buildings have air conditioning.

we spent three days there a few years ago before travelling up to Cape Cod. It was pretty hot, but everywhere has aircon, including the subway. It helps that you can make jetlag work in your favour. We woke really early so beat the queues on big ticket attractions in the mornings, then early lunch and back to the hotel for a rest, so out of the sun, back out again late afternoon.

PS are you planning for this year? right now lots of attractions require at least one vaccination for all travellers 5+. My youngest is 11 so not yet eligible for a vaccine, so we've ruled it out for this year.

I live in New York. It does get very hot and humid in July/August, but everwhere inside is air conditioned so you can definitely make it work. Bear in mind that everyone over 5 has to be vaccinated (and maybe boosted by then too) to eat indoors in a restaurant, although you will probably be fine eating outside at that time of year. And masks are expected/mandated pretty much everywhere inside.
What kinds of things do you all enjoy?

We had a few days there in 2019, when DCs were in their teens. Plenty to entertain all ages - Top of the Rock, cycling in Central Park, walking across Brooklyn Bridge for brunch, boat trip, walking along the High Line. Also did Ground Zero, but that would be too intense for an 8yo, I think. Didn't get round to Statue of Liberty, but that needs to be prebooked, and there's a lot of queuing. We split up for one day, as the DDs and I wanted to go to the Met (art museum), so the boys went to see USS Intrepid. Didn't shop much, as we had a day in New Jersey afterwards. Food was a joy - went to lots of cool eateries near our hotel (can heartily recommend SoHotel) and ate a lot of brunches and bagels!

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE just how disgustingly hot and humid NY is in the summer. Heat doesn't bother me or DD1, but DH and the other two were utterly miserable after even the slightest period outside after about 10am. Moaning sweaty teenagers are not the most fun companions.