New York with teen children - help me plan!

[Darkchocolateandcoffee]

I want to take my sons 13 and 16 to NYC this year for the first time. I have a limited budget (by which I mean I don't have any specific budget for it yet but can't afford to go wild).

I want to stay the minimum time there to cut down on hotel costs, but I don't want to wish I'd booked an extra night or two. Is three nights enough or I should I go for four? Or is four too short too? (I appreciate there will be enough stuff to do to keep you busy for a month, but I'm hoping for a greatest hits sort of trip).

Also when is a good time to go? We could either do late summer hols or October half-term. Does weather make a difference to the flight? (I am a pathetic nervous flyer).

What's a good time to fly from London? Flight times will be governed by budget really.

Any hotels/must sees/restaurant etc recommendations SO welcome!

hopeful bump!

summer is very hot in NY - October could be nice especially if around Halloween its a big thing in the states so your teens might enjoy that.

Ive just been with teens - NY was really expensive! exchange rate and constant tipping - but we had a blast.

Flew with Norse and they left Gatwick around 12.30 and you arrive in NY around 5.30 (although expect delays arriving and leaving at airport)- its a no frills budget airline (a bit like easy jet) but they were the cheapest for me.

things my teens loved
central park (walking around and seeing all the "sights" there
walking around Times square
Rockereller centre
MOMA
Going to grand central station
eating - hotdogs, bagel, pretzels

we have previously done Statue of Liberty
gone to the 911 memorial site (really moving)
Going to Brooklyn
walking, walking walking
Bryant park

what do your teens / you like?

My kids liked:

Ellen's Stardust Diner
Riding the Subway
Central Park (hired bikes and went ice skating)
Brooklyn Nets basketball game
Staten Island Ferry (free with your subway ticket)
Buying a huge pizza and just chilling in the room one night (NY can be exhausting)

you’ve mentioned two possible dates, have you looked at all for hotels?
could be tricky getting a room for 3 of you and will be expensive to get two rooms.

Manhattan will be the most expensive but closest to everything.
New Jersey side or Brooklyn side will be cheaper but more travel, which you may not prefer travelling back to at night.

IME hotels are room only.

it’s difficult to do on a budget IMO.

I think October is best time and if you’re there for Halloween the parade is amazing - although very hectic.

things my teens loved:

Bryant park (ice rink and Christmas stalls will be out in October)
Met museum
cycling in Central Park
9/11 museum (a tour is worth while)
Top of the Rock
walking Brooklyn bridge and grabbing pizza

things they were less keen on but still enjoyed:

space museum
chelsea market and highline walk
Statue of Liberty/ Ellis island
Empire state building
MOMA

If budget allows ice hockey and broadway tickets are fab evenings. Ellen Stardust diner is also a fun alternative to a show.

I'm going to be honest the US is really expensive at the moment, although I can't comment in NYC specifically.

Before booking anything do lots of research into the costs of eating out and attractions and remember to add a percentage for on sales tax for everything.

Plus 20% tips on meals etc.

You'll be looking at $100 (including tolls and taxes) for a cab from the airport to your hotel

Look out for resort fees/taxes at hotels this is often hidden in the small print and is charged per room, per night.

Definitely October over August, it could be very hot then.

Consider hotels in Long Island City. Cheaper than Manhattan and only a short subway ride back over the river. You could afford more days doing this.

What kind of things do your boys enjoy doing?

when I took my 3 teenage girls we stayed in an Airbnb in the lower east side. We got a 3 bed apartment for less than the cost of a hotel room. They liked seeing the iconic buildings that were familiar from tv/movies so we did a lot of walking. The zoo in central park was also a hit as was a broadway show although that was not budget friendly!

i’d go for October over the summer as it can be unpleasantly hot and sticky, particularly if you end up walking a lot.

This is all so helpful! OK definitely going for October now then.

As for what they like, they like walking round places and just looking at stuff, they like food (pizza and steak, I have the most original sons ever), and culture in small doses.

Definitely want to do the 9/11 memorial, Times Square and Central Park also sound right up our street.

How many nights or days do you reckon we should spend there?

4 is plenty! 3 is a squeeze but if you like to walk A LOT you'll be fine.

Cabs at the airport into manhattan are capped at 52 dollars plus tax plus. We gave 70 and he was happy.

Joe's pizza EVERY DAY its 5 dollars a slice and is the best.

Skirt Steak is a restaurant that's 35 dollars per head and you get a salad, bread, a steak and unlimited fries and sauce. Really good value and genuinely delicious. Very near broadway.

I've been twice. First time for 4 nights and that seemed a gd amount of time but we cld have stayed more easily. We had also been to vegas so we didn't have an issue with being jet lagged.

Second time we flew straight in to New York and only for 3 nights before we headed to Mexico. Tried to stay awake but I fell asleep at 9am I just cld. It keep my eyes open any longer. So I woke up about 5/6am but not a bad thing at least was raring to go! It did feel a bit rushed second time around.

First time it was June and the weather was mainly great. Mid-high 20's but first day we arrived was crazy thunder storms after that lovely weather. Wasnt too hot to go about sight seeing etc and we always used public transport.

Second time it was late April. It was so difficult to know what to take. First 2 days it was cold. I remember being in time Square and I had a mac coat on but it was not enough, I was so cold. In the evening it was about 10degrees but wind chill made it feel colder! Our last day though was 22degrees! I even ended up with a bit of sunburn 🙈 as wasn't expecting it to be so warm. Central Park on a beautiful warm day is brilliant!

I'd def advise early summer I much preferred that. Although I see ur thinking late summer or October I'd def try late summer unless the price difference is massive! I'd love to go at Christmas time but I'm not sure I'd cope with the cold 😂

Didn't notice much difference with flight times at all and we flew through a storm coming from Vegas but all ok. I think on way over it's pretty quick about 6hrs that was from Glasgow/edinburgh.

We are going for a week in February and I’ve gone through what we would like to do and it will likely take that week.

you can use the air train in from the airport to save money on taxi or transfers.

lots of places do food for cheaper prices but I think you’re not likely to have a vegetable in the time you are away!

keep an eye on groupon for deals on passes for the likes of Empire State Building, the edge, 9/11 etc. we’ve got a 10 attraction pass and it cost £180 each with another £28.80 each off on top cash back. This means all the main attractions are working out approximately £15.12 each. Considering the Empire State Building is $44 each, this is a massive saving.

depending on price, check for hotels with breakfast included as that can help. Also be aware of nightly taxes over and above what you’ve already paid for the room. Some, but very few don’t charge extra when you are there.

if you are on Facebook join New York tips for brits and NYC the place to be.

finally, the BA sale is currently on.

Gallaghers steak house is highly recommended. They do a 3 course lunch for $29 pp.

Taxi from JFK has gone up. Plus you’ve got tolls and a tip to pay too.

In September it was 52 capped fare from jfk to manhattan, handed over 70 dollars and driver was fine with it. The main website seems to reflect that as correct amount still.

If you time your flight home for the evening then you effectively get another day and the hotel will look after bags until you depart. I think 3 nights there is fine - thats 2 full days plus the evening you arrive and your departure day
I'd plan each day though to make the most of the time
The subway you can do on contactless and it's very cheap to get around.
I'd look for deals on flights and hotels on expedia etc

October is best weather wise
I wouldn't go for less than 7 nights

Airtrain/subway from the airport instead of a cab can save some money

Staten Island ferry is free - you don't need a subway ticket

Chains like Sonder and Sonesta have apartments with a kitchenette
I took cereal from home and bought supplies at the local market

We went a few years ago when dc where teens. We stayed near ESB and divide our days into zones before we went, so, arrived Thursday afternoon and did ESB Grand Central, Nintendo store.
Friday, Staten Island Ferry, 9/11 Memorial, subway to Brooklyn for Pizza walk back over bridge. Broadway show in the evening.
Saturday, walked the high line, found the Friends apartment building, Ellen’s Stardust Diner and Top of the Rock.
Sunday, cycled around Central Park, Radio City. Flew home mid evening, so only stayed 3 nights.

My DDs are going next month. They booked hotel and flights via BA and got a good deal. You should be able to find rooms for three people.

I live in Manhattan. A few tips:

• Everything is more expensive around Times Square. Visit, but don't buy anything there, DO NOT stay there and only eat near there if you've done your research. Also loads of crime and it's disgustingly dirty.
• Get an unlimited metro card and take the subway. It's 7 days, but $33 so absolutely worth it if you use it multiple times a day
• PP suggested staying in Long Island City. This is a great idea - there are good hotels like the Aloft which are much cheaper, and nice bars and restaurants that cater to locals and not tourists, so they won't rip you off. Also, good museums like the Sculpture Center and MoMa PS1 and some of the best free views of the city from Gantry Plaza Park. Can be only one stop to Manhattan on the subway (I lived there for years).
• Look at TimeOut for free/cheap things to do. MommyPoppins has a teens and tweens guide that you may find useful.
• As another PP said - divide your days into zones so you're not running all over town. For example - The Edge/Hudson Yards/Vessel/Highline/Chelsea Market/The Whitney you can do one after the other. Likewise 9/11 Museum and memorial/Wall Street/South Street Seaport/Staten Island Ferry are all way downtown and you could do them all in a (busy) day.

Go for as long as you can afford to, you wouldn't run out of things to do even if you were there for a month.

If they like walking around then I would make sure you don't confine yourself to Midtown and the obvious sights.

Eg the East Village (Camden type area), Chinatown, Harlem (they might enjoy the soul food there), you could get the subway to Coney Island in Brooklyn.

We are taking our similar aged DDs in October half term. It’s their first time but I’ve been before, twice for 2 nights (not enough), once for 4 nights (ample) but this time for 5 nights. 3 would be adequate. It’s an expensive time to go as Halloween and the New York marathon are close together. You need to book now for a good price. BA packages seem the best value at the moment as they have a sale on. Check if your chosen hotel has resort fees during the booking process as this can add significantly to the cost, some don’t will BA. Book anything important to you eg Statue of Liberty crown doesn’t do walk ups. Food can vary from $1 pizza slices to gourmet cuisine, it’s what you want it to be. Lots of fun can be had for free just walking around and looking at things.

I'd go for the four days if this is an option. NYC is really a year round destination and people from all over the world do still flock there. Prices reflect demand.

Airtrain from JFK goes to Jamaica station which has stairs then you have to get from there into Manhattan; if you also have anything other than cabin size bags I would not recommend using this service. Would also suggest you fly into Newark rather than JFK.

You as the adult will need to prove that you've been fully vaccinated against covid 19 (a booster is not needed to meet this requirement) to the check in staff in the UK. You can apply for the NHS covid pass for travel abroad also online.

You will all need an ESTA which costs $14 per person. Only use the official US government website to apply for this as detailed esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. Do not use any other site to apply for this.

We are going beginning of Feb to see a basketball game with my son's fav basketball team at MSG (18th birthday present). Have booked an airport transfer from JFK to Manhattan via Attraction Tickets for £34 each. It is a shared mini bus though.

We are going to see a show on Broadway on Sunday afternoon because my son isn't really a 'sight seer' and not keen on walking. Although will probably go up The Rock and visit the NBA Store. We're there 3 nights but are going because of the basketball.