New York with 10 year old and no crazy prices!

[Jank8]

Anyone been to new York with a 10 year old and stayed somewhere other than times square. I don't know a great deal about new York so any area suitable and a bit cheaper would be welcome 🥺

Do you have a budget? What time of the year are you hoping to visit?

That is such a broad brief!

What’s your rough budget for accommodation and food ?
have you been before
what do you want to do while you’re there?
how many nights?

Sorry it's vague I'm planning it as a surprise and it's never been on my radar of places to go! Looking at May/June half term for 5 days, did a very quick booking.com search and it was looking like hotels are about £350 per night, is that about right? 5k all in really but with hotel and flights I'm already there so just wanted an idea of anywhere cheaper than times square?
All the usual tourist hotspots when there; statue of liberty, 911, museum with a space shuttle (?) Empire state building etc. Thanks 😊

Ok so I’m going four nights. May half term. I paid 800 for mine and husbands flights and 680 accommodation in Times Square. Booked with BA flying from Gatwick

Times Sq would not be where I'd stay - I can't tell from your post whether that's where you want to be but it's too expensive or that it's the only place you have found in your budget?
If I was planning a trip I'd look on tripadvisor for recommendations.

We were given a quote for Westgate New York Grand Central station, May half term, 4 nights, 1200pp inc direct flights.

Times Square is an absolute shitehole, do not stay there.

Does it have to be Manhattan?

Financial district is cheaper than Times Square, nice location, a bit further out from the centre but not far on the subway from mid town. Lots to see in the area too (9/11 museum, Staten Island ferry and Brooklyn bridge).

Where are you staying please?

I have no idea where to stay I was hoping for some ideas on areas that would suit us please?

Look at the arlo chain, I stayed in the midtown one recently for work and it was really well placed for New Yorker first timers but there’s a few around the city.

Be aware too that prices are HIGH for food and drink, I last went two years ago and it feels like everything has gone up significantly ($16 for a nice takeaway lunch bagel, $6 for a latte etc)

OK so lower midtown down to the financial district will be cheaper in Manhattan. If you want to stay in Brooklyn or similar it will be cheaper again but you need to factor in a train on and off Manhattan which I think will quickly get tough with kids.

If you get a room that's a 'suite' you'll have a fridge and a microwave. Many hotels do free breakfast or at least free tea and coffee in the lobby which does save a lot. So look at all the details carefully, don't just go for the cheaper rate. We had one night where we were so tired we got some bits from Whole Foods and sat in the room rather than eating out.

The trick then is to plan your trip carefully using a physical map so that you're not criss-crossing Manhattan. So if you're staying financial district or lower midtown, do Statue of Liberty, highline, Chelsea Market etc all in one day. Then go uptown for central park, museums.

Also happy hour is your friend - eat early and you'll get deals like three (massive) appetisers for 15 dollars.

New York is crazy expensive right now I would skip it to be honest and go somewhere else.

Does your 10 yo actually want to go there? It's A LOT for even an adult to deal with, obviously amazing though. We stayed on the north side of central park in an airbnb. You could stay in Brooklyn / Williamsburg, easy to get subway into Manhattan.