Trip to NYC

[whyamonthis]

Has anyone did this trip recently? Looking for some advice. Please!! A multi-generational trip, 4 adults and 14&16 year old. When is the best time to go? How long would your need ans best areas to stay? Thanks

DS 17 was there Christmas Eve until 2nd January, so has recently just returned. He was ice skating at Rockefeller and went to Empire State Building, walked down Broadway, Times Square etc. He also visited New Haven and saw Yale Peabody Museum, and also visited an arcade place there too. Retro games - $50 fee. Ate Japanese cuisine too.

He ate at PJ Clarke's on the Hudson in NYC for Christmas Eve. Traditional American diner cuisine. Portion sizes are massive. Be prepared!

He suffered badly from jetlag on his return!

Good luck planning your trip. Your DC will love it.

Hi OP. we have moved this thread to 'Holidays' where you will hopefully get a greater response.
MNHQ

May or October half terms are both nice times. It gets very hot in the summer (and busy), and can get brutally cold in the winter. I remember seeing snow lying around in Central Park when we visited at Easter a few years ago.
A week would be perfect if you want to do all the main tourist sites at a fairly relaxed pace.
The best area to stay depends on budget and whether you're walkers or want to use public transport most of the time. There are some lovely rental apartments in the Brooklyn area that would be a bit more affordable than some of the Manhattan hotels, but it's further out and you'd need to use the subway, which I generally try to avoid late at night on my own.

We went in August - won't recommend.

May or October are better. Easter can be a hit and miss weather wise.

We did 4 days but DH and I have been before and as it was at the end of a multi destination trip, we kept it low key.

DD was 16 and loved shopping, Century 21 is good but you don't really get that much anymore, exchange rate and rising prices mean shopping is not giving you a huge value for money, it's more that you get things not available in the UK.

We did the 9/11 museum, very intense, moving and worth going. 1 Vanderbuilt is a new tower with a viewing plattform better than the Empire State or Rockefeller Center, it's next to Grand Central Station.

Be careful about renting flats, New York cuts down on AirBnB and a lot are not legal anymore.

We did July. Roasting and I sweated so much. We have kids the same age and did all the "touristy" stuff - empire state, moms, Central Park, Statue of Liberty etc.

We did four nights and then went to Boston and Cape Cod.

We stayed in mid town off Lexington.

Best times are Spring, Autumn or December (for the Christmas stuff - it's a really Christmassy city). Avoid late June, July and August as it's hot, often very humid, and this makes it pretty smelly in parts.

We went at Christmas recently - a trip at / after dark to see the Dyker Heights lights is a must-do: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/dyker-heights-christmas-lights Also worth doing is the trip to Ellis Island - really fascinating. I'd say about 4 nights is ideal, as you get really tired from all the walking on concrete after a while.

We went in July/August. Yes - it was hot and humid. But relax - you're on holiday! Drink lots of fluid and take things at your own pace. Who needs to rush around?

The cost of NY was astronomical thanks to exchange rate and tipping.

We stayed at the Radio City Apartments which are behind Times Square so Central but still relatively peaceful.

Sorry meant to add DS stayed at the Club Quarters Hotel in World Trade Center district. He said he had great views over the whole city from this hotel!

DS was with someone native on his trip to New York and Connecticut so he was fine using the subway, trains and buses. He didn't find it taxing.

Been to NYC about 6 times now. Christmas is the obvious. I love NYC at christmas it does have a special magic to it. But it's busy and often bitterly cold which makes some of the sights less enjoyable. But early sunset times make for good photos up tall buildings. Its an iconic time to visit.

Value for money wise February is the best. Can get some absolute bargains on hotels. But its often again cold.

My favourite time has to be oddly September. It's still summary, you can enjoy the parks and wander, views are stunning and there's just something about NYC in the sun that fills me with joy but without the summer tourists.

You'll need at least 4 days. More if you wamt to take a slower pace. Its a lot of walking and it does get tiring. I'd personally recomend daytime flights back if you can. Theres quite a few options.

Avoid times square to stay in. Last time I went we actually stayed in Jersey City. Quiet, alot cheaper and 10 minutes on the PATH to downtown manhatten.

I agree. DH goes for business quite a lot and is actually currently in NYC. It's cold, and it can be a lot colder soon.

September is great. Christmas may be lovely but the prices explode so unless you are desperate for it, don't do it.

Also, realise that you won't be able to do everything. Check what you want to do, not what any checklist tells you. I had a great afternoon after 4pm in the JP Morgan libary, free and loving every minute looking at the books on offer. There are things to do for free if you have some quirky interests.