Trip to New York with DDs age 9 & 6. Any advice.

[mamablue]

We are taking a trip to New York with 2 DDs in half term. we are staying for 6 days. I have never been before, although DH has been on business. Would love to hear from anyone who has taken their dcs to the Big Apple. What to do, what to avoid etc. All advice welcome.

I haven't been with the kids yet but have looked into it. There are various web sites around that I found useful. They give you info on obvious things to do with kids and not so obvious. Just type in something like "things to do with kids in new york" and loads will appear. Things off the top of my head I might
would do:

A show
Empire State building
Toy shop
Walk across Brooklyn Bridge
Maybe the zoo
Walk in Central Park
Natural History Museum
Helicopter ride

Thanks meadow6. All those things are on our ever expanding list of things to do. (apart from the helicopter ride). I have found some excellent websites and books, I was just hoping for some firsthand tips. I appreciate you answering though.

Are you still planning to go?

I'm just back. I hardly saw one child when I was there !!!!!

Central Park for bike rides and/or horse carriage rides, zoo.

Rockerfeller centre view was great and, although very busy with queues, we got to the top fairly quickly. The queues are well managed.

Times Square (not actually a square as I thought) for madness and lights galore).

The bus tour, we bought a 3 day pass and it was great to hop on and off. We used it as a taxi. Warning - don't become hijacked as we did and go on the night tour where you cannot hop off!!!! Guys in yellow or blue jackets will be on every street corner selling you tickets. Price is ok and they are friendly and funny. The tour guides can be great too.

We couldn't get up the Empire State because of mist but we were told go around tea time 5/6pm as it quietens. Its open til 2am if you'd like a night view.

We went to Ellens Stardust Diner for breakfast one day, Times Square. Its crazy. Traditional 50s/60s diner where the staff sing all the musical numbers throughout. They dance on tables and sing constantly. Even when serving your eggs.

Ground Zero was grim and unwelcoming. We went to say cheerio to a friend. Not recommended.

Thanks frumpygrumpy. I thought Times Square was a square! I am assuming you did not take any children with you? Saw Ellens Stardust Diner on a website but it had mixed reviews. Would you recommend it then?

It was a bit full on for me at 9am on a Sunday morning!!!! But it was a laugh and I think children (do your girls like musicals?) would enjoy it. Portions big

We didnt have kids with us. My children are all under 7 and I would have struggled to find enough for them. Its so busy all the time. Your girls are older and, as long as you take your time, I'm sure they will enjoy. There is a wax museum too.

Think I will go to the diner sounds fun. Sounds like you had a fun trip. My girls love musicals ( going to see High School Musical on stage in July). We might try and see a show while we are there. Did you go to Ellis island? All the guidebooks and websites recommend it?

We didn't, our trip was fairly short.

BTW, huuuuge queues for the ferry for Statue of Liberty. A good one to do when jet lag is fresh

We had a few days with our 4 in Sept 06. Kids were 10,8,5 and 4. We did Empire State - security was very tight when we went, lots of bag checks, kids told they weren't allowed to sit down when queuing for ages ("it's a security risk m'am" ), and another ticking off for sitting on the wall at the top to give the younger ones a better view!

Enjoyed the bus tour in the rain - guides do often remind you to tip them.

Caught ferry to Staten Island and got good view of Statue of Liberty, then came straight back! Think it was free or very cheap!

Kids loved the freedom of Central Park and a break from the hustle and bustle.

We stopped off at Ground Zero on the bus trip - thought the older kids should see it and understand what happened. Very quiet and eerie feeling with some amazing photos. Glad we went but guess it wouldn't suit all. Not sure what stage its at now though in terms of redevelopment.

Did Coney Island - pretty tacky but kids enjoyed the rides. Had hotdogs on the beach from Nathan's World famous(?!) hot dog stand!

Metro system efficient and felt safe in the areas we went to but didn't use at night. Kids very excited going in yellow taxi (small pleasures ).

Dave and Busters was pretty child friendly places to eat at (sorry, can't remember where it is!) but annoyed at having 15% service charge added as we were a large party (family of 6 )?!

Hope this is of some help and you have a great time.

Thank you Spudz. Great to have some tips from someone who has done NY with children. I have been warned to get to the Empire State building by 9am and to be prepared to queue!

Can I ask where you stayed and are there any other restaurants you would recommend?

We had a ball with our 2 boys there a couple of years ago. Central Park has fabulous play parks - do a google search and you'll get their locations. They adored the Staten Island ferry and seeing the Statue of Liberty; yours are a bit older so may like getting off and going up. Nat Hist Museum is fab and if you can, take them to the Children's Art Museum in Soho (I think, down that way) - it was the best afternoon we've ever had - not a museum in the British sense, but art activities with resident artists over 2 floors - again do a google search for more info as I could write all day and not tell you everything and how much we loved it. Everywhere was really child friendly; they loved riding on the subway and looking at all the station mosaics. We stayed at The Roosevelt - very central (next to Grand Central Station) and welcoming.

They've been asking when we can go back, so they had a good time.

NB - what not to do - don't let your ds1 get his head stuck in the railings in Central Park...

Lol at head in railings! Will try to remember that one. Children's art museum sounds like a good idea will look that one up. Thanks

I lived in New Jersey (next to New York) for many years & we used to go to shows at Radio City Music Hall when I was about 10-12. I thought it was fantastic. There are also events at Madison Square Garden which most kids would love. Though it was tacky, I liked Coney Island - a bit like Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The Bronx Zoo is very popular, though we never went. Your 6 yo would love it. FAO Schwarz is fantastic for kids, even if you don't buy anything. I also recommend South Street Seaport. If they were older, I'd have told you to wander round Greenwich Village. I loved the Village when I was a teenager.

Hi mamablue - we stayed here: www.radiocityapts.com just off Times Square but so quiet you wouldn't realize! We were limited being family of 6 on tight budget(we were on a 6 month RTW trip)finding somewhere to fit us all in! Think we ended up having lots of picnics and cooking in the apartment due to cost but don't think you'll be short of places to choose from.
Enjoy and let us know how you get on!

Thanks spudz. You must be incredibly organised to take your 4dcs around the world. Much admiration for you!

Lots of top ideas here.

Ellis Island less crowded than Statue of Liberty. You can search for folk with the same surname as you.

Go and see a film not yet out here.

have a fantastic time!

Thanks for starting this mamablue! We are off to NY for my 40th with the dcs in August, staying for 4 days, so this is great to get some ideas. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good grown-up restaurant as we are getting a sitter for the night of my actual b'day?

We took ds's in January, aged 7 and 4.

Right, we went up to the Empire State Building, they loved Oysters at the bar in Central Station, in fact they loved Central Station.
Saw Mary Poppins on broadway, The large Toys r us in Times Square has a huge Ferris Wheel inside, that was fun.

Natural History Museum (especially good in they like hte book/film Night at the Museum), Helicopter ride, check out MAdison Square Gardens for shows too, we got to see Sesame Street. The children museum (but I think yourse might be a bit too old). The Staten Island Ferry. Chinatown, where we had the best meal ever, the boys loved it.

Oh I'm really jealous now, you'll have a fab time!

Can I also recommend Ellens Diner on TImes square, I've been there every time I've visited New York, adn I don't think my visits would seem complete without a trip there. It is a bit cheesy but soooooo American.

There's also an excellant churrascaria (I have no idea how to spell it but it's a Brazilian restaurant) adjoined to the Belvedere Hotel.

Wilbur- The Spice Market for a grown up meal. Absolutely loved it. For info google it.

Thank you, Thank you everyone!! Fab ideas. Sounds like we have to try Ellen's Stardust diner. Anyone been to Ellis Island all the guidebooks rave about it? We will definately go to; Empire State Building, Boat trip around Statue of Liberty, Times Square inc. Toy shops, Central park and try to see a show.

We want to visit a musuem and/or a gallery but haven't decided which yet. Has anyone been on a horse and carriage ride in Central park?

Has anyone stayed at the Waldorf?

Wilbur what an exciting way to celebrate your 40th!!

Hi - just got back with my dd 8. Had a fab time and felt really safe on metro, in times square etc. We saw Legally Blonde the musical, which we really enjoyed (real girly musical). Collected m&ms, watched ABC filming, Empire state etc. Take the free Statten Island ferry and look at the statue of liberty from the water as there were massive queues for the ellis island ferry. American girl shop is another good stop for the girlies - check their website. Plus immigration at JFK were great they sent everyone traveling with children to the front of the queue, which was really appreciated as we were on a late flight and it was 1 am for us.

Thanks Googiesmum. We want to see a show. Thought of Hairspary or Lion King but had not thought of Legally Blonde. Hope immigration are that generous when we go!

Any restaurant recommendations?

Spice Market's food is over-rated (some is wonderful...other selections so-so...it's very hit-or-miss or at least it used to be), but the atmosphere is awesome and good NYC people-watching. The chef behind the restaurant is wonderful, so recipes are sound but he owns a lot of restaurants so not always consistent. However, would still reommend it. Prices are good.

Another restaurant with a fine menu is Bar Americain, owned by a popular US chef, Bobby Flay and highly recommended by Wine Spectator Magazine. We go to this restaurant every time in NYC and have never been disappointed with anything...food, service or the drinks. Be sure to have a drink at the bar before you're seated.

reservations a must for any nice restaurant in NYC.