New York with 9 & 7 year olds

[Youmeandacupoftea]

Has anyone taken their younger children to New York and if so, how was it?
I’d love to take my husband back for his 50th birthday but wonder if it’ll be too much walking/too boring for the kids. They’ll be 9 and 7 at the time.
Thanks all.

Personally I’d wait until 10 and 12 minimum so they are happy to walk. LOADS!

We took out 6 year old and she absolutely loved it. One of the holidays we’ve had. We were slightly outside the NY school holidays so a lot less crowds. We did legoland NY (straight onto rides) Nat History Museum (no crowds), broadway shows, Dave & busters, museum of ice cream, boat trip to see Statue of Liberty, American Girl doll store, the usual toy stores, Central Park row boats plus loads more that I’ve probably forgotten. Just plan your days out well and you’ll have a ball!
we took a folding micro scooter in our luggage which was a big help with the walking.

A scooter…. In NY?!

I took a scooter too. Sunday morning streets are empty. Central Park, Battery Park are great.

We went to see Matilda and Lion King with dinner at Hard Rock.

Open top bus tour, trip up the ES, Natural History Museum.

We went at Halloween so DS dressed up to watch the parade.

What time of year?.

There's plenty to do in NYC with children as well.

Thanks all, sounds possibly doable if well planned which it would be. The scooter is a good idea.
Feb half term as hubby’s birthday is end of Jan but maybe too cold? Could do another time, he won’t care that it’s not on or near his birthday.

Ive taken my children four times. My youngest was five when we started. Loved it, we all did. Along with seeing the sights we had a visit to the zoo in Central Park and the play area. They also have a lovely carousel in the park. There’s some great museums and entertainment to suit everyone’s taste. Just factor in a bit of downtime so they can have a breather. Do it, we had zero regrets.

Will be there this Halloween. Any tips for the parade?

It will be super cold in Feb half term. I'd wait until they are older

I would leave the kids at home till them it’s your time

I am considering that too…

We took ours at that age and they absolutely loved it. Went in August which was great (and then on to Florida). DS is now 21 and has just visited again, sending photos with mates, recreating photos we took of him and brother back in 2014!

Eat downtown early! You won’t get a cab after 5 as all the roads are closed around 6th. It lasts for a good few hours and everywhere downtown is packed. Make sure the DC has a bucket for sweets! It’s crazy go tastic but brilliantly mad.

It's more about time of year whatever age you are. We lived there and summer is unforgivingly hot in the city. There's loads to do, especially if your children like museums, planetarium, park etc. I guess it depends on what they are used to. Since moving back home we've lived an hour out of London so regular sightseeing trips are definitely a similar vibe. Regarding walking, there's the subway

Yes I took mine at that age! There’s so so much to do…you will not be bored. Theres literally parks everywhere to stop and let them play if needed too. Mine still talk about it. We did the Statue of Liberty, Ellis island, empire state, Central Park, USS Intrpid, downtown has a great park, Chinatown, little Italy etc

We took my son who was almost 6 and my daughter who was almost 9, they absolutely loved it, as did we!

i was a little concerned about the walking and whether my son would cope. He was fine, they are kept so occupied with the sights & sounds that they don’t realise how much they are walking. Especially if you make sure you stop now and again for a drink etc to break things up.

We did around 20,000 steps most days. But this was broken up with attractions throughout the day.

We went to Empire State, Ellis Isand, Statue of Liberty, Night bus tour, Ellen’s star dust diner, Central Park, national history museum & the art museum (forgotten the name!)

Some of the museums have free entry on certain days/times worth investigating

I would highly recommend it! We were so glad we did it when we did as Covid kicked off the year after so no holidays for a long while.

I always feel with travel if you can do it, just go for it!

If you have questions pls do ask.

We went when my youngest was 9 and she loved it. We were also there for Halloween and I don't think she enjoyed the parade. Hated the crowds and the pushing - we did have locals apologising to us. But, there's lots of other Halloween stuff going on anyway everywhere - enjoyed Chelsea Market that night.