New York - tomorrow!

[justasmalltownmum]

What are the absolute must dos/ don't to see and eat.
Family with dc.
Is it safe to go to the Bronx? Harlem?
Is shopping cheaper then the uk?
Any one of any good deals for attractions?

Managed to find some free slots for the museums.
thankyou!

We went with kids last summer (age range 7-14) and our highlights were:

The High Line

Ferry to Staten Island, going past Statue of Liberty (I queued to actually go inside statue years ago and it was a let down!)

Empire State Building

Buying American chocolate and cereal
in Target stores!

The 9/11 memorial fountains. Even though our kids were born long afterwards, they found it very poignant. We didn't go in the museum as I read it wasn't suitable for younger children.

Exploring Central Park

The Lego store and the Nintendo store!

Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn, back to Manhatten

Hiring a "Surrey" (bike for whole family) on Governors Island then chilling in a lovely open air (shaded) bar, Taco Vista.

Enjoy! It wasn't a relaxing trip but we had a fantastic time.

Yes forgot walking the Brooklyn bridge and yes deffo Empire State Building at night and yes the Staten Feery -
deffo do summit one kids will love it.

I loved Chelsea market too but tbh there are markets like that in England - but if you walk the high line then Chelsea market is easy to do…

The 9/11 museum is the best museum I have ever been to. It’s not all about the attack but also is a really interesting look at the history of the buildings themselves. It’s laid out really well and sensitively. We spent four hours in there and it flew by.

I agree, it is brilliantly done, and not at all morbid. We waited until our kids were teenagers before taking them, but it would have been fine when they were younger.

I loved the 9/11 museum. It’s a real testament to the ‘before’ and ‘after’ of New York, and how it became the New York we see today. Extremely moving and sobering but also brilliantly done. We spent several hours in there too, and definitely one of the best museums I’ve visited.

I’ve been to the Bronx zoo and enjoyed it, but it was probably on my 5th time to New York. I wouldn’t spend time on it on a first visit.

I like the Met, Intrepid, Statue of Liberty (inc Ellis Island), general Central Park walk, and one of the view points is probably a good idea (Empire State, Rockefeller, Edge).

It’s definitely not cheap over there! Exchange rate is now rubbish and tipping is out of control. 18% is probably the least you can get away with without being ‘cheap’, but 20% seems to be the standard minimum these days.

Good luck with the heat and the furore over Taylor Swift’s wedding!

Will post when we come back! First time for us too

Please make sure you bring or buy water bottles as it is brutally hot and humid right now, and heat exhaustionn/ heat stroke are very real possibilities. You can refill your bottle at public water fountains.

Drink less alcohol than you might be inclined to, as it can have a different effect in the heat.

Bring light jackets/ cardigans in whatever bags you carry, as indoor AC can feel like an arctic blast when you go indoors.