New York

[MrsSnape]

I'd like to book a weeks holiday in New york for me and my two children.

Thing is every quote I'm gettng is coming to around £3k! that's more than we're paying to go to Florida for a fortnight.

What am I doing wrong? or is NY really so expensive?

Who flying with and where staying please?

We have just returned from a week in NY over half term with 2 DDs. We flew virgin and booked direct with our hotel. We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria ( excellent). DH paid for it so no idea how much it cost but I know we saved money by booking direct with the hotel.

Ny was not cheap to eat out , certainly no where near as cheap as Florida but we knew that before we went. The attractions are not cheap but taxis are. I guess any big city will be expensive, London, Paris etc. are all pricey.

However we did have a ball and would recommend it as a fab place to go with children. How old are your dcs?

I have been looking for late november/early december. I don't book a package but even just booking a reasonable hotel direct comes in at £250-£300 a night.

It was expensive but it will be so worth it.
We saved money by buying some meals breakfast/lunch to go and eating in a park (not so good when it's cold though)

I'm sure there are cheaper hotels. Have you looked on US websites? Sure we booked ours like this and saved a packet. An American friend did all that for us and apparently haggled to get a good deal. Could try this on the phone. (say you want 3 days but will stay a week if they give better deal etc)

If you can go, go though. Can't wait to go there again, but it's off the cards for us at the mo as so pricey.
Enjoy!

I went last year in November and booked with ebookers - flight and hotel. The hotel was close to Times Square but not very posh, but for 4 nights and flight it cost £539. Have you tried looking on expedia as well. We flew with Delta and they were fine, but we were trying to do it all on a budget so we could shop till we dropped!

Thanks for the replies.

Not sure who I'd fly with as I'm used to just going into First Choice and letting them sort everything out. This will be our first independant break so to speak.

We're looking at staying near Central Park with a view to visiting the Natural History Museum, Statue of Liberty, Central Park itself and Times Square?

Would love to see the Bronx but wouldn't do it with the kids.

My DDs loved; Empire State building, Natural History Museum, Statue of Liberty, Central Park ( the carousel is wonderful).

They loved the Ferris wheel in the toys r us on Times Square and FAO Swartz toy store just off central park.

Just remembered, we bought city passes for me and Dh, gives entry to Empire State building, City cruise around the island, Natural History Museum and two art gallerys. Works out cheaper than individual tickets. They are sold at all of the above attractions and are the same price at each. Not worth buying for the children as they are free in some of the places.

NYC isn't cheap but I don't believe you should be paying that much. One reason for booking your own accommodation and buying tickets for sightseeing etc there is that you get the benefit of a favourable (to us in the UK) exchange rate.

Just got back last week. Flights cost £245 each with Continental Airlines. Booked suite (1 bedroom with HUGE bed, living room with sofabed and 2 bathrooms plus kitchen) at Manhattan Affinia through Expedia for £625 for 4 nights. It was my DD's 21st birthday present. Just me and her - we had a ball.

Didn't do sights, just shopping but we got exchange rate @ $1.96 over there.

I believe there is a world class zoo in the Bronx - good for children. Never for a second did I feel unsafe in Manhattan, even walking back to our hotel late at night. Nov/Dec will be very cold.