New York trip with 4 and 7 year old - any tips?

[Peonyyyy]

I’ve been to New York a couple of times before having kids but my husband hasn’t. It’s one of my favourite cities and I would love to go on a family trip. By the time we go our kids will be 4 and 7. We’d like to go for our wedding anniversary / big birthdays for myself and my husband.

Any tips for the flight/jet lag?
getting around the city tips?
must see attractions for kids?

also I really wanted to see the 9/11 memorial and museum, as we might not be able to visit New York again. But is this just impossible with small kids? I’ve read that the museum is heavy (obviously) and so probably not suitable for them, so I thought maybe my husband and I could take turns to go while the other does something else with the kids. Is this realistic or do I just need to park this idea? I was 13 when 9/11 happened and still remember where I was and how it felt, and it feels important to me and my husband to go. Last time I went to NY it was still ‘ground zero’ and I saw the foundations all exposed behind some fencing.

thank you for any tips or advice you can provide!

We had family living there whilst we were in Chicago so went a lot with young kids and I don’t know that I’d go out of choice with a 4YO because that’s the really awkward age of not much stamina but too big for a stroller, not than NY is remotely stroller friendly. I also found restaurants (maybe the kind of places we went to, was just following family) really unaccommodating to kids and not in a no nuggets kind of way, mine are used to nice restaurants, but like asking them to make a small portion of eggs at brunch was a huge ask. I think I’d bench NY for a few years and do Chicago (which is so good for kids!) or DC (great museums) this time around. But up to you!

Blimey, we went a few years ago and I said I'd never take kids. Too many drug addicts on the streets, too much walking and too many crowds.

I don’t know how you got that from what I said. I would have been delighted if he’d have watched Disney films but he had no interest. He loves Pokemon instead and has never tolerated more than about 5 minutes of a Disney film. And we haven’t taken him to Disney but we’ve been to other theme parks and he doesn’t like going on the rides. None of this is about what I do or don’t want him to do. It’s what he likes watching/reading/doing. We’ve asked if he wants to go to Disney and he says no. I have no skin in the game really, the only point I was making was that a trip to Disney isn’t every child’s idea of fun. And given how much it costs, I don’t see the point of taking a child who has little interest there.

OP what I would take from this is lots of people wouldn’t take young children but those who have, have had a great time. So if you want to go with your kids then go and you’ll most likely have a great time.

@Bitzee There’s quite a lot of hassle at times in NY. We wanted dc to share a coke. The waitress said there was no second paper cup we could have as she was counting them. When she turned her back I took one - minus one! Yes, definitely ultra busy just getting from A to B.

I am on my way back from nyc now and I would advise against it.

however, if you won’t be talked out of it I definitely would not do the 911 museum.

i would do Central Park, a base ball game (really child friendly) and a river cruise.

I would eat at the diner / pizza places (even in the cheapest of places you are looking at 75-100 per meal for 4)

mayers bagels do a loyalty card which will save you money and they are lovely in there

there are a lot of homeless people who shout in the street and approach you in an aggressive manor in the main places.

business class flights enable sleep

Copenhagen is really good for kids that age

@onpills4godsake We went to a baseball game. My god - 4 hours of drinking and eating and endless chat around us. No-one actually watches the game. People are up and down like yo-yos. The aircraft flying over were more interesting. I cannot see a 4 year old being anything other than bored unless they follow the sport.

We went to a Yankees game on Wednesday and there were loads of small kids there- don’t get me wrong I would not have taken mine to one, yet I would not take them to New York that small but it was one of the few things where kids seemed to be welcomed

@onpills4godsake I know baseball is a family outing for followers of the teams, but a British 4 year old isn’t tuned into it. It’s not a play event for young dc from what I could see. It’s family eating and drinking! We went to the Mets and my youngest was 5 I think. Or maybe 6. But it was a strange evening!

Biz class flights are a funny one with a 4YO. The seats are designed for privacy obviously so you have to be totally certain they’ll stay sat and not get upset that they can’t see you. Also I don’t think you’ll get much sleep being on edge about the kids getting up a wandering, because if you were out cold you’d have no clue if they went walkies back to economy. Premium economy probably a better shout with kids of those ages.

Also, baseball, yes it’s family friendly in that kids go (so long as you don’t sit on the bleachers where drunk guys throw beer) but a lot of kids will be board senseless, unless they’re being raised with it.

@Bitzee Yes, lots are personal pods now. I think it’s asking a lot for a 4 year old to stay in their own. Deep sleep eludes me on these shortish transatlantic flights I have to say. PE is better with a 4 year old unless there’s an old configuration of business seats.

They won’t remember the trip (trust me) and it will be very hard for you and DH. How many art galleries are you going to take them to? How many tall buildings do they want to go to the top? You need to defer this till they are older or go as a couple