Taking young children to New York

Sparepart

Hello,

I wasn't sure whether this post would be best suited to a new thread or the New York one so please move this if you need to.

I went to New york a few years ago long before children were a thought and would really like to go back with my mum who's never been. My dilema is whether to take the children or not! When we're thinking of going the youngest will be less then 6 months old so i don't see that as a problem but the eldest will be coming up to 3. We would be doing mostly tourist sightseeing stuff as well as a bit of shopping and am trying to think how my little one would have been if i'd had him with me the first time i went.

So what i really want to know is whether anyone else has taken a child this young with them to New York and what the experience was like?

Thanks in advance.

Kez100

I havn't taken children of that age anywhere like that but I have left them and gone on a weeks holiday to Madeira.

I've just asked them now (12 and 10) if they remember it and they say no! So, it has had no long term damage! I suppose it depends on who you are leaving them with. Our two stayed here at home and my parents came down to care for them.

I don't think NY is really a place for tinies like that and you will get so much more out of the break if you go on your own.

I wouldn't dream of going anywhere now without them as we love spending time together asa family but it's different when they are of an age to appreciate things and eat out at nice restaurants.

mitchg

Having been to NY i dont think it would be the place for the young ones of that age, not too sure what there is that you can go to and or do to be able to chill out with them for a break. But saying that i went with a bunch of adults so it didnt even come into our equation.

Hope which ever way you go you have a great time

Supermom

I went with my eldest when he was 8 months and again when he was 2 and again when he was three.
Didn't find it a problem at all (people have babies in New York its not unheard of) we have even taken him to the Tavern on the Green (which is a bit posh) and shock horror they even had a high chair!

I found New York to cater well for little ones, plenty of changing facilities, kids menus, unlike some european cities.

My little boy loved the Zoo in central park and the big toy shop in times square went down a treat.

Don't be put off, we've always had a great time:j

phatbear

Our youngest was 12, and a small 12, when she came with us last year and she was jostled a bit, but then again im 6ft and ermmm large and I got jostled a bit too, I suppose it depends what you intend to do etc, its much the same as going through london with young'uns and if you get in peoples way you are liable to be nudged aside, personally I wouldnt take a small kid to NY but each to their own.

all the best

the bear

Heva2015

I think it all depends on you and what you want to do there, if you are happy going to the zoo and doing child focussed activities at a child friendly pace then take the kids by all means but if you are going to want to go see the normal tourist sights and enjoy them then I would say leave them behind. Also, the eldest will be charged at full price for a plane seat which could work out a bit costly...better to spend the cash on shopping :j

Missy™

I wouldn't have hesitated to take my son to New York at that age (if I'd wanted to go back myself!) He and I went to loads of different cities in many countries during his pre-school years, just the two of us. Those memories are really special.

We have always done a mixture of "him", "me" and "us" activities while travelling, it doesn't have to be just kids stuff! New York is full of things that a 3 year old will find fascinating and imagine all the great photos you will have to look back on!

Once they start school it's harder and more expensive as you are tied to school holidays for your trips... We still do OK though, and my son is an excellent traveller which I'm sure is due to his early start

Is there anything in particular you are worried about?

donny_osmonds_mad_fan

we took our little girl when she was 10 mths in 2003..i found the opposite to the other poster in that it was very hard to find changing facilities...normally had to balance her on my lap whilst i sat on the loo or put down a fold up changing mat on the floor etc....big dept stores had facilities but not even mc d's or kfc, you know places you can nip into had them in some places.

...and trying to get hot water to either heat up a jar or add to some powdered baby food we took was a bit of a job too, they just didnt seem to comprehend what I wanted and in one kfc was charged the price of a tea....only way i could get it was to ask for a cup of tea...without the tea lol

that aside i did find new yorkers some of the most friendly people in the whole world, i was frequently stopped in shops and even walking down the street and commented that my little girl was gorgeous or her little leather padder shoes were funky etc we felt very welcome with her. Did find it a bit hard with the buggy getting on and off buses and subway but did it ok and when we went to places like ESB where it would be crowded hubby put her in a back carrier.

all in all we had a fantastic time and went back two years later where she had her 3rd birthday

donny_osmonds_mad_fan

ps new york city is the place she always asks to go to whenever we book another holiday in fact all the kids want to go back again and again....they even chose it over disneyworld in 2005, and chose it again last year but we said nope disney this time...they chose new york again but tough luck they are coming to vegas lol

Sparepart

Sorry for the delay and thank you for all the replies. I don't think i'm any closer to making a decision at the moment but deffinately have been given a few things to think about.
I guess my main concern isn't that there aren't changing facilities etc but that mainly my 3 year old won't be bored and play up. I remember doing a tour of madison square gardens and rockefeller before and am wondering if things like that would be out of the question if i take him.

Will continue to think. Thank you again.

alwaysskint96

Well we will be going next May, 2 adults 14 year old and 5 year old. As well as the usual tourist stuff we intend to viist one of the zoos ( nthere are 4 of them!!) there are at least 2 childrens museums( Brooklyn one has a section just for pre-schoolers) and I know my 5 year old will enjoy the boat trips as well