Anything & Everything New York (PART 2) - [please search thread before posting]

set

That helps alot, thanks very much, gonna check out those hotels!

Sarah:j

BJWJ

We are thinking of taking our children (7&5) to NY for a week next May. Has anyone taken children to NY and what were your experiences? I think there is plenty to do there to fill a week, but my wife is a little dubious. Everyone we mention this to think we are insane, but we are not really into the normal beach holiday thing, and would love our kids to experience the wonder of NY.
Can anyone recommend decent family orientated accomodation in Manhattan? We are probably looking for a suite style hotel, so we could have access to fridge/cooker etc. Not interested in Times Square area, done that, would probably need a slightly quieter location.

thanks,
B

T._x

I found Times Square to be full of energy. It was bright and busy but it was buzzing. Most of the time we ate at restaurants in the lower key streets although we did eat once at 'Ruby Foos' and couldn't fault it. Its in the middle of the theatre district but Rockefeller Centre seemed like two minutes away, and it was close to 5th avenue and other shops, even Grand Central and Macys not that far, Central Park around 20 mins on foot and would have been less if my friend didn't walk so slow (or agreed to take a taxi).

I did like the look of 'The Village' though for different reasons. Loads of cafes and curious shops. Had to jump off the open top as felt sick so walked around for a good while, got a bit lost and that was with a map. Wish I'd gone back at night to one of the jazz clubs. Definitely next time. Think wherever staying or visiting every area was sort of unique in some way.

markymoo wrote: »

I always advise people to avoid Times Square, because all it is a load of flashing lights, with not much else nearby, unless you're going to a number of Broadway shows.
M

M4RKM

Times Square is full of energy, and it is buzzing, but it's buzzing with other tourists, and the restaurants are NOT GOOD... The reason I say this is because I've stayed near TS, I've eaten near TS, and on later trips to NYC, I've stayed in other locations, and eaten in other locations.

When you're talking food, there really isn't anything apart from John's Pizzeria (the midtown branch of the same down on Bleeker) that I would find worthy of a visit, but, I'd probably be down on bleeker, as there is more for me to do.

Things are not that far away when you compare Times Square to Macy's, but Times Square to ground zero, the staten island ferry, brooklyn bridge, chinatown, central park, museums up on the UWS, etc etc are probably not within walking distance, so you will use the subway, and you might as well stay somewhere that has a little bit more class than flashing neon lights..

Again, this is just my opinion, and as i've been to NYC many times now, my opinion doesn't count in every situation..

M

T._x

But 'class' as you say is subjective. The hotels around midtown I suspect in general would be superior, apart from the scaffolding out front, they look it. When up 30 odd floors you don’t really see the bright neon or hear the tourists and traffic unless opening the window (and sticking your head out). The concierge also don’t recommend that you eat around the area.

From someone who hates walking Central Park and upto Museum of Natural History is within reasonable distance. So many of the tourists jump on the open top sightseeing buses and hop off (and walk around) at the various locations you’ve mentioned. Certainly on first trip there not sure I would suggest the subway (as a first option). Your not seeing anything

Good night x

M4RKM

"The hotels around midtown I suspect in general would be superior"

No... totally not. All the new boutique, high *, high features, etc etc hotels are not anywhere near midtown these days.

The Standard
Smyth Tribeca

no, i'm not going to list loads of great hotels that are not in midtown... it is subjective. This is a money saving site, so I'm going to take a spin on money saving.

I wouldn't do a HOHO bus tour, as it's more expensive than just a bus/subway card and you can travel with the locals on the NYC Bus. If you want to see things that is. If you want to get to your destination quickly, and you're on a timescale, then the subway will come in useful, as it is so fast. Times Square to Lower Manhattan in 12 minutes

M

phatbear

markymoo wrote: »

and the restaurants are NOT GOOD... The reason I say this is because I've stayed near TS, I've eaten near TS, and on later trips to NYC

My opinion is you're wrong HA HA HA!!!!

Good food around times square includes, virgils BBQ, mrs phatbears 2nd fave restaurant in Manhattan and Dallas BBQ, good food bit "buzzing" with huuuuuuge cocktails.

I suggest having a look on tripadvisor sd they list foods by type and their ratings.

Savvy_Sue

Going back to the 5 and 7 year old, we took ours last year, late teens / early 20s.

I am not sure if ours would have enjoyed it much when they were younger, but then our eldest was always a PITA about doing things he didn't want to do, he has mild Asperger Syndrome and just COULD NOT make himself interested in things he felt were inherently uninteresting. So that ruled out museums and sightseeing, unless it was in some way related to HIS [STRIKE]obsessions[/STRIKE] interests. And that then rubbed off on the younger two, so when we took an Aussie friend on an open top bus round London, and got off at the Tower of London, DS2 spent the entire day reading. :mad:

However, most children are not like that ... If yours would go "Ooh" and "Ahh" if taken to see Buckingham Palace or Big Ben, you should be OK. (I think the youngest was fairly impressed by the Changing of the Guard, aged 12, but only because a policeman on crowd control told him ALL the guns were loaded! :eek:)

As for hotels, in NYC, we stayed at the Cosmopolitan, and it was great, BUT we had three of them in a room with two double beds, which was pretty standard, so expect to share a room. I can see the attraction of a suite with fridge and microwave, which we had for later parts of our USA trip, especially when the children are younger, but you may find you have to book EARLY. I think the Radio City apartments are well thought of, but do book up very quickly. I think it was a Holiday Inn we spent a couple of nights at, do not be tempted by the free breakfast because it was really not that great.

And we coped fine with the eating out thing, although it probably helped that ours kept going as late as we did, which yours might not.

Lady_S

phatbear wrote: »

My opinion is you're wrong HA HA HA!!!!

Good food around times square includes, virgils BBQ, mrs phatbears 2nd fave restaurant in Manhattan and Dallas BBQ, good food bit "buzzing" with huuuuuuge cocktails.

I suggest having a look on tripadvisor sd they list foods by type and their ratings.

and Juniors swiss steak burger, om nom nom

KK22_2

set wrote: »

Hey thanks for the reply. Im 35 husband is 30, we dont want nightlife. We want abit of everything the usual tourist attractions and shopping! Would also like the quiet stuff too. We are not big drinkers so really not bothered about bars etc but love our food and coffee he he, I want to see steam coming out of drains, yellow cabs we are open to anything. As for buget, like I said as cheap as poss but I do like a nice hotel, doesnt have to be 5 star so again open to anything really.

Thanks very much for your help

Hi,

We stayed in the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan when we were there. The hotel was perfect for our needs and was a great location for us. It's difficult to find the 'perfect' location unless you plan to stay in the one area. We were near places like Times Sq, Rockefeller Centre, Saks, Grand Central etc, but would constantly use the subway for going to places like Brooklyn, and for going downtown.

If you find a good deal, then you should just go for it as it is one of the easiest places to get around and travel into the heart of things.