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

KarenG

For the poster thinking about taking their children, I would say do it. We went this year and took our daughters (aged 9 & 12 so a bit older than yours) and they absolutely loved it.

Their favourite things (not necessarily mine ) :

• Toys R Us in Times Square (especially the ferris wheel)
• Nintendo World at Rockefeller Plaza (loads of DS, Wii stuff and games to play and random Nintendo memorabilia)
• Skating at the Rockefeller Plaza
• Going on and off the subway :rolleyes:
• Staten Island Ferry
• Wandering around Greenwich Village sampling food from a variety of cool eateries
• Times Square in general - they loved the lights. We stayed in Times Sq at the Doubletree and had a nice two roomed suite with massive bedroom and separate living area, highly recommended - we paid £150 per night through www.hotels.com )
• Wandering around in general and going into as many branches of Duane Reede's as possible to look at the candy :rolleyes:
• M&Ms world (NOT my favourite place)
• The Disney Store at 5th & 55th, so much more than a normal Disney Store
• FAO Schwartz
• Top of the Rock

Things we meant to do but ran out of time:

• Central Park
• Museum of Natural History -I've been here and it's fantastic for children
• Go to a show, possibly Mary Poppins

HTH

Karen

traveller

BJWJ wrote: »

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

Hi, have you thought about staying in new jersey?I went In August for 9 days with my 4 ages 16 12 10 and 15months.We stayed at the la quinta inn secaucus.I had no complaints what so ever.It was a quieter location and 25 minutes maximum by bus into nyc.There is a toysrus, kohls and marshalls directly across the road (we spent loads in these,paid no tax also)and you get a free shuttle to any where within a 3 mile radius.

My kids loved it in NY -so much for families to do.We had 9 days and ran out of time.Although we did hersheyworld-we didn't do any major attractions-so unfortunatley we 'have' to go back next year:D.The fantastic thing about NY is you can just be there and have a fantastic time.Your kids will love the experience.

I'm not saying that staying In NJ is for eveyone-we had to consider/do this as I have 4 children.I was not prepared to pay top rates for a mediocre suite in nyc for 5 of us when I could get better for less outside plus the kids wanted a pool.It was purely financial.But, we didn't regret it.

As there are less of you, I'd say the hotel becacon in nyc would be good or check travelzoo ect for some deals.

You really will have a great time and your kids will love it.

M4RKM

I'm tempted to trade up next time I go to NYC, and stay a couple of nights at this beauty of a hotel...

http://www.standardhotels.com/new-york-city/

$195 (plus tax) a night I can get this for, for when I'm thinking of going...

whaddya think

M

Lady_S

That looks proper nice, I have always quite fancied stopping at the giraffe!

M4RKM

It is nice, and a bargain I think at that price. I'm still considering it, the area is not one i've stayed at before, but I think it'll be fun. The apple store is a bit too close for comfort.. might have to lock credit card in room safe before I visit..

greenface

Mark looks good keep an eye on the upgrade prices . didnt have a deal price for the dates for me and were looking to $400 per night for the standard queen but upgrading to superior king was extra $10 per night. Just before xmas so didnt expect discounted rate works to about £250 per night

M4RKM

greenface wrote: »

Mark looks good keep an eye on the upgrade prices . didnt have a deal price for the dates for me and were looking to $400 per night for the standard queen but upgrading to superior king was extra $10 per night. Just before xmas so didnt expect discounted rate works to about £250 per night

$10 extra ain't bad at all... I'm hoping to be booking near December / January time for my March holiday, and $195 is the same price as they were offering during soft opening, which is really good, and I doubt that will get any cheaper..

If you're staying there, I'll let you tell me how good it was!


M

undetterred

Anyone been down to Coney island?much there apart from the aquarium?believe the fair closed last year,is it safe for a trip down there.

M4RKM

New York is the safest big city in the whole of the united states.

phatbear

markymoo wrote: »

New York is the safest big city in the whole of the united states.

Not strictly true, the last published stats showed that, based on national averages NYC has a higher than average rate of Murders (NYC 7.3 per 100000 national average 7 per 100000) and Robberies (287.9 per 100000 national average 205.8) and the vast majority of these robberies were on...................... yup tourists.

However the ever present police and the sheer numbers of people moving about 24/7 does help the feeling of safety, like all cities you just have to stay aware and know the places to go and dont go