Everything & Anything New York City

M4RKM

janajay wrote: »

Hello everyone,

I wonder if anyone would be so kind as to cast their eyes over my itinerary for a visit from Saturday 27th October to Friday 3rd November?

I feel like I've gone slightly cross-eyed with all the research and planning I've been doing. Reason is, I'm taking my two sons on my own to NY for the first time (for any of us). I'd really appreciate any more hints and tips as I regularly read through this forum and have found it invaluable. Boys are 9 and 11. Bookish, into science, history, Pokemon (!) Star Wars, Lego. We are all fit and able to walk miles.

Saturday
Land JFK 15.30.
Depending how tired we are, will either:
Air train and LIRR to Penn Station, walk three blocks to hotel
OR
Cab from outside JFK to hotel
(Thinking of this last one, for best first view of Manhattan as we drive in).

Other days (depending on weather)
Day 1

You've not said where you're staying. If it is Midtown, then you'll come through the Queens Midtown Tunnel, so you won't see Manhattan on the way in. However, can the boys drag their luggage along with them to the AirTrain / Subway.

Personally, at that age, I'd find AirTrain and Subway exciting, and much more fun than a taxi. You can do a taxi ride in Manhattan (be sure to wear your seatbelts).

If you're landing at 3:30pm, you shouldn't be too tired.

janajay wrote: »

Whoops more to come!

Day 1 Highline, Chelsea Market for late lunch, subway to South Ferry, Staten Island ferry at 5pm (so return ferry ride at sunset). Might walk up to WTC site after lunch from Rector Street instead of South Ferry, but I'd rather not, and boys have only asked once!

I think you've got your timings all wrong. You're not going to get from JFK to the highline, and then to the Staten Island Ferry by 5pm.

You'll be arriving at your hotel at 5pm, if you're lucky. It could take an hour to get through immigration, then you're leaving JFK at 4:30pm, and then an hour to get to the hotel via taxi or public transport.

janajay wrote: »

Day 2 Midtown This is near our hotel, so easy to walk to in a day. Empire State (not going to top. Son has acrophobia). Grand Central Terminal. NY Public Library (and to see the AA Milne Winnie the Pooh toys). Times Square (kids want to go to Toyr R Us, help us all). Rockefeller Centre, Lego store, Nintendo World. Chrysler Building. John's Pizzeria at some point. Macys.

Not bad. Not overloaded either.

janajay wrote: »

Day 3 Central Park West Side. American Museum Nat Hist. (Possibly) Children's Museum. Dakota Building, Strawberry Fields. Shakespeare Garden. Rowing on Central Park lake.

Day 4 Central Park East Side. Central Park Zoo. Metropolitan MOA. Bloomingdales. FAO Schwartz. Tiffanys.

I'd incorporate these into a single day, which will then give you time to do what you missed on day 1. Also, you may add in Intrepid which I'm sure the boys will enjoy.

janajay wrote: »

Day 5 Afternoon only. Lower east side. Little Italy (and lunch here). Chinatown. Walk to Brooklyn Bridge and back. Got tickets for Stomp in the evening.

Morning of day 5 and last day will be for going back to see something we have really liked again.

We'll leave hotel at 4pm on Friday for airport.

Other things we will be doing:

Dinner at La Montanara (Ludlow Street, recommended by Time Out)
Katz Deli
Village Halloween Parade (watching, not taking part...I think) on 31st in evening.
Dinner near hotel in Koreatown at Kim Gang San.
Shake Shack (kids want to do this one!)

We'll be using the subway, we're used to using the tube in London.

Any other hints, tips. Especially science-related must-sees please?

Thanks!

Jana x

You've planned things by area, but I'm getting tired reading the plans. Some days just have too much in them, especially day 1, then the central park days are so light you can easily merge the two. I doubt you'll spend much longer than an hour or so at the museums, I know what my attention span was like when I was younger. (and still is).

Hope that's given you some helpful hints. Feel free to ask more, and I may edit this to add more comments on but I need to get to work.

M

poor_johno

Just had an email from the flight centre, they have direct flights to NY for £289pp from 10am

http://www.flightcentre.co.uk/flashsale

janajay

M4RKM wrote: »

You've not said where you're staying. If it is Midtown, then you'll come through the Queens Midtown Tunnel, so you won't see Manhattan on the way in. However, can the boys drag their luggage along with them to the AirTrain / Subway.

Personally, at that age, I'd find AirTrain and Subway exciting, and much more fun than a taxi. You can do a taxi ride in Manhattan (be sure to wear your seatbelts).

If you're landing at 3:30pm, you shouldn't be too tired.



I think you've got your timings all wrong. You're not going to get from JFK to the highline, and then to the Staten Island Ferry by 5pm.

You'll be arriving at your hotel at 5pm, if you're lucky. It could take an hour to get through immigration, then you're leaving JFK at 4:30pm, and then an hour to get to the hotel via taxi or public transport.



Not bad. Not overloaded either.

I'd incorporate these into a single day, which will then give you time to do what you missed on day 1. Also, you may add in Intrepid which I'm sure the boys will enjoy.



You've planned things by area, but I'm getting tired reading the plans. Some days just have too much in them, especially day 1, then the central park days are so light you can easily merge the two. I doubt you'll spend much longer than an hour or so at the museums, I know what my attention span was like when I was younger. (and still is).

Hope that's given you some helpful hints. Feel free to ask more, and I may edit this to add more comments on but I need to get to work.

M

Thanks for the excellent feedback. Just to clarify, we have 5 full days in NY.

This doesn't count the day that we land. So the day that we land am planning just to get to hotel and familiarise ourselves with the neighbourhood, and get something to eat. Itinerary starts the next day.

I think we'll play Central Park by ear, and certainly bear in mind we could do it in one go. Might leave us a spare day to get over to Brooklyn?

Hotel is Holiday Inn Madison Square garden.

Thanks!

Jana x

curlygirl1971

janajay wrote: »

Day 1 Highline, Chelsea Market for late lunch, subway to South Ferry, Staten Island ferry at 5pm (so return ferry ride at sunset). Might walk up to WTC site after lunch from Rector Street instead of South Ferry, but I'd rather not, and boys have only asked once!

Day 2 Midtown This is near our hotel, so easy to walk to in a day. Empire State (not going to top. Son has acrophobia). Grand Central Terminal. NY Public Library (and to see the AA Milne Winnie the Pooh toys). Times Square (kids want to go to Toyr R Us, help us all). Rockefeller Centre, Lego store, Nintendo World. Chrysler Building. John's Pizzeria at some point. Macys.

WTC - I was there last tuesday. I can't imagine that you would actually be able to see anything from the surrounding streets apart from an almost finished skyscraper. The area is walled off by hoardings, acess via security. The memorials themsevles are complete but only viewable if you pre-book a ticket/time slot and the rest of the area is still a building site. As far as we could tell there are no walk-up timeslots available and when we booked a couple of weeks before the trip we noticed slots were filling up quickly. I can't speak for your boys, but it's worthwhile for interested adults - I found it moving and sad and was glad to pay my respects. If you do it then perhaps allow an hour - it seemed to take us 15 mins to get through the queues / security although we were always moving.

Toys R Us - In your hotel lobby / tourist info spots, see if they have any leaflets etc. The kind that contain a bit of info, loads of adverts and maybe a map. A couple of times when in NY I've found $5 voucher for Toys R Us in these.

Acrophobia - how would your son feel about Top of the Rock instead? When you are outside there are thick plastic sheets all around like see- through walls (as well as the stone wall). But more importantly for an acrophobic there there is also a large inside area where you can just sit and look at things like the Empire State - so you don't need to go outside and think about looking down. After dark view of ESB is pretty special.

Incidentally you get a great view of the Crysler Building from outside Grand Central terminal. It especially looks great at night. The building itself has quite a nice lobby area, nothing like Trump Tower, but otherwise there is nothing else to see there.

Last week we did a UN Tour - Although its a serious thing I think it would be a great thing for kids to do. I think it lasted 45 mins.

We found buses great for getting across town (rather than up or down). They're regular and you can use your Metro cards on them

Have a great trip

malkie76

Anyone with any recent experience of immigration at JFK T7 ? We land at 7.05pm - we are flying First Class with BA, so will be off the plane very quickly.

Rough time in a car to Times Square at that time of evening ? I'm going to prebook a towncar rather than get a taxi.

Similarly, on the return, rough time in a taxi from Time Square to JFK T7 for an 8pm flight. We'd prefer to arrive around 3hr before departure to have dinner in the lounge before take off.

Any thoughts are welcomed - thanks.

janajay

curlygirl1971 wrote: »

WTC - I was there last tuesday. I can't imagine that you would actually be able to see anything from the surrounding streets apart from an almost finished skyscraper. The area is walled off by hoardings, acess via security. The memorials themsevles are complete but only viewable if you pre-book a ticket/time slot and the rest of the area is still a building site. As far as we could tell there are no walk-up timeslots available and when we booked a couple of weeks before the trip we noticed slots were filling up quickly. I can't speak for your boys, but it's worthwhile for interested adults - I found it moving and sad and was glad to pay my respects. If you do it then perhaps allow an hour - it seemed to take us 15 mins to get through the queues / security although we were always moving.

Toys R Us - In your hotel lobby / tourist info spots, see if they have any leaflets etc. The kind that contain a bit of info, loads of adverts and maybe a map. A couple of times when in NY I've found $5 voucher for Toys R Us in these.

Acrophobia - how would your son feel about Top of the Rock instead? When you are outside there are thick plastic sheets all around like see- through walls (as well as the stone wall). But more importantly for an acrophobic there there is also a large inside area where you can just sit and look at things like the Empire State - so you don't need to go outside and think about looking down. After dark view of ESB is pretty special.

Incidentally you get a great view of the Crysler Building from outside Grand Central terminal. It especially looks great at night. The building itself has quite a nice lobby area, nothing like Trump Tower, but otherwise there is nothing else to see there.

Last week we did a UN Tour - Although its a serious thing I think it would be a great thing for kids to do. I think it lasted 45 mins.

We found buses great for getting across town (rather than up or down). They're regular and you can use your Metro cards on them

Have a great trip

Thanks so much for the advice. Tour of UN headquarters looks right up our street!

I think we'll avoid the WTC, but, yes, Chrysler Building is on the list too. Forgot that one. Can't wait!

Not sure about the TOTR ...his acrophobia is more pronounced when he's stressed and the thought of needing to adhere to a timed ticket might tip him over the edge! Wonder if there are times when it's really quiet and we could roll up and decide (or not!) to go up on the spot. That would suit him more. I'll have a trawl thanks.

x

greenface

Well done to your son for flying and going to NYC . Do they like Ghostbusters ( they must do) am i too old ? When you go to the highline there is the firestation on North Moore St and the Building that got possesed is next to the Dakota ( or very close ) google some locations . Somethings you mentioned is a stop and stare and take no time at all . Point and shoot with a camera . Make some you and family time to do nothing. You will enjoy the break better . Your midtown .. visit the Flat Iron Building . Sit in the area if the weathers good & soak up a little bit of NYC ..

bb69

greenface wrote: »

bb69 i was thinking of bubbas but can you come straight out and see the ball drop ?

Not sure. I haven't read any TA reviews recently. I think there may be a possibility, however its not guaranteed due to security/NYPD.

I plan on booking there one year - a hefty $500 (well it was when I last checked a few years ago) but it would be a one off treat.

bb69

M4RKM wrote: »

You've not said where you're staying. If it is Midtown, then you'll come through the Queens Midtown Tunnel, so you won't see Manhattan on the way in. M

Hi
Just wondering how many routes there are from the airport by car from JFK?
We have stayed in midtown and upper east and came into the city the same way each time with a view of the skyline. I try and keep an eye on what Tunnel we use but never do!

Its weird no matter how many times I see it I still get excited!

bb69

Watching Man vs Food on Dave - He is in NYC at Brick Lane curry house for the hottest curry. Must try that one day.... ha ha