We travel to NYC often and always have a great time. I think the bus is fine for adults and older kids, but not so great with younger kids like yours. One option you might consider is driving to the Metropark station in NJ, parking there and taking the train into the city. It's a safe place to park and much less expensive than parking at a hotel in the city. Also, you won't have to drive in the city and deal with the traffic. I wouldn't stay in a hotel in NJ -- too much commuting time for a short trip with kids. Is Embassy Suites a Hilton property? If so, you might consider the Embassy Suites in lower Manhattan, near the SI ferry terminal. Even if you aren't planning a visit to the Statue of Liberty, it's still a nice location with a great park across the street. You can easily catch a subway uptown to do Central Park and Museum of Natural History, etc. While the subway isn't great if you've got a stroller, you shouldn't have any problem with kids old enough to walk. Have fun!

Anonymous wrote:We just came back from NYC. It is not a kid friendly city at all. We went with our three kids (4 1/2, 2 1/2, and 8 months). It was very hard to move around. Metro with no elevators, too crowded everywhere, hard to get taxis... It took away from the whole NYC experience. We took the train and kids loved it. Way cheaper than car. Plenty of space and their highlight. We rented an apartment on upper west side. Better option and cheaper than hotel, as you have full kitchen, and laundry.

Subway is hard in NYC, the bus system is better, for small children.

Took our 8 year old last year and LOVED it. I went to school near NYC and have lots of familiarity. It was our daughter's first trip there. We had a blast. Took the bus. If you sign up with VA2NY or DC2NY, you get half off your tickets. So instead of $50 rt, we paid $25 pp rt. I have never been able to get a train ticket for $50 or less. That being said. I absolutely prefer the train. There is typically a dining car on the train and more bathrooms. Plus the bus drivers really speed sometimes. We got a hotel on priceline right near TS. We did a host a really touristy things. Had a great time.

We just came back from NYC. It is not a kid friendly city at all. We went with our three kids (4 1/2, 2 1/2, and 8 months). It was very hard to move around. Metro with no elevators, too crowded everywhere, hard to get taxis... It took away from the whole NYC experience. We took the train and kids loved it. Way cheaper than car. Plenty of space and their highlight. We rented an apartment on upper west side. Better option and cheaper than hotel, as you have full kitchen, and laundry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered taking the train? I did this a few months ago...and it wasn't too much more expensive than the rate the bus companies were quoting me. They have a snack car and bathrooms (though we didn't use them, so I don't know what they were like) and are a bit quicker than the bus.

OP here - how much was the train? I assumed it would be way more expensive.

I just took the train last weekend to NYC - Friday to Sunday - not the Acela. It was $96 r/t, but I purchased way in advance.

I stayed at the Residence Inn Times Square - highly recommend it, big rooms with refrigerators/microwaves, full breakfast, clean and no bedbugs!

Depends on how far ahead you are making the reservation, what time you are going and returning (more for peak times) and if you take the acela or regular train.

Just check amtrak and see what works out. Personally I like the train over the bus as I like being able to get up and you still have the traffic issue to deal with.

Typically the bus will be cheaper than car or train especially if you have to pay for parking.

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered taking the train? I did this a few months ago...and it wasn't too much more expensive than the rate the bus companies were quoting me. They have a snack car and bathrooms (though we didn't use them, so I don't know what they were like) and are a bit quicker than the bus.

OP here - how much was the train? I assumed it would be way more expensive.

Have you considered taking the train? I did this a few months ago...and it wasn't too much more expensive than the rate the bus companies were quoting me. They have a snack car and bathrooms (though we didn't use them, so I don't know what they were like) and are a bit quicker than the bus.

A good hotel for location and for rooms that are good with kids is DoubleTree Suites by Hilton NYC - Times Square.

I know of a bunch of people who stay in Hoboken and take the ferry over to NYC. There's a Courtyard by Marriott, etc right by the ferry point that also has plenty of parking and I'll bet there's a Hilton chain hotel, too.

I always check the bed bug regiStry as well.

Anonymous wrote:Look at the reviews on tripsadvisor.com for the hotel -- there probably will be dozens of recent reviews on the Hampton Inn.

I personally would opt for the car ride with 2 small kids that may need more than the 1 bathroom break the bus will take. Plus you can make side stops along the way. The question is that worth the extra $150 or so it will cost you to take the car with gas/tolls/NYC parking rates. I would factor it into the price of the trip as a whole and see if it is in your budget.

Oops, meant to say tripadvisor.com

Look at the reviews on tripsadvisor.com for the hotel -- there probably will be dozens of recent reviews on the Hampton Inn.

I personally would opt for the car ride with 2 small kids that may need more than the 1 bathroom break the bus will take. Plus you can make side stops along the way. The question is that worth the extra $150 or so it will cost you to take the car with gas/tolls/NYC parking rates. I would factor it into the price of the trip as a whole and see if it is in your budget.

Vamoose Gold is awesome

I think the Hampton inn is fine, many of the bigger hotels have tiny rooms but maybe the Hampton does as well.

Have fun

Hello - we are planning a short two day trip to NYC with my 7 year old and 4 year old boys. I have two questions - I want to drive, DH is interested in the bus. Has anyone taken the bus with young kids? My second question is where should we stay? I have a voucher for any Hilton hotel. There are many to chose from in NYC. We picked the Hampton Inn because it is near Central Park, but I know that the Hampton Inn is usually on the lower end of hotels. Does anyone have suggestions? Thanks!