Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

I'm taking my two oldest daughters (14/17) to New York on a trip this summer before my oldest goes off to college. We'll be there for 4 days.

We're booked at the Distrikt Hotel, but I plan to look for cheaper options as our dates approach. We're catching the bus up though...can't justify paying extra for the train.

Some of the stuff we're playing to do:

Staten Island Ferry-to see the SOL. We're not going to tour the island, will just take pics from the ferry.
Top of the Rock/Rockefeller Center
Madame Tussauds
6-hour walking tour that takes us to: Times Square, Central Park, The Dakota, Strawberry Fields, Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park, Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown, Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Saint Paul's Chapel (booked through very reputable company)
If time, manicure/pedicure treatment
Broadway show (Wicked...although the prices for the tickets are.....wicked!)
Day in Brooklyn (take the train over. Tour the neighborhoods, shop at the flea market, check out the Promenade, eat dinner, then walk back over the bridge as the sun sets)

I'm also considering a graffiti tour.

Can you please tell me which company you booked this through? Thanks!!

I booked with Real New York Tours. They get awesome reviews on TripAdvisor and the best part is you have up until the day of the tour to pay (which I like). They have different tour options; I picked the "Dozen Apples" group tour, but they do offer private tours for those in a big group.

There is a map you can buy called Streetwise Manhattan that is wonderful and shows all the subway lines. I love it when I visit NYC.

I would suggest getting a Fodors, Frommers or any (or several) NYC guide books from the library to familiarize yourself with the city. One or 2 days isn't much and i would stick to Manhatten. One of the bigger dillemmas is whether you do the standard stuff (empire state building, liberty, museums and so on) or you do less popular things. I would not do a 6 hr walking tour. Sounds dreadful for a teenager!

Check out trip advisor reviews. So much good info on things to do and hotels/restaurants.

Order many of the tickets online especially Liberty ferry - the line can be atrocious and if buy online ahead of time you just breeze thru. Several of museums you have to book ahead (like the lower eastside tenement museum). Restaurants needs reservations. NYC isn't a great place to wing in if you are short on time as it is crowded.

Anonymous wrote:OP,

I'm taking my two oldest daughters (14/17) to New York on a trip this summer before my oldest goes off to college. We'll be there for 4 days.

We're booked at the Distrikt Hotel, but I plan to look for cheaper options as our dates approach. We're catching the bus up though...can't justify paying extra for the train.

Some of the stuff we're playing to do:

Staten Island Ferry-to see the SOL. We're not going to tour the island, will just take pics from the ferry.
Top of the Rock/Rockefeller Center
Madame Tussauds
6-hour walking tour that takes us to: Times Square, Central Park, The Dakota, Strawberry Fields, Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park, Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown, Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Saint Paul's Chapel (booked through very reputable company)
If time, manicure/pedicure treatment
Broadway show (Wicked...although the prices for the tickets are.....wicked!)
Day in Brooklyn (take the train over. Tour the neighborhoods, shop at the flea market, check out the Promenade, eat dinner, then walk back over the bridge as the sun sets)

I'm also considering a graffiti tour.

Can you please tell me which company you booked this through? Thanks!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you in shape, cause NYC is a walking city. Yes, you can do the subways, but it would be stressful if you don't fully know the system - and you know you can't actually ask anyone!

Oh, please. The last time I was in New York, some guy insisted on trying to help me as I was looking at the subway map. I didn't need help, but it took a lot to convince him. If you need help, you can ask an MTA worker or a civilian. People there are really very nice.

Seriously, drive there. Book a hotel via Priceline. You could snag a room for as a little as $75 per night if you are lucky. Go to WCBS.com, and look under "Parking deals" You should be able to park for like $20 overnight, which is a steal. If you are fit, try the HighLine. See a show via TKTS. Eat w a Prix fix menu off of the Zagat guide, $20.13 will get you a killer meal. Decide if you want to be near Central Park, midtown, or lower like Chelsea, Tribeca, the village, etc. Chinatown and Little India are very cheap. Good Luck!!!!

For your first trip to NY, especially a short trip, I would worry less about getting the best possible deal on everything and more on getting to experience the city in an enjoyable way. So yes, look for deals (you can save money on hotel rooms by going in the spring rather than the summer, and the earlier the better, and if you do Amtrak, buy tickets well n advance), but think about whether you want to spend an hour or more waiting for the TKTS booth, especially if you have your heart set on a particular play.

I agree. I'm a pp here that went to NYC with 4 kids about 1.5 years ago. People were VERY nice there, we got a bit confused with subway system a couple times and New Yorkers were more than willing to take a few minutes and help us out.

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you in shape, cause NYC is a walking city. Yes, you can do the subways, but it would be stressful if you don't fully know the system - and you know you can't actually ask anyone!

Oh, please. The last time I was in New York, some guy insisted on trying to help me as I was looking at the subway map. I didn't need help, but it took a lot to convince him. If you need help, you can ask an MTA worker or a civilian. People there are really very nice.

Seriously, drive there. Book a hotel via Priceline. You could snag a room for as a little as $75 per night if you are lucky. Go to WCBS.com, and look under "Parking deals" You should be able to park for like $20 overnight, which is a steal. If you are fit, try the HighLine. See a show via TKTS. Eat w a Prix fix menu off of the Zagat guide, $20.13 will get you a killer meal. Decide if you want to be near Central Park, midtown, or lower like Chelsea, Tribeca, the village, etc. Chinatown and Little India are very cheap. Good Luck!!!!

For your first trip to NY, especially a short trip, I would worry less about getting the best possible deal on everything and more on getting to experience the city in an enjoyable way. So yes, look for deals (you can save money on hotel rooms by going in the spring rather than the summer, and the earlier the better, and if you do Amtrak, buy tickets well n advance), but think about whether you want to spend an hour or more waiting for the TKTS booth, especially if you have your heart set on a particular play.

Amtrak goes to Penn Station, not Grand Central. Wasn't sure if anyone mentioned that.

OP -- I practically live in NYC since I visit my daughter often. I've gone there every way: plane, trains, automobiles and buses. Right now, there are some great deals on flights for $98 RT. But, Laguardia is pretty far from the city. If you can get a good deal on the train (as someone earlier alluded to) take that. Amtrak goes into Penn Station around Macys near 32nd + 8th Aves. You can walk many places from there.

I've also taken many of the buses. You won't believe this...I didn't until I tried it...the Greyhound Express is actually the best one (leaves from Union Station into Grand Central Station around 42nd + 5th Aves or so). It's very cheap and is one of the few buses that doesn't stop at some dreadull stop in MD. for a break.

Use Hotwire (and choose only 4 or4 5 star hotels). Put in a desired zip code in NYC suck as 10016 and you'll get a great place for a great deal.

OP, are you in shape, cause NYC is a walking city. Yes, you can do the subways, but it would be stressful if you don't fully know the system - and you know you can't actually ask anyone!
Seriously, drive there. Book a hotel via Priceline. You could snag a room for as a little as $75 per night if you are lucky. Go to WCBS.com, and look under "Parking deals" You should be able to park for like $20 overnight, which is a steal. If you are fit, try the HighLine. See a show via TKTS. Eat w a Prix fix menu off of the Zagat guide, $20.13 will get you a killer meal. Decide if you want to be near Central Park, midtown, or lower like Chelsea, Tribeca, the village, etc. Chinatown and Little India are very cheap. Good Luck!!!!

Thanks, 14:40. I love walking in Manhattan, but that's miles and miles, so glad to hear you'll be hopping the subway for some of it.

Anonymous wrote:Wait, is that all walking, this walking tour? That is a lot of territory. I think the Dakota is the farthest point north, and Wall Street South. How many miles will you be walking?

Mostly walking, but we'll also ride the subway for certain sties. It's a 6 hour tour. They have shorter ones, but I thought this would be a great way to get a feel for the different areas (along with some local knowledge) since this is kind of our "introduction to New York" trip.

Wait, is that all walking, this walking tour? That is a lot of territory. I think the Dakota is the farthest point north, and Wall Street South. How many miles will you be walking?

OP,

I'm taking my two oldest daughters (14/17) to New York on a trip this summer before my oldest goes off to college. We'll be there for 4 days.

We're booked at the Distrikt Hotel, but I plan to look for cheaper options as our dates approach. We're catching the bus up though...can't justify paying extra for the train.

Some of the stuff we're playing to do:

Staten Island Ferry-to see the SOL. We're not going to tour the island, will just take pics from the ferry.
Top of the Rock/Rockefeller Center
Madame Tussauds
6-hour walking tour that takes us to: Times Square, Central Park, The Dakota, Strawberry Fields, Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park, Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown, Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Saint Paul's Chapel (booked through very reputable company)
If time, manicure/pedicure treatment
Broadway show (Wicked...although the prices for the tickets are.....wicked!)
Day in Brooklyn (take the train over. Tour the neighborhoods, shop at the flea market, check out the Promenade, eat dinner, then walk back over the bridge as the sun sets)

I'm also considering a graffiti tour.

My cousin lives in NYC and we travel there frequently. We used to take the train until I realized that the bus is a much better deal -- cheaper and just as fast and comfortable. We live in Chevy Chase, so take Vamoose from Bethesda, but there are many options. I know the Post has done at least one article comparing cost, timeliness, safety and other factors.

As PPs have mentioned, either the bus or train will take you to Penn Station. You can then cab to a hotel in Midtown -- there are actually quite a few in Times Square. I've never stayed in that area, so can't recommend one, but I'd check NYT and Post travel sections for articles on hotels there. I have stayed in Midtown East at the Benjamin and DoubleTree -- both are nice and conveniently located near subway and bus lines. If you bring comfy shoes and have decent weather, you can walk to many places or take transit. You really shouldn't have to cab, which is expensive and often takes more time because traffic is so crazy.

My teens love MOMA; "Wicked" and "Once" were big hits with my DD and niece, who are both singers. There's so much more to do in NY -- just walking through Central Park and people-watching is fun! Have a great time, OP!

From Penn Station, you can also take the subway to many places. On a short first trip, I suggest the Met (museum), a Broadway show, Chinatown, Times Square, Central Park, etc. For show tickets, you can walk directly to theatres and buy day-of tickets if they are available. These are usually cheaper (but probably further back) than the "half-price" tickets sold in the central location.