Need help planning a trip to the city

Ok, so my friend from college wants to come down to the city from upstate NY, like upstate-upstate, near Canada. She has 3 kids, ages 9 to 5. She asked me for some advice on where to go and what to see and I don't want to disappoint!

I have some ideas, but would like to hear from anyone that has more experience than I do with the city. These are the places I was thinking about:

Central Park
Broadway show
Statue of Liberty
Empire State Building
South Street Seaport/Brooklyn Bridge
Natural Muesum of History
Circle Line Cruise
Bronx Zoo
Serendipity
Dylan's Candy Bar

Any advice or tips for these places? Any other noteworthy or areas they should visit? Thank you!

Also, suggestions on where to stay. They don't want to drive around the city so I was thinking somewhere in queens/Brooklyn near the train so traveling would be easier.

Message edited 3/3/2016 9:02:53 PM.

Re: Need help planning a trip to the city

Those are a lot of places and they're very spread out. Serendipity and Dylan's are the only places on that list that are really close to each other (though CP isn't all that far I suppose). How long are they staying? I'm not sure a 5 year old would sit through a broadway show or be too interested in the Statue of Liberty. Alice's Tea Cup is cute for lunch. American Girl (if she has girls?)

I would suggest they stay in the city, not an outer borough. Realistically, they won't be driving anyway, unless they want to go to the Bronx Zoo. Brooklyn is my blind spot, but I can assure you, she does not want to stay in a hotel in Queens that's close to the train. Or any hotel in Queens

Re: Need help planning a trip to the city

Re: Need help planning a trip to the city

Can they afford Manhattan? If so, I would try to stay there.

Some of the subway rides into the outerboroughs can be long and she'll have three kids in tow.

If the ride is not long (like downtown Brooklyn) the hotel will probably be priced accordingly.

There is a Courtyard by Marriott on the upper East Side (maybe around 92nd street?) that is reasonable for Manhattan.

For activities:

The kids might enjoy the High Line as well.

Sony WonderLab - it's free but you need tickets.

Also make sure they check out what events are happening when they are in town.

Re: Need help planning a trip to the city

I don't know that I'd travel to the Bronx Zoo, especially if they decide to stay in the city. If they're going to Central park anyway, and let's be real, they definitely are, I'd do the Central Park Zoo. Cheaper, closer, and still really nice. Also, I'd skip the Statue of Liberty... that's a WHOLE lot of stairs for a little kid and the island itself isn't all that interesting for kids their ages. They'll be able to see it anyway from the circle line.

ETA: Not sure what the kids are into, but Discovery Times Square has a Star Wars exhibit out, too.

Message edited 3/4/2016 10:24:00 AM.

Re: Need help planning a trip to the city

PLACES
http://www.discoverytsx.com/
http://centralparkzoo.com/
http://www.amnh.org/
http://www.amnh.org/our-research/hayden-planetarium
http://cmom.org/

FOOD
http://www.serendipity3.com/
NINJA


look for hotels in the city and compare then to hotels in LIC. if the price diff isnt THAT much, I'd just stay in Manhattan for convenience

Re: Need help planning a trip to the city

Depending on what the kids are into, the Metropolitan Museum of Art & the New York Historical society can be great for kids, too.
NYHS changes all the time, so you'd have to check current exhibits when tey are coming, but when they had their train & superhero exhibits, there were tons of kids there. It is also a smaller museum, if you need something to just fill a few hours.

The Met sounds boring, but kids love the arms & armor, musical instruments, Egyptian exhibit, etc.

I would chose it over the Natural history museum, but if the kids are into Dinosaurs & Space, then Natural Hsitory is a good choice.

They may also enjoy one of those double decker bus rides (depending on the weather when they come.)

I would also suggest Discovery Time Square, depending on what is going on when they are coming.

Re: Need help planning a trip to the city

Re: Need help planning a trip to the city

They're most likely coming at the beginning of April so the outdoor stuff may not be feasible, but thanks for the input!