3 days in NYC in July

Old Apr 20th, 2007, 07:59 PM
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3 days in NYC in July

Hello, I am planning where to take my kids for the 3 days in NYC this July. We will be staying at a hotel on Time Square. Very central location. I've been to NYC, but it was years ago.

My kids have the following that they are interested in seeing.

1. Metropolitan Museum of Art in central park. I think I need to devote a whole day for this museum. There are so much to see. And it is indoor. July is hot in NYC.
2. Central Park. I realize that there are lots to do in the park as well. But I do not want to venture another day in this area. Should I combine the park and the museum in one day? They will be exhausted. I plan to walk with the kids from Time square area to the museum and park. Do you think it's doable? My younger one will be 9.
3. Empire State Building. Best time to get on?
4. Statue of Liberty. What is the best way to get there from Time square?(I'm thinking of skipping it, as no one can get on the statue now, and you have to stay in security lines quite long. I don't know if my younger one can stand that. )
5. A broadway musical at night. This is their first time watching a broadway show on broadway. But they've seen Lion King before. They are thinking of Wicked. Should I preorder the tickets? Any other shows that might be better?
6. One day just relax and sightsee the streets and buildings around Time square.

Any other places that I should consider? I have a young teen and a 9 year old.

Any input will be greatly appreciated.
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Old Apr 20th, 2007, 09:49 PM
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I think you should definitely combine the Met and and Central Park. There are only so many hours you can spend in a museum before you get tired, can't absorb anymore and it stops being enjoyable.

It seems too far to walk from Times Square to museum, about 40 blocks. I suggest you take a train to museum and after museum you can walk south through the park and then if you have the inclination and energy you can walk down along Fifth Avenue. You could also take a look at Guggenheim museum from the outside when you're in the museum area.

On another day, you can take a train down to World Trade Center site (R or W trains downtown and other trains go there too) and then walk down to Battery Park. You can see the statue of Liberty from there and relax by the waterfront. You can also take a Staten Island ferry for a cruise around the harbor. You could have lunch in Chinatown and have a dessert in Little Italy.

I don't think the streets and buildings around Times square are very relaxing especially in the heat of July.

Wicked has been sold down, you'll need tickets in advance. Le Miserables is great and your kids shoulds enjoy it, tickets often available at half price booth.
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Old Apr 21st, 2007, 04:02 AM
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I agree with Anya on many things. With just a 3 day trip you have to pick and chose carefully. While you can spend an entire day in the Met and another day in Central Park, a bit of each will be plenty. I also think it's silly to tire yourselves out (and possibly get very hot and sweaty) walking from TS to the Met Museum. It's far! Hopstop.com is a great website to help you figure out how far places are from each other and options for travel.

I think you need to see what the weather is. If it's rainy, go to the Met and save the park for another day. If it's a nice day, do both. The Met gives highlight tours and also has tours specifically designed for families with kids. You might have a look on their website and plan the day around a tour. Metmuseum.org

There are also walking tours of Central Park that will show you the highlights.
http://www.centralparknyc.org/activities/ walkingtours

The ESB website says the best time to come is first thing when they open (8am) or 3-5 pm for fewer crowds. It's also nice to see the city all lit up, so you could go at night. They're open til 2am! What you should do is buy tix in advance online to avoid the ticket buyers line.
I should warn you many people feel the whole experience is not that pleasant. The new observatory at Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) gets raves. Different views though. Go to Top of the Rock during the day.

The Statue of Liberty is a very time consuming visit with security. I'd suggest on this short trip you take the free Staten Island ferry roundtrip to get some views of the Statue. OR take a cruise or boat ride of some sort. The kids might like the Beast.
http://www.affiliate.viator.com/broc...0BSR&AUID=2604

For a broadway show, Wicked is indeed a hard ticket to get (and pricey). I'd suggest you consider something that might be available to buy in advance from broadwaybox.com It's probably too early for discounts for July, but have a look and see what's been available. Mary Poppins would be great and is currently available on discount. Don't know if it will be in July. You don't mention whether the kids are boys or girls. There are also some off Broadway shows (that are less expensive) that have been popular with families including Blue Man Group and Altar Boyz.

Hope this helps.
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Old Apr 21st, 2007, 09:11 PM
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Thank you so very much, Anya and Mclaurie. I like the idea of relaxing by the waterfront and see the Statue of Liberty. I have a teen boy and a younger girl. They are very familiar with Mary Poppins. So I figure to find something new. There is also a Sony Wonder Lab that I think my kids would love to see. Maybe I should spend some time there with the kids. A ferry tour sounds good. Might consider that. And of course, landmark buildings like UN, etc. I know my kids will have a good time on Manhattan, though short. All that might, power, and energy of a big city! That's what I hope the kids can feel and enjoy.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2007, 02:52 AM
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There are bus tours that allow you to see a lot of the city in a day or half day. Don't know if you want to consider that. The most popular/well known is the Grayline hop on/off tours but there's also
kingofnyc.com
nypartyshuttle.com
The Mary Poppins production on Broadway has been very popular and not just with kids. Adults love it and the special effects are terrific. If you don't mind paying full price and can find tickets, Wicked would be fun. Hairspray is another popular option and is always available on discount.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2007, 04:55 AM
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my two boys (13 and 16) were bored at the Sony Wonder Lab. i was glad it was free, because of that and because it was pretty crowded. your nine year old will be fine; maybe your teen son will think differently than mine.

Madame Tussaud's is in the TS area.

Don't miss Dylan's Candy Bar opposite Bloomingdale's.

In Central Park, there are huge rocks that kids love to scramble on (located somewhere in the lower third of the park); my kids were probably about nine when we did that; again, one of their favorite things to do.

hate to disagree about Les Miz. I'm seeing it for my third time next month, and love it, but I would never have taken my children so young. They're coming with me now (age 14). others may totally disagree with me, but I think there are shows that kids will enjoy far more.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2007, 04:57 AM
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when I said "so young," I was referring to your nine year old. don't know age of your son.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2007, 10:42 AM
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In July donlt make the kids walk everywhere - grab a bus or subway - or even a cab is reasonable for short distances if there are 4 of you.

Do not spend the whole day at the Met - you'll collapse. Go to the web site and pick 3/4 departemtns everyone wants to see - then spend the rest of the day in th park. (You may want to do the parkk first, when it's cooler - and the Met after luch - to get out of the heat). Also go to the web site of the Central Park Conservancy topick out what you want to do (zoo? carousel? boat on the lake?) since there's no way to cover much ot it in only a coupl of hours.

Do no do the ESB. Waiting lines are much too long. do the Top of the Rock instead - veiws are at lest as good and you can get times tickets in advance.

Also - I would not go to SOL. Just have a look from the water - either Staten Island ferry (free - but from a distance), Ellis Island Ferry (and that museum is brilliant and avoids most of the lines) or one of the Circle Line boat tours including the harbor. If you do Ellis Island also get those ferry tickets in advance - first boat of the day is best.

Do not miss the Museum of Natural History. All kids love it - esp the dinos. In fact this is the standard NYC school trip for 2nd or 3rd graders. They also have a selection of IMAX movies to get them off their feet.

I would spend as little time aspossible in Times Square - in summer it is hellishly hot, mobbed with packs of locals teens, hoards of tours groups and often so crowded you have to walk in the street. Instead I would spend the day in a rel NYC neighborhood (upper west side or village or lower east side). All have smaller museums/activities to do as well as cute neighborhoods to explore, lots of sidewalk cafes for meal, drinks or ice creams - and not so frantic for anyone.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2007, 02:43 PM
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Go to the Met museum website to see the activities for the kids. Plus the Egypt collection is a must. The museum has a brochure setting out a scavanger hunt for the kids, no prizes but a fun way to see the museum. Central Park is right there so combine but do go downtown (towards Times Square) to be more interesting to the kids. You could go across the park to the Natural History museum...a doable walk..Dylan's is a candy store so I would not go out of my way to go there. Ellis Island is wonderful and you see the Statue of Liberty on the way but the best views of NYC from Ellis Island. Very worthwhile.
My 10 year old grandaughter loved, loved, loved Wicked. She has seen all the shows mentioned on this thread. If you can get tickets (go online), do so. Since the younger one is a girl, how can you pass up The American Girl Store? Great, great marketing but the kids really love it I wish I had the stock. The books sold there are very good and well priced. And American Girl is at Rock Center and Saint Patrick's cathedral. Cathedral worth seeing even if you are not of that faith. Walk as little as possible since the kids will get tired. The subway is safe and might be an adventure for them. Use HopStop to plot routes. Cabs are fine but midtwon traffice makes the subway much, much faster. Times Square can be seen in just a few minutes on your way to and from other activites. I recommend you eat lunch (not on Wednesday or Saturday) at Becco. Pasta in many forms with comfortable but grown-up atmosphere. Nice with kids. Even my plain pasta with cheese on the side grandaughter ate all the varities there. I also recommend Tavern on the Green (Crystal Room, no extra charge) for an early dinner (pre-fixe) on the museum/park day. The Museum of Natural History is right there. I know others say "tourist" for Tavern but we live in NYC (and are "foodies") but we still like Tavern because it is a fun place and the food is fine. Since it will be hot, if your hotel has a swimming pool, even inside, do plan on time there. You might even take in a movie just for the air-conditioned sitting one evening. Blue Man get raves from kids and adults. Circle Line boat ride is also good if you take one of the shorter trips. You will have a great time!
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Old Apr 22nd, 2007, 07:00 PM
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Not sure if your son will like it, but you might want to consider "Legally Blonde--The Musical" at the Palace Theater. It is in previews now but opens this week, I think. We saw it two weeks ago and it was great. Very funny, good songs, great production numbers. The Riverdance take-off cracked us all up. It follows the movie pretty closely, so if anyone in the family hated the movie, skip it.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2007, 01:35 AM
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Museum for an entire day - NOT! I don't know if you're planning on paying for "premium seating" for the Broadway show, but my suspicion is you'll NEVER get tix to Wicked @ this late date. I don't have kids, but I agree not to make them walk everywhere. They'll drop to the pavement. Use the hop on/off bus. Expensive, but worth it for the overview. I would take the kids to the Planetarium @ the Museum of Natural History, on Central Park West around 81st St. Have fun.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2007, 07:13 AM
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If you do go to the Empire State Building get tickets for the ride they have there – the NY Experience. I think it’s fun. The kids might also enjoy spending a little time in ESPN Zone right in Times Square. You can play some games and get out of the heat. You could also ride The Beast – a high speed boat that goes out of the Seaport.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2007, 05:30 PM
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Don't relax and see the streets around Times Square on your last day. You've already been there for the show and, possibly been around there a lot because that's where your hotel is.

Get away from pure tourist - take the subway to the Village and walk around there. Get off at Christopher Street (IRT local line) or W. 4th Street (A, B, C, F, E) and walk WEST. Small, curvy streets with stores owned by real people, not corporations.

Alternately, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Fantastic!, and the neighborhood in Brooklyn you come upon (if you go from Manhattan to Brooklyn), is Brooklyn Heights, very historic and has a great promenade to walk/sit on and see NY harbor, Manhattan skyline. Take subway (A line) back to Manhattan - one stop). Places to eat, too.

Have fun.
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Old Apr 27th, 2007, 11:53 AM
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Thanks all the folks here for giving me the wonderful suggestions. They are so very much helpful. This is a great forum. People here are so very nice and friendly. I will try my best to make this a fun though short stay in NYC for the kids. We will be travelling out of the country from new york. So this is squeeze in bonus fun. The kids should appreciate whatever we can do. Plus, there is no limit for fun in places like NYC. I can always bring them back again and again.
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Old Apr 27th, 2007, 01:38 PM
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To mclaurie or others who might know Wicked tickets,

I went to broadwaybox.com. I was given selections between $120sth to over $200 for Wicked in mid July. They do not sound very discounted to me. Am I too early or this is it? Should I go ahead and grab now? I went to other on-line ticketing sites. All about the same. Please help!
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Old Apr 27th, 2007, 02:08 PM
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There are rarely if ever discounted Wicked tickets. The tix you were offered on broadwaybox were from brokers. Sometimes they're still not a bad option, but I would first look at what's available from the official website thru ticketmaster, the official seller. http://www.wickedthemusical.com/tickets.htm

Compare those (if any) at regular price to what you saw on broadwaybox.com. The other place to try is applause-tickets.com This is a broker but they have good seats at prices not so horrible as other brokers.

Make sure you have a good seating chart (the ones on playbill.com are not always the best--look around). Good luck!
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Old Apr 27th, 2007, 04:30 PM
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I just wanted to wish you a great time while you are here. The weather will be HOT in July, so as others mentioned taking bus and subway will be a welcome respite from the heat (well the bus anyway).

The walk from Times Square to the Met will be a little over 2 miles and in the heat, I can almost hear the kids compaining. What you might consider is taking the C train at 8th Ave or the B train at 6th Ave up to 86th St and walk through the park to the Met. You will actually get to see quite a bit including the Castle, and there are lots of vendors around for drinks and ice cream.

Also you might want to take water bottles with you as you travel around, since it will be very hot.

Travel Inn just west of Times Square has a pool on the roof so it might be a good hotel choice. Or for a fun day at the beach, think of the Sunken Forest on Fire Island, you take the train out of Penn Station and it's a very fun day trip.
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