Weespxx

My mother has invited me, my 6 hr old, my sister and her two 10 and 11 to see NY with all its decorations in mid Dec (we're looking at 16th or 17 arrival). I've been to NY many times to visit friends over the years but never as a real tourist so I'm at a loss. Have read lots of threads here so I am taking what I know and I hope you can help me out.

My mom is insisting on staying in Midtown, which I know is very $$ and touristy, but she wants a mostly walkable trip.
1) are there reputable short-term apt rentals in midtown? I've contacted both athomeus.com and affordablenewyorkcity.com. Are there any others that anyone has worked with?
2) Barring that, we really can't afford $700 for two hotel rooms, but could look at $400 - 500 for a suite where we could all fit - I'm happy with my son on the floor if that means a decent place to stay, preferably with kitchenettes or comp breakfast

3) other than the normal - Radio City, American Girl for my niece, Rockefeller Center, Museum of Natural History, are there any other unique "must see's" that are interesting and educational for my niece and nephew who live on the Outer Banks of NC and who have done little travel in their lives? I was wondering about the Tenement Museum and something in Haarlem? Any really cool walking tours?

We only have 3 or 4 days and I know we can't do it all, but in addition to the Christmasy things my mom will want everyone to do, I'd love my sister (1st time) and the kids to see some of the "real" NY too.

Thanks for any and all help.

nytraveler

Surprisingly the Affinia group has a couple of hotels showing a 1 bedroom suite for only about $500 per night. I checked 3 adults and 3 kids - but I think you get a bedroom with 2 double beds and a pull-out sofa - so you'll have to share. (Most of the group are much more for 6 people.)

I would jump on this ASAP - as long as you can get cancellable reservations - and call them to confirm bed configuration. Then you can continue to look for apartments if you want. (I do think apartments are good with kids - but don;t know if you'll get midtown for 6 people for your budget.)

The time you're looking at is possibly the most expensive couple of weeks of the year - I'm amazed they still have these left.

mclaurie

There are reputable short-term midtown rentals but many don't want kids. Also, in an apt. you're less likely to get as many beds as you could in an apt/hotel. In a 1 bedroom apt. you'll usually get only 1 bed for 2 people in the bedroom and a sofabed for 2 in the livingroom. As nytraveler says, in a suite hotel, you can find a bedroom with 2 double or queen beds plus the sofabed.

I've heard of both the agencies you mention but don't know how good or bad they are. Nyhabitat.com is another popular one. The Manhattan Club is a timeshare in midtown where you can often find people wanting to rent their apts. if you do a web search. One of the benefits there is they have some 1 bedrooms with 2 full bathrooms. Btw, I think 6 of you in a 1 bedroom with 1 bathroom will be pretty inconvenient and I'm not sure your budget will allow for a 2 bedroom.

I would also contact the London agency www.apartments2book.com---they have contracts with a lot of the suite hotels(including some of the ones mentioned here) and can sometimes offer better rates/availability than the hotel itself.

In addition to the www.affinia.com group, the Kimberly, the San Carlos, Best Western Hospitaliy and the Salisbury are some other independent suite hotels. All have studios and 1 bedrooms, some have 2 bedrooms.

I think your best bet might be to split up and get a studio and a 1 bedroom in the same hotel. The Eastgate Tower is usually the cheapest Affinia hotel. While it's not on the west side near the theaters, it's pretty close to Grand Central (where there's a Christmas Market).

The Tenement Museum is a good idea, but I don't consider it more "real" NYC than Rockefeller Center, Radio City, skating in Central Park or a Broadway show. Christmas is a special magical time in NYC and you should take advantage of the things that are only around then. Imo, the Tenement Museum will be there for another trip. Maybe the holiday train exhibit at the NY Botanic Gardens would be a fun trip.
http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions.php Here's a link to the Xmas guide NY Magazine did last year.
http://nymag.com/guides/holidays/

gocitykids.com is a great website for kids' events/activities. They have a calendar you can check for the dates you're here. Have fun planning.

mclaurie

PS, I've just had a quick look at those apt rental websites you posted and I don't see any apts. that could accomodate you all within your budget. Am I missing something?

Weespxx

Thanks NYTraveller and mclaurie - I've booked the Affinia Manhattan for a 1 bedroom suite. I've never heard of the Affinia group but they look ok on the web and the price was good considering the time of year. mclaurie - appreciate the advice on Xmas in NYC - it is special and the rest of the things will be there next time. Can't wait to check out the websites as well. Appreciate all your help.

nytraveler

Special things y ou might consider:

See more than one tree

Rock Center, origami at Museum Nat Hist and Neapolitan tree and creche at the Met (look at the web site - it has a lot of good stuff for kids - arms & armor, Temple of Dendur, Egyptian section etc)

Consider seeing the Nutcracker - we try to do it almost every year

You must see the store windows on fifth AVe from 38th up to 57th for some of the best - and you must stop in at St Pat's

Definitely skating (Wohlman rink in Central Park is way less $ than Rock Center)

There are all sorts of musical events - caroling etc - not announced yet. Check New York Magazine and Time Out New York web sites about 6 weeks before you go- you can search by date and category

Weespxx

nytraveler - great suggestions. Especially love skating in the Park versus Rock Center. Can't wait to go back to the Big Apple - it's been far too long.

clarkgriswold

Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry!

eitak33

There's a lot to do in NYC-- especially around Christmastime!

-Rockafeller Center (tree, skating)
-Broadway (you can get 1/2 price tickets sometimes)
-MoMA (free on Fridays 4-8)
-New Victory Theater (great kids theater)
-Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty ferry
-Tenement Museum
-the Nutcracker @ Lincoln Center
-Central Park (ice skating, zoo, etc.)
-Madam Tusaude's wax museum
-St Patrick's Church
-Mars 2112-- themed restaurant
-Toys r Us
-Dylan's Candy Bar
-Macy's
-FAO Shwarz
-Chinatown Canal St (shopping and great food)
-Little Italy (also great food)
-Botanical Gardens
-Empire State Building

Subways are only $2 so you can get around really easily and quickly.