jwj

We are 2 grandmothers planning to take 3 granddaughters to New York City for 4 nights in November. Girls are 13, 12 and 11. We need lots of help, please.

1. Mid price hotel in good location. 8 years ago we took older sisters and stayed at Wellington but had many issues with them. Location was great and we booked 2 rooms. Upon arrival there was only 1. This seemed to be a pattern as there were others who didn't get what they had booked. But, again, the location was really good. Would like to pay $300-350 per room if possible.

2. What shows are currently playing that the girls would like? We would probably just go to 1.

3. In addition to Top of the Rock, Rockettes Christmas show, FAO, 9/11 site, Central Park, Museum of Natural History, Statue of Liberty what else might they enjoy? They do LOVE to shop!

4. We bought some sort of ferry tickets last time to go around the Statue of Liberty but can't remember what and where.

5. Name of a reliable limousine service from airport to hotel.

6. Restaurants they would enjoy that are easy to get to by taxi. Nothing too ethnic as some are finicky eaters. Steak places always please everyone.

I appreciate any help and advice given.

IMDonehere

You can take the Staten Island ferry for free and pass the Statue of Liberty. Right side out, left side back to Manhattan.

For shopping for kids that age Broadway between Canal Street and East 8th Street, especially south of Houston. Be sure to take them to Pearl River, it is a small department store filled with Chinese merchandise.

Steak places are expensive in NY-Keen's will be fun for them.

Hamburger place in the Meriden Hotel.

Virgil's BBQ

Be sure to go Chinatown and go to the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.

jwj

Thanks, IMD. I will add all to my list for our trip.

Any hotel tips? Found a suite at Doubletree Times Square with 2 doubles in BR and sofa bed in living room. Don't know if location is as good as Wellington but probably more reliable.

I appreciate the help.

IMDonehere

I live in NY, so I have no idea which hotels are better. But if you go to the box at top that reads "View by State" and click on New York, it has been discussed many times.

Because the subway system in Manhattan is extensive and the sights are spread out, there is really no such thing as a good location.

If the weather permits a walk through Central Park is a must and every kid loves the Museum of Natural History.

nytraveler

Suggest you reserve hotel ASAP. Some are sold out already and the longer you wait the higher the prices will be. Especially since it seems you are trying to put 5 people in one room/suite (which is a rare room configuration).

If you can get the Doubletree for your budget grab it now - I just looked at Nov and rates are about $500 plus tax - and up.

jwj

nytraveler - Actually, I thought Doubletree Times Square sounded real good at $549 plus but found out it's just a bedroom divided into a "suite" with only 1 bathroom. Not a good idea for us. I also realize my budget is unrealistic for a good location. Have no problem paying more but am trying to match location to accommodations. Lots of hotels in NY don't want 3 people in a room, so we would need 3 rooms for the 6 of us. (we've acquired another granddaughter) Have looked at Salisbury, Lexington, Blakely, and The 50.

Appreciate your help and welcome more.

mclaurie

1) The Doubletree Guest Suites has some 2 bedroom 2 bathroom suites but you probably have to contact them for pricing on those. The Salisbury does too but is more off a budget place. The Hampton Inn Times Square North, Hilton Garden Inn Times Square, Courtyard Central Park Outh and Reidence Inn Central Park are all well located near the Wellington but much nicer. Hyatt Times Sauare is nice. And new. Prices fluctuate dramatically by date. First Suday in Nov. is the NYC Marathon-with high hotel prices. Afinia 50 is a ood option. affinia Harns has some 2 bedroom 2 bathroom suites too.

2) playbill.com is a good place to see what's playing. Wicked is always popular with teen girls.
3) an art museum like MOMA, the Metropolitan, the Museum of Art & Design or maybe the museum at F.I.T. (Fashion institute) strike me as better for teen girls than the Natural History.
4) nywatertaxi.com has a statue express as does the Circle Line.
5) from the airport, taxis are fine. Dial7.com and allstatelimo.com are good for return. Tolls and ip are extra. For something fancier to come into the teminal and wait for you, strusserslimousineservice.com includes all charges.
6) Capital Grille in the Time Life building does a $39 3 course pre-theater dinner (must sit by 6:30 I think) with steak, salmon or lamb chops. Don Antonio for good pizza.

abram

We haven't stayed there, but the Beacon on the Upper West Side is often recommended. That's a great location near the AMNH, with lots of restaurants in the neighborhood and good subway access.
Carmel and Dial 7 are car services we've used multiple times.
When in November do you plan to go? Hotel prices can vary significantly.
I'd avoid the 1st weekend in Nov; it's the NYC Marathon.

SandyBrit

jwj:

You need to get something booked as soon as possible that you can cancel. Then keep looking.

We have stayed at The Milburn Hotel on the Upper West Side and this may be a good choice for you http://www.milburnhotel.com

Sandy

jwj

We are going on Saturday, November 22. Returning Wednesday, November 26. I have actually booked Doubletree and The Fifty but am still looking.

Appreciate the input and will probably have more questions.

KTtravel

Try the Salisbury -- nothing fancy but clean and affordable and well located. We stayed there a few years ago.

BigRuss

Are you gunning for two rooms or one? If two, the $700 max may be a rough go for November. Book asap.

Considering Times Square is the most heavily trafficked subway station and connects four major lines (broadly speaking: 8th Av, 7th Av, Broadway and the 42nd street X-town), you can't beat the location. It's not a long walk to either 5th Avenue nor to Central Park.

What means this: "Nothing too ethnic as some are finicky eaters"?
There are plenty of broad spectrum basic places on or near 57th Street. Of course, many are rot. But go to google maps and check out whatever hotel you pick and the nearby surrounds.

BTW, as a New Yorker by birth, the statement "nothing too ethnic" is not one you should use in the City.

SandyBrit

jwj:

I always monitor Quikbook and Travel Zoo for New York city. Often have offers on good hotels. I have used them both at different times.

http://www.quikbook.com and http://www.travelzoo.com

Best of luck.

Sandy

J62

I read "nothing too ethnic" as strictly American invented/originated food.

No Mexican, no Italian, no sushi, no Chinese.

Hamburgers and Freedom fries. Hot dogs (but not frankfurters). Mac & cheese. Apple pie. Chicken tenders. Pumpkin pie.

IMDonehere

In NYC, Chinese and Italian food are not considered ethnic.

And what is the difference between a hot dog and a frankfurter when just about every authority states the etymology of hot dog is interwoven with the frankfurter and the terms are interchangeable in the every day vernacular.

Freedom fries originated in Belgium. And chicken tenders originated in the mind of some food exec who could not figure out what to do with the leftovers.

J62

Agreed, IMD, but the OP is not from NYC... We don't know where she hails from , or what "not too ethnic" is in the eyes of the beholder.

jwj

Sorry, Big Russ, "nothing too ethnic" was a poor choice of words. The "finicky" eaters are actually the 2 grandmothers, me and my sister, who live in the country and aren't as exposed to varied cuisines as are our grandchildren, who live in cities. We prefer Italian, French, seafood and steaks. The kids love sushi, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and others that I am not even aware of. We'll probably try 1 or 2 of them before it's over.

mclaurie, I have so far talked to all of the Marriott ones you suggested but they have no connecting rooms so I am still looking and will call the others. What is the Sheraton Times Square like? I made a res there that can be cancelled if I find something I like better. Price is good, only $346 each for 2 doubles, but it hasn't been mentioned by anyone. I assume it's just a typical big Sheraton but that's ok if it's clean, right beds and in good location. Also booked The Fifty and the Doubletree says it has none with 2 bathrooms so that will be cancelled.

Sandy, quikbook and travelzoo are next on my list.

Again, many thanks.

jwj

J62 - I hail from Louisiana, the very southern part of it, as compared to north Louisiana. I can't help it, I am partial to our cuisine, especially that of New Orleans. But, I'm trying to educate my taste buds!

maxima

steak houses in nyc are expensive; some may have lunch specials

in the theater district/Times Square John's Pizza..whole pizza pies no slices, and thin crust. Also pasta, salads. Good for families.

Shake Shack.. shakes, hot dogs, burgers and fries.. there are a few in different locations and are always crowded.

Uncle Nick's on 9th Ave and West 50th Street... reasonably priced Greek food.. lots of fresh grilled fish.

Pret a Manger: freshly made sandwiches and salads that are pre-wrapped each day. at the end of the day all unsold sandwiches and salads are donated to programs for the homeless. locations all over Manhattan.

Restaurants in NYC have health code ratings from the NYC Dept of Health. It is a letter grade and will be posted in the restaurant's window.. Any place that doesn't have an A rating..skip it. All of the restaurant ratings can be viewed on the NYC DOH website.

be adventurous ..just because you haven't eaten something before doesn't mean you won't like it..if you are not sure about a sauce or topping or dressing, ask for it on the side when you order.. try to avoid those chain style restaurants that you can find anywhere in the USA as the food is uniformly the same and dismal.

jwj

maxima - many thanks. You are a wealth of information and I am recording all of it.