prplab

With the kids school and sports schedules it looks like the only time we can get to DC and NYC is the third week of February. What do you think? Is it worth it to go then, if that is our only option for this and future years? Thanks!

kit

Go! Both are a such a treat and the the lines will be manageable. So much of what you'll be seeing will be inside anyway. MAybe you'll have a great memory of a snowball fight in Central Park or on the Mall! HAve a great time!

layanluvstotravel

Hmm, I live in DC. February can mean lots of snow and freezing weather or just cold weather with light snow. I wouldn't do it. Why not postpone it until Spring break? That way you can catch the beautiful cherry blossoms.

longhorn55

A big advantage of coming to D.C. in February is that the attractions/museums will be quiet and you'll be able to see them without hordes of people surrounding you. My brother visited me here in D.C. a few years ago in February and we had a great time sightseeing together. Just bundle up and come, especially since this may be your only opportunity in years.

obxgirl

I would definitely do it.

As mentioned, crowds will be about at their thinnest and hotel rooms, in DC anyway, will still be relatively cheap. Lots to see in both cities which don't require being outdoors or driving on the roads if the weather is awful. And the weather could be just fine, mid to upper 40s during the day or even warmer.

prplab

Thank you so much! Teenage boy year round sports leave little time for family! Not to be greedy with your time but any central location hotel suggestions in either or both cities? Will be flying into DC for four nights, train to NYC for three nights.

emd3

Definitely do it. There are great indoor and museum options in both cities, and just bundle up w/hats and gloves, etc. I live in the D.C. area, and we don't get a lot of snow that often. We are going to NYC ourselves in Feb., got great hotel deals and theater deals. It is a good time to visit either city for all the reasons posted above.

Aduchamp1

We were once in DC in Feb and a snow storm came through and paralyzed the city. It confirmed JFK's assessement that "DC has northern charm and southern efficiency."

emd3

Check travelzoo.com for good Feb. hotel deals. There are some good and well located hotels on the NYC list there for $119 to $129 in Feb. and a couple in Dupont Circle near metro stops in D.C. for about $100.

nytraveler

As long as you are prepared to deal with potential storms you should be fine. In Manhattan everything runs unlesss you have a blizzard (very rare) and while less snow will paralyze DC - if you stay in a central area it's still doable. And you may get no snow and bright but chilly weather. And you definitely will get rock bottom hotel rates and smaller crowds.

Bowsprit

There will be plenty of discounted hotel rates in NYC for Feb. dates except around Valentine's Day. We've experienced spring-like weather in the city the last 4 years in mid-February; I always have my fingers crossed when we visit at that time of year. Also check quikbook.com for discounted rooms.

fwiw: There's really no 'central' place to stay in NYC. Subway travel is cheap and efficient and will take you wherever you need to go.

What are your interests in NYC and how long will you spend in each place?

prplab

Thank you for the added tips!
Probably only three days in NYC. Since it's only my second visit and my husband and kids first, we'll probably stick to the basics. Must dos are:
911 Memorial - advance reservations I'm told
Statue of Liberty-Ferry or tour since the statue is closed?
Times Square
MSG - Knicks game??
Brooklyn Bridge
Central Park
1 Play/Musical two teenage boys)
Recommendations?

jojoblais

I'm native NYer. Do it! Feb can be very cold & snowy-but in Manhattan the snow very rarely shuts things down. The subway almost always runs, esp in midtown. And NY is a walking city anyway.
Also-there are yrs that Feb can be fairly temperate, maybe mid 40's or so, not bad at all.

Happy to give suggestions! \
What are you looking for -- history, culture, food, music???? What type of food do you guys like? how old are the kids?
Give me a little background & I'll try to give you some 'insider' tips.

Bowsprit

Unless you intend to visit Ellis Island, consider taking the FREE Staten Island Ferry to view the SOL from the water.

Try to visit either the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Natural History museum.

Get same day Broadway ticket discounts at the TKTS Booth in Times Square. By all means, take a stroll through Times Square before or after your theatre visit but don't spend a lot of time there. It's a bore.

Get a metro card for subway and bus travel. How many are you?

sf7307

>>

I can't imagine any first-time visitor, especially with kids, thinking Times Square is a bore. As long as you're looking up -- and not at the stores at ground level that for the most part have nothing whatsoever to do with New York.

mclaurie

For NYC
Spiderman might be a good show for the boys and there are discounts. Look on the left column of broadwaybox.com

The Doubletree Guest Suites is good for families (all 1 bedroom suites). The Hampton Inn Times Square North and the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square have rooms with 2 queen beds if the boys will share. The Courtyard midtown east has rooms with 2 queen beds and a sofabed. Affinia.com is a group of suite hotels mostly in midtown.

scarboroughmom

I went to NYC with my pre-teen and teen boys during February vacation in 2008 &n 2009. Its a great time to go as long as you don't hate the cold. The crowds are the smallest of the year and the hotels are the cheapest of the year. We enjoyed the Mariott Marquis. One problem with that time of year is figuring out how to dress. One of the best ways to get around is walking, but the wind blowing down between the high rise buildings can feel very cold. Many of the museums, restaurants, stores, etc are quite warm inside. You don't want to have a very warm layer inside your coat because you get uncomfortable inside the too-warm buildings. Since the wind chill is a big factor, warm hats or hoods that cover your ears are a must. Scarves and gloves to cover exposed skin really help the comfort level outside without adding a lot of weight to carry around inside. Some of the coat check room lines in the museums are very long. We had our best luck with long down jackets that could be squished up into a mesh carryall.

Bowsprit

And I and my children never visited Times Square until after they lived in the city for 2 years. Go figure. They weren't interested at all, before nor after. I did suggest the O.P. take a walk-through.

gail

"flying into DC" - as long as you and your kids are flexible and can deal with cancellations/interruptions - and do not cut it too close on the end of your trip such that a delay would mean missing some essential school or work commitment. DC does not deal with snow very well.

Do it - as long as you bring along 3 essentials. warm, waterproof footwear (no - the kids can not wear their old running shoes as much as they complain about nerdy boots - even if it does not snow, stepping off the curb into a slush lake will ruin the day); snacks and something for entertainment if you get delayed at airport, on tarmac, on train; sense of adventure and flexibility - you can create a wonderful plan to cram as much as possible into each day in each city, but if weather interferes, do not consider your trip ruined - just different.

Judyrem

We did both DC and NYC with really bad weather, BUT it was an adventure!
Plus you have the museums to yourselves.
We were in NYC last Jan and we had a 18inches of snow, it was great!!!!!