Thanks James and crusty and the others for helpful tips - I'll have a look at Brooklyn as it might be an option. I am not sure why people think 16 nights is way too long - NYC is a big city with heaps to do. We hate feeling rushed and prefer to take things at our own pace - if we feel like a day lounging the hotel then we can do it. Things are different with a 1 year old!

Try this site for a better deal for 16 nights.<BR><BR>http://www.HospitalityCo.com/

I agree with you, John - 16 days will be fine and it gives you the ability to slow your pace for the baby and the option of taking day trips if you want. I don't understand people saying they love the city but they can only stand a few days there - I hate to think how long they stay in other cities! There is so much to see and do and you will have the luxury of getting a real feel for the neighborhoods. Definitely venture out to some of the outer burroughs - maybe the Bronx Zoo would be good for the little one? And I think exploring Brooklyn would be great fun as well!<BR><BR>Personally i would love at least a month in Manhattan!

James, the Battery Park area is not hard to get to via subway or bus. <BR><BR>Why would you steer John to a B&B in Brooklyn? He wants to stay on Manhattan Island. Also, most B&B's don't accept children. Not only that, but the ones that do, aren't really set up well for them.

Lounging around a moderate hotel all day? And do what, watch TV or the guests check in? It's not a resort you know. I'm always amazed by what some people view as a good time!

Take a trip to the Cloisters on the northern tip of Manhattan. You can get to it by taking the subway, but once you get there, its almost like being in the countryside with the old fortlike museum and the park with the river rolling by. <BR><BR>

Hi xxx:<BR><BR>Uh oh, we may have a bit of a miscommunication. And that's probably my fault. When I said Battery Park was not that easy to get to, I was referring to Battery Park City (the Embassy Suites is over there). Used to be you could get off at the WTC subway stop and walk indoors the whole way across West St. Now, certainly, it's not quite as easy. <BR><BR>The Battery Park area, however, is easy to get to via subway, I agree. Maybe you still disagree with me about the Battery Park City area. <BR><BR>Regarding Brooklyn, I wasn't trying to steer them towards Brooklyn. I simply gave some info about an area he may not have thought about. I have no vested interest in John staying in any specific part of the city. And I never saw anywhere where John specifically said he wanted to stay in Manhattan. I was just mentioning another option. <BR><BR>You do bring up a good point regarding babies and B&Bs. :-) <BR><BR>I'm sorry if it sounded like I was trying to steer him the "wrong" way. I did also mention that the Upper West Side was nice :-)

I'm so envious. I'm leaving for NYC tomorrow (Manhattan) and only have 4 nights. Wish it were longer.<BR>AND<BR>Great rate at the Warwick...we booked the Warwick months ago and the best deal we could get was $220 for 2 nights and $260 the other two night. <BR>I just called them back to see if I could get a better rate, and they are full! <BR>Have fun!

Have you thought about spending time a bit "upstate" in the Hudson River Valley area? Rhinebeck, etc.? Do a word search here (Rhinebeck, Hudson River...) and you'll find lots of suggestions for day trips out of NY to fill in those 16 days. I think you can take the train as well. <BR><BR>If you are coming from Australia, I'm sure the first few days in NY will be spent relaxing and getting over jet lag... It really won't be that long, esp. if you can take some day trips here and there. Have fun.

John, hats off to you and your wife for planning an extended trip to NY. You will get to see many more sights and get a better feel for the City than a more casual visitor.<BR><BR>If you want to take day trips, I would suggest beautiful historical towns like Cold Spring, New York which is a very scenic route on the Hudson on Metro North. Here's a link for other day trips on this line:<BR>http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mnr<BR><BR>For the remaining 6 nights you might want to research hotels now so you'll have something else after the Warwick.<BR>Ask the hotels if they have a refrigerator in the room as that will be handy with a baby.<BR><BR>If you list specific interests you and your wife have, I'm sure we can all give you additional suggestions. Also once you're actually here, you'll have a better feel for what you want to see and do.<BR><BR>Have fun.<BR><BR><BR>

Consider a tour bus (assuming there is one) that would take you to West Point (U.S. Militray Academy). Beautiful location high up on the bluffs of the Hudson River.<BR>A nice day would be taking the train to Brighton Beach area of Brooklyn to take in some Russian culture in the U.S.<BR>Astoria in Queens, is a wonderful Greek community.

I second all the replies to visit Boston and/or Philadelphia by Amtrack. We traveled from New York to Philadelphia last spring from Penn Station and while my kids are much older - they loved the train. My youngest now wants to go cross country via Amtrack. It is a very comfortable and easy way to travel. Philadelphia is a great city - But we like Boston even better. Have a great trip!!

John:<BR><BR>G-day mate! You are spot on. 16 days should be just fine! Too many people rush around trying to see all the sites, and you wind up missing the real NYC. Its the people, coffee shops, delis, Bryant Park, Commuters comming thru Grand Central Station. I used to hate seeing tourist having a casual breakfast while I rush off to my job (jealousy!) Take the train to Boston for a few days, beautiful seaside town...but will be cold..brrrr<BR>Go to the Bronx Zoo and next door to the Botanical Gardens. They have a wonderful Christmas Display of trains and NYC Bldgs. made by a craftsman out of "stuff that falls off the trees"! After the zoo stop off at Arthur Avenue, also the Bronx, and have the best Itallian dinner of your life!<BR>Just a few thoughts..I think that will take up 16 days!<BR>JOHN<BR>

Thanks again to everyone responding - I think after considering all the options that a 3 day trip to Philadelphia from the 27th-30th should be enough of a "day-trip" out of NYC to ensure that we not only have enough time to enjoy everything that New York has to offer, but also allows us to see another city. We were tossing up between Boston and Phillie but thought that the shorter trip to Phillie (+ what seems to be a great rate at the Rittenhouse - $150 approx per night) and the ease of getting around with our baby tipped the scales in their favour. We are looking forward though to doing many of the things suggested by you all in NYC! It should be a great trip.

Good plan, John! The Rittenhouse is a very posh place, the rate you got is a very good deal. If you want to save a little money, you should take New Jersey Transit to Philly instead of Amtrak (Take NJ transit northeast corridor to Trenton and then switch to SEPTA local to Philly). It takes 2-1/2 hrs as opposed to 1-1/2 hours on Amtrak, but it's $30 per person roundtrip vs. $100.