Planning an October weekend visit and would love to get any hotel,dining,show
museum and transportation suggestions I could get.

On the Upper West Side, around 70th St., check out the Museum of Natural History. Kids in that age group generally love the newish Hayden/Rose Planetarium, and you can visit their website and get tickets in advance for the space show so you don't need to worry about lines.

Hi Laura,
When my sons were 11 & 13 we spent a long week-end in NYC. We stayed at the Sheraton Manhattan. Excellent location, we were able to walk and/or take the subway everywhere. This Sheraton has an indoor swimming pool, which was very hard to find in NYC. There was a free continental b'fast & late afternoon appetizer hour. Nice place.
Don't miss the Museum of Natural History!! My sons still refer to what they saw there. They each had a 24 exp. camera with them while at the museum, and both used all their pictures. We got to the museum around noon, and stayed until they closed. Great dinosaurs!
We also took the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. If you do this, make sure you are out first thing in the a.m. or you will not have time to get to the top. The lines were very long here!
We also went to the Barnum & Bailey circus at Madison Square Garden. This was great fun.
We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. Fun, good place for families.
Walking with them to Times Square in the evening hours was exciting with all the lights. We're small town folk, so the kids especially loved just the big city feel.
Purchase a NYC guidebook, it will be so helpful. Have a great time! Tricia

I, too, will urge you to take them to the planetarium show at the American Museum of Natural History. In addition, there's a lot more for them to see and enjoy at this magnificent museum.

By the way, the Excelsior Hotel is across the street from the Museum of Natural History. And, the Lucerne is nearby. Both are in the Upper West Side neighborhood area and have had good reviews here. Decent prices; some kitchen facilities in one of them, I believe. Near the Metro & a metrocard should help you out. And, near Central Park which is terrific for wandering. Across Central Park from that location is the Metropolitan Museum. Check out www.quikbook.com for some hotel deals. Also, the Gorham Hotel. http://www.gorhamhotel.com
Have fun.

Sony has some an interactive place called the Sony Wonder Technology Lab at 550 Madison Ave that my boys loved.

Sorry for the poor typing in previous post. I also forgot to mention that my kids (13 an 15yrs) really loved the Broadway show that we saw (Music Man - which may not be on Broadway anymore, I'm not sure). If you haven't seen Phantom, definitely go see that.

Hi Laura,

Depending on where you are from, this may or may not be a thrill. We are from Florida and my kids loved ice skating outdoors at Rockefeller Center. Not sure when the rink begins, but I think it is in the beginning of October. Also recommend tickets to the theatre. We have stayed at the Marriot Marquis on Broadway, good location for Times Square. There is a theatre downstairs as well. Buy the Sunday edition of The New York Times and you'll get a lot of info. Good luck and have fun in the Big Apple!

When we were there last year we toured a de-commissioned aircraft carrier. Not sure if it's still docked there. It was very interresting with lots of airplaces and helicopter to look at on deck. There was also a submarine next to it that you could also tour.

when your kids need to burn off some energy try espn zone..there's an arcade upstairs..very kid oriented with rock climbing wall,soccer,basketball, as well as big video games..second suggestion ( i hated it but the kids loved it) would be theme restaurant mars 2112.

Laura: Just took my girls to see a great off-Broadway show, The Prince and The Pauper. Got the suggestion from this board. Joined playbill.com and got the tickets for $40 each. The Lambs Theatre was a beautiful old theatre, really not a bad seat in the house and we all enjoyed the show. Don't miss it!
Right down the block was the new Toys R Us with a very large ferris wheel right in the middle of the store. The Central Park Zoo was also something we all enjoyed. I could go on and on....hope this helps.