pattik21

We wiil go the week of July 1st. I need help with: 1. Hotel Decision. I narrowed down to Omni Berkshire for location and newly renovated rooms, nice lobby to gather; Le Meridien for location and pool which is key but not sure if rooms are up to par and lobby doesn't appeal to me; and last, the Lowes Regency for kid friendliness, location, but heard rooms are "tired" (are they?) and noisy construction nearby. 2. Broadway Show decision for 10 year old boys who haven't seen a play and aren't overly excited to go to one. My husband and I love Phanthom & the boys like the music but is it too "dark" for 10 year old? Is lion king too young? Thoughts on spiderman? 3. Must see sites/itinerary for very active, courious, athletic boys? Thanks in advance for leads!

SueNYC

Peter and the Star Catchers, the Intrepid, and Museum of Natural History!

tuscanlifeedit

If the boys aren't excited about a play, is it the best thing to take them to?

I just posted a report that mentions The Kimberly Hotel. Not much of a lobby but fantastic family rooms with amazing balconies. These bigger rooms are really nice and have very nice kitchen corners. Great location.

I also mentioned the Central Park Zoo. I would look into to a bunch of locations in Central Park for active boys.

Athletes? What about ESPN Zone?

It looks like there are fantastic things to do at Chelsea Piers:
http://www.chelseapiers.com/

Gretchen

I think Phantom will be boring for them. Lion King should be fun.
Twins==twice the fun!!

sf7307

There is no longer an ESPN zone in Manhattan (or apparently anywhere else other than Anaheim and Los Angeles).

tuscanlifeedit

Hmph, I didn't know that. Of course, I wouldn't have gone there, but I read about it right here on Fodors. Who knows how long ago...

sf7307

We walked by last week -- I can't remember what it is now.

nytraveler

Museum of Natural History - all kids love it - and it's the 2nd grade class trip for NYC kids'
Intrepid museum - Space shuttle should be there by then
Central Park ( and small zoo) and chance to run around. use playground, row on the lake etc
Staten Island ferry (free) across the harbor and back - views of SoL and skyline on way back - esp dramatic at dusk/dark
Top of the Rock for views from aloft - again dusk is good to see daylight and lit up city
I would also consider the Met - my brother when younger than them loved the Egyptian section (he wanted his own mummy) and arms & armor

You might want to consider the Best or one of the other jet boats - I think Circle Line would be too slow

I think they wold be bored stiff by Phantom - would check out off-b'way "non shows" designed more for kids. (I loved bway shows at that age - but girls often mature faster and have longer attention spans earlier)

HappyTrvlr

They'll like Spiderman.

starrs

Spiderman
Intrepid
Chelsea Piers
Top of the Rock - to let them see where they've been = after you've walked their socks off

Bowsprit

The space shuttle is at the Intrepid now, right? I thought I just saw that on CNN. I could be wrong.

Take at look at the Hotel Beacon. They have one bedroom suites with kitchenettes and the location is great: it's near a 'reliable' but unremarkable family restaurant, it's mere blocks from the Natural History museum, it's across the street from a local market, and it's within a few short blocks of Shake Shack, Central Park and subway lines.

I bet your boys would enjoy Fuerza Bruta. Here's the link:

http://fuerzabrutanyc.com/wordpress/

Or maybe they'd like Blue Man Group:
http://www.blueman.com/#tickets/new-york/

They might enjoy a Duck Boat Tour:
http://www.ridetheducktours.com/new-york.html

or a ride on the Beast: http://www.viator.com/tours/New-York...e/d687-2800BSR

A lot of kids really love the Metropolitan Museum too. The Temple of Dendur is truly an unbelievably impressive exhibit and the rest of Egyptian exhibit is world class, of course.

http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections...ions/100004628

If you go to The Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Plaza, stop in at Nintendo World:

http://www.nintendoworldstore.com/

You'll find the Lego store there too.

http://stores.lego.com/en-us/New%20Y...ndingPage.aspx

starrs

Spiderman discounts through the summer via the Playbill Club. Just got the email. Join to get the discount code.

Bowsprit

Here's the link to find information about the Space Shuttle now at the Intrepid Museum:


http://www.space.com/16028-space-shu...yc-museum.html

nytraveler

The Space Shuttle is in NYC - don't know if it's actually on the Intrepid yet or what the date will be - but it's soon.

Bowsprit

The above link gives all the information, nytraveler. Seems that the Shuttle is in place!

msteacher

As for hotels, most 10 year olds will not care how nice hte room or lobby is. They will, however, really care about a pool or other recreational opportunities. I've never stayed at any of the hotels you mention, but it seems like location and pool (rare in NYC) or park access should be your top priorities in selecting a hotel.

HappyTrvlr

Blue Man Group if they haven't seen it in addition to Spiderman. They'll love both shows.

skatedancer

when my kids were that age, their favorite thing in NY was to climb on the rocks in Central Park!

There are these really big rocks in the lower third of the park that kids scramble all over.

Bowsprit

Those rocks rock!

nytraveler

Yes - just watch out for the big squirrels - the ones with the skinny tails aren;t really friendly.