andyfamily

We, 10&12 yr old kids+parents are traveling from AZ to NYC arriving on 4/03/04, really need to see Hairspray!!!! My daughter loves acting, is it too late to get tickets?

Also, really want to stay in the Times Square Area, what hotel do you suggest if we want to see the lights out of our hotel at night?

Our plans for our three day stay are:
Ellis Island
Statue of Liberty( should we get out on the island}
Empire State Building
Ground Zero
Seaport
Brooklyn Bridge
Central Park
Hairspray, the play
Wall Street


Need help on hotels, restaurants, transportation for "tween"kids !!!!Help.

Patrick

There have been some tickets for Hairspray listed on EBay, check it out. But don't go for those $5 or $10 deals which are coupons for getting discounts on non-existing tickets!

Perhaps the best hotel in Times Square for the views is the Marriott Marquis.

djkbooks

If you REALLY "have to have" Hairspray tickets, your best bet now is to check first with the concierge where you are staying, once you've booked your room(s) Then, try E-Bay. Others may offer other recommendations, such as trying for "rush" tickets, but you are not likely to get that lucky, and you haven't mentioned how many days you plan to stay and can endeavor to acquire those tickets.

For your daughter who "loves acting" there are lots of other fabulous possibilities, with not so difficult to acquire seats at this late date. But, would recommend that you shop shows and tickets forthwith, or study up and take your chances at the TKTS booth. Have you considered 42nd Street, or Millie? Even Gypsy, Boy from Oz, etc., assuming a "musical" is the most desirable?

As for a hotel, for the "lights out of our hotel at night", shop Millenium Broadway, Marriott Marquis, Renaissance Times Square Hilton Times Square... If you're lucky, all the "view" rooms aren't booked up yet.

And, with regard to "should we get out on the island" - well, only if you want to stand there and look up for a while.

As for transportation, restaurants, recommend you visit your local bookstore right this minute and get yourself a really good guide book, OR, search the web for help with your (way late) planning.

Margie

For restaurants that the kids will like try John's Pizzeria at 260 West 44th Street, Virgil's BBQ, any of the Cosi sandwich shops offer a variety of sandwiches and salads for lunch without breaking the bank.

If you haven't made your hotel reservations you should do so as soon as possible. Try looking at quikbook.com and see if any of djkbooks suggestion are listed.

Also, pick up a guide book and a good street map. I use Eyewitness Manhattan and the "Streetwise Manhattan" maps, but other options can work just as well.

HowardR

You haven't said whether you've tried Ticketmaster (800-755-4000). I'd certainly start there ....and do it right now.
There's also a lottery for a limited number of $25 tickets three hours before each performance. But, of course, there's no guarantee on getting tickets.

MFNYC

That's Easter break so a tougher time to get tickets, especially last minute. There are ticket brokers out there. I've never used them becasue I would never pay more than the face value, but that is one way to get tickets. I believe tickets through the concierge would be thru a ticket broker. I think Ebay is probably your best bet. If it doesn't work out, I'm sure you coulg get tickets to many of the other shows mentioned here. Also consider Fiddler, Little Shop of Horrors and Phantom. Lion King and Wicked would probably also be tough tickets. Good luck.

krmrn

We are going 4/15 and tried two months ago for Hairspray tickets and weren't able to get seats. Bought them on Ebay. Try Ebay or Ticket broker.
And yes there are lots of other good plays. Don't miss John's Pizza.
Karen

krmrn

I forgot we stayed last summer at the Westin in Times Square. It was great. The kids loved it and close to everything and subway.
Karen
We had two connecting rooms.