I'm planning a trip to NYC with the fams, myself, hubby and 2 boys 4 and 5. Any suggestions on where to stay? Also, I hear there are puppet shows in Central Park for the kids, where can I get info? Thanks,

For starters you need to let us know if you want to spend $150 or $500 a night.

Puppets? Here's a site you need to look at which will give that informtion plus a lot more kids' stuff.

http://tinyurl.com/pkpka

I am willing to spend $200 a night. Def not $500. Will be there for the weekend. Would need one room with 2 doubles. I would prefer a "kid friendly" place meaning good healthy bfast offering and somewhere where the kids won't get lost as soon as we walk out of the hotel.

Thanks for the puppets link, will look into it.

Also, any suggestions on kid friendly eats?

Look at that same link and click restaurants. As I mentioned there's a lot of stuff there, not just puppets.

Prices fluctuate dramatically based on dates. What's $200 one weekend can be $350 another. In general, the all suite hotels are good space for families with kids but may be over your budget. The Salisbury is a popular suite hotel. nycsalisbury.com as is Radio City Apartments radiocityapartments.com

Travelzoo.com often has specials listed, but usually only 1-3 months before travel dates. Right now their specials are for boutique hotels with very small rooms that wouldn't be appropriate for you.

The Affinia hotels are all suite and family friendly but usually more than $200.

Try calling the Edison Hotel, they have a "combo room" with 2 twins in 1 room and a queen bed in the other. If you call direct you will get a better rate than on their website. If you have a AAA membership be sure to mention it. Phone number is 212-840-5000

I took a 6 and an 8 year old to John's Pizza on West 44th street, and the menu was fine for them (and nice choices for adults too). Here's the website: http://www.johnspizzerianyc.com

NYC hotels for the most part don't offer breakfast with room because you can purchase breakfast so cheaply.

What time of year? As mclaurie stated the room rates can flucuate wildly.

The Salisbury has a $3 breakfast. Another suite hotel that I think does include breakfast is the Best Western Hospitality.

A lot of the hotels on www.applecorehotels.com include a continental breakfast with milk, juice, cereal, and fruit.