My friend and I are taking our two older children 8 and 6 to N.Y.C. in July. Are there any hotels that are kid friendly? We are especially interested in a room with separate sleeping areas - (i.e. a pullout sofa and a separate bedroom, or a suite area). We are also interested in a pool. Has anyone ever stayed at the Doubletree Suites? What is that like? Also, is there any chance that we can get Lion King tickets at this point? Do the hotels sell them, or are we crazy to think we can get them now?

Stayed at the Doubletree last year. Very nice hotel. All suites so good for family. Ideally located right in Times Square. Got the best rate going thru a reservation service Express Hotel Reservations @ 800-356-1123. Got a rate thru them at almost $l00. cheaper per night than direct from the hotel. Might be worth giving them a call. I just got tickets for "The Lion King". Soonest we could get was March 27th next year! Saw "Beauty and the Beast" this year. It was great. The kids would love it too. Times Square has the TKTS Booth. They sell half price tickets for performances that day. Worth checking out if you are flexible about what you see. Opens at l0:00 am for matinees. Sometime in the afternoon for evening shows. Enjoy your stay.

Only way to get "Lion.." tics now is from scalpers. I heard they were going for over $1000 per tic. Kids 6 & 8 would enjoy "Beauty.." more. Its much more like the books and movie than "Lion". Its also very entertaining for moms as well. I suggest that you check out your local library or book store for some guidebooks specifically for touring children in NY. I fear that 6 & 8 are really young for most of the city. Lots of hussle bussle, lots of adult theater, lots of shopping, lots of restaurants, lots of museums, not many are kid friendly. Try Children's Museum of Manhattan, The Children's Zoo in Central Park, or Children's Zoo @ The Bronx Zoo. Chinatown might entertain them. Do plan carefully.

Thanks for your help. We appreciate all your suggestions and will use them to plan the trip. Thanks again.

I know you will find a kid friendly hotel in NYC. Even the Plaza (where we stayed) is kid friendly. But even 6 and 8 yr olds will enjoy the Statue of Liberty, Twin Towers and the Empire State Bldg! Let them watch Home Alone part 2 before you go and they'll get an idea of some of it all! Don't forget Central Park, Rockefeller Ctr, FAO Schwartz, too!