Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Trip Report Multi Generation NYC Trip was a big hit!

Thank you Fodorites for your help in making our "4 Generations Girls Trip" to NYC a big success. From the kind posters who gave me ideas for restaurants to the other trip reports that I read - your postings were of great help. I was excited but nervous to plan a trip to my favorite city that would include my Mother & Sister as well as my daughter in law and my 6 year old granddaughter. They kept saying "oh plan whatever you think is best - we know that you are the expert on NY so it will be great". Well, what I really am is an expert on what I want to do and see, with a continuous goal of trying to pretend I live there! But it turned out so well that my granddaughter cried getting on the plane because she didn't want to leave (thereby winning my heart forever...)!

So quickly - 4 nights coming from Arizona & Atlanta, beginning with a quick pick up by Carmel Car Service at LGA. We stayed in a one bedroom suite at the Beacon on Broadway and 74th. I love the UWS because it is quiet and residential, close to the subway and Central Park. I loved the Beacon - VERY nice staff, clean, nice beds, comfy couch for me, and best of all - the Viand Cafe right next door. We ate breakfast there 3 out of 4 days and stopped for dessert twice. Though my granddaughter did very well traveling all over the place it was really a good idea to eat right away at this neighborhood diner before heading out for the day.

Sightseeing was not unusual - though with all my trips to the city I had never been to Top of the Rock and it was by reading about it here that I decided this would be our first stop. Quick line, GREAT views - really enjoyed seeing the Empire State Building from high up. Otherwise we did the Staten Island Ferry, Chinatown for lunch and souvenir shopping (my granddaughter loved it), Central Park, Tenement Museum and lots of walking, strolling and sometimes skipping around town. We also saw Book of Mormon (adults only) and Lion King. What can I say that hasn't already been written about both of these - suffice to say they were a highlight.

Food is something I'm very picky about. I didn't want to feel uncomfortable taking a young child to a too-fancy place, but I do want good food. We had dinner at Da Andrea (neighborhood Italian, West Village), Le Marseille (theatre district before our shows), Otto (Village again, Mario Batali's Pizza joint), and Dos Caminos (just my sister and me). They all allowed my granddaughter to share our meals, food was very good and service was beyond friendly - we were given a complimentary dessert or glass of dessert wine at 3 of the 4 dinners! Thank you also to those who suggested New York Noodletown in Chinatown - ate there for lunch and at $25 for the 5 of us we had so much food we took a lot home.

Finally, a big shout out to the residents of New York - in the first 1/2 hour we were asked twice by those passing by if we needed help, did we know where we were going. My sister had someone direct her after hearing her talking on her cellphone, telling me she wasn't sure where she was. I pretty well couldn't open my map without someone offering their assistance. Our doorman at the Beacon, Clemont at Le Marseille, our waiters at Da Andrea & Dos Caminos - SO friendly, taking their time to ask about us, about our trip, making suggestions - they really made us feel welcome. The trip was everything I'd hoped for and as always, I can't wait to go back!