New York with kids and teens
 

Thanks to the many people that gave us tips and advice, our 8 day trip to NYC with our five kids went smoothly and we had a great time. Thanks to all that helped us plan our days. Your advice was right on.
Transportation around NYC - it was suggested here that we buy the 7day unlimited metro card for eveyone in our family so we did. This is the way to go! The first two days were very frustrating trying to learn the "subway system". My husband and son finally sat down together and studied it out and things went better (but we did make a few errors and had to turn around). The Hop Stop App was helpful to a point but we all agree that having the large subway map and a compass is necessary too. Also, a map of the bus routes because you need to use a combination of both to get the best route possible most of the time. Also, we asked a lot of people for help and everyone was very nice, friendly and willing to help.
We grouped activities for the day in the same general area and were able to do all that we wanted to do.
Here are the things we did:
Central Park - beautiful. Didn't spend a lot of time here because it was hot. We walked through it to get from the American Mus. of Natural History to the MET but did stop and let our kids play on those large rocks.
MET - I thought it was excellent and loved it. My kids did liked it but I couldn't push then to spend hours there. We did certain sections recommended for kids.
American Museum of Natural History - My husband took our boys and they were all disappointed in it. It didn't meet their expections.
Ballet (Giselle) at the Opera House (with girls)- wonderful! We loved it!
Carlos Bakery - Got there by 8:30AM and walked right in the door. I was shocked because all I have read was about the horrible lines. Mary, the sister, came out and my girls were thrilled. We took a picture with her and she signed the t-shirts we bought. The pastries were very good. My youngest child can't stop talking about this. She is a big fan!
Greenwich Village Food Tasting and Cultural Tour with www.foodsofny.com - Loved it! It was 3 hours long and my kids didn't complain one time. Our guide, Sephara (probably spelled wrong) had the best personality ( funny, interesting, and engaging) We learn a lot and loved the food and neighborhood. I highly recommend this.
Mets game - My husband took our boys and they enjoyed it so much that he bought tickets for our last night there and took all of our kids. Citi Field was amazing. It was about the whole experience for them, not just the game.
Top of the Rock - No lines, great views. We went in the evening but didn't wait to see the sunset. Many were waiting to see it. I am sure it was amazing.
Empire State Building - We also did this but at night. It was a very different experience to see the city at night. I liked the night view better but I like Top of the Rock better. I did like the history behind the Empire State and my son is very much into architecture, so it was very interesting to him. I didn't like the lines! We went at 10:15 PM thinking the lines would be gone. You get tricked. There are 3 different lines and they wrap around things. It took a while but it was worth it. I wouldn't go with young kids. I wouldn't go tired or hungry. It takes a while and they are very aggressive outside, trying to sell you upgrades and the movie ride. They would probably not be honest with you about the wait time if you asked.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - I think that Ellis Island is a must see. We did the movie there, "Land of Hope, Land of Tears". I wouldn't miss it. We also did the 25 min. play they had for $6 a person. We also got the audio tour and we all did the kids' version, which was very good and a bit shorter than the adult version. We loved it and my kids will never forget what they saw and learned. We had tickets that we bought in advance for 9:00 but were there in line at 8:30 and went right through security. Plan on about 4 to 6 hours in all to do all of it but it is very much worth it. Go early.
China Town - Ate at Golden Unicorn (dim sum) and my kids have not stop talking about it. It was an experience for all of us, the lunch prices were great and it was a unique meal. We then had icecream at the Ice Cream Factory. It was good but overpriced.
Brighton Beach and Coney Island - We ate at Cafe Glechik (Russian Cafe) in Brigthon Beach and it was probably the best meal I had the whole trip. The prices were low, the portions large and we all loved what we ordered. We then headed to Luna Park. My kids love rides so we let them get the unlimited ride band and they rode for about 3 hours. We had the whole place to ourselves because it was a weekday I guess. The beach was pretty but we only looked at it, didn't swim. Seeing Brooklyn and other parts of NYC was interesting for all of us.
Today Show - I am a huge fan. Got to meet Meredith and Ann on the Plaza and took pictures. It was a Wednesday so we were on the "Who Knew" game done by Kathy Lee and Hoda but we didn't get our question right so we got Kathy's CD (this was fun for all of us!). To get on the game, go to the NBC cafe above the NBC store right at the corner before 9:00 if you can and there will be someone there to sign up with.
9/11 Tribute Center and walking tour - I highly recommend this. You can't prebook a tour but you can sign up for the tour when you get there. You can then spend time seeing the small museum while you wait for your tour. The man who lead our tour lost his wife that day. He was inspiring and it was very well done. I learned a lot.
Broadway Shows:
Lion King - My girls and I loved it! My husband said it was okay.
Wicked - My husband took our girls (ages 10 - 14) and they all loved it. They had partial view seats and they were fine.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - (all of us went) My 2 boys, ages 17 and 13 shocked me. They absolutely loved it (only show they saw). It went a little over my 10 and 12 year old heads but they loved the singing and dancing. My husband and I loved it. We bought these tickets at the TKTS booth in Brooklyn the day before, for the matinee, on the way back from Coney Island. No lines, right as you exit the subway. They were 40% off and we got 7 tickets in a row. You can only buy matinee tickets for the day before at a TKTS in Brooklyn or Seaport, not Times Square. In Time Square, you can only buy them the day of.

If you have questions, I would ask on this board. I was able to learn so much beforehand from everyone here. Thanks!

I forgot to mention one other thing we did. In my opinion, this is a must see and a tour we will never forget. It is the Tenement Museum in the Lower East side. We did the Confino tour, which is only offered on the weekend and it is the only interactive tour. My boys weren't too sure they would like it and we all did. You can read more about it online but the description doesn't tell the whole story. It was excellent. The entire program and staff at the Tenement Museum impressed us.
This museum is close to Economy Candy and Katz deli, so we spent half a day in this area on the Lower East side.

WorldGallery,

Sounds like you had a great trip!

Where did you stay? Did your accommodations work well for your family?

Sounds like all your planning really worked well. Thanks so much for posting back.

Glad you had a great trip. What you said about the ESB is why people here recommend just doing the TOTR...

Im going to the Mets game tomorrow as I really like Citi Field.

NYC with 5 children - I'm in awe :)

Great to read your report - you did so many interesting things. Aren't you glad you took the time to "do" Ellis Island?

So glad you did end up going to the Tenement Museum. We were impressed also. Happy to hear your children all liked it.

I know what you mean about the HopStop app! Another good app I found (on our last day) is NextStop. It actually shows you the train lines and where they stop - and don't stop ;) And lets you know when the next train is arriving!

Thanks for the great report.

Glad you had a good time.

ellenem - Yes, the Affinia Dumont was perfect for us. We only had one bathroom for the 7 of us but there are two mirrors in the bathroom so my girls could all get ready together. Plus, there is another 2 mirrors in the living area. Plus there is the kitchen so I had my boys brush their teeth in the kitchen sink. All worked well! Also, the AFfinia Dumont has a health club, which is rare in NYC hotels from what I am told. My 17 year old son was so excited. He works out everyday and didn't want to miss working out for 9 days. Also, location was good. Staff there were very friendly and nice.
lantana - Yes, I am glad we "did" Ellis Island the way we did. We did everything it had to offer and I can't recommend this enough to families. It is an education that can't be found in any history book or school. My kids enjoyed it and it had a huge impact on them. Also, for $5, you can go to the information area and sign up to look for your families' names that came through Ellis Island. They give you a card and send you a link that you can continue to use at home. There are computers and people there to help you. I couldn't find any of our family members but I didn't look hard enough because my kids were with me but plan to at home. If anyone plans to do this, have the approx. year they came, the country and the spellings of their names. You can then get a copy of the boat manifest and a picture of the boat they came in on.
Also, for large families with kids, just have a plan of how you will walk everywhere and stick to it. For example, we always did it this way: My husband and two younger girls in front holding his hand. My 14 year old daughter and me behind him holding hands. My 13 year old son behind me and my 17 year old son last. My oldest son had to stay last and make sure we all stayed in line. We were able to walk very fast if necessary, cross streets quickly and get on the subway without losing anyone. Practice it before you leave if you have a large group!

Glad you guys had fun!

Great report! Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Makes me want to go back...

Fabulous ! All that research paid off. And that walking advice was excellent. You could keep track AND other people on the street could get around you. I am sure that countless unnamed New Yorkers on the streets you walked appreciated your plan as well even if they had no idea that you were walking that way.

Send your plan to all folks with big families who are planning to visit.

Thanks for your report. Am heading over in three weeks time with my 3 kids and your report will def help me! My 11 year old girl is mad to go to Carlos bakery. Can you let me know how yous got there?

aoibhin - That is the way my girls felt so we made sure to include it in our plans. We took the PATH train, which was very easy. We could walk to the PATH station from our hotel in midtown. We had to pay because the 7 day unlimited card doesnt work since it is NJ transit but it was cheap.
From all of the research I have done on Carlos bakery, the best time is as early as possible before 9:00 but even earlier if you can. I think it opens at 7:00. I couldn't believe that there was no line and only about 15 to 20 people inside. We were able to hang out in the bakery instead of being rushed through. Since we were able to hang out, we waited around to see if a sister would come out, and she did. Also, you may want to bring a Sharpie pen. We bought the white t-shirts and when Mary came out, we were able to hand her the pen and she signed the shirts. My kids love these shirts!
Also, you can walk to the river and eat what you bought. There are benches and shade and you can see the NY skyline.

Great thanks a mill for that will def go there. Also wasn't sure whetever to go to Tenement Museum but after what you said about it will def do that also. Am so excited now ....worse than kids!!!

I know what you mean. I was more excited than my kids. This was probably the best trip we have ever taken. We loved it. I hope to go back in a few years but go around the holidays next time to see a different side of NYC.
For the Tenement Museum, get your tickets online in advance. Since the Confino tour is only on weekends, they say it usually is sold out the day of. Also, my kids loved eating at Katz. We did this on a Sunday morning before the Tenement Museum and it wasn't crowded at all. They loved the sausage and pancakes. My husband and I loved the sandwiches (served all day, even for breakfast). Economony Candy was fun too, right around the corner. There was candy there that I hadn't since childhood and was able to show my kids all the candy we use to eat as kids.