Embassy Suites has a great weekend deal on a 2-room suite ($139/night, w/breakfast; kids free), but it's way downtown, near the WTC, I think. Anyone have any thoughts about how this area would be for a family trip on a Spring weekend? We had been thinking of a hotel in the theater district, but one of the shows we were looking at is Stomp, which is at a downtown theater (2nd Ave between 7th and 8th).
Is is reasonably safe walking around downtown at night on the weekend? Are the subway connections back from Times Square ok on weekend nights? (We want to show the kids Times Square at night... and we want to see it again ourselves!) I guess we could do a cab instead....
We've been very midtown-oriented the couple of previous times we've been to NYC. What are some good family activities downtown? (We have two boys, 11 and 15.)

The hotel is located close to the World Financial Center and the World Trade Center. It is near the tip of Manhattan and is located in a very high rent area.
Can walk around that part of town morning, noon and night. There are plenty of restaurants in the area and a nice place to walk along the Hudson River. There are usually free activities going on in the area during the summer and they may well have some activities during the Spring. You could walk to the ferry that goes to the Statue of Liberty if that is in your plans. There is a minor down side. No subway transportation nearby.
To get to the subway you have to cross West Street (extension of WEst Side Highway - Once across West Street you have to walk a few blocks to get to the subway that will take you to Times Square. They do have bus service in the area and I am reasonably certain there is a bus that would take you to the subway.
I am not a proponent of taxi use and almost always suggest the subway to use in getting around. In this instance I think you would be better off using a taxi. A taxi to Times Square would run something like $15 including a tip. Subway for four would cost $6. Without a major traffic delay the trip, by taxi, cn take less than 20 minutes. You might consider the subway going but a taxi returning might be a better idea.

We've been looking at that deal ourselves...our daughter lives on Staten Island and we'll leave the car at her place, ferry over to the city (for free) and stay near the WTC. One of my very favorite things to do is go up to the top of the WTC on a gorgeous Spring/Summer evening around 5-6PM and watch rush hour from WAY above. You can even go outside and see where the Wallenda's did a tight-rope walk from one tower to the other...Think the kids will dig it?

I've never stayed downtown, but I really like staying in the Times Square area. I would suggest you look into Doubletree Suites - it's right in the middle of the action. A Spring night, after you come out of the theater, hanging out in Times Square - it's is a great experience that you can't find anyplace else in the world.

This is a great area. Don't forget, you'll be right by Battery Park and the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You'll also be a short walk away from South Street Seaport, a touristy area with some museums, lots of shopping and an old trade ship called the Peking that you can visit. If you visit Pier 17 at South Street Seaport, there are great views of the traffic at the mouth of the East River and New York Harbor.

To get to Times Square from WTC, take the E from the WTC to Port Authority a block from Times Square, or the R at Rector Street straight to Times Square. The subways will probably run a bit slow and you may want to take a cab instead if you can find one (might be hard around Times Square.) Enjoy your trip!