Hello

We have two children 6 and 3 that we would like to take to NYC for a long weekend. Our hotel budget would be $175 night maximum.

Possible activities that we are interested in would be:

Childrens Museum of Manhattan
Bronx Zoo
Statue of Liberty
Toys R Us

Your help in suggesting hotels that would meet our budget, safe area and within walking distance to some of our activities would be appreciated.

Thank you.

The Travel Inn on W42nd St just west of Times Square would fit the bill. They also have free parking for guests and there is an outdoor pool, which your kids might like.

Manhattan is quite big so you are going to be using public transit, and it is walkable from the Travel Inn.

Other choices for hotels would be priceling and www.hotels.com to check for rates for other hotels.

ToyRUS would be walkable from the hotel.

The Bronx Zoo has a website for information and directions. I remember taking the #5 train, but I think there are a couple of other trains to take so check the website for the one closest to you, wherever you end up staying.

You also might put the Central Park Carousel on your list, it's also a fun day to spend some time in the park.

Have a wonderful time while you are here.

I don't recommend the Travel Inn since it is not near anything and with small kids, a walk to Times Square. It is more industrial than tourist orientated. A better location, in my opinion (ave. 4 trips/year) is the Days Inn, Hojo on 8th or Super 8 on 46th and 6th, each 1 long block to Times Square. Both are in busy areas with nearby resturants, good subway access, which the Travel Inn does not.

If all you have is a long weekend you might consider skipping the Bronx Zoo (despite the fact that I have very fond memories of visiting it as a child). The Central Park Zoo is charming, and you can combine the trip with the Carousel and Balto statue.

Unless you are staying near Toys R Us, it really is just a big Toys R us with a carousel inside. You pay for timed tickets to ride the carousel.

Statue of Liberty will be big fun for your kids. A night time trip to the Empire State building would be fun, too.

The Whale and dinosaurs in the Museum of Natural History are sure winners, too.

Have fun.

The 4 things you've mentioned are in 4 totally different areas BUT they're all accessible on the 1,2 or 3 subway trains. Have a look at the Beacon Hotel on the upper west side. It would be in walking distance of the children's museum (and the Museum of Natural History) and near the train lines for the other stops.

Staying in the Times Square area would accomplish the same thing, walking distance to Toys R Us and train to the others. The Belvedere hotel might fit your budget or the Comfort Inn Midtown.

Not sure when you are going, but if you e-mail (or call) the Edison directly they have a room with 2 double beds for $160 (plus tax) I know this rate is good for June. Ask for a AAA discount - it's not listed on the web, you must request it. Not fancy, but a clean basic hotel.

Here's another huge recommendation for the Travel Inn, especially if you are driving (parking is free). This hotel is very well maintained with new decor in the rooms. The pool area is beautiful and also meticulously maintained. Though it is several long blocks from Times Square, there is a bus stop in both directions nearby. Or, for the savings, you could just taxi everywhere.

You may also want to consider renting an apartment. I found a site on Craigslist that fits your bill:
www.bnbny.com
BUT, before you book anything, make sure you see multiple pictures, and ask if the building has a doorman (if this is something you want). These can be great deals if you know what to look for, and fodorites can help if you check it out on the board first.

Another place you might look into is the Murray Hill East suites hotel. We stayed there last July for $135 per night. These are converted apartments -- we had a good-sized livingroom and bedroom, and a full kitchen. It's not fancy, and hte location isn't great but with the savings you couldpay for a few cabs, and with little kids having two separate rooms is great.

Um, by "location isn't great" I meant that it's not convenient to your major destinations (which, as pointed out, are in different directions anyway). The neighborhood is a nice residential area.

ttt for isabellasmom - is this what you are looking for?

When we went two years ago, our family of four (kids just shy of 14 and almost 18) stayed at the Super 8 Times Square. I know rates have gone up. But, at that time, we paid $89 a night, senior rate (my husband and I had turned 50 a few months before). We paid $20 per 24 hours for storage parking across the street.

We were very happy with the Super 8. The location was great. And they serve a nice continental breakfast. The room was comfortable for the four of us. And, let's face it, you're not gonna spend much time in the room anyway.