NYC Short Trip Report
 

Just a short synopsis of our trip to New York City to celebrate my daughter's college graduation. She's not graduating until June but somehow she wants to go to Hawaii with her boyfriend at that time!

Our nonstop flight on American arrived on time and we ventured out on public transportation. We took the air train to the subway and we arrived in midtown with ease and without incident ($5.00 for the air train and $2.00 for the subway). By the way, on our return trip to the airport, we were given free air train passes in celebration of their first (I think) year anniversary. This made our total transportation cost for the entire trip $16.00!

We stayed in efficiency at Radio City Apartments. This met are needs perfectly. From the comments on the apartments, I'm guessing we had a remodeled room. Yes, the drapes matched the bedspreads (I read this comment earlier). The plusses: very comfortable beds, good water pressure, refrigerator and microwave, coffeepot and LOCATION.

We walked everywhere. Not once did we take any form of transportation other than to and from the airport.

We checked into our hotel around 6PM and were seated at the theater to see Chicago for the 8PM performance. This was to be a theater trip and we did pack it in. Chicago Monday evening, Radio City Spectacular Tuesday afternoon, Rent Tuesday evening, The Producers Wednesday matinee, Phantom Wednesday evening (my daughter's addiction), and the grand finale….Wicked Thursday evening.

Between engagements we managed to get in the Good Morning America Show and lots of Christmas shopping. We are not foodies so no formal dinners. We did do Serendipity (for fun) but most of the time it was quick take-outs or bites from the vendors.

Highlights: First, being with my daughter…….she's an absolute delight. Others: The location of the hotel (I did look at a remodeled one bedroom and would stay in one next time…unless of course it was not a busy holiday season and I felt Priceline would be a better route to go). Transportation….no more taxis unless we had excess baggage. And, Wicked……just an amazing performance.

Sounds like a lot of fun. You're my type of theatre people!!! But ALL musicals?

Sounds like fun.

If you did not have a one bedroom, what did you have? A studio? What were the minuses if any? (You said the plusses).

I would like to hear more about the apartments. I saw them when I was in NYC last week and the location was great!

Your trips sounded like mine last week: Radio City Spectacular plus several musicals! Loved it.

Loved your report - you did so much! Congratulations to your daughter on her achievement!

Trav

What wonderful memories for you and your daughter.

Where are you from?

I am also interested in hearing a bit more about the effiency you stayed in. Is that one big room?

Your comments on public transportation will be very helpful to those who are really looking to save the $$$'s.

Thanks for sharing.

Sandy

First of all, I was not a math major...that was $18.00 for transportation.

Yes, Patrick, all musicals. It was my daughter's choice.

About the hotels. It was just one room. There was the fridge with freezer (about 4 feet high) with micro on top near the front door. Cabinets above contained plates, cups, and silver. Two double beds, dresser, desk with coffee pot (plenty of coffee with fixings), nightstand and cable tv. Very basic. Just your average bathroom but plenty of towels and "cheap" amenities. Nothing fancy. We had a room in the inner courtyard (nothing there but other windows and some type of alley way). NO view but I did comment to my daughter that it was one of the quietest places I've stayed. Never heard a sound. I did run into a gentleman on the elevator who was moving rooms because his was on the street side and said it was very noisy.

I asked to see the one bedroom and it was large. "Full" kitchen with a dining table (sat four), a lounge chair (or two) and a couch (I'm guessing a sleeper) all in one room. There was a separate room with two beds and a tv. The rate on that was $195. This is not luxury by any means. I felt safe and comfortable.

Thanks seetheworld on congrats to my daughter. She's just 19 and off to grad school next year in San Francisco.

SandyBrit...we flew in from San Jose. Live in Santa Clara.

I took my daughter to Europe when she was 13 thinking that she wouldn't want to be traveling with me as she got older but I was wrong (thank goodness). We really have a wonderful time together.

Trav, your comment about taking your daughter to Europe with you when she was 13 because you thought she would not want to travel with you when she was older but now find that all of you have a wonderful time together got me thinking.

Do not know if anyone else has experienced this but here is what I think from observations of families.

Parents that start out taking their children on trips usually (not always of course) have children that enjoy being with parents and going places together when they are all grown up.

Again, not every child and certainly not in every family of course.

But it got me thinking about my children and grandchildren and various friends with their experiences.

It seems to me that those that took trips without the young ones have children and grandchildren that are not that interested as they get older of going anywhere with them. And the children that were taken out to restaurants, plays, on trips etc. from a young age want to continue to join their parents or grandparents at times be it dinner, a play or weekend away or a longer trip.

Wonder what other posters thoughts are on this.