slugfest52

Family of 4, first trip to NYC. Two adults and two kids, 8 & 6. We're arriving in the city around noon on Day 1, leaving in the evening of Day 5. We're staying at Hotel Giraffe. I appreciate your advice on the following rough itinerary.

= Day 1 =
Ideally, I'd like to use this day to have some fun with the kids at Grand Central (they love trains), give them some orientation to the city by going up Top of the Rock or ESB, then getting Times Square out of the way.
- Arrive @ noon
- Drop bags; quick lunch
- Grand Central by 2pm
- Lego Store
- Top of the Rock (unless ESB is recommended)
- Nintendo Store
- Times Square
- Any dinner recommendations?

= Day 2 =
More orientation, with a trip to SoL and Ellis. While we're down here, it would be great to hit 9/11 and Tenement, but not sure if that's asking too much on first full day. I've heard SoL/Ellis take ~5 hours. If something has to go, I'd rather save 9/11 for another day and pair SoL/Ellis with Tenement.
- SoL ferry first thing in AM
- Crown tickets
- Ellis
- 9/11?
- Tenement

= Day 3 =
Focusing on Central Park and Natural History Museum.
- Today Show
- Apple Store
- Walk through Central Park
- Natural History Museum
- Fireworks over East River

= Day 4 =
This is where I could use *a lot* of help. If we save 9/11, we could visit it here, then maybe go over to Brooklyn, walk around, Lombardi's, park, walk back?
- 9/11
- Brooklyn Bridge

= Day 5 =
More help here.
- Highline
- Chelsea Market
- (OR)
- More: Grand Central and Central Park
- Head to EWR @ 6:30pm
- Fly home @ 8:30pm

Thanks in advance.

marvelousmouse

Thoughts from a fellow first timer...

I think a fun first night dinner would be either Katz's deli or shake shack. I'd pick Katz, for the food and atmosphere, but maybe shake snack would be better with kids.

Library is in the same general area as Grand Central, and it's pretty neat. So I'd add it to day 5. The kids room might be of interest- giant lego lions, stuffed giraffe. Neat bookstore with lots of kids books.

On day 2, I think you are right about moving 9/11 til another day. Ellis is a time suck, and with crown tickets, I actually wouldn't be surprised if it was more than 5 hours. I didn't stop at Liberty, had maybe 3-4 hours at Ellis but still didn't get through everything. But check 9/11 hours, because they're one of the attractions that is open late (although I found out today they stop selling tickets 2 hours before closing). So it might be possible to fit in 9/11 if you can eat on the go or later. Look at Tenement schedule- I think to see various spaces, you have to sign up for specific tours, so that may dictate your schedule somewhat.

I would plan your time in Central Park. Go to whatever section you want to see the most first. Unless the kids really love zoos, I would go to Natural History and then the park. I did it the other way around and ran out of time for NH- the park is huge. If you are by the zoo on the hour- the clock with the animals moves- chimes sound and the animal statues "dance" in a circle.

Last day depends on your kids. I think Central Park would be more fun for them. High line is really amazing, but it's more amazing in terms of design. Not much play space- more like a great place to walk and people watch. Like boardwalk with art. It might actually be a better first day activity? It gives you a neat cross section view of the neighborhoods surrounding it. So maybe do that instead of Grand Central the first day- you get to see a lot of cool architecture, and after all, it is related to trains- built on a disused elevated rail portion and they preserved (or maybe added) tracks to remind you of it.

Although I have not been to the transit museum yet, they appear to have vintage train cars on Display and that may be of interest to your train fans.

Maybe consider some time at the Met if your kids like Ancient Egypt- the collection is really neat, and I saw a lot of kids enjoying that.

If you're the brave sort, and your kids are sugar fiends- there's a place called "do" that serves 20 different flavors of cookie dough in either a cup or a cone. They also have ice cream. (They use pasteurized eggs and heat treated flour so it's safe to eat.) Kids...and college students...flock there. Line was long but it was unique and a lot of fun.

ellenem

Day 2 is a quandary for me. You say you want to pair SOL/Ellis with Tenement Museum in one day. It is a nice theory, but may put pressure on you, especially with children aged 6 and 8.

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island take a lot of time, but aside from the having a ticket for a particular ferry to get there, your schedule is your own. Five hours is a good estimate, but you might take more or less than that. Since you mention fireworks on Day 3, I'm assuming Day 2 is July 3. It may be extra crowded on ferries because of the holiday weekend, so timing may be more ethereal.

On the other hand, the Tenement Museum may ONLY be visited by appointment. The visits last about an hour. Space is limited so you really must buy tickets ahead of time. The museum is very authentic--no air conditioning. I would hate to be pressured to leave SOL/Ellis to get to the Tenement Museum appointment. Plus, I think it might be better for you kids to visit there when they were fresh rather than after a full day of other sights.

I would keep 9/11 Memorial on Day 2 after SOL/Ellis. I'm assuming you mean to visit the memorial only, not the museum. The memorial is totally open to the public--just wander in. You can arrive whenever you like and take as much or as little time as you like. The Brooklyn Bridge is very close to the 9/11 Memorial if you have the time.

Put the Tenement Museum on the morning of Day 4. Then take a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge if you didn't do it Day 2. Either walk one way and take transport back, or walk to the middle and back from the Manhattan side. Or let the kids explore trains at the NY Transit Museum in Brooklyn.
http://www.nytransitmuseum.org/

isabel

I would probably skip the tenement museum with kids that age. Plus as already pointed out you must have a timed appointment so it drastically limits flexibility.

9/11 is both a museum and a memorial. The museum requires tickets. I have not been but my understanding is that there is a lot to read, etc. which also might not be great for kids that age. The memorial is the two reflecting pools and those are free and always open. They are built into the foundations of the twin towers. And right next to the new World Trade Center building and the Occulus. The Occulus is the Path Train station and a giant mall and the architecture is incredible. You definitely want to go to the area and see all this even if you don't go into the actual museum.

If your kids love trains you definitely want to go to the Transit Museum in Brooklyn. Kid paradise. Plus lots of interesting exhibits on how the subway was built, etc. It is walking distance (but get a map so you don't get lost) from the Brooklyn Bridge.

Actually one good day would be to start at the World Trade Center area, walk through City Hall Park to Brooklyn Bridge, walk across and explore the park between it and the Manhattan Bridge, then go to the Transit Museum. Maybe day 4.

The Highline and Chelsea Market will be very crowded in July. There is actually a market that I think is just as good at Grand Central plus there will be tons of street markets at that time of year. Union Square has a good one. Do a search for markets on specific days closer to the time you'll be visiting.

A different park to consider is Four Freedoms Park at the tip of Roosevelt Island. You can get there by subway or taking the Tram over the East River. Think kids would love that.

The Top of the Rock has much better views than ESB (partly because the view includes the ESB).


If your flight is at 8:30 you will probably need to "head to EWR" more like 5:30 than 6:30

doug_stallings

I just have a few additional thoughts.

The walk from the Apple Store to the Museum of Natural History is a very long one (it's on the west side at 84th Street, while the Apple Store is on the east side at 59th). Maybe walk over to Columbus Circle (though the park) but take the subway up ... or visit the zoo and then go up via subway.

I think your kids are too young to appreciate the 9/11 Museum, so I'd skip it entirely.

I also disagree that they wouldn't get something out of the Tenement Museum, but I could be wrong. You can always eat at Katz or Congee Village or the Meatball Shop, or get ice cream at Il Laborotorio del Gelato or Morganstern's, or go to the Donut Plant when you visit the Tenement Museum since they are all in close proximity. But I think the kids would get a kick out of seeing how immigrant kids lived in the 19th century in NYC.

You didn't say when you are coming, but someone else mentioned July. If it's the height of summer, consider that the Statue of Liberty gets very hot and uncomfortable and you must book your tickets for the Crown months in advance. It might already be too late. Allow the bulk of the day for that exhausting trip, and head to the mall at the WTC Plaza instead of the museum.

I'd definitely do the Top of the Rock. Good choice.

Finally, I also agree that you should head to EWR at 5:30. Since that's the height of rush hour, take the train to save time. Otherwise, it's an hour-plus trip. With four people, you will not save money, but you will be more likely to get to your flight on time.

slugfest52

I can't believe I forgot to includes dates. We'll be in NYC from July 2-6.

Considering the thoughtful suggestions above, here's another pass.

= Day 1: Sun, July 2 =
I've moved Grand Central to Day 4 and replaced with Library & Bryant Park. I'm thinking this will be a casual day working our way north and west from our hotel.
- Arrive @ 12pm
- Drop bags; quick lunch
- NY Public Library & Bryant Park
- Nintendo Store
- Lego Store
- Top of the Rock (around sunset)
- Times Square

= Day 2: Mon, July 3 =
I stripped this down, removing the Tenement Museum...for now. When I mentioned 9/11 previously, I was referring to the memorial, not the museum. I'm also curious if you all think the One World Observatory is worthwhile, though pricey. Looks cool. If so, do you think it makes sense to include a walk through the memorial and ride up the observatory on this day, or is that still too much? If too much, maybe include in Day 4.
- Statue of Liberty
- Ellis Island
- 9/11 Memorial & One World Observatory

ellenem

I would think twice about taking a six-year-old to see the fireworks. Watching involves standing in the street in a crush of people. I would not change plans to accommodate the fireworks.

From the 9/11 Memorial, cross West Street and walk through the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center, now maybe called Brookfield Place, to reach the Hudson River. Walk north along the river to reach a nice series of parks and playgrounds called Rockefeller Park. Also seek out the Tear Drop Park nestled between the buildings bordering Rockefeller Park. Tear Drop is a fun little forest, a hidden gem, with some water features and a two-storey slide--kids love it.

marvelousmouse

If it's just the 9/11 memorial you want to see- you can do it any day, and I think it's more interesting/haunting in the dark, because the names on the memorial are back lit.

ellenem

I hit submit too soon . . .

At the north end of Rockefeller Park, don't miss the seating area featuring whimsical Otterness sculptures.

My 8- and 10-year-old nephews loved Rockfeller Park much more than walking the Brooklyn Bridge. . . Could barely drag them away from the Nok Hockey games and other simple amusements.

slugfest52

@ellenem. Yeah, I'm hoping we can find a place to perch to see the fireworks. Wishful thinking, probably.

Assuming we get moving by 2pm on Day 1, does that feel like a reasonable list of activities for the afternoon? I was thinking about maybe going to Highline first, then back to Library, then up to Rockefeller/Times Square, but not if that's too much jumping around. Thoughts?

Any thoughts on which day makes most sense for 9/11 memorial and One World? Currently, planning to walk over, see if we can get tix, after SoL/Ellis, if kids are up for it.

slugfest52

As for 9/11, I meant: After SoL/Ellis, we would walk up Hudson River to the parks @Ellenem mentioned, then back over to 9/11 and One World near end of day, as @marvelousmouse suggested.

ellenem

The Library at 42nd St is open 1pm-5pm on Sundays, so your Day 1 timing should work.
https://www.nypl.org/about/locations.../visitor-guide

I like the rest of your Day 1 because you can visit these sights for as long (or short) as you like, even skip them if something else attracts your attention.

ellenem

While you are visiting Rockefeller Center on Day 1, you might hop across Fifth Avenue and visit St Patrick's Cathedral. Even though it is a Sunday, you should be able to step inside and appreciate the impressive architecture and recent renovation.

Here's a link that might be helpful to you, showing the various parks along the water as you walk north from the Battery to Rockefeller Park.
http://bpcparks.org/whats-here/parks/rockefeller-park/

HappyTrvlr

With children those ages, walk The Highline. They will get a feel for being in the city, among the buildings without having to stop for traffic and lights. Just to the north side of Chelsea Piers is a park with a Carousel. The animals that you ride are all from North American, an interesting change.

isabel

Grand Central is only a 5 minute walk from the Library so I'd do it that same day. Where as on day 4 it's quite out of the way. You don't say where your hotel is so that might make a difference.

If you do Top of the Rock (which you should) I probably wouldn't spend the money to go up in the WTC observatory. I was just there earlier this week, no line at all, but I think when you are going you'd need tickets in advance, that will limit your flexibility and end up eating a lot more time. Your day 4 (without Grand Central - unless your hotel is right near it) looks good without going up in the WTC. Just see the memorial, and as suggested above, go across the street to 'North Cove' and that area. Then cross over to Brooklyn Bridge, etc.

slugfest52

@HappyTrvlr, where in my itinerary do you think it makes sense to include Highline?

@isabel, we're staying at Hotel Giraffe (https://goo.gl/yQiN3G). I put Grand Central on Day 4 in an attempt to have a "train" day. We'd take the #6 subway up Park Ave to Grand Central, spend time there, then get on another train to lower Manhattan.

marvelousmouse

I don't think you have the time, but if you have any budding artists in the family- I went to the cooper Hewitt Museum of Design yesterday. They give you interactive pens and you can create art on these large interactive screens that also pull up pictures of the collection to inspire you. And the pen "saves" your artwork so you can view it at home. Lots of fun. Actually, I hesitate to recommend it because then we adults have to share our toys with the kids but seriously, a very interactive museum with some great displays on community involvement and social justice.

Vttraveler

My husband and I were in NYC for a week last August when it was very hot--in the 90's. I was down at the park at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn Heights but did not want to walk across it in the heat. You should probably have a back up plan in case you encounter really hot weather.

One thing we enjoyed was a trip on the East River ferry up from the Wall Street pier to mid town. From there we went up to take the tram to Roosevelt Island. There is a light house at the opposite end of the island from the Roosevelt Four freedoms park

nytraveler

Sorry - but your kids are much too young for the 911 Museum. They can certainly visit the outdoor Memorial - but the images are way too intense for such young children; child psychologists reco only for teens, not younger kids - and that they should be aware in advance of what they will be seeing. (I have not been able to go myself, since we lost a family member as did 2 friends - and it was bad enough seeing as it happened.)

Vttraveler

I understood the OP to say they would visit the 9/11 memorial, not the museum. I would even wonder about the memorial because it would involve talking with the kids about 9/11 and all the people who died in the towers. There is a small section of the Transit museum that deals with 9/11 and it had me in tears, convincing me that the 9/11 museum would be far too intense for me.

I also think the Tenement museum might be difficult for many younger children. The tours involve a lot of standing around in the buildings. Our kids really liked it by age 10 but would have been bored and restless at age 6.

When our kids were younger they enjoyed the Museum of the American Indian and Southstreet Seaport. They also enjoyed visiting Chinatown but that might not seem very interesting or different depending on where you are from.