If there's anywhere NOT to be with a 10yo, it would be in Times Square on NYEve.

I can't imagine the waits at the restaurants within the blocked off area. The lines are usually very long to begin with. On that night, with no place for folks to go until 11:45pm? I can guess that's why they jack the prices up sky high.

NY Traveler, I have to ask, dinner at TGIF's is $300 per person?? What do they serve on New Year's Eve?

Two portions of that onion thing.

An alternative for the 10 yrs old is the Big Apple Circus 9:30pm performance that ends around midnight with freebies and apple cider for kids, champagne for adults.

They can go before the crowds come in to see the ball in Times Square and do a walk through after the crowds in the early morning.

There's also a Dave & Busters Party (near Time Square) where kids are permitted includes drinks, games food and music ($100-195 pp).

The ESPN Zone also has a party that is in Times Square, you can be there without fussing with the cold and crowds.

There's also fireworks in Central Park.

I stood in Times Square once,yes it is difficult w/o a bathroom, yes it is cold and crowded, but it was fun in retrospect. Would I do it again, no, but I'm glad I did it once. It is not a place for kids unless you are able to stand up front near the VIP section and that is difficult.

Some tips on standing in Times Square:
http://manhattan.about.com/od/events...square2006.htm

Good luck.

Yes, TGIF was $300 per person last year. They serve their usual food (3 courses) an a drink or two. (Other days the dinner there is about $35unless you have a coupleo f drinks.) You're paying for the location - as you will at anyplace in that neighborhood on New year's Eve.

Sorry - you cna;t just walk into any restauratn in that area on New Year Eve - you will need a reseration. and you can;t try to go for a cheap dinner and the walk out into the crowd - the police don;t allow that - and there are just too many people squashed together as it is. All public transit into the area stops at about 4 pm and doesn't start up again until after midnight - so you're a good long walk from any bus or subway.

NOT something to do with kids.

I still say bang some pots and pans

Here is the BEST suggestion you can give your friend with kids, watch the concert on TV from the comfort of their hotel and then head down to the Times Square area, I think the closest they will be able to get will be just south of 57th St, the crowds won't be as bad and they can still the the ball from that area. Then they can walk up to Central Park from there to see the Fireworks and head back to the hotel exhausted but having experienced it all.

If they want a more family evening the Concert for Peace at St. John the Divine is free and there will be 4,000 people in attendance. St. John's is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world and the music is good (I'm one of the 200 member chorus), full orchestra and guest STARS, It's really a wonderful evening.

Listen to travelbuff.

Agreed. Being in the center of Times Square is not something to be done light by anyone or at all with a child.

k_brklyn: Yours is the first 'positive' thing I've read about Times Square on NYE yet 3/4 of a million make it every year. Interesting. I'm going for my first time this year and expect it to be a memorable hardship.

I wonder how many people return for a second (or more) year?
A friend lives within the blocked off area so can have a nice relaxing dinner party, walk out the door and 1/2 a block and watch the ball drop. He goes every year, but only for a few minutes.
I wonder how many people who travel in/to NYC just for this event come back the next year and/or later years.