Hi All
Thanks for all your words of wisdom! We returned safe and sound and fun was had by all. No kidding. I did indeed rent a minivan at JFK and drove to our home base Hilton, in Stamford, CT. We lucked out as the weather was fantastic. Maybe because I do have 5 kids, outings with all of them doesn't scare me much :) Plane ride was terrible as the baby had just acquired an ear infection, but after that all went well. Friday we spent in CT and Saturday we got up early and drove to Battery park, parked in a nearby parking garage and hoofed it over for the 10am departure to Liberty Island. I preordered tickets (which I suggest to anyone) and we went up to the pedestal. Super super fun for my teenagers and the littles were troopers as well. I did not bring a stroller, I brought my ergo front carrier in the event the baby wanted to nap- which she did and it worked out great. I would have just been frustrated honestly with the stroller and SO happy I left this at home. We then walked a couple miles over to the Shake Shack across from the Freedom Tower and this was a big hit! Skip the cheese fries-bleh. Hamburgers were pretty darn tasty! Then across to the 9/11 museum and memorial. What a beautiful and moving tribute and I am so grateful my older children could experience this. The young ones did great, but the littlest had had it by 2 hours in- but wasn't an issue as we were about done anyway. I made a conscious effort to avoid the subways and planned my day that way. After, we walked up to Trinity Church (Amazing by the way- the stained glass is unreal)and then neaar Wall St and posed with the big bull :) Then back to the car (everyone's feet hurt (mine too))then we decided as a crew that we did not NEED to walk through time square but wanted to still see it, so we DROVE through times square, very slowly hahaha. Honestly, it was great. Then back to CT---about 55 min drive. I live in Orange County in California, so honestly its like going into LA in my opinion.
Sunday we left late morning and headed straight for Central Park. Spent the whole day here- the kids loved it. It was a quick jaunt in, but I am so happy I went and gave this amazing gift to my kiddos. Never at any point was I worried for my kids or felt in danger or overwhelmed, but my kiddos are pretty awesome as well.
Thanks again and to any mamas that are scared to take your kids on an adventure---you can do it! and they'll remember it forever

Congratulations...nice going!

You are amazing! Any kid would be lucky to have a mama like you...

Hi All
Thanks for all your words of wisdom! We returned safe and sound and fun was had by all. No kidding. I did indeed rent a minivan at JFK and drove to our home base Hilton, in Stamford, CT. We lucked out as the weather was fantastic. Maybe because I do have 5 kids, outings with all of them doesn't scare me much :) Plane ride was terrible as the baby had just acquired an ear infection, but after that all went well. Friday we spent in CT and Saturday we got up early and drove to Battery park, parked in a nearby parking garage and hoofed it over for the 10am departure to Liberty Island. I preordered tickets (which I suggest to anyone) and we went up to the pedestal. Super super fun for my teenagers and the littles were troopers as well. I did not bring a stroller, I brought my ergo front carrier in the event the baby wanted to nap- which she did and it worked out great. I would have just been frustrated honestly with the stroller and SO happy I left this at home. We then walked a couple miles over to the Shake Shack across from the Freedom Tower and this was a big hit! Skip the cheese fries-bleh. Hamburgers were pretty darn tasty! Then across to the 9/11 museum and memorial. What a beautiful and moving tribute and I am so grateful my older children could experience this. The young ones did great, but the littlest had had it by 2 hours in- but wasn't an issue as we were about done anyway. I made a conscious effort to avoid the subways and planned my day that way. After, we walked up to Trinity Church (Amazing by the way- the stained glass is unreal)and then neaar Wall St and posed with the big bull :) Then back to the car (everyone's feet hurt (mine too))then we decided as a crew that we did not NEED to walk through time square but wanted to still see it, so we DROVE through times square, very slowly hahaha. Honestly, it was great. Then back to CT---about 55 min drive. I live in Orange County in California, so honestly its like going into LA in my opinion.
Sunday we left late morning and headed straight for Central Park. Spent the whole day here- the kids loved it. It was a quick jaunt in, but I am so happy I went and gave this amazing gift to my kiddos. Never at any point was I worried for my kids or felt in danger or overwhelmed, but my kiddos are pretty awesome as well.
Thanks again and to any mamas that are scared to take your kids on an adventure---you can do it! and they'll remember it forever

Sounds fantastic - I admire you for even trying!

If you're coming in twice, my suggestion would be one day uptown and one day downtown.

Downtown you have One World Observatory (buy tix online to skip the wait,) the new Seaglass Carousel (fun for any age), lots of places to shop and stop for lunch or a snack at Brookfield/Le District/Hudson Eats. There are tons of parks and playgrounds in the area. The Liberty Science Center is just a ferry ride away on the west side and your older kids would love that.

Uptown you can do Central Park, AMNH, lunch at Kefi!

Here are some more ideas:

http://bonvoyagebaby.com/2015/06/01/...w-this-summer/

http://bonvoyagebaby.com/2014/07/21/...ity-with-kids/

Oops, I see I am too late. Looks like you did great! Glad you had fun -- and wow, I'm impressed you did it all with 5!! :)