Here are some notes from our quick trip to NYC this past week. Our family of four, including two boys (12 & 9), arrived in NYC near noon on Wednesday and traveled home on Saturday morning. This was the first trip for the boys. We wanted to have fun and make it a learning experience for the kids.

We stayed at the Affinia Dumont (AD, located on 34th btwn Lexington and 3rd Ave). Picked AD because of larger room, two queen beds and attractive rate. This turned out to be a very good decision. We arranged our trip on short notice and decided to prepay (non-refund.) for the studio suite room to get the $234/nt rate (after adding in all of the taxes was $270.80/nt). I saw this rate later, just before we left for NYC, without prepay required. We gave high marks to all of the staff, who were very friendly. The room was oversized with a small kitchen, was very clean and modern looking, great view and had a nice big desk that I liked to use at night to spread stuff out and plan for the next day. Some may consider the fairly small bathroom and hotel location as drawbacks, but we did not. Bathroom size was manageable and we preferred being in a more residential area (although it meant more walking/cab fare to get to attractions). As a side note, when we initially walked into our room, there was a slight odor of cigarette smoke. This is a non-smoking property, but we think that somebody cheated. I picked up the phone, requested a room change and was accommodated after a short wait with the identical room layout but seven floors higher. I thought that the AD handled this well.

After checking in we walked eight blocks north to Grand Central Terminal (GCT) and had lunch before walking over to Rockefeller Plaza (RP). Glad we stopped at GCT to show kids this historic station that was bustling with activity. There were many choices for lunch in GCT “food court”. We should have tried a deli outside of GTC, but we were all hungry and food court was a step above what we are used to and somewhat unique to GCT.

At RP, we first did NBC Studio Tour and then the Top of The Rock. Saw the ice skating rink in between. NBC ST was enjoyable and informative. It kept us moving throughout and we saw some interesting behind the scenes stuff. I would recommend this tour. TOTR was a good experience and a thrill for the kids. We probably did not appreciate as much as we normally would have because it was brutally cold that day, so we did not hangout a long time on the observation deck. I would recommend the $2 map to use to identify bldgs and landmarks. BTW, I used a coupon for NBC ST from internet for $2.50 off per adult, and our AAA NY Travel Book had a 15% off coupon for TOTR.

That evening we had dinner at Docks Oyster Bar & Seafood which was a short walk from our hotel. Menu was not limited to seafood. Kids had linguini ($15) and a big burger ($12). Other entrees were in the $17-$30 range. Very good service, nice place with nice-casual attire.


Thursday – Breakfast at Café Duke. We picked this because it was close to New York Party Shuttle Tour, our next stop. It was good, but turned out not to be what we were looking for, which was a quick, sit-down diner where you are served. This is more for take-out, or walk through, order, take food to table, no waiters/waitress. New York Party Shuttle Tour was next (Downtown Tour; 9-noon). It was very good, with an extremely knowledgeable and likeable guide. The only drawback was that, on this bitterly cold day, it was also very cold on the bus and it was uncomfortable. Overall, the tour was very good and I recommend NYPST. Lunch at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. Some may really like it because of singing waiters/waitresses. Was over-priced, as I expected, but service and food was below average. I would try something else if I had the chance. Walked around Thursday afternoon. FAO was very good. Sony Wonder Lab a bust....all but one floor being renovated, and the one, working floor was a huge disappointment. I would not try this until renovation complete. Crashed at hotel awhile. Only had time to eat at a diner before Hairspray at 7:00pm. We chose the Cosmic Diner because it was quick and near the Neil Simon Theatre. Overall, it was a good “diner” experience. Seeing Hairspray was probably the highlight of our trip. The entire family really enjoyed this musical. I think that I used Broadwaybox.com to get discounts on tickets a week or so in advance.

Friday – Late start this morning. We got in late the night before and one of the kids was feeling under the weather. Started with a late breakfast near the hotel at Murray Hill Diner. This was a good “diner” experience and I would recommend. Took subway to American Museum of Natural History. BTW, definitely try the subway. Someone recommended HopSpot.com and I would pass this along….a cool site. The museum is very good, but of course it is a museum with lots of walking in a VERY large building. Spent the entire afternoon there until we were worn out. The attractions there included, and rankings based on our taste: Cosmic Collisions very good, Dinosaurs good, H2O decent, Mythical Creatures somewhat disappointing. Back to hotel to regroup quickly and then to TKTS. Was good experience, except choices of shows are very limited with the kids. After striking out on a few, settled for The Fantasticks. Did not know what to expect and we were very disappointed, at least with what we saw. The cast was good, but we did not appreciate the storyline or humor. Since it was our last night, we left at intermission to grab a late dinner. Went to Virgil’s BBQ. At 9:30 there was a 25 minute wait, so we walked over to Toys R Us and came back. VBBQ a very busy place, fun environment. Found service to be below average and dragged down the dining experience…..probably varies by waiter/waitress. Food was average, in my opinion.

Saturday – back to Ohio. Note that cab was $29 + tip returning to LaGuardia. We shared a stretch limo with another family on a lark when we arrived at LaGuardia to get into the City, about twice the cost a cab, but the kids were really charged up about it!

Thanks to all who helped me plan on this forum. Overall, a great trip!

Thanks for posting back. The site for directions is hopstop.com

Thanks for your report! I'm staying at the Affinia Dumont again in February (I stayed there in July and loved it.) I'll definitely think of eating at the Murray Hill Diner - it sounds like a good place for breakfast.

There are several good places for breakfast within easy walking distance of the Dumont. I sometimes go to the Murray Hill Diner, but you might also take a look at Penelope at Lexington and 30th Street. It's very popular with the NYU students in the area and is sometimes mobbed for brunch on the weekend. Cinema Restaurant on the corner of 3rd Ave/34th St is also good but more expensive. My favorite brunch spot in the neighborhood is Benjamin at 33rd St./2nd Ave. They have the best french toast. But again, they're open for brunch only on weekends starting at 11 and are more expensive than the diner option. And the Barking Dog, right in the Dumont, is also pretty good.

Wow, thanks so much Doug! That's really, really helpful.

Reading this (and other reports) is making me so excited for my trip!

Greenboys:

Enjoyed reading your trip report and appreciate you sharing your stay at the Affinia Dumont. I have this hotel ear marked for our next visit and it is so good when you can read comments from someone who has stayed there.

I was also pleased to see bethke14 had stayed at the Dumont and plans to go back.

Doug_Stallings: Thanks for sharing your diner places.

Sandy

mclaurie: Thanks for clearing up the www.hoptstop.com for directions. You can always be counted on.

Sandy

hopspt is a lot like mapquest, mostly right.