Trip Report - NYC with a 14 year old
 

My husband and I visited NYC in late January with Jane, our 14-year-old goddaughter - her first visit to the city. Following are the highlights. <BR> <BR>Stayed at the Quality Inn on 46th St - this hotel offers incredible value for the location and accommodation. We had a suite - basically one bedroom with two double beds and a living room with a pull out couch (perfect for our goddaughter - she had her own TV and privacy). Rate was $139 USD including continental breakfast in the breakfast room (not a great continental breakfast….but hey, look at the price!) <BR> <BR>We arrived late afternoon Friday and headed to "The Palm" for dinner. Perhaps because it was my first dining experience in New York it holds a sentimental place. We had Stone Crab, giant Lobsters and onion rings. The waiters were terrific and Jane had a great time. <BR> <BR>One of Jane's requests was to visit the Statue of Liberty - we got up bright and early Saturday morning and were down at Battery Park by 8:30am to take the ferry. It was bitterly cold. I should point out we're Canadian (from Toronto) and had rather discounted the reports of how cold it was going to be (as in "oh well, they're saying it's going to be cold, but what do they know about cold - it will be like Spring as far as we're concerned"). We put on a brave Canadian front and kept saying it wasn't THAT cold, but it was freezing! (at the last minute I packed long underwear - thank god!) But it was sunny and clear….so off we chugged to the Statue. When we arrived we had to make the choice between climbing the stairs to the "Crown" or taking the elevator to the Observation deck. While it is fair to say there was information available regarding the climb to the Crown (the equivalent of 22 stories) words cannot describe it. The first half is easy - but the second half is a very narrow spiral staircase in a very open environment. If you are afraid of open heights you should think twice (and of course once you start climbing the spiral, you're committed to keep going). When you arrive at the Crown (a very small enclosed space - why did I imagine there would be a bar?) you have a couple of minutes to take pictures and then start your descent (because the spiral staircase is a like a meat grinder - it just keeps spitting people out). Actually the journey down is scarier than going up. Going up you really can't see the "open space" but going down you have a much greater sense of the open height. <BR> <BR>Having said all of that - it was worth it - except I might not want to do it in July with heat and crowds! <BR> <BR>From there - uptown to 5th Avenue. FAO, Disney Store, Warner Bros, Coke Store, Tiffanys (OK that was my choice!) and then to Grand Central Station for a late lunch (there's a great Mexican restaurant in the Food Court - sorry the name escapes me). Then to the Guggenheim - unfortunately under extensive repair - so off to the Met. Collectively we had done a fair bit of research on the various museums/shows/etc as we knew our time would be relatively short in each of them. So at the Met we focussed on the Egyptian collection, trying to do it justice. <BR> <BR>That evening we saw "Amadeus" - Jane's first "real play" (her words - meaning not a musical a la "Beauty and the Beast"). A good production (but not as good as the original Broadway one - as I recall) but it gave rise to a lot of interesting discussion later. <BR> <BR>Sunday we arose early again to go to MOMA - the "People", "Places" "Things" exhibit is terrific. "Starry Night" was a big hit. <BR> <BR>Then off to the Museum of Natural History. It holds fond memories for my husband as a child, and he walked us through it as though we were in church! <BR> <BR>From there, down to Gramercy Tavern for a late lunch. Good food, terrific staff. <BR> <BR>That evening we went to "Carolines Comedy Club" - another request of Jane's. Having been assured on the phone that the 8:00pm show was appropriate for a 14-year-old, off we went. I'm not quite sure what their definition of appropriate is (the first two acts were a little raw - Jane promised not to tell her mother!) but the headliner was terrific. As coincidence would have it he's the warm up act at the Rosie O'Donnell show - where we were going the next day. Finished up a very fun evening at Virgils for BBQ. <BR> <BR>The next morning (Monday) we got to the NBC Studios bright and early for the show. We had booked tickets in advance, but if you can't book in advance, I noticed that quite a few people got in on "stand by". It was great fun - all of Jane's class saw her in the audience. <BR> <BR>From there down to the Village and SOHO for lunch (Pastis - OK but not worthy of the buzz) and a good walk around - then to the airport and home. <BR> <BR>On the plane home Jane fell asleep in 5 minutes - we felt pretty good - we had worn her out! <BR>

Please, Elizabeth, will you be my godparents??? Congratulations. It must have been a great time.

This is a great trip report! I am very impressed that you climbed all those steps. Sounds like everyone had a wonderful time. Your goddaughter is very fortunate to have you. Your report will come in handy on future trips to NYC! Interesting to hear your impression of Pastis -- I had wondered what all the hype was about and whether it's worth it.

Wonderful report -- educational AND entertaining. I'll be taking my 15 year old nephew to NYC next year, so this information will come in handy!

Great trip report! I'm interested to hear your reaction to climbing up the Statue--my feeling on the second part was that it was too closed in, with a long line of people snaking up what felt like a corkscrew ladder in a confined space. Also, you could feel it swaying in the wind! I was so claustrophobic when I got to the top that I couldn't even pause to look out, but just started on my way down. It WAS bad going down too, but I preferred it because it meant I was getting OUT of there! I thought it would make a great setting for a thriller about a terrorist attack or some other thing in which a great mass of people got trapped inside the Statue--how would you ever manage to rescue them or transport anyone who was injured?

Great report! I guess the money you saved on the hotel you used on those resturants.. Those were some of the best resturants in Manhattan..Good Choices! What a whirlwind tour...I love my city and I love people who appreciate the "stuff" we have to offer! <BR>JOHN

Thanks John! You're right - I go to extraordinary lengths to save money on accommodation so I can spend it in restaurants. Just like an army - my husband and I travel on our stomachs! <BR> <BR>We had another "whirlwind" tour of NYC last December - in 28 hours we managed to eat at Babbo, Jean-Georges and Smith and Wollenskys. Mini-reviews as follows: <BR> <BR>1) Babbo was a wonderful dining experience but I'm sorry to say the food was incredibly salty (and I love salt). The Captain was appropriately solicitous - said he would mention it to the kitchen, etc - but based on our experience, unfortunately I couldn't recommend it. <BR> <BR>2) Jean-Georges was incredible (as was the bill.....but look at all the money I save on hotels)! <BR> <BR>3) Smith and Wollenskys Grill Room - which ranks just next to the Museum of Natural History as my husband's favourite place (he walks in and they automatically order Roast Beef Hash for him - how DO they remember?) <BR> <BR>I forgot to mention in my previous posting how wonderful the New York cabbies were - in one of our cab rides Jane sat in the front seat and the cab driver acted as a terrific tour guide. <BR> <BR>There is no other city quite like yours! <BR> <BR>Regards <BR> <BR>Elizabeth

Elizabeth, your account of the trip with your goddaughter to NYC was inspirational. So much so, that I will take my own 14yr. old next December. A little harder for me, because I have to 'follow' her trip there two years' ago when they stayed in the penthouse suite at the Carlyle! Nonetheless, she is anxious to show me NYC and, armed with all your tips, I shall now definitely make arrangements. P.S. The steps up the statue of liberty bring to mind a similarly terrifying ascent to the belfry on top of the dome of St. Pauls's cathedral, London. Be warned!

<BR>Julia - yes St. Pauls scared the **** out of me, and there was not turning back once you started!

To the top for Erica

Thanks!!!! This post will be most useful! <BR> <BR>Walking up Lady Liberty sounds like a GREAT idea! Recently me and my daughter treked up St. Peter's in the vatican, so this should be a great adventure.... <BR>How much does this cost? Where do you buy tickets? <BR>Thanks again for the info!

Regarding your question....here's a link to a web site re visiting the Statue of Liberty <BR> <BR>http://www.nyctourist.com/liberty1.htm <BR> <BR>Have fun!

Thank you Elizabeth, I like the pictures on that site.