Waldorf Astoria
 

We are taking our boys for the first time to NYC (8 & 10) to a Yankee Game and experience the city. We will be there 4 nights.. we have reservations at the Waldorf. There are mixed reviews of the Waldorf. Is it worth staying there?? Is it centrally located. Should we visit the tourist sites.. Statue of Liberty, Empire State Bldg, Ellis Island, someone mentioned about a 2 hour boat ride around the city??

The Waldorf is a grand old hotel on Park Avenue, in the heart of midtown, the heart of Manhattan. If that's what you're looking for, bingo. If not, check out hotels on Central Park South as well as the Mandarin Oriental in the Time Warner Center.

Should you visit the tourist sights? Have you visited them before? If not, why wouldn't you visit them? Do a search of this forum for hundreds of threads about Top of the Rock (an alternative to the ESB), Ellis, museums, etc.

Certainly your sons would enjoy the American Museum of Natural History -- you'll find several threads about it on this forum.

The boat ride is most certainly Circleline, which you can google for more info.

What do you mean is it worth staying there?

Is it super expensive?

Hotel rooms in Manhattan average over $240 per night so even the moderate places are expensive.

Does it have historical value?

Yes.

Is it a luxury hotel?

The Waldorf Towers are but the hotel is a nice four star with great service.

Should you visit the tourist sites?

Well, yes if you are going there to show your boys the tourist sites.

If you go to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, you don't really need to go on the two hour boat ride.

Also that's a long time for boys that age to spend on a boat.

Do a search on New York for kids and you will find tons of suggestions as to which things to do, what to get tickets for in advance to avoid hours long waits and some places kids may enjoy eating.

As for the Yankee game you can take the subway up and back or there's a boat you can take to the stadium if you want. check the Yankees web site for info. Be sure to get to the game early (security is tight and it takes along time to get in, you can;t bring large packages and bags may well be searched).

If you go early they have a good chance of seeing at least part of batting practice - and if you want to get there early enough you can tour Monument Park - with all of the retired numbers and plaques/monuments to past Yankee greats: Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Berra, Ford, Munson, Jackson etc.)

With 2 kids, you might prefer staying in an all suite hotel. Kids love the Times Square area (some parents do, some don't). The Doubletree Guest Suites is a suite hotel in that area. The www.affinia.com hotels are all good and have suites. The Embassy Suites in downtown is near the ferries and also family friendly.