BOOK a hotel fast!! If you're going in a fee weeks and havent book, pricey! Or try one of those sites like priceline or expedia, Trip Advisor etc. Since I have younger kids whom I cant sleep near we get a place like Embassy Suites or Double Tree midtown but yourgirls are older so you could do a fun boutique hotel like Duane etc. Just google boutique hotels NYC.
Best way to get around:
Walking. “You can’t appreciate New York from the inside of a subway or a cab. Getting to know one neighborhood on foot will make you feel like a local.” Always be aware of traffic flow and what’s happening around you. “Besides car traffic, also watch out for bicyclists, who can reach crazy speeds and don’t always follow traffic rules.”
NYC Subway ($2 fare; kids under 44" tall ride for free). “Say what you want about the subway, but it’s the fastest way around town.” “The Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards are the best way to buy subway fares for a family. You can swipe it up to four times in a row, for up to four people traveling togetther.
Yellow Taxi ($2.50 initial fare plus $2/mile). “Riding in a yellow cab is must when you visit the Big Apple. My kids were amazed that there was a TV in our cab!”
NY Water Taxi (Stops at Hunter’s Point, E. 34th Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn’s Fulton Ferry Landing, South St. Seaport, Pier 11 at Wall St., Pier A in Battery Park, the World Financial Center, Pier 45, Chelsea Piers, and Pier 84, W. 44th St.; ###-###-####; 1-day pass: $20/adult, $15/child. 2-day pass: $25/adult, $15/child). Big yellow catamarans carrying up to 74 passengers provide a hop-on, hop-off water ferry service. Boats pick up twice an hour at each stop, going in each direction. “A fun and stress-free way to get around, especially in the summertime.”
A friend just used Big Apple Greeter & loved it for her fashionista daughters aged 13 & 17!
Here's a copy n paste:
At the Big Apple Greeter web site; sign-up allows you to suggest several possible dates, to express interests in certain neighborhoods, and to list the ages of any children in your party. From one to six people (including children) can go on a Greet. Sign up three to four weeks in advance; more lead time is better still.
How much does it cost?
Zero. Remember, your greeter isn't a tour guide, but rather a new friend showing you around his/her town. On that note, tips are not appropriate; visitors who want to express their appreciation are invited to make an online donation to support Big Apple Greeter. bigapplegreeter.org
FOOD: First, you have to decide how adventurous your kids are. If they love ethnic food, there is a whole world for them to try here. Of course, there are also kids who only eat burgers, pizza and grilled cheese. We have places for them too. Here are some recommendations:
Pizza - it is everywhere and New Yorkers debate incessantly over which one is better. But truth be told, even a local place commonly has good slices.
Chinatown - I like the divey Excellent Dumpling house and the somewhat nicer Amazing 66. Dessert can be at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory or at one of several good bakeries.
Talking about dessert try Serendipity's exoensive famous hot chocolate but if you dont get the chance, dont fret theres a Serendipity 3 in Georgetown :)
BBQ: Head to WBurg to Fete Sau for a good and interesting BBQ experience that may be right up your kids alley. No waiters. No plates. Communal tables. And, a trip to nearby Williamsburg to boot.
Peanut Butter and Company: Wanna see how far peanut butter can go? Here is your place.
Yaffa Cafe: An East Village hangout for decades. Bizarro decor and decent food keep us coming back.
Cart Foods: We are not talking dirty water dogs here, but things like Waffles,Dumpings, Falafel and more. Get em to go, find a good place to eat and lunch is served.
Jeckly and Hyde: Both of my kids loved it - the one in Midtown is better than the one in the Village. Yes, the food is "airport quality", so order simply with burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches and the like, but the show is fun, and teens like it...
Little India - all my kids love Indian food, so I thought that I would mention it here. Lots of places on East 5th Street. We like Mitali closer to First Avenue, but also love Haveli on the corner of Second Ave. Or, go to the source in Jackson Heights. We recently had a nice Indian dinner at the Jackson Heights Diner [yes the diner serves Indian Food.] Or, go to the source at the Ganesh Temple Canteen in Bowne Street Flushing. Afterwards go up and visit the temple. A true cultural experience.
Broadway shows, like Wicked are lots of fun. Plus, St. Marks Place is a fun street to walk down.
Hanging out in Union Square after dark is always a fun time, with artists, orators, punks, tourists and lots of vendors.
There are museums that would be also great. Places like the Transit Museum [great gift shop], Museum of Natural History and Planetarium or the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum. Ellis Island and the Tennement Museum are also good visits.
The Staten Island Ferry. Sit on the right side heading out for a view of the Statue of Liberty
Walking Across the Brooklyn Bridge into DUMBO and stopping for great chocolate at Jacques Torres on Water Street. Also check out the great new waterfont park at the foot of Old Fulton Street. I heard theres a Gossip Girl tour too now if your older daughter watched the show and a Sex in the City Tour lol.
Coney Island ! Ride the cyclone or one of the newer coasters just put in this year. Check out the Wonderwheel, walk along the boardwalk. And...hotdogs at Nathans.
Have fun!
P
