Help needed for everything New York

We will be traveling to NY for a wedding on 4-1-07. We will be there probably from Thurs or Friday until Monday. We have a 5 yr old and was told we should probably stay near Times Square because it is centrally located to things we might do like Theatre District, Toys R Us, food, etc. Not sure if this is true or not so looking for some NY experts to give us advice on where to stay that is reasonably priced. Not sure what is considered reasonable in NY. Also, suggestions for fun things to do with a 5 yr old. Does it matter which airport we fly into? Any package deals for hotels with theatre tickets, etc. If so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Help needed for everything New York

I fly out Sunday 2nd trip this year - once you go there you will probably come back as hooked as everyone else. I stayed in The Salisbury and this time will be staying in The Wellington. Salisbury was excellent value (booked through Virgin) and was on 57th Street which was only about 10 minute walk to Times Square and the Theatres, Wellington is on 55th Street, there is a Planet Hollywood in Times Square to eat. There is a Madam Tusads again didnt visit this last time either.

There is a Natural History Musuem which you 5yr old may enjoy and also central park. I have yet to find out what exactly is in the park as last time run out of time to visit everything but I%26#39;m sure someone else will comment.

You could take a horse %26amp; carriage through the park. You could take a boat trip they may enjoy that.

This is only a few bits I%26#39;m sure others will come flooding in

Help needed for everything New York

left210 - I strongly suggest you get a NYC guide book and start your planning there.

Staying in midtown, Times Square is an expensive proposition, but it certainly is where a lot of the action is, however I would check out other possibilities.

You may want to check Virgin Atlantic or British Airways to see if they have any fly-stay packages.

I%26#39;ve gotten some good deals with both going to London, perhaps they have reciprocal arrangements for Brits in NYC.

So, guidebook, BA ,Virgin are good places to start.

Hope you find this helpful.

Poppa

There is no advantage to staying in the Times Square area, as with a 5-year-old in tow you will not be going to the theater anyway. (You really weren%26#39;t thinking of going to the theater with a 5-year-old, were you?) With that out of the way, your options become much more numerous. Some things a 5-year-old might enjoy would include the small but pleasant zoo in Central Park, the playgrounds in the park, and riding the Staten Island Ferry -- which of course is free.

If you can get the Salisbury, it%26#39;s a great idea. Two blocks from Central Park, and easy walking distance to midtown sites, including Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Ave., etc. Plus the Salisbury offers a kitchenette... very handy when traveling with a five-year-old, so you can always have snacks and drinks on hand. Other options are the Affinia properties, which offer kitchens.... like having your own apartment! I like the location of both the Affinia 50 and the Affinia Dumont.

Be sure to read through the reviews on this site before booking anything.

This time I have booked with lastminute.com and got virgin flights I would highly recommend virgin flights if you can get them as they offer you as much as you want drinks etc which would be handy with a small one.

I tried Virgin, Expedia, Lastminute, Thomas Cook and found lastminute the cheapest this time although virign were cheaper in April - it really is worth comparing the various packages offered by each company and as Bettina states the Salisbury is only couple of blocks from Central park.

The $3 continental breakfast they offer is also great value as much as you want to eat and drink for a small reasonable amount.

My room had 2 double beds, 2 comfortable chairs, writing desk, huge walk in wardrobe with safe and iron and ironing board. Small kitchen area with tea and coffee facilities, fridge and microwave.

Yes I did plan on taking our son to see The Lion King. He will be six by then and can easily sit through a 2 hour show. I was just told it would be more convenient and more things within walking distance if we stay in the Times Square area but I am completely open for any other suggestions. If we stay elsewhere, how do we get around? I heard it is expensive to use taxis and how safe is the subway? Also, how do I get the tour guide book recommended?

For ideas on touring with kids, here is a collection reports from families with younger kids.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k473208-鈥?/a> Collection_of_trip_reports_from_families_with_YOUNG KIDS

They will give you a jumping-off point. Great reviews, honest opinions. Most were first-time visitors and most are 3-6 day visits.

Go ahead and steal an itinerary, if you want!

Check out Time Out New York for Kids, a great magazine for children%26#39;s activities

www.tonykids.com

Happy reading!

Times Square isn%26#39;t walking distance to everything you want to do, but neither is anything else. Your best bet is to find a hotel in your price range and then determine if you like the neighborhood.

Cabs can be expensive for some trips, but aren%26#39;t bad for others. The subway is perfectly safe.

You can get the tour guide book that was recommended by going to your local library or bookstore. If your library has them, they%26#39;ll likely have more than one brand, so you can review several and see what you like. You will definitely benefit from starting with one before going further - you%26#39;ll need to make lists of things you want to do/see and where they are located, etc, and a guidebook will have lots of that in one place.

And the poster who suggested you fly with Virgin may not realize that you are flying within the US. They%26#39;re great when flying in from the UK, but you%26#39;re not doing that.

There are pros and cons to staying in Times Square. Agree with a 5-6 yr old, there may be more cons than pros. With kids, it%26#39;s nice if you can get a suite hotel for some extra space and a kitchen. Doubletree Suites Times Square is great, but pricey. Radio Ctiy Apartments is the budget suite hotel of choice near TS but not in it.

radiocityapartments.com

The Salisbury is closer to Central Park but not far from TS. Also suites, also good, a bit dated looking but clean.

nycsalisbury.com

Also near but not in Times Square, the Blakely is a great hotel. Some of their rooms are suites, some not.

The Beacon Hotel on the upper west side is a short cab or subway or bus ride. No, cabs are not expensive at all, but I guess everything is relative. The Beacon does have theater packages but I%26#39;m not sure you save any money. The Beacon is also an all suite hotel so you%26#39;d have more space and a kitchen but right now, rack rates on their website for your dates are high

The Affinia.com group is perhaps the best group of suite hotels. None of their hotels are right in Times Square but several are not far. The closest is Affinia Manhattan and that%26#39;s the cheapest for your dates.

It doesn%26#39;t matter which airport you use. La Guardia is closest so taxis or car service from there is cheapest, but pick the airline/flights that are best.

Unless you find some amazing package deal, I think I would book all the pieces separately to allow yourself flexibility for flights, hotels etc.

In addition to Lion King, Disney has another theater called the New Victory with shows especially for younger kids.

http://www.newvictory.org/

Mary Poppins (a huge hit in London) is just starting here too.

Another poster - annie238 - recently wrote that Frommers New York City is great for ideas for families with kids.

Another great website is Go City Kids

http://www.gocitykids.com/?area=197