Family of 5 on a Budget!

We are looking to travel to NYC sometime this fall/holiday season from Boston. We plan to drive to the north part of the city, then take the train in. (Although we are concerned about lugging the luggage, so any insight into this would be a great help)

It seems we have no choice but to stay in a suite. I understand fire codes, etc. But normally when we travel since the kids are all small, they either share beds with us, or one bunks on the floor or with the chair/sofa. So a suite hotel it will be. Any hotel suggestions are welcomed, and even better if you know of a good value, clean hotel!

We are planning on arriving early one day, spending one night, and making the most of every minute then heading home the next evening. (We only are living in this area for about one year, so we want to make the most of an extended day trip)

I would appreciate any and all feedback about what would help us make the most of our time and $$. We don%26#39;t mind spending $ on things that would maximize the memories. TIA

Family of 5 on a Budget!

How old are the kids? Check with www.mta.info for train info, but you might actually save money driving in and forking over $35/day parking rather than parking out of town and taking the train in. Most of the commuter rail staions have limited parking, again check on the MTA site, but White Plains is probibally your best bet.

Family of 5 on a Budget!

For reasonable accomodations, you may want to check out Radio City Apartments although they are generally booked well in advance. They offer very reasonably priced suites in a great location. This is not a fancy hotel but offers good, clean accomodations at a fair price. www.radiocityapartments.com.

Our family%26#39;s favorite suite hotel is the Doubletree Guest Suites on Times Square. The rooms are huge and lovely, the bathroom is among the largest in NY hotels and the location is perfect for children whose legs tend to get very tired in NY.

As for memories, I would take your children to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It is just that, spectacular and very New York. I also recommend Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, Central Park, even if its cold-take warm clothes.

For the best pizza in the Times Square area, hit John%26#39;s Pizzeria on 44th and Ellen%26#39;s Stardust Diner on 51st and Broadway.

The Metropolitan Museum is a favorite of my children. Great Egyptian Exhibit and Armor Exhibit. make sure to get the Audio tour, it helps with understanding.

Have a great time! Moms

The Embassy Suites in the financial district is less expensive than other areas, and includes free breakfast. They also have parking if you decide to drive in. The location is not real convenient, but there is a subway station just a few blocks away.

First, you do have the option of taking the train the whole way from Boston. There are some discount codes that might make it the cheapest option. Poster CockleCove has posted discount codes on previous threads if you do a search.

If that%26#39;s not an option, I agree with Al, (CPINY) that driving all the way into the city and paying 1 night%26#39;s parking is probably easier and just as economical as parking elsewhere and having to pay for train fare, not to mention the hassle of overnight bags for everyone. iconparking.com has garages all over the city that can cost as little as $20-35 for one day.

I agree that Radio City Apartments would be ideal for your trip, but may likely be fully booked. Some other options include the Best Western Hospitality, any of the Affinia hotels (affinia.com), the Salisbury (nycsalisbury.com). Yet another option is to stay across the river in New Jersey (Sheraton on the Hudson in Weehawken, Doubletree Club or Hyatt Regency in Jersey City).

How old are the kids?

The American Museum of Natural History is pay-what-you-wish every day, all the time. Check outhte dinosaurs!

The Staten Island Ferry is free, and you get great views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

There are many great plyagrounds in NYC, if you want to just chill out and they want to run around.

The holiday windows on Fifth Avenue are free, but very crowded.

Most folks say that the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is compeltely worth it, especially for kids (who are old enough to be able to sit in a theatre for two hours).

Pick up a copy of Time Out New York for Kids for hundreds of other great ideas!

http://tonykids.com/

I just got back from NYC for the first time and I agree the museum of Natural History was very cool. For 30.00 per person (not sure on kid prices) you got enterance into the museum and the cosmic collisions show, Cave Dwellers, and lizard and snakes. It takes all day to get through so be there by about 10 or so. Its right next to Central park so you might want to head over to the park after the museum. The dinosaurs and meteors were way cool.

We stayed at a very small, inexpensive hotel which is more like an apartment complex called the Best Western Hospitality House. It had 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, a full kitchen with continental breakfast. NYC hotels are expensive and often VERY small and this was a steal at 350/night considering most hotels give you smaller space for that. The Doubletree Suites also might be ok but not sure on their price.

try vrbo - the manhattan lights apartment

http://www.vrbo.com/54014

i stayed there recently - great view across the river to manhattans upper west side. it is not in Manhattan, but we had no problems any time getting over there. all info is on the website, and it is all true

you should all fit in there, and the host was lovely, even tho we barely saw her as she lives upstairs. you may even be able to park there. email her, she is very helpful. only about $110 per night from memory and it is so lovely

Why not treat thw whole family to a musical for the entire family? Try www.broadwaybox.com You can find considerable discounts there, depending on the time of your visit. Enjoy!

Thanks for all your great suggestions!! I think we%26#39;ll look into the Radio City Christmas show, although they are performing here in Boston as well. I think it would be mroe fun to see in NYC.

We have been researching booking a hotel across the river. I think we may be able to stay another night if we book there. If that is the case, we%26#39;ll just drive in and park.

I am going to have to be picky about museums, because my husband doesn%26#39;t care for them. We are wanting to go to the Intrepid, any comments on that?

I think we will do TOTR rather than the Empire judging from the reviews here.

Ahoy, you just missed the Intrepid. It sailed away and is ';on shore leave'; for renovations, and won%26#39;t be back for a year or so. Sorry!

intrepidmuseum.org/intrepidmuseum/鈥?/a>