I really, truly want to hear from you…
We're taking our three teens to the Big Apple this Summer, and we'll have about 2 1/2 days in the City that Never Sleeps ('cause honestly, who can afford to take a family to New York longer than that???). Think Beverly Hillbillies when they "loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly" except the Dances will "load up the van and visit NYC."
I'm looking for your best tips, tricks and suggestions of what to do and see…and EAT! Please take a minute and chime in! If you're too shy (or haven't figured out how to comment I'm not naming names but you know who you are ;)) please email pensieve(dot)me(at)gmail.
And I would REALLY appreciate if you invited others to chime in, linking this post to Facebook, Twitter, Stumbleupon (tags: travel, NYC, New York, vacation, family), Google+, Tumbler, BlogFrog, LifeKraze–whereever anyone might have something to add!! (Thank you!) To make it easy, feel free to copy/paste the following:
Please share your best #NYC #travel tips w/a friend of mine!! http://bit.ly/ppjlAW {RT}
or
Please help @PensieveRobin plan a family trip to #NYC; she's looking for YOUR best #travel tips! http://bit.ly/ppjlAW {RT}
You MUST go to Ellen Stardust Diner to eat. It isn’t listed in most of the literature but it is a jewel. The waiters and waitresses sing and dance…great,great fun. We take our 8th grade classes to NY for a week each year and never miss it. Also, look up Serendipity for dessert…so they can see dessert made with flakes of pure gold. Battery Park is great if you’re looking for a Rolex…;)
Grimaldi’s for pizza–by the Brooklyn bridge!! 😀 If you get over to Brooklyn. 🙂
We saw Mary Poppins on broadway and loooooved it. 😀
Our cheapest, and BEST meal, Was at La Mela in Little Italy. We took our teen sons for a week in NYC last spring and ate a late lunch/early dinner there. http://www.lamelarestaurant.com/ I brought home a coffee mug from there and still smile every time I see it.
Just returned from a trip to NY last week. We tagged along on a work trip for Michael. Really enjoyed Top of the Roc, Times Square, Central Park (& the Zoo). We avoided museums & shows because 2 members of the family aren’t big fans and there were time restraints. Had friends recommend getting the NY Pass (www.newyorkpass.com). Enjoyed dinner at John’s Pizzeria on W 44th – it’s in a renovated church.
Those are the biggies for me–minus all the shopping and just strolling along the famous streets 🙂
Never been to the city longer than to pass through … I did however tweet and fb your request!
Enjoy and take a lot of pics!
Blessings
Andrea
Although I have never been there, for eating cheaply, I think you might want to try Rachel Rae. She used to have a show where she would go to different cities and spend X-number of dollars a day (I think it was $40.00, but it was a while back so I can’t remember the true amount), but if you google it, I am sure she can help you with this. Have a blessed and great time, Dances!!
My all time favorite place to eat is Il Cortile in Little Italy. Other places that I’ve enjoyed are Bella Vita (pizza place in the Times Square area), Ellen’s Stardust Diner (great entertainment), Victor’s Cafe (Cuban food) and Carmine’s (family style Italian food). Since you will be there for a short amount of time, a bus tour would allow you to see the highlights. I’ve had good luck with Gray Line bus tours in other cities, and I imagine that it would be a good tour in NYC.
Some nice “free” places to visit: St. Paul’s Chapel and Ground Zero, Trinity Church, Wall Street, Central Park (lots of neat places in the park; two of my favorites are Belvedere Castle and the Bethesda fountain.) It’s a really neat experience just walking through the park.
On my first visit to NYC, my husband and I took a ferry tour that passed by the Statue of Liberty. I wish I could remember the name of the tour because it was very informative. We were short on time and weren’t able to actually visit the island and see the statue up close, but it we still enjoyed it.
Have a great trip!
If you want to spend some time at a museum, the Metropolitan is fabulous! There is way too much to see in a few hours, but you could hit the highlights. There is also a nice little cafe inside the museum where you can rest and have a bite to eat. Once you leave the museum, you can walk through Central Park. I have also visited the Museum of Natural History, but didn’t like it. It reminded me of a VERY large Cabelas. If you and your kids are into stuffed animals, etc. you might enjoy it.
Thank you ALL! Every suggestion you are making is one we’re considering!
D, you’ve totally intrigued me! I feel like I have insider information!!
Alicia, Grimaldi’s is a place that keeps coming up; I’m thinkin’ that might make our short list :).
Kelly, hmmm, several mentions from places in Little Italy; I’ve got to compare notes and see if there are any in common.
Tricia, I enjoyed your pictures! The last time I was in NYC–20+ years ago!–I ate at the Carnagie Deli! Crazy, huh??
Annnnnnndrea!!! Thank you!! 🙂
Lynn, we used to watch $40 a Day religiously! In fact, we’ve been to several restaurants Rachael has recommended now that I think about it! Great suggestion (and I wonder what she’s said @ NY….)
Melissa, I’m thinking you mean the Staten Island Ferry?? Thanks for ALL your ideas!!
Lots of great ideas here! We used to visit NY annually for years and years, but now sadly, not as often– LOVE that city! The only things I’d add are to be sure to try to include at least one of their world-class museums, AND try not to over-schedule; factor in time for just wandering around and people-watching.
Also? One of my favorite restaurants is on Bleeker Street in West Greenwich Village (a FABULOUS place to wander around, btw) called Risotteria. It has a vast array of, you guessed it, RISOTTO!! Really, really good. Small place, but not pricey — look up the menu online. And it is just across the street from the best cannoli in the city, at the famous Pasticceria Rocco (formerly Rocco’s Pastry Shop)– worth a trip all by itself!
Annnnnd now I’m hungry…
Have a ball!
Lion King…Lion King…Lion King…The best view is from the BACK of the theatre (center, if possible) I know the guys will groan…until they see it. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island…still my favorites. Loved the Met plus it is close to Central Park. We stayed in Times Square…There is always something happening there. John’s Pizza is good…portions are large enough to share.
Tori, Now going with YOU would be a HOOT! Somehow I just know YOU know all the ins and outs of “those” places that would be FUN to visit! Thanks for the suggestion. Funny, but I was thinking about YOU when I wrote my post about Chattanooga (a few after this one).
Tammy,
Lion King is what we most want to see; the boys loved the video when they were MUCH younger. BUT, online tickets available put us close to $1000, totally out of reach for us! We’ll see when we get there what’s in our budget; I’ve got several choices, so surely we’ll get one of the top three…. AND I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!!!! YOU FIGURED OUT HOW TO COMMENT!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO
I’ll be there tomorrow! Will let you know what we do for fun!
I live less than an hour from NYC and rarely get there. You can see a lot of sites if you are prepared to walk. You can walk to Rockefeller Plaza and stand outside the NBC window, right across the street is the ice rink. Around the corner is Radio City Music Hall and from there you can go to the Cathedral. The Top of the Rock is really a cool view. A walk through part of Central park on a beautiful day, would be an experience. We have been in several times over the past 13 years that we have lived in Jersey to see musicals. GO see one. You will not be sorry. We have always purchased our tickets ahead of time and sat in the balcony(you can see the whole stage), but there are booths where you can buy same day tickets and I have heard that it is cheaper. I would never pass up going to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Ellis Island is amazing to walk through. The Statue will have a line with a wait time of over an hour to get into the base. You also have to get tickets ahead of time to go up in the crown. But still take the time to see it and walk around the grounds if you haven’t. We also enjoyed walking through the public library one time and all around Macy’s. Then when you see the parade on TV, you can say, “I was there!” Have fun!
Everyone has such great ideas. Plan wisely and you’ll see just enough without getting burnt out. When we went yesterday, we were going for a toy show and our arms were loaded so my one daughter, who wasn’t feeling good, just wanted to go home. I made her walk the 15 city blocks back to the train station just to take in the city a little. It was great b/c she got some cool shoes and both girls got dresses from a street vendor. Instead of buying experiences this time, we spent $ on fun items they could take home and wear. But, for you all coming from so far, spending on the experiences will be worth it! Have a great time!!