So I'm going to start with traveling with kids to New York City. I'm starting there because I just returned from there and my poor momma brain doesn't retain information well from more than about two weeks ago.
I lived in New York City when I was a wee lass directly out of college. I was 22 -- ambitious, naive and a little stupid about life. But what better way to learn than to move to the largest city in the country without knowing a soul? I did learn a lot. That's another post...
The point is that I love visiting! My mom was right (something I'm sure I'll write about often. She's ALWAYS right. So annoying!). She told me once when I was eating peanut butter out of a jar for dinner, "You know, if you left New York you might actually be able to afford to visit and see the plays you love and eat at the nice restaurants and do all the things you love about New York..."
Well, at the time I thought she was an idiot - who wouldn't want to live in the greatest city on Earth? But looking back a decade and a half later, she was right. I do love visiting more than I ever loved living there.
As I mentioned in a previous post -- it's all about EXPECTATIONS. So hopefully some insider information from my experience will help you keep your expectations in check.
I especially love seeing my kids see the city. My mom and I took my oldest daughter, Riess, for a girls' trip when she was 5 years old. We saw "Annie" and "Cinderella" on broadway. This time was my middle daughter's turn. Avery is 6 and we took both girls to see "Frozen," "Wicked," and "Anastasia." If you are ever able to expose your kids to theater at a young age - do it! Even if its community theater, even if its going to a school play. The imaginative nature of a real life show is innately how a young mind works. They pretend to be someone else, they play with imaginary things and they put on shows (at least mine do often!) Seeing their eyes watch theater is the best feeling ever for me. I look at them for half the show to see their reactions instead of watching the cast onstage most of the time!
THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN NYC:
SEE A SHOW: Disney has a ton on broadway these days. Definitely family-friendly. See separate post for show reviews!
GO TO THE M&M STORE: This is pure hell for me, but my kids think it is the greatest thing on Earth. It is right in the middle of Times Square. Be prepared to spend some cash on overpriced candy and trinkets. Don't let them go wild in the "create your own bag" candy. It is priced per pound and fills up super fast ... you will quickly end up paying $50 for a bag of M&Ms !
GO TO THE AMERICAN GIRL STORE: The store has moved to Rockefeller Plaza and it is magnificent. Must book reservations in advance for meals at the cafe or any salon appointments. I rolled my eyes at the thought of the "doll salon" where you get your doll's hair done, nails done or ears pierced, but once I saw the look on my little girls' faces when they walked in there, all my cynicism melted away and I was in little girl heaven too.
GO OUT TO EAT: It's tough to find family-friendly restaurants in New York, but there are a few. NY style pizza is always good and you can find it on any street corner. The best (in my opinion) is John's on Bleaker Street.
Ellen's Stardust Diner is one of my absolute favorites. It's a little touristy (also in Times Square), but it is fun. It is a diner-like atmosphere where the wait staff are some of the most amazingly talented singers you've ever heard. They are all trying to "make it" on Broadway and you get to bask in their talent over a grilled cheese and french fries. Magnificent. They dance on tables and belt out some of the most familiar showtunes. Fun for the whole family! However, this last trip we never got to stop in because the line was wrapped around the block every time we went! They have never taken reservations, but I've never had to wait more than 5-10 minutes to get in. I guess word of the massive talent inside has gotten out to the masses!
STATUE OF LIBERTY: This can be a tourist hellhole as well, but worth doing at least once. Book in advance -- far in advance if you want to actually go inside Lady Liberty (pedestal level or to the crown). Statue Cruises is the only company that operates the ferry to the statue. Don't get fooled into buying other tickets! (You will get harassed on the street to buy tickets from less reputable sources) Buy your tickets online before you go, but this doesn't keep you from being herded cattle-like with the masses inside a hot security building. The day we went was steamy in July and it garnered lots of complaints from the little ones.
The ferry takes off from Battery Park and Liberty Island and Ellis Island. In my opinion, riding the ferry was the best part. You get amazing pictures of the statue and of downtown Manhattan as you cruise across the Hudson. They are in the process of building a new museum on Liberty Island that looks fantastic. There are different tours available and a self-guided audio tour. We opted for none and just walked around enjoying the view and that's about all my little ones could take. We didn't get tickets to go inside, which was probably a good thing because they were ready to go after about 30 minutes. There is no set time for you to stay - ferrys are constantly coming and going. You just catch the next one leaving (prepare for more lines). There is a stop at Ellis Island which I think is fascinating. You can look up your family's immigration story there and learn all kinds of interesting things. My kids weren't up for it this trip - hopefully they will be more interested when they are a little older.
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