New York

By adam33079 on Oct 28, 2009 | Reply

NYC is very fast paced. It’s best as an adventure vacation vs a relaxation vacation.
1) Do not rent a car. Use public transportation.
2) Very difficult even for those of us who live here. And, what’s harder than driving here is parking here. Just don’t do it.
3) This is their job. They want to get you where you’re going as fast as possible so it may seam scary. They know what they’re doing, though. Buckle Up.
4) Central Park will be a great place for the kids on a sunny afternoon. Tons to do, and see. They’ll love playing there and seeing the zoo, riding the rides. Times Square is an eye-opener. You have to take the kids to FAO Schwatz. It’s the biggest toy store they’ll ever see. 59th and 5th.
5) Hotels are pricey. Food, there is a wide spectrum. There are such great restaraunts here. Pick Up a Zagat’s Guide and it’ll tell you everything about restaraunts before you go there. It’s fun to find the little places that are really great. The Zagat’s will gve you a feeling if its kid friendly.
6) All the reasonable hotels are secure. I wouldn’t worry about security at a hotel. If you stay near Times Square, you’ll have a very electrified stay. Other places are a lot more peaceful to stay. Whatever hotel you choose it’ll be within walking distance to something great.
7) You’ll probably stay in Manhattan below 96th street and between 2nd and 10th Ave. Except when you visit the Statue of Liberty. Keep in mnd NYC is a safe place in general. The vast majority of people here are just going about their business and could care less about you or your wallet. But don’t be stupid.
LaGuardia.
References :

By NYC Chutzpah on Oct 28, 2009 | Reply

la guardia (lag) has the prettiest approach to the city, real nice views whan landing. if you are staying in the city forget about a car, it really is not necessary. You can purchase fro each one of a day pass for unlimited use of the bus and subway for $7 each. NY is a great city for walking we do a lot of it here There are many hotels at many price levels here use the travel websites to research them. Food can be expensive or cheap depending on where you go. Breakfast can be very reasonabel around $3 for a breakfast special, lunch could be sandwiches from a deli eaten outside, or pizza, dinner you could try a greek diner and share an entree. For more info on NYC try http://www.nycvisit.com
Good Luck and enjoy.

Most cabs only seat 4 people, 3 in the back and one in front, there are mini vans, but try to find one when you need it.
References :

By tham153 on Oct 28, 2009 | Reply

With five people, anywhere you go by bus or subway would run $20 round trip (subways and buses are $2/person per ride). At that rate taxis almost become an economic option. They are certainly faster. Renting a car would be extremely foolish, because parking in Manhattan is absurd. Few attractions have a parking lot, NYC has something called alternate side parking that you do NOT want to learn about, and meters need to be fed continuously, and mostly are already occupied. Driving for the unacquainted is difficult despite the grid street system in much of Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn and Queens, partly due to one way streets and weird features such as streets that split and run parallel to themselves, and streets that stop and then restart a few blocks later. Most taxi drivers can be trusted. They, like everyone else, are just trying to make a living. The big problems are drivers whose English limited and drivers who really don’t know where they are going. Each is about 10% of the total, with lots of overlap.
If you want cheap access to the city, take public transit from Newark Airport. If you are taking a taxi in, it makes no difference, as city law sets the price from any of the three airports to any point in Manhattan as $45 plus tolls (and tip, the driver hopes).
The Statue of Liberty is reached by a boat which also stops at Ellis Island, all one price. You can get off at either or both and explore, take a later boat onward. Warning: Extremely long lines, so start EARLY.
Also in lower Manhattan the World Trade Center site, Staten Island ferry (free!), South Street Seaport, and Chinatown, where you should try eating at Wo Hop on Mott Street (downstairs dining room). Also the Chase Bank money museum, with the large currency ever printed and the coin that buys a wife.
Midtown has the Empire State Building, theater district (lots of good foreign restaurants on side streets in the upper part of the district), the United Nations (gift shop is great for souvenirs), and FAO Schwartz, an enormous toy store with an ice cream parlor. That should go over well with 3 kids!
Uptown has Central Park and Zoo, Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Natural History/Rose Space Center.
Way Uptown has the Cloisters, where the kids will appreciate the medieval armor. Dyckman House was British Army HQ in the Revolution.
Bronx: Zoo; Botanical Gardens
Queens: Shea Stadium where the Mets win sometimes; Bowne House (stop on the Underground Railroad) (good restaurants a couple blocks away); Flushing Hall of Science and the adjoining zoo where you walk at tree top level to see the birds.
Brooklyn: Aquarium; Coney Island
Any area you should stay away from you won’t be going near anyway.
References :

By Tara C on Oct 28, 2009 | Reply

As a former NYer I will answer the best I can. I still go about once a month for a day trip with my husband and daughter.

1 & 2. Don’t rent a car. The traffic is hectic and if you are not accostemed to driving in this situation you will spend more time in your car than visiting sites. I would suggest getting a metrocard for everyone. They will definitely be the most economical and you will get to places a lot faster and never get lost. You can download the bus/train map from the NYC metro website.
3. The taxi drivers are perfectly safe, but they tend to be expensive. If you have somewhere to go and would like to "arrive" call some of the car services. There are a few car services based near the 207th train station. They have towncars and you can negotiate the cost before you get in the car.
4. Don’t get concerned with what you must see. NYC is amazing. Instead pick neighborhoods that you want to see. For example if you choose to see the lower east side (LES) one day you will see Chinatown, Little Italy, there is a tenement museum there and Bryant Park. A ton of shopping etc. Do Central Park another day. There is a great little zoo, the boathouse, street performers, etc. Plus you can catch a couple of museums on the way.
5 & 6. As far as hotels if you stay anywhere in the touristy district you are going to spend a lot of money, they will be secure and clean. I don’t spend the night often in NYC anymore, but when I do I stay at the Days Hotel. It’s on the upper west side. I might be biased because I used to live around the corner from there, but it’s a quiet, clean neat hotel. There is a great diner next door. As for food, stay away from touristy spots and you will do fine. El Malecon between 97th & 98th on Amsterdam has great home cooked food. The chicken is delish and the kids won’t complain. Also, if you go to the LES try Pommes Frites. Who knew you could make a meal out of french fries. Just stay away from the "famous" restaurants. They are not as good and overpriced.
7. Don’t stay away from any area. You can even venture into "Harlem". NYC is perfectly safe. There is no difference than any other metro city in the world. Just be safe, stay away from side streets at night, don’t fall into tourist traps, etc.
8. If you are true troopers do JFK. Then you can take the train or bus to your hotel.. If you want to visit NY live like a NYer.
References :