New York with teenagers

[doodlealltheday]

A huge hello.

It's been over 2 years since our fab trip to Orlando. Never thought I'd be going back to the US as a family of 6.

However, after too much Prosecco over Christmas I booked us all a trip to NYC. Me, DH and my 4 teenagers have 5 nights booked over Easter.

Should have gone back to Disney as I'm sure it would be cheaper.

Anyhow. Any tips?

What are our must sees? Food looks astronomical without a magic band.
Would love some tips of where to eat.
also been looking at the New York pass, but reviews say it's not worth it as you still have to queue for ages .

Would love some genuine advice about how to best see NY from the Dibb community.

Huge thanks

[COL41]

Went to NYC for first time in December with three adults but all I would say is like going to London, you can spend as little or as much as your budget allows. There are McDonald’s, dollar pizza slices etc and plenty of places to grab a cheap bite to eat. We paid to go on open top bus but ended up walking everywhere as was quicker! We went to a show but was cheaper to book there and got a discount voucher in Times Square.

[Jenfie80]

I took my teenage son to NYC and Washington last summer (his 1st visit, my 2nd) he absolutely loved it, its his 18th birthday next year and was offered the choice of his 7th trip to florida or 2nd to NYC, he picked NYC. There is so much to see and do and the city has such a buzz. We went to see a yankee game, spent the day at coney island riding some pretty old skool rides. Plus all the sights that NYC has to offer. Its a amazing place

[doodlealltheday]

Thanks for the replies.
I have 2 that play flag football in the UK but NFL are out of season.
Would love to see some sport. It's either Yankees or Ice hockey in April as far as I can tell. Basketball prices are huge.
Just don't know where to start.
We have so much to cram in.
Will check out show prices when we get there.

[COL41]

There are some good NYC Facebook groups and apps where you can put in what you would like to see and it will put it all on a map so you can plan your days better. I went knowing we could never do and see everything in four days but saw everything I wanted to

[tracy99]

When we go,we always get the explorer pass from attraction tickets direct.
You can choose 3,5 or 7 attractions.
You bypass the queues,where people are buying tickets & join the queue for people with passes,which are generally a lot shorter,been times where there is no one ahead of you.
I would definitely recommend the ride,the kids should love this & it’s great fun,a definite must do for me.
Personally I would always buy a pass,as it’s always worked well for us.
Tracy x

[ch1ps]

Just got back from NY yesterday. We live in London, NY is very much like London but louder. It can be really full on. We loved Central Park it's an oasis.

My top tip would be research, research, research. There are plenty of duff food places to eat at - we went to a few.

We didn't fit every thing in that we wanted to, surprise surprise. Tried doing Empire State and left it late in the trip and we had night time tickets. Tower was shut due to weather.

Breakfast at Juniors for 3 of us was about $75 including tip.

Steer clear of 9Ten Diner and Park Cafe on 7th.

[Olliesmommy]

We did nyc with 16 & 14 year old, all I can say is plan as much as you can and try and group sights and must dos together by location so you are not wasting time doubling back on yourself . E.g if doing SOL & Ellis island maybe take in Wall Street and the 911 memorial when you get off the ferry. We walked most places and took subway a little only when neccssary.

Also have a plan B if most of your plans are outdoors in case weather turns bad.

Enjoy, it’s such a fantastic city.

[littlelish0544]

Ive only been once, would love to go again, our son was 14. We did get an open bus ticket, and really enjoyed it. We had a pass for a couple of days and after the first couple of rides using it for its purpose, used it as a bus. We were there mid April and didnt feel as if we wasted any time, theres just so much to take in, i couldnt stop looking at it !The guides tell you so much about places, and it was a geat vantage point to just absorb the fact you are actually there. The last day of our trip we did use the subway, which is great for getting about, but i feel we wouldve missed loads by just doing this. We did a few of the tourist things, but not all. Did top of the rocks instead of empire state as i wanted to see empire in the skyline from the rockerfella center and the view of central park is great from there too. We will go back again some day. One of my favorite photos of any holiday is the three of us on brooklyn bridge. Its mainly our faces, and you can see we are there, but my son is laughing at me trying to work out how to take the selfie as my phone was quite new, my face looks a tad confused and my husband is oh for goodness sake, i do love you but you are terrible at tech face... 🥰

[littlelish0544]