NYC Travel Advice

Updated on March 25, 2012
K.B. asks from Woburn, MA
5 answers

I'm traveling to NYC with my hubby and 2 boys (2yo and 4yo) for 3 days; Sat, Sun, Mon, April 14-16. My husband has a gig (musician term for job) in NYC that Sun nite so I thought the family could tag along.

We've been a few times so we know what sights we want to bring the kids to. Problem is we stayed with relatives nearby (no longer an option) so we have little clue where to stay and no clue where to park (we're driving from Boston).

I'm looking at a hotel near the Bronx zoo for a couple of nights; Sheridan Hotel for about $125 and then planning to pay a higher premium to spend one night in times Square - probably $300, close to where the hubby will be working.

I know I could leave the car at the hotel in the Bronx and take the bus or subway into town. I'm led to believe that would be about an hour. Any idea how long that trip might take via car on a long weekend (Patriot's Day)? I'd like to have the car to drive back after spending half+ day exhausting the kids and let them nap in the car.

Any suggestions on parking? Even if we leave the car in the Bronx for the first day, we need to have the car, and all my husbands gear, in the city for his Sunday night gig.

Also, any suggestions for a good site for NYC coupons? for parking, restaurants, hotels?

Thanks,
K.

2 moms found this helpful

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A.H.

answers from Seattle on

Why don't you try to priceline a hotel? In NYC you can pick very specific neighborhoods to bid in and if you pick 4 stars or whatever you won't be disappointed. My husband and I have stayed at REALLY nice manhattan hotels doing that. In a lot of cases you'd be able to park a car at the hotel of course, but that could be really expensive. (I mean, all of the parking is expensive, but I mean crazy) We always parked (moved away last yr.) at the park n lock lot on 42nd st. between 9th and 10th ave's. Its cheaper and it nice that its park and lock so you don't have to wait for the valet or go down some crazy basement. There is of course a subway station in like 1 blk. to take you wherever you'd like to go. If you come down the westside hwy you just basically follow the signs to the lincoln tunnel and you'll see the lot there - huge like the whole block.
I don't know anything about the bronx zoo stuff, sorry. Have a great trip!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi K.,

We stayed at the Residence Inn near Bryant Park for about $199/night in early February. It was a subway stop away from Times Square and having a fridge and microwave was great. It wasn't huge but by NY standards I thought it was spacious. Don't have any suggestions for parking though. Hope you guys have a great time; we sure did!

1 mom found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

We did Priceline or Hotwire (I forget which) about a year ago. We wound up in a hotel suite in Stamford CT - it was just as much travel time as being in the Bronx. Nice hotel, lots of amenities. I think we had to pay $10 for parking overnight but there was a free breakfast so it more than made up for it.

You could also try NJ - I know it's across the river and would add some time, but it's a lot less money.

The closer you book, the better deal you can get because hotels want to fill the empty rooms.

Check Groupon for coupons - you can google to those in an area farther from your home.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.S.

answers from Boston on

We stayed in the Doubletree Suites in Times Square with our 2 kids and it was a great setup: There is a basically a bedroom and sitting room with a foldout sofa and a door in between. Grownups and kids get their own space. My kids thought it was great, although they were a little older (4 and 7). You're right in the middle of all the action in Times Sq. Quikbook.com is also a good place to look for hotels, they always have a Secret Sale going on. This site shows you all the parking rates: http://nyc.bestparking.com/index.php.
Have fun!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Boston on

The last time we went we stayed in Ridgefield Park NJ right outside of the city (Hilton Garden Inn). If I remember correctly, parking was free and we were able to get a bus into the city. We were there with a 3 yo and 6 yo and had no trouble getting in and out. If I remember correctly, parking was free there.

I have also stayed in Stamford CT and taken the train into the city. I think it is about 1 hour. We also drove to the Bronx Zoo from that hotel.

I hope you have a great trip!

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