Special thanks to @jesuischey & @itsamaarsworld for choosing the topic for this blog series! A few days ago we did an Instagram Poll asking our followers to choose what they’d like us to write about next. They chose NYC, and we’re VERY grateful they did because it’s honestly one of our favorite cities!
Check out their Instagram feeds and give ‘em a few likes and a follow if you like their content! While you’re there, check out our page and give us a follow as well!
So, who wants to go to New York?
We do! We do! …no, seriously, we really do.
We absolutely love this city. There’s so many things to do, it’s great any time of year, they have some of the best food, the best shopping, broadway shows… The list goes on!
In fact, there’s so much to do that we really can’t sum it all up in one post. So, we thought, let’s do a series!
We’ve broken our visit out into the following categories which we will review in a new post each week.
The Categories We’ll Cover:
- NYC 4 Day Itinerary (what you’re reading now)
- Getting Around NYC – Transportation Guide
- NYC Restaurants Guide – Highlighting a few of our favorites
NYC – 4 Day Itinerary
Keep reading to the end of the article. There’s a bonus tip on how to get cheap 4-star hotels + airfare if you book in advance!
It seems there’s always a new activity or event you can take advantage of in New York. And, several months ago, our family did just that!
If you’ve read my wife’s bio, you’ll know that she’s really into K-Pop. In particular, she really loves one specific band, BTS. In October of last year, we found out that BTS was playing at Citi Field and somehow, someway, the heavens shined down on us and we were able to get tickets!
So, we packed our bags, boarded a plane and made a long weekend out of it! Below is the itinerary we planned and all the little things in it that we loved.
Where To Stay:
There’s no shortage of hotels in NYC. For us, we love the feel of central Manhattan (Midtown/Times Square), it’s a great place to set-up camp. We refer to is as setting-up camp, because that’s really what it’s like. NYC is a large enough city that you’ll likely use your hotel for sleeping and getting ready, but during the day you’ll likely wander out into different parts of the city, potentially a fair distance away from your hotel.
Keep in mind too that NYC is a very big city, but it’s broken up in such a way that you feel like your in smaller neighborhoods. That’s because… well… you are! Below is a map of the different neighborhoods throughout Manhattan.
Our best advice? Before you leave, think about places you want to see in the city. What things do you want to do? Then think about, of those things, which ones will you probably do more than once? Then, try to find a hotel in that area that feels right for you (and your budget).
An example from our last trip:
Our kids hadn’t see Times Square and we also knew that there were two stores we wanted to shop at in that area. We figured we’d go back to that area more than once, so we found a hotel in Midtown East that was only a short 15-20 min. walk to Times Square. (Side Note: We’ll cover transportation in our next blog post, but here’s a hint, walking is one of the best and easiest ways of getting around in NYC)
– – – – – – –
Now that you have your home-base secured, it’s time to plan activities! Below is a list of all the things we did in our 4-Day NY excursion. Yes, this is a lot to take-in in 4 days, but it can be done.
- Day 1: Times Square, Rockefeller Center
- Day 2: Central Park and Broadway
- Day 3: 911 Memorial Museum, Statue of Liberty, Liberty/Ellis Island
- Day 4: Citi Field
Frommer’s EasyGuide to New York City 2019![""]("//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=kindatrippy-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1628874260")
Times Square:
If you’ve never seen it, you have to go! Yes, it’s a tremendous tourist trap, and yes it’s packed with people, but it’s one of the best places to experience the busy vibe of the city and feel the heat from the gigantic glowing billboards above your head.
When we went, we had a plan in mind of where we wanted to go and what we wanted to do. In particular, we wanted to walk through the square, take in the billboards, look for discounted Broadway show tickets and shop at Line Friends (a store carrying a line of merch developed by BTS… yes this is the reality I live in).
Taking in the billboards and lights is easy, but fair warning for those traveling with younger kids, HOLD THEIR HANDS. The crowds are massive, especially at night (when it’s dark), getting separated from your party is a real thing especially if some of you walk faster than others.
Regarding theater tickets, there is a TKTS Discount Booth at Times Square located “under the red steps” at Broadway and 47th. It’s a giant red staircase (there’s only one) and it’s impossible to miss. The discount ticket booth has great deals on less-popular shows. I’ve purchased there before and gotten 1/2 off tickets for shows like Stomp and Blue Man Group, but they’re first-come-first-serve and if you don’t get there early you will miss out.
When we were there we glanced at the options, but we were late and the good shows were sold out. We also had already advanced tickets to see Wicked, so we opted to just see one show while we were there. – BTW, after seeing Wicked, there was no way any other show would have held up. It was AMAZING!
Times Square is where all the action is and there is a ton of stuff to do there, everything from seeing the Naked Cowboy to The Tonight Show (hint: The Tonight Show’s better). There’s a ton of shopping, stores like Disney, M&M’s World, M.A.C. Cosmetics, Levi’s… you name it, it’s there. (Michaele note: Even though the tickets to The Tonight Show and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert are free, they don’t allow anyone under the age of 18.)
For us, it was Line Friends, and if you’re into BTS it is a must see. They have a ton of plushies, clothing, journals, bags… they even have a section of the store where you can take your picture with life-size plushy dolls. I did it. #noshame
There’s great food there as well and even some great roof-top bars if you’d like to people-watch in style. But be warned, you may need to pre-book your roof-top experience as they fill-up fast.
Rockefeller Center:
Rockefeller Center is only about a 10 minute walk from Times Square. When we were there, the main center was actually blocked off and they hadn’t quite gotten the ice skating rink out yet. The more we stood there, the more we realized just why the area was blocked off. — They were filming a movie!
Actually, they were filming a TV show, Sneaky Peet to be exact. And, as luck would have it, Giovanni Ribisi (Sneaky Peet himself) was in full con artist mode. We watched as he walked around the corner, delivered his line, then quickly walked out of site to stay away from the crowd. He did this about 3-4 times, then the scene was over and life in NYC went back to normal.
But, if you’re interested in seeing Rockefeller Center when it’s not being overtaken by film crews and cameras, it’s best to check their website for upcoming or ongoing activities. For a tourist-inspired visit, you should certainly make the trip during the holidays when the Christmas tree is lit and the holiday spirit is in full-swing. But, if you’d like to experience it like a local, there are tons of activities throughout the week happening there that you can take advantage of. Everything from farmers markets to 41 string bands, many activities are open to the public, so you’re certain not to be disappointed whenever you go!
Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm IS II Lens Bundle + Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Lens and 500mm Preset Lens + 32GB Memory + Filters + Monopod + Spider Tripod + Professional Bundle![""]("//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=kindatrippy-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B079GDB7C7")
Central Park
No trip to New York would be complete without a trip to Central Park! It’s one of the best ways to spend a day in the city, without actually feeling like you’re in a city.
For those who have never been, Central Park is massive! You could probably walk around the entire park in a day, but we’ve found it’s best to seek out specific locations and take them in slowly.
Here’s what we took in on our last trip, but feel free to seek-out the spots that look interesting to you. You can download maps at the Central Park website.
We entered the park at Grand Army Plaza and 59th Street. This location was fairly close to our hotel and also had easy access to the subway nearby.
From there we made our way past Gabstow Bridge, past the Central Park Zoo and into the Dairy Visitor Center. This is a great place if you’re looking for a quick and easy Central Park inspired souvenir. The prices aren’t too bad and their staff is extremely helpful if you’re looking for a good place to hang out within the park.
After the Visitor Center, we made our way to Le Pain Quotidien. This is a wonderful little cafe just off the pathway where you can sit outside and get a perfect view of the Meadow. Their food is a bit on the pricy side, but you’re in Central Park, having lunch, it’s worth a little extra cash just for the experience. We were there early and had a great brunch/breakfast, but they also have amazing lunch and drinks as well!
After a bit of sustenance we made our way to Bethesda Terrace and Bethesda Fountain. Both beautiful and well worth the walk. There’s also a great walkway labeled “The Mall” that takes you to the Terrace. Beautiful spot for Instagram photos or just a great place to sit and people watch for a while.
The last place we stopped was Bow Bridge and The Lake that surrounds it. Spectacular views and a wonderful peaceful setting. We could literally find a nice bench and simply watch the the day go by in this place. But, it was getting late and we had theater tickets, so we figured we’d better get back to our hotel.
Broadway:
If you’re taking a trip to NYC, and you’ve got the extra time, we would highly recommend seeing a show on Broadway, or off broadway for that matter. Even if you’re not a “theater buff”, it’s an experience that you just can’t get anywhere else. You’re guaranteed to be entertained, and you’re certain to leave the experience wanting more.
There’s really no comparison to seeing a show in this city. Until recently, we really hadn’t understood why their setting was so much better. But, last time we were there, we compared notes between NYC to other venues and this is what we came up with.
- New York has simply been doing it longer. Theater is truly an industry for them. At any given time you can see 10-15 major productions and upwards of 20 minor (off-broadway) productions. And they’re all really good at what they do, keeping you entertained.
- Their city is set-up for it. New York has an entire section of the city known as the Theater District. Within this area they cater to the needs and desires of those seeking entertainment. Everything from the venues to the restaurants, pubs and coffee shops around the area, they all form their business models around theater-going clientele.
- A-List Actors. To say it takes a lot to perform in a broadway show is an understatement. These people are professionals, in the truest sense of the word. In fact, to give you an idea, we’ve seen some off-broadway productions that had better performers than actual broadway performances we’d seen in other cities.
- New York knows entertainment, it’s one of their biggest industries. In addition to the Broadway scene, there are any number of other entertainment-related venues you could see in the city. You’ve got any number of late-night and prime time TV shows being recorded all day long; things like the previously mentioned Late Show, the Tonight Show, The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight, ABC TV Studio featuring Good Morning America, Fox News, Saturday Night Live… you can even see shows like Dr. Oz and Rachel Ray, the list literally goes on…forever.
So, if you’re in NYC and have the time one evening to go to the theater DO IT! You will not be disappointed. Our last trip we saw Wicked, something Michaele and I had been wanting to do for years, and it was quite honestly one of the best performances we’d seen. Other great performances we’d recommend include (but are not limited to) The Lion King, Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (but plan for two days because it runs in two separate parts), and of course Hamilton. Check out the Time Out link that gives you a good idea of the top shows right now!
911 Memorial Museum
If there’s one museum that truly reveals the heart of this city, it’s the 911 Memorial. When we arrived we weren’t entirely sure what to expect, we’d seen the twin towers before they collapsed and witnessed the tragedy from our home, states away. But, actually being here you experience a unique, somber, sense of remembrance as you walk through countless examples of how a diverse city came together as one family in the face of a devastating tragedy.
Without revealing too much, the museum itself is situated on the exact location where the Twin Towers once stood. As you make your way through the memorial you have an opportunity to bear witness to tangible examples of the devastation that followed after the collapse and true stories of first-responders and citizens who stood against impossible odds to rally together as a community.
We highly recommend experiencing this at least once, but do know that this museum is first and foremost a memorial. It’s a place of quiet reflection around the events that happened on September 11, 2001.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island:
Quick Note: There is a new Statue of Liberty Museum which opened up in May of 2019. Find out more about it here.
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic American monuments on the planet. It is a National Park and as such it is managed by the National Park Service, therefore any rules and regulations that the Park Service has are set-forth here as well. They even have a Jr. Ranger program, worth checking out if you have young kids!
There are many different ways that you can experience the park and many different sights that you can see while you’re there as well. Most everyone goes there to see the statue itself. Tickets for the statue range in both experience and cost. Tickets for the statue tours can be purchased from Statue Cruises.
There are 4 ticket options to choose from. All tickets options grant access via ferry to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island. They also provide Audio Tours and priority entry & screening in the queue. Currently, prices for each are as follows.
- Reserve Tickets grant you access to the grounds of both Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Child $9 (0-3 is free), Adult $18.50, Senior 62+ $14
- Pedestal Reserve Tickets allow access to up to the Fort Wood section of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Child $9 (0-3 is free), Adult $18.50, Senior 62+ $14
- Crown Reserve Tickets allow access up to the Crown of the Statue of Liberty. Child $12, Adult $21.50, Senior 62+ $17
- Hard Hat Tour provides you with a 90 minute guided tour of the unrestored Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital Complex. Participants must be 13 ears old and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult legal guardian. Adult $58.50, Senior $54.00
We highly recommend booking your tickets in advance. Crown or Pedestal tickets often go very fast, so the sooner you can book the better. Also, prepare for stairs! In total there are 354 steps, which is the equivalent of about 20 stories that you’ll need to climb.
As part of the experience you’ll get to enjoy Ellis Island. For us, this was equally as enjoyable as the statue itself. There you’ll get to read stories and testimonials from the more than 12 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island’s halls as they sought a better life for themselves and their families.
Citi Field:
Okay, so this isn’t really a “tourist” destination. But as we mentioned earlier, one of the main reasons we were in NYC during this time was to see a BTS concert. That concert happened to be held at City Field, so we thought we’d share our experiences getting there as well as other things you might be able to see or do at this venue.
Getting there from the city.
Citi Field is about 1-1.5 hours away from downtown Manhattan. For us, the easiest way to get there was via the subway, although depending on your budget and where you are within the city, you may opt for a cab or an UBER or LYFT. For us, the subway was perfect, it took just under an hour, and it allowed us to experience a bit more of the local side of New York. …and, for us, we always prefer to travel like a local whenever we can!
Things to do while there.
Well, if the Mets are in season, you should definitely catch a ball game! But, if it’s off-season, there are a ton of other events that you could take advantage of. Everything from non-game-day field tours, to concerts and music festivals, you can even get married there, for the right price! We’ve found this site helpful in our search for activities, they also have a “FREE Concerts in NYC” link at the top that provides venues outside of Citi Field you might be interested in.
Yep, NYC is by-far one of the most vibrant and exciting cities to visit in the US. We’d go back each month if we could! You’ll find a TON of things to do for everyone in your family. Also, while it may not seem like it at first, the people there are great as well. For a gigantic city, the locals really understand the value of community and they truly care for one another in unique and special ways.
As promised, here’s a quick tip for a great hotel + air if you book in advance.
How many people have used Orbitz? We use Orbitz all the time for travel, especially if we know that we’ll need a hotel and a flight together. If you select “packages” when searching for travel, they will often have a “Deal of the Day” that pops up at the top of the search. This is typically a higher-end hotel in a good area that they have a deeper discount on.
At the time of this posting I did a search of NYC packages, mid September, and found a 4-star option in Manhattan with a discount of over $700. When we booked our travel to NYC in October of last year, we tried this option and found a 4.5 star hotel with direct flights and saved over $1,300. – Give it a try the next time you travel, and let us know if you end up saving!
We always love hearing from you! What would you like to see in NYC?
Cheers,
-Casey & Michaele
