Headed to NYC for work, but I've extended a few days to be able to explore the city this weekend.
I fly out Friday morning with my wife and 2 y/o, but they're headed back Monday when I start work.

I've never been, so I'd like to see the museums, 9/11 memorial, etc
And food...

Any tips/lessons learned?

Your 2 Y/O may like the Bronz Zoo.

Was just there two months ago with a 5-year-old, subway was fine during normal transit hours. We took them as early as 8am and as late as 9pm.

Absolutely take the subway! I was there last Dec and only took an Uber into the city with my two girls. We rode from 8 am until well after 10 pm when Broadway shows got out.
I would save 9/11 Memorial for when kiddo is older as even for an adult it is very emotional and you will not want to rush through it.
Take the Staten Island Ferry both ways and be able to see the Statue of Liberty from the boat (this is Ferry is Free)
Especially if weather is nice I would spend some time in Central Park, you could rent a rowboat at Central Park Boathouse.
Also FAO Schwarz is a fun toy store for kids

Now here are some favorite dessert places:
Levain Bakery
Magnolia Bakery (always solid)

I've taken the subways in NYC countless times over the years, up to and including about 2 months ago.

Never had a problem whatsoever. Use common sense and don't stare at other riders, and don't act like a tourist.

Went with littles like that before

Subway, never worried. Even had a stroller, everything I hit the steps and would start going down/up with a stroller, someone would grab the front and help carry it.

When I committed the cardinal sin of stopping in the middle of a sidewalk, some bum started cussing at me. I said "sorry dude, I'm completely lost." He helped me find my way.

Point being, I never felt scared in the city, even with a wife and kids, and maybe Logos should stay home.

My kids did enjoy the natural history museum. Lay under the blue whale for a bit. Central Park was a hit for them. And the zoo. Second to those were boat ride to Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. Yanks were playing the Rangers so we watched the home team lose. Was a night game so had to ride the subway at 10pm, still wasn't concerned.

Went to Macy's on 34th and rode the wooden escalator. Little kids love things like that.

Took the littles to the Intrepid while wife and the older girls went to Broadway. Got to see the fake shuttle and my then 2 year old like playing in the helicopters.

My then 2 year old probably loved times square the most. Guess he liked the lights and noise. Paid $5 for him to have his picture taken with a stranger in an Elmo costume. He then laid on the sidealk and cried when it was time to leave. What a weirdo.

9/11 is best museum I've ever been in. Might be tough to fully appreciate it with a young kid though depending on the act.

Do your sight seeing during the day. It gets pretty sketchy on the streets and subway when the sun goes down.

AustinCountyAg said:

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9/11 is best museum I've ever been in. Might be tough to fully appreciate it with a young kid though depending on the act.

Do your sight seeing during the day. It gets pretty sketchy on the streets and subway when the sun goes down.

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Sketchy? C'mon man.

Sandy took the "littles" all over and it was like Disney World 24x7. Heck, just let them run free and NYC will take care of them. Safer than a small farm town outside College Station.

I was in Manhattan for an extended weekend in April. Ride the subway all over and it was perfectly fine. They have a couple cops on most station platforms. There are several hotels being used for illegal immigrants, they tend to just loiter outside them and it seemed sketchy.

Central Park is spectacular and too big to really see all of it. Times Square is way overrated and my least favorite part of the city. There are many great neighborhoods with their own character, do a lot of walking and explore. Greenwich Village is really cool with several great pizza spots. Soho is trendy and has several food spots as well.

As you walk around, look up, all the stuff at street level is interesting but tons of great architecture up high.

Go on YouTube and search Architectural Digest and search New York stuff, lots of really good videos discussing the famous landmarks.

I rode the subway from Manhattan to LaGuardia, it's fine and not a big deal. Way cheaper than a car, but may not want to do that with family and luggage.

I was there a couple months ago with my wife and teenage daughter. We stayed about a block from Times Square. We got a City Pass and it was well worth it. It was something like $140 per person and we got into Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, 9/11 Museum, and the Museum of Natural Science.

We also saw Hamilton on Broadway, went down to Wall Street, walked over the Brooklyn Bridge, went to Central Park, China Town, Little Italy. Basically, we did all the "first time to NY" stuff.

We arrived late, so we took a taxi from LGA to our hotel, but used the subway the rest of our trip, including back to LGA. Google or Apple Maps would tell us exactly where to get on and off. We probably would have been lost without using an app. We never rode it after 9pm, but we never felt unsafe or uncomfortable on the subway and it was pretty inexpensive at like $3/ride/person. The taxi to our hotel cost $80, the ride back on the subway cost $9.

Yep!

It is also hilarious that fear mongering folks and the X accounts they follow always compare to 2019. 2019 just happened to be a record low crime rate in NYC. Yes, 2022/23 did have a spike compared to 2019, but still LOWER then 2012! Much lower then when you and I lived in the city in the mid 2000's and nothing compared to decades before that. So, yes, higher then 2019 but still low historically.

AND, crime rates are MUCH lower that most other big and medium size cities in the country including most cities in Texas.

Thanks for the ideas!

Lots of really good information apart from the trolls.

Gotta check out Katz's. Love that place.

I did this a few years ago and had a blast.
https://www.nymediaboat.com

I work from home in Tx but my office is in SOHO. I've been to NYC roughly 25 times since 2017. I've been to every place mentioned here plus a Yankee game and the Mets and all kinds of other things. Couldnt even guess how many timed I've been on the subway. I've never been truly scared or felt unsafe. There's been times I wondered about a shady character or two. But otherwise fine.

I will say though, things do 'feel' or sound a little worse lately. But I haven't been in a few months. The immigration issues and Israel protests have made things a little more troubling for my friends that live there. There was even a shooting in the street near my office a couple weeks ago.

I still wouldn't worry about it. I imagine the risk isn't much different than your average day in Houston or Dallas. But be careful and observant. Watch other people. If you're on the subway or time square beware of pick pockets. I wouldn't want my wife and kids to ride the subway alone late a night. There can be a lot of junkies and bums begging for stuff. Uber or a cab will be quick at night. Don't buy or accept free books or CDs from guys.

But otherwise, have fun and you'll mostly likely have a blast in one of the coolest places on Earth.

kyledr04 said:

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I work from home in Tx but my office is in SOHO. I've been to NYC roughly 25 times since 2017. I've been to every place mentioned here plus a Yankee game and the Mets and all kinds of other things. Couldnt even guess how many timed I've been on the subway. I've never been truly scared or felt unsafe. There's been times I wondered about a shady character or two. But otherwise fine.

I will say though, things do 'feel' or sound a little worse lately. But I haven't been in a few months. The immigration issues and Israel protests have made things a little more troubling for my friends that live there. There was even a shooting in the street near my office a couple weeks ago.

I still wouldn't worry about it. I imagine the risk isn't much different than your average day in Houston or Dallas. But be careful and observant. Watch other people. If you're on the subway or time square beware of pick pockets. I wouldn't want my wife and kids to ride the subway alone late a night. There can be a lot of junkies and bums begging for stuff. Uber or a cab will be quick at night. Don't buy or accept free books or CDs from guys.

But otherwise, have fun and you'll mostly likely have a blast in one of the coolest places on Earth.

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This is good advice no matter where you are.

Make sure you get out of midtown, and spend some time where people actually live. The west village is a great hood to just wonder around. The east Village is great as well but a little more gritty and not as pretty but tons of great bars and restaurants. (before your 2 yr old gets into town.)

The tenement museum in the lower east side is a great of the beaten path museum if you are into history. It is right around the corner from the before mentioned Katz's deli.

dallasag_123 said:

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Make sure you get out of midtown, and spend some time where people actually live. The west village is a great hood to just wonder around. The east Village is great as well but a little more gritty and not as pretty but tons of great bars and restaurants. (before your 2 yr old gets into town.)

The tenement museum in the lower east side is a great of the beaten path museum if you are into history. It is right around the corner from the before mentioned Katz's deli.

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you forgot to send him to Standings

I hate NYC and hope to never have to go back. That being said, the Staten Island Ferry is free so you can get nice view of the Statue of Liberty and the city and a boat ride the kids might like.

malenurse said:

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kyledr04 said:

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I work from home in Tx but my office is in SOHO. I've been to NYC roughly 25 times since 2017. I've been to every place mentioned here plus a Yankee game and the Mets and all kinds of other things. Couldnt even guess how many timed I've been on the subway. I've never been truly scared or felt unsafe. There's been times I wondered about a shady character or two. But otherwise fine.

I will say though, things do 'feel' or sound a little worse lately. But I haven't been in a few months. The immigration issues and Israel protests have made things a little more troubling for my friends that live there. There was even a shooting in the street near my office a couple weeks ago.

I still wouldn't worry about it. I imagine the risk isn't much different than your average day in Houston or Dallas. But be careful and observant. Watch other people. If you're on the subway or time square beware of pick pockets. I wouldn't want my wife and kids to ride the subway alone late a night. There can be a lot of junkies and bums begging for stuff. Uber or a cab will be quick at night. Don't buy or accept free books or CDs from guys.

But otherwise, have fun and you'll mostly likely have a blast in one of the coolest places on Earth.

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This is good advice no matter where you are.

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Especially for NYC.

You are so brave.

American Museum of Natural History was pretty neat. Son loved the dinosaur skeletons so much that he wanted to feed all of them. Came away with a pterodactyl stuffed animal that will "fly" when you move the body.
Disappointed the museum closed some sections to be "woke".

Walked through Central Park for a few hours. Climbed on the rocks, enjoyed the views from Bow Bridge and Belvedere Castle. Made our way toward the carriage rides… but our toddler had a big morning and was soundly asleep. Maybe we'll try again in the morning.

Walked back to the hotel for nap time.


Oh and we literally died in the subway.

Couple of folks have said top of the rock over Empire State. Why's that?

Naveronski said:

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Couple of folks have said top of the rock over Empire State. Why's that?

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I was told better view, only did top of rock, really enjoyed it, it's worth checking out.

Naveronski said:

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Disappointed the museum closed some sections to be "woke".

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I don't understand why we can't see, talk, show, or have anything related to Natives. Not sure why we want to erase them from society.

Pro Sandy said:

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Naveronski said:

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Disappointed the museum closed some sections to be "woke".

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I don't understand why we can't see, talk, show, or have anything related to Natives. Not sure why we want to erase them from society.

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I agree.

Been traveling to NYC regularly for 25 years. Use the subways as much as possible; best way to get around by far. Just stay vigilant.

I will say this - in all those years, I never had an encounter that made me feel unsafe…. until one of my trips last year. A guy entering our crowded subway car at rush hour threatened to stab me; I was just inside the door and the first person he encountered. Then he basically threatened to stab everyone in the car as he pushed his way down the middle of it. You've never seen a packed subway car that seemingly had no room part down the middle as quickly as this one did lol. But I chalk it up as just part of the NYC experience lol. Definitely got the adrenaline flowing

Naveronski said:

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Couple of folks have said top of the rock over Empire State. Why's that?

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Because you can see the Empire State Building from TOR, and also on the other side you have an uninterrupted view of Central Park.

Naveronski said:

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Couple of folks have said top of the rock over Empire State. Why's that?

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I feel like you get better views from Top of the Rock (including great views of the Empire State Building), but I actually preferred Empire State because of the "museum" you walk through before taking the elevator up to the very top. I work in construction and found the details they shared about how it was built interesting.