If you find yourself wandering the streets of New York City any time between October 23rd and 27th, and you see a fat old man with a questionable beard and a cute little girl who talks like Stephen Hawkings, it just might be us, by golly.
Schuyler is excited, although I don't think she really remembers much about the city. She was only three years old the last time she was there, after all. That feels like a lifetime ago.
Aside from our date with monsters, our meetings with the fun folks at St. Martin's Press, and a visit to the Empire State Building (where, she informs me that unlike her hero, we shall ride to the top on the inside; she apparently understands that contrary to popular beliefs, it IS the planes that will get you), our plans are pretty wide open. Suggestions are always welcome.
Incidentally, hotel prices in New York City? Not funny. Not funny at all.
33 comments:
I really love all the photos you post, but I swear, this one is the cutest yet.
How exciting!
And um, betterbidding.com, because yeah.
Yeah, hotel prices are insane in NYC. Are you and Schuyler going to go play in the Times Square Toys 'R Us. Because I love that T-Rex and they had a Lego Empire State building complete with ape I think.
Oh, I'm going to have to come up with some suggestions for y'all. The lights of Times Square at about 9 PM (it IS vacation after all) are pretty cheesy, but also VERY cool if you're 7. And, let's face it, only the cool parents bring their kids to Times Square at night.
The Central Park Zoo is always fun--plus, it gives you an excuse to wander through the park, visit Strawberry Fields and the Alice in Wonderland statue.
Also, depending on how long you're here on the 27th, that day is the big Halloween event in Central Park.
I took my sons to the Museum of Natural History for that exhibit. Beware, in Disney-esque fashion, it ends in a gift shop :)
Priceline - and the financial district on the weekends - best buy.
I don't have any suggestions - but have fun!
Semi-delurking for The Great Mofo Delurk 2007.
Oh God I love the raincoat. I can't wait to see pictures from your trip.
Hostels in NYC are pretty reasonable and some have rooms for families. FYI, be prepared to pay a load of cash to go up to the Empire State Building...it's SO expensive! Times Square, FAO Schwartz toy store, and Central Park (right across from FAO) are a MUST-SEE. Have fun! =)
Priceline baby.
You should definately take her to Time Square - I think she would love the hustle and bustle and lights at night. Central Park zoo is REALLY small and really has very few animals, but my kids enjoyed it this spring. We also went to Yankee Stadium - they are tearing it down, so you might take her there while it is still up. We also went to an exhibit at WTC 7 and you can look down from the exhibit and see where they are rebuilding at Ground Zero. FAO Schwartz, horse drawn carriage ride in Central Park...all good options! Have fun!
oh! And hotel prices - we went to priceline and stayed at the Hilton right across from Radio City Music Hall - excellent location and the price dropped down to about $169/night - great rooms!! :)
Absolutely priceline your hotel. We've done that every time we've been to the city and always find something great in Times Square for around $150.
Have fun!!!
Oh - the best crepes in the city are at a little tiny place called Shade over by Washington Square park. I think its on Sullivan Street if I'm remembering correctly, right on the corner by the park. Enjoy!
Why not hit the Bronx Zoo for a day if it's nice? It's wonderful this time of year and is one of the best in the country. You can take a subway there from New York. If you need a guide, I'd be happy to assist (since I live 20 mins away)! :-)
As for the city, Madam Tausaud's is a fun place to visit and if you'd like a whimsical tea-time experience, head over to Alice's Tea Cup. They have great food and all little girls get a set of fairy wings to wear while there. What little girl wouldn't love to have tea?
Central Park Zoo.
Love the raincoat. That photo is adorable.
I found your blog and book info off of Blogabetes over at D-Life. I loved your 1st two columns, but can't post comments for some reason.
I'll be buying your book when it comes out. And I'm glad BOA won't be getting one penny of it.
I think I mentioned Serendipity 3 for ice cream before...
Chinatown would be another fun option, just for plain walking around. The crowds might be hectic, but it's still a great place for strolling and people-watching. {"Little Italy" is near there, but has more of a theme-parky kind of feel, as the people who work there don't live there any more, unlike in Chinatown. On the other hand, they have good pastries...)
I second Alice's Tea Cup. OMG the scones!!!
They have 3 locations. alicesteacup.com
Not sure if the Rockefeller Center Skating Rink will be open but they started to set it up this week.
You could also take her to her first Broadway show at what I think will be a reasonable price if you check out the New Victory Theater. I'm not sure what will be playing then but it's geared toward kids and they bring in outside shows for Broadway stints and want families to be able to afford to come. The theatre itself is on 42nd Street between 7th & 8th Avenues.
How do you feel about smaller museums? The Frick is my favorite and it's got the feel of walking around a house out of Howard's End or something. You get so close to paintings by famous people that you could touch them, you know, if it wouldn't get you arrested.
The Cowgirl Hall of Fame is a delicious place to eat on Hudson & 10th Streets. Some of the best chocolate in the city is near there at Li-lac chocolates, they've moved though so I can't swear to the location anymore.
I think she would love The Lion King on Broadway, but tickets might be hard to get and it might cost one million dollars. But, wow. That is an amazing, magical show, and watching the kids around me watch it was almost as good as watching it. If you know what I mean. Have a great trip!
Posting again to say that you can see some video from The Lion King if you go here and click on "video / sneak peek." I am telling, those animals are just the awesomest.
Little Mermaid doesn't start previews until 11/2, but Lion King is an excellent first show... I'm sure Schuyler would love to see all the "animals"
for good BBQ go to Virgils, W44th just off times square. Do the circle line tour or a boat ride past the statue of liberty. worth the ride on a nice day. of course all the museums.
The Hampton Inn
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=ULPYJNT0Z4X1WCSGBJC3MQQ?ctyhocn=NYCMTHX
reasonably priced for Times Square. clean too.
Rob, the other show you might want to try, if you are feeling particularly made of money, is Young Frankenstein, which will be in previews. A lot of it may go over Schuyler's head, but I'm betting THAT monster is going to look cool.
oh! Alice's Tea Cup is so very fun!
and Junior's Cheesecake (if you're in Times Square) is delicious and has wonderful fun desserts.
(and thanks for keeping this journal, I've been reading for years and know I'm a kinder, better person for that)
~m
former NYer here—these are some of the things we did when our son was Schuyler’s age:
visit FAO Schwarz, at 767 Fifth Avenue—once the world’s best toy store, although not in its original location, still amazing—life-sized stuffed animals!!
go to a planetarium show at AMNH—thrilling! She will love it.
Then cross the street to the 81st street entrance to Central Park. Walk to Belvedere castle (short walk) and to the lake to your right to feed the ducks.
(btw, the huge apt. bldg. on 81st across from AMNH is chock-full of various and sundry celebs, and you’ll often see them on the street. It was home to Beverly Sills, and it’s now home to the rather loathsome John Stossel, among others.)
you could also tour the Intrepid aircraft carrier/museum in NY Harbor.
"the other show you might want to try, if you are feeling particularly made of money, is Young Frankenstein, which will be in previews."
A dissent: good idea, but probably implausible; getting tickets would be impossible, and even if by some miracle tickets somehow became available, they're asking about $425 PER SEAT in some cases. But even if you were made of money, the tickets have probably all been already sold out since June.
We Pricelined our hotel and ended up at the Algonquin for a not-bad price-- VERY cool, especially with all the writerly connections. And the wallpaper in the hallways, which is covered with cartoons from The New Yorker.
My suggestion is John's Pizza on 44th, near Times Square, next door to the St. James Theater. My GOD was it good.
I stayed in the Pod Hotel when I was in NYC in June. We thought it was reasonable, and we spent most of the time out of the room, so we didn't mind it was small. Or that you had to share bathrooms.
My daughter loves just wandering around Grand Central Station, especially looking at the mural on the ceiling. And eating a hot dog from a street vendor, which she considers to be "true" NY food.
Chinatown? The scene is fun plus there are all those strange food items in bins in front of the groceries.
Can I come to NYC with you guys? I promise to stay in the background and do lots of helpful things like making sure everyone is dressed warmly enough and that there are plenty of pens and paper and snacks for all...
I love NYC and I can't get there enough, unfortunately my publisher doesn't see the need for me to be there, and I can't see a way to invite myself...though I am thinking about it. I just might show up because, well, I heart NYC!
I hope you have a terrific experience. The last time we were there it was for my husband, who was a judge in the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writer's program. We had a driver with a sign with our name on it (spelled correctly, which is no small feat!) and it was, in a word, fantastic. I realized then that I am COMPLETELY OPEN to the slutteries of fame.
So, do you need a nanny?
The Circle Line boat tour is great, but in late October, there's a slight chance of ball-freezing cold wind coming off the water. If it's warm enough, though, I'd recommend it.
Dunno if Schuyler would dig it, but the best view of the Manhattan skyline is easily the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, just across the river via subway. Cool neighborhood over there, too, very Huxtable.
I spent a few days back in NYC last month, and I realize I still love it, even if there's no way in hell I can afford to live there anymore. Enjoy it, sir.
Dunno if Schuyler would dig it, but the best view of the Manhattan skyline is easily the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, just across the river via subway.
I know exactly where you are talking about, but I had no idea what it was called until now. Thanks!
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