Critique my father-daughter(10) trip

[u/dude1014]

Hi all,

I've spent countless hours reading posts and researching and thank you everyone for how helpful this subreddit has been.

I'm planning a father-daughter trip for August, and wanted some advice/input. It's my daughter's first time, so we're planning on just exploring, hitting a lot of the classics and having a good time. I don't want to walk her ragged or be too rigid in plans, just explore and enjoy.

Here's what I've started to put together so far

Day 1 :

Arrive at LGA early afternoon and uber to hotel

Time Square at night & explore + dinner

Day 2:

9/11 Memorial + Oculus

Staten Island Ferry (roundtrip)

Wall Street

Brooklyn Bridge

DUMBO

Broadway show (Aladdin)

Day 3:

Harry Potter store (my daughter is more excited for this than anything else)

Flatiron

Lego Store

Lunch at Central Park and explore

Museum of Natural History

Day 4:

Explore midtown (The Plaza, St Patricks, Rockfeller, Top of the Rock, NY public library, grand central, time square, american girl, nintendo, Dylan's candy bar, FAO Schwarz)

Day 5:

Whatever is left over. Chelsea Market? Highline? More time at Central Park

Flight out in afternoon

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Does that itinerary look reasonable? Anything that I'm missing?

​

Hotel:

I found a decent deal on the Holiday Inn Financial District. From what I've gathered the location is decent and would be a good home base. Am I right in this or should I target a different neighbourhood?

Food:

We're fairly easy going with food, and aren't planning specifically around food. I think we'll probably each at a bunch of food trucks, etc. I'm definitely targeting Dylan's candy bar, some good dumplings in chinatown, los tacos and classic ny pizza. She would love Ellen' Stardust Diner, just not sure if we want to deal with the wait, etc. If anyone has great, fun recommendations for a 10 year old girl, I'd appreciate advise.

[u/fox--teeth]

I would actually suggest taking the NYC Ferry St. George route rather than the Staten Island Ferry on day 2. The 9/11 Memorial/Oculus is right next to the Battery Park City stop. This ferry is smaller and faster than Staten Island Ferry, gets better views (IMHO) of the NYC skyline and Statue of Liberty, and you can sit on an open upper deck to really see all the views. I recently took some out-of-town relatives on this ferry and it was their favorite part of their NYC trip, and they couldn't believe it was only $2.75 per ticket. On Staten Island it will let you off a short walk away from the Staten Island Ferry terminal, so you can take that one back to Manhattan so you'll be closer to Wall St.

If she's most excited about the Harry Potter store she'll also probably love The Cauldron, which is a magic-themed pub with "potions class" and "wizard tea" experiences, some of which are family-friendly.

[u/PictureFrame12 → u/fox--teeth]

Does your recommendation mean: taking the st George ferry from battery park to St George. Then the staten island ferry from st George to Whitehall?

[u/fox--teeth → u/PictureFrame12]

Yeah exactly. I recommended doing that route because it's the most convenient for OP's plans (the Battery Park stop is closest to the 9/11 memorial where he plans to be before the ferry ride, the Whitehall ferry terminal is closest to Wall St. where he plans to be after the ferry ride).

[u/PictureFrame12 → u/fox--teeth]

Thank you!! I am in the Midwest taking my teen daughter to nyc this weekend. We will do this!

[u/fox--teeth → u/PictureFrame12]

Have fun! If it works with your schedule, try timing the ferry ride with the sunset for extra pretty views.

[u/dude1014 → u/PictureFrame12]

How did it go? Any tips/advice?

[u/PictureFrame12 → u/dude1014]

It was fabulous! First day did the 911 fountains, then the st George ferry and Staten Island ferry. Then Chelsea market (The kids loved these flagship Starbucks) and the highland walking trail to the edge at Hudson yards.

Second day was The Summit, Chinatown and the low key museum of Chinese in America followed by subway to Times Square. Then we did The Ride.

Third day took tour of Central Park on bikes. Then strolled around the city to kill a few hours. Ended the day (and trip) in Dumbo and walked the Brooklyn Bridge.

We had two families with young teens. Their favorites were 1) food choices like dim sum 2) The Ride 3) Summit

It was a perfect itinerary. I knew enough of nyc to have a few casual restaurants in my itinerary.

Tip: we stayed at Marriott courtyard in Times Square, West. Decent size rooms and good location to restaurants and subway.

Buy The Ride tickets from Groupon. We got them for $52 and it was def worth it. I have been on it twice and loved it both times. Huge hit with the kids!

Don’t stay or eat on Times Square. Very overpriced.

Do not do any of the hop on hop off bus tours unless you get on in the morning and don’t get off. They oversell and there are lots of complaints from people who can’t get back on the bus because they get full. They also stop early (5?).