This is our actual itinerary when we visited New York. We did everything and saw everything listed in this itinerary. So, this has been time tested and proven to be possible, even if you have kids travelling with you.
Things to note about this itinerary
1. I have to let you know that my kids, who were with me, range from 13 years old to 18 years old. They are fit and capable of walking long distances. They were able to see all the sights listed in this itinerary.
2. The choice of sights were made in consultation with my kids. So it's a blend of sights that both adults and kids will enjoy.
3. We traveled by public transportation (mainly by walking, riding the bus or the metro) so the itinerary includes directions from the New Yorker hotel to the sights and between sights. Being 6 in a group, we didn't see the taxi as an option.
4. The timing includes lining up for tickets and going through security checks. The only ticket I purchased ahead of time is the United Nations tour tickets, the Statue of Liberty tickets and the Lion King tickets.
MY NEW YORK ITINERARY WITH KIDS
DAY 1. MONDAY:
ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK
DAY 2. TUESDAY:
MIDTOWN MANHATTAN TOUR by FREE TOURS BY FOOT
TIFFANY'S STORE FEATURED IN "BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S"
FIFTH AVENUE
UNITED NATIONS TOUR
UNITED NATIONS TOUR
Read more of Day 2 of My New York Itinerary with Kids
DAY 3. WEDNESDAY:
STATUE OF LIBERTY, LIBERTY ISLAND, ELLIS ISLAND
911 MEMORIAL
BROADWAY SHOW: LION KING
TIMES SQUARE
Read more of Day 3 of New York Itinerary with Kids
DAY 4. THURSDAY:
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (MOMA)
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
PLAZA HOTEL
CENTRAL PARK
Read more of Day 4 of My New York Itinerary with Kids
DAY 5. FRIDAY:
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
DEPARTURE FROM NEW YORK
The total cost of this itinerary can be computed as follows:
OUR ACTUAL EXPENSES:
Plane fare from Chicago to New York: United Airlines, 111.8 USD x 6 adults = 670.80 USD
La Guardia airport to New Yorker hotel airport transportation via NYC airporter: 55 usd
New Yorker hotel accomodation for 6 = 336.67 USD x 4 nights: 1346.68
Meals: 12 meals x 6 adults x 5 USD - 360 USD
Free tours by foot tip: optional but we gave 60 USD
Metro tickets: 20 x 6 adults = 120 USD
UN guided tour tickets: 14 USD x 4 adults + 11 USD x 2 kids + 2USD service charge x 6 = 90USD
Statue of Liberty tickets: 13USD x 6 = 78 USD
Lion King tickets: 155.7 x 6 = 934.2
Museum of Modern Art tickets: 10 USD (we had special rates because of corporate membership)
Metropolitan Museum of Art tickets: free
Empire State building tickets: 138 USD
Souvenirs: approx 120USD
Hotel to Yonkers via metro: 2.25 x 6 = 46.5
Yonkers to JKF airport via Carmel cars: 120 USD
Plane fare from New York to Los Angeles: United Airlines: 159.8 x 5 adults = 948.8
Total: 5098 USD or 850 USD per person with airfare
Total: 3478 USD or 580USD per person without airfare
Read more of Day 5 of My New York Itinerary with Kids
Cost:
The total cost of this itinerary can be computed as follows:
Hotel accomodation for 4 nights: The New Yorker Hotel
Meals: see McDonalds New York prices
- Mcdonalds meal rate x 10 meals (breakfast is free with hotel) x 6 people
- Why use the McDonalds meal rate? I always use the McDonalds meal rate in places I visit to estimate my meal budget because there's McDonalds restaurant almost everywhere in the world, and a website that will show you the menu prices.
Tip based Manhattan walking tour: see Free Tours by Foot: New York
UN tour: see UN website, Online guided tour tickets
Statue cruises to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: see Statue cruises website, Statue cruises tickets
Broadway tickets: see Ticketmaster website
Museums: see Metropolitan Museum website, Museum of Modern Art website
Empire State building: see Empire State building website, Empire State building tickets
Metro/bus tickets: see New York Metro ticket website
OUR ACTUAL EXPENSES:
*Take note that our trip occurred May 2012. Hotel rates and plane fares are sensitive to and affected by dates of travel.
Plane fare from Chicago to New York: United Airlines, 111.8 USD x 6 adults = 670.80 USD
La Guardia airport to New Yorker hotel airport transportation via NYC airporter: 55 usd
New Yorker hotel accomodation for 6 = 336.67 USD x 4 nights: 1346.68
Meals: 12 meals x 6 adults x 5 USD - 360 USD
Free tours by foot tip: optional but we gave 60 USD
Metro tickets: 20 x 6 adults = 120 USD
UN guided tour tickets: 14 USD x 4 adults + 11 USD x 2 kids + 2USD service charge x 6 = 90USD
Statue of Liberty tickets: 13USD x 6 = 78 USD
Lion King tickets: 155.7 x 6 = 934.2
Museum of Modern Art tickets: 10 USD (we had special rates because of corporate membership)
Metropolitan Museum of Art tickets: free
Empire State building tickets: 138 USD
Souvenirs: approx 120USD
Hotel to Yonkers via metro: 2.25 x 6 = 46.5
Yonkers to JKF airport via Carmel cars: 120 USD
Plane fare from New York to Los Angeles: United Airlines: 159.8 x 5 adults = 948.8
Total: 5098 USD or 850 USD per person with airfare
Total: 3478 USD or 580USD per person without airfare