giggles36kd

Hi. I just appreciate my fellow fodorites and hope you might lead me to some nice, safe, centrally located hotels for our visit in December. My son has been begging me to go to NYC and we will do as many of the touristy things as we can comfortably fit into our five day stay. I am in the preliminary stages of planning our stay but am deserpate for suggestions on reasonable places to stay (I am a single parent with tight budget). Your suggestions are appreciated.

mp

there have been a lot of posts recently about reasonable (not a word used often when discussing NYC hotels but . . . ) hotels - do a search with the words New York hotels and you will come up with lots of advice - Mclaurie and nytraveler and go travel usually have great suggestions.

vabarone

I want to give this some thought, so I'll get back to you. However, few questions... what kinds of stuff are you guys planning to do, that will impact where I suggest. As well, I'll look for the best pricing out there but keep in mind its NYC, so a great rates are still higher than most of the country.

Aduchamp1

Forbidden Planet sci-fi and fantasy book shop

Paragon Sporting Goods and (Cosby's if hockey player)

Ranger or Knick game

Natural History Museum

Places to eat

ESPN Zone
Grey's Papaya (cheap franks and drinks)
Corner Bistro (busy hamburger palce in teh back of a bar)
Katz's Deli-have him slip the guy who slics the sandwiches a buck for a thicker sandwich. It is a NY tradition. You will also be given a ticket like in the old cafeterias.)
Times Square at night

mp

giggles36kd - what does your boy like? As the parent of a 13 year old NYC boy I have some experience - is he a sports fan? Science kid? Arty? musical? history nut? NYC is great because all of those things can be followed here. Or maybe he just wants to see all the famous things?

nytraveler

Finding a reasonable hotel in December is practically impossible. For 5 days you might find an apartment that would ber a better deal - you might check out NY Habitat.

I can tell you hotel pries wil only continue to rise - so reserve something you can live with now - then you can continue to search.

With a 1 year old I would do the upper west side. A mid/upscale residential area with lots of families so it has tons of good inexepsnvie restaurants of every ethnicity. Also -you're right near Central Park, the Museum of Natural History (all kids love this) and right acros the park from the Met. (Check out the web site and I'm sure you'll find departments you'll both love - perhaps arms & armor, Egyptian section, Temple of Dendur.)

If the weather is good go for at least one boat ride - even if only the free Staten Island ferry with a distant view of the Statue of Liberty.

Also do Top of the Rock (and all of Rock Center with the tree, skating rink and incredible decor) for great views - and timed tickets (so no wait , unlike the Empire State Buidling).

For hotels you can look at One the Ave, The Beacon or the very basic but clean and reliable Newton (a little further uptown).

Do NOT reco staying in Times Square - it is loud, garish, tacky, frantically mobbed - and there is little to see/do there beyond theater and incredibly overpriced chain restaurants.

desertduds

In July we took our 17 year old grandson and did the on-off bus tours, really very good, though in Dec. I imagine they would be pretty darn cool upstairs! We saw Hairspray, wonderful for your age son, lively....Museum of Natural History...Harbor cruise...We stayed at Embassy Suites very close to WTC site...concierge help was excellent. We took taxis everywhere because we are "old", but imagine the subways would be wonderful.

sobster

Take him to see "Spelling Bee."

giggles36kd

Thank you so much for all your suggestions! I booked us a room (with bunk beds!) at the Pod Hotel. It came recommended on Trip Advisor and within my budget! I love the suggestions you provided for what to see and do. The hotel is close to many of the top attractions and we have no problem with taking the subway so will spend most of our time out and about! We live in Florida and am hoping it just may snow while we are there

BaltoTraveler

Definitely take in a Broadway show! Get in line at TKTS for discounted (50% off) tickets... Hairspray, Spamalot, Chicago, Les Miz. After the show, take in the dazzling atmosphere of Times Square after-dark.

And contrary to what you might hear, there are some wonderful almost-reasonably-priced restaurants in the theater district. (Our last time in NYC, we went to a great Italian restaurant called Becco, on W. 46th St., before going to a show.)

giggles36kd

Thanks Balto...we'll give it a try

nytraveler

Your chance of snow in December isn't great - we rarely have much before Christmas - and the real snow belt is about 100 miles north of NYC.

Are you aware that the POD hotel rooms with bunk beds have shared baths? Many people don;t mind - but I don't want it to be a surprise for you.

ggreen

I was going to suggest Vynl Diner as a good food option in the theater district. But the Pod Hotel is across town! So I'll suggest Comfort Diner instead.

Both of these establishments serve good interpretations of diner food, without succumbing to all the grease, etc. Here's links if you're interested:

Vynl, 9th Ave at 51st St:
www.vynl-nyc.com

Comfort Diner, 45th St between 2nd and 3rd Aves (plus other locations:
www.comfortdiner.com

giggles36kd

Thanks for the heads up on the shared bathroom. I like the system they have there--lights indicate which bathroom is occupied and available. Funny thing is that I traveled for a month in Europe and was able to afford a hotel room with own bath but go to NYC and I have to share a bathroom
It's all an adventure!!!
Love the diner suggestions. Thanks so much.