NYC / Manhattan "Must Do" while on vacation?

[Jesse Sunday]

Hey Reefers!

We're going to be spending a week in NYC over Thanksgiving. Are there any Reefing-related must-dos while we're there? (or, for that matter, a list of overall must-see for a family with two teenagers?) ;)

Thanks so much! If anyone is ever in the Sarasota area, I'd gladly reciprocate with a must-see list! :)

 

[Genvid]

Take a break from reefing, enjoy the city. It's a crazy city, it will fill you up completely.

 

[ChiCity]

yeah, take a break from reefing and just enjoy nyc with your wife and boys….
you’ve got more options for reefing in florida anyway

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

We spent a week in NYC same time last year with our two teenagers (their first time to NYC, my second). We hit all the tourist sites: Statue of Liberty, Time Square, Central Park, 9/11 Memorial, Empire State Building, One Tower Observatory, Highline Parkway, Rockefeller Center, main public library, and several mini stops they wanted to do for shopping. We’re a big movie and TV shows family so it was also fun stumbling on famous movie or TV show scene locations especially iconic NYC movies like Ghostbusters or shows like Seinfeld. The subway was a huge benefit in saving money and getting around so don’t be afraid to use it, any funkiness you see is all part of the experience of NYC! we could have spent another week there with all there is to do there, but with a tight agenda and use of the subway you can pack a lot with two teenagers in just a week.

 

[Jesse Sunday]

We spent a week in NYC same time last year with our two teenagers (their first time to NYC, my second). We hit all the tourist sites: Statue of Liberty, Time Square, Central Park, 9/11 Memorial, Empire State Building, One Tower Observatory, Highline Parkway, Rockefeller Center, main public library, and several mini stops they wanted to do for shopping. We’re a big movie and TV shows family so it was also fun stumbling on famous movie or TV show scene locations especially iconic NYC movies like Ghostbusters or shows like Seinfeld. The subway was a huge benefit in saving money and getting around so don’t be afraid to use it, any funkiness you see is all part of the experience of NYC! we could have spent another week there with all there is to do there, but with a tight agenda and use of the subway you can pack a lot with two teenagers in just a week.

Thank you so much! We've got several of those on our "list", but haven't made any reservations or purchased admissions anywhere... did you guys plan those big ones (Statue / 911 / etc.) and get tickets or tours in advance, or were you more of a "show up and do it" kinda family?

Ha! My wife and I will have to find the Seinfeld restaurant for sure! ;)

Your thoughts on the subway will reassure my wife... life's an adventure, might as well make memories!

Thanks again!

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

Thank you so much! We've got several of those on our "list", but haven't made any reservations or purchased admissions anywhere... did you guys plan those big ones (Statue / 911 / etc.) and get tickets or tours in advance, or were you more of a "show up and do it" kinda family?

Ha! My wife and I will have to find the Seinfeld restaurant for sure! ;)

Your thoughts on the subway will reassure my wife... life's an adventure, might as well make memories!

Thanks again!

I’m more of a “show up and do it” kinda person…my wife on the other hand…she had the trip planned to the hour! And that was a good thing too, a lot of the attraction are by ticket only and having the exact time to show up to main locations (statue of Liberty, Empire State, one tower, 9/11 memorial) was great! Most had had pretty long lines for people wanting tickets, so having them already was a huge bonus! Google maps will be your best friend and has all the major sites (for movies too). Funny story; we asked google maps to find Jerry Seinfield’s apt (on the show) and after about a 40 min walk we arrive only to realize it’s Jerry Seinfeld’s actually apt!! The show’s external shot of the apt is in LA!!

 

[Reign1]

We I go we usually just went to natural history museum., Chelsea food hall, 9/11 memorial etc. Food spots like Little Italy (Arthur Ave) in the bronx. I am a fish nerd so some time ago we went to Long Island Aquarium but that is up in riverhead and a drive.

 

[marktmills]

We spent a week in NYC same time last year with our two teenagers (their first time to NYC, my second). We hit all the tourist sites: Statue of Liberty, Time Square, Central Park, 9/11 Memorial, Empire State Building, One Tower Observatory, Highline Parkway, Rockefeller Center, main public library, and several mini stops they wanted to do for shopping. We’re a big movie and TV shows family so it was also fun stumbling on famous movie or TV show scene locations especially iconic NYC movies like Ghostbusters or shows like Seinfeld. The subway was a huge benefit in saving money and getting around so don’t be afraid to use it, any funkiness you see is all part of the experience of NYC! we could have spent another week there with all there is to do there, but with a tight agenda and use of the subway you can pack a lot with two teenagers in just a week.

I really enjoyed my manhattan walking tours with our local tour guide from Viber NYC Tours, she is a local new yorker and has extensive knowledge of city history and traditions.

I'm planning my tour next month and was searching for do's and don'ts. My plan is to explore the city with a walking tour, did you hired a tour company or DIY. And also can you share restaurants/hotel experience in terms of cost.

 

[Jesse Sunday]

I'm planning my tour next month and was searching for do's and don'ts. My plan is to explore the city with a walking tour, did you hired a tour company or DIY. And also can you share restaurants/hotel experience in terms of cost.

We ended up doing a walking tour of Brooklyn and DUMBO - it was AMAZING!!! I can find our guide's (Trey) info if you're interested.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

I'm planning my tour next month and was searching for do's and don'ts. My plan is to explore the city with a walking tour, did you hired a tour company or DIY. And also can you share restaurants/hotel experience in terms of cost.

@marktmills We DIY’d it. There are so many websites, social media posts, and TikTok’s that my wife planned every day down to the hour. I was only told where to go and when to pay…
In terms of hotel, we stayed in Time Square ( wasn’t cheap and could have easily done an Airbnb for less). It was convenient to locate since we walked everywhere and central to subways and most of the attractions we wanted to see. We walked and didn’t Uber and used the subways (quick, cheap, and a nice slice of NYC life) to get to longer distance attractions. Food wise we ate on the go and tried to eat at local eats rather than chain restaurants which adds to the experience. In terms of cost it’s wasn’t cheap BUT we could have done it much cheaper (Airbnb, pack snacks, do less touristy stuff, etc.) but since this was the kids and wife’s first time we didn’t hold back.