After visiting years ago as a couple, it was great to go back to New York with our teenagers and spending 5 nights here meant we could take our time and experience the different corners of this fabulous metropolis.
Getting from JFK airport to Manhattan
Straight from the terminal, you can hop on the AirTrain which takes you to Jamaica Station. This costs $8.50 or $26.50 for 10 rides to be taken within 30 days which is the best deal for couples or families as you can share the card. Payment for the tickets are made on arrival in Jamaica Station. From here you can take the subway to Penn Station, Manhattan. Penn Station is ideal for hotels near Times Square and has onward links across the city. Your best bet if you’re planning to use the subway a lot would be to purchase a 7 day MetroCard for $35 (Individual tickets are $2.90 per journey). One thing to bear in mind is that only 2 MetroCards are permitted per credit card per day and the machines offer a limited refund if paying in cash. Having exact cash or multiple credit/debit cards is required if you’re travelling as a family or group.
Where we stayed
Roomza Times Square – 10 minute walk to Penn station and 7 minute walk to Times Square. Fairly noisy but apparently this is normal for Midtown Manhattan – you do get used to it. Modern rooms with good amenities but very small for 4 people and not much space to hang clothes. Free drinks and snacks in the room which is a real bonus though. My daughter loved the ‘golden trolley’ put out at night for guests to help themselves to. We did also love the continental breakfast offerings in the lobby – tea, coffee, bagels and croissants and nice to have a hot drink after a long day sightseeing. Small gym if you want to keep up with your fitness regime too. Overall, very reasonably priced if you can put up with the small room.
Day 1: Times Square, Central Park and Roosevelt Island
As we were based in Midtown, we made our way up towards the south entrance of Central Park taking in Times Square on route. A cool and unique place and it really should be experienced both day and night as it is quite something. An assault on the senses with neon billboards constantly changing and wafts of pizza, donuts and hot dogs. The pace is hectic but fun with crowds of people having their photos taken and a steady stream of traffic with disco pedicabs weaving in and out. The skyscrapers are so tall that even on a bright, sunny day you are in the shade until the sun is high in the sky.
Fuelling us ready for a morning of cycling, we headed for a diner style brunch at Carnegie Diner Central Park. With pancakes the size of a dinner plate, you can easily share a few dishes or just tuck in if you have the appetite.
A great way to explore Central Park is by bike. Cycle Park NYC is just a 5-minute walk away and the friendly staff were excellent at explaining the best routes and the bikes were of a good standard with locks and helmets included. The cycle path is one way throughout the park and covers the perimeter. We expected it to be quite busy but we were pleasantly surprised by how relaxed it was (it was March though). There are various points where you can dismount and venture within the park’s many sights. The Great Lake has a running route which would make a scenic location for a jog and has fantastic views of the city skyline in the distance. With birds tweeting and flowers starting to bloom, it’s a wonderful haven in which to escape the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.
Afterwards we took the short subway journey over to the Roosevelt Island Tram and travelled across to Roosevelt Island. The ticket is included with a MetroCard and offers a pretty cool perspective over the city and the busy streets below. We didn’t spend long on the island and just grabbed a hot dog from Nathan’s van and took in the view of Manhattan. If travelling with adults aged 21 and over, stop at The Panorama Room at The Graduate Hotel, known for its impressive cocktails and spectacular views.
For a more chilled, local neighbourhood, we hopped on the subway to West Village with its trendy bars and restaurants and boutique shops. We had an early dinner at Misoya Ramen which is a simple but relaxed place serving reasonably priced ramen dishes and yummy Japanese appetisers. Then on to the Whitney Museum of Art. Offering free Fridays (entrance tickets still need to be booked on their website), this modern art gallery attracts a young crowd and the bar with DJ doesn’t disappoint. The outdoor terraces look out over Manhattan as far as the Statue of Liberty and there are 8 floors of contemporary art. The free mosaic workshop was a hit with my youngest.
Fam Full of Wanderlust 