New York with kids

A couple of years ago, we traveled with kids to New York for my husband's grandmother's unveiling (see Jewish funeral customs.) So, our week-long trip was a mix of family activities and sightseeing.

We had a corner suite at the Beacon Hotel on Broadway at W. 75th Street on the upper west side. It was perfectly located (just two blocks from a subway station) and lots of room for our family of 5. There's a large grocery store across the street and laundry facilities at the hotel. I would definitely stay there again.

Our first night, we walked from the hotel down to Times Square in search of ice cream. Our kids were dazzled by the lights! The following two days were spent with family for the unveiling and to learn a bit about our family history. A highlight was our lunch at Katz's Deli on the lower east side. (Remember the line from When Harry Met Sally? "I'll have what she's having.") That's Katz's.

That evening, we met cousins for dinner on the back patio at La Lanterna in the west village. It's delicious Italian just down the street from Washington Square. Bryan played chess beforehand with one of the men in the park. (B lost, but what an experience!)

The next day, we split up. Daughters, moms and grandma went to the American Girl store and sons, dads and grandpa went to the Museum of Natural History. We met up afterwards in

Central Park.

The following day, we took a subway ride and a long walk to the pier at 42nd Street for a Circle Line Tour. We did the 75 minute Liberty tour which was just the right length for our little ones.

After the boat tour, we grabbed a slice of pizza and walked back to Times Square for a matinee of Disney's Little Mermaid.

(New York audiences talk too much!)

That evening, the grandparents and uncles went to see a show while the rest of us visited the observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Center. My theory is that the lines are too long at the Empire State Building but you get to see the Empire State Building from the Top of the Rock.

Our final day with the cousins was spent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I had prepped our kids by reading From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler with them ahead of time. It was fun to see the fountain, Egyptian wing, etc. and imagine Claudia and Jamie's adventure there.

After the cousins and grandparents headed home, we went in search of the Flatiron building and met up with a high school friend of the husband's.

Our last full day in town, we had prearranged Statue of Liberty tickets. You have to book it ahead of time. At the time, we were only allowed up to the platform, but now you can go all the way up to the crown if you book ahead. Allow plenty of time - the security was tighter than any airport screening I've ever seen.

We also visited Ellis Island. I'm a genealogy fanatic, so that was like coming home to the Mother Ship. You could easily spend an full day on Ellis Island. Get the audio tour - it's fantastic!

Our last day, we made a quick visit to Central Park and the John Lennon memorial. We also visited Grant's Tomb before heading to the airport.

Guess who's buried there...

What a wonderful trip!

Travel books I used for this trip:

My favorite New York things

In the fall, I make an annual solo trip to New York City to visit friends and do a little genealogy. I say "annual" because I've made the trip the last two years and hope that by calling it that, I'll continue to go each year. Here are a few of my favorite things to do, see and eat:

Katz Deli is a fantastic Jewish deli on the lower eastside and a real New York experience. It's the best pastrami sandwich you'll ever have! Pair it with a visit to the Tenement Museum and a walk through Chinatown and that's a great day! While you're down there, look for Muji at 455 Boardway. It's a really cool Japanese store with all kinds of interesting things. I also love browsing at Pearl River.

Be sure to visit the High Line. It's a privately funded park built on a raised freight train track running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 20th Street in Chelsea with entrances every couple of blocks. There are plans to extend it up to 34th Street in the next few years. Last year, we walked down the High Line from Chelsea to the Meatpacking District and the West Village and discovered Kaas Glassworks. They make beautiful decoupage plates with vintage papers.

No New York trip is complete without a visit to the Guggenheim. I'm not a modern art aficionado, but I love the Guggenheim. The building is inspiring and the art is provocative. Get the audio tour, so you can understand the artists and what inspired them to create a particular piece. Last fall, we stopped at Le Pain Quotidien for lunch before heading to the museum. Le Pain Quotidien is a chain restaurant that serves delicious tartines, quiche, soups and salads. There are many convenient locations around Manhattan.

Lastly, I love, love, love Milk & Cookies. It's a small shop in Greenwich Village with made-to-order ice cream sandwiches. You pick the cookie and ice cream flavor and they make it up for you on the spot. My favorite is the Overload - peanut butter chocolate cookie with dark chocolate ice cream. Yum!

I'm already thinking about when my next trip will be and I'm sure my "favorites" list will grow. Stay tuned!