travel thread

[michigancat]

Thinking about taking the fam to see the Harry Potter play.  We almost exclusively do outdoorsy vacations, so I need some help.

New York or Chicago?
What else should should we do?  Museums, fun city stuff, etc.
What area should we stay in?  Any specific places?
Kids are middle and high school age.
Thanksgiving week so I assume super busy and expensive?
Fallback plan is chilling in the desert 

plop yourself in midtown Manhattan around thanksgiving and you'd have a great time doing about anything you'd want. New York is honestly really special around Christmas and a lot of it is pretty cheap or free. Christmas markets, Macy's Windows, Rockefeller Center Tree, Saks light display, self-guided Elf location tour, all for free and all within a subway ride, most within walking distance from midtown/times square. Actually if you're there Thanksgiving Week you should go see them inflate the balloons before the Thanksgiving Day Parade around the Natural History Museum. (I will be doing that as well, also free). Ice skating in Central Park is great and cheaper/easier than Rockefeller Center, but I wouldn't blame anyone for wanting to do it at Rockefeller. Just maybe book that early and be flexible with times. There are also "free" walking tours that only ask for a tip that can be a good time. You should know that google maps does a great job with the subway and you can pay for any bus or subway ride with your phone or contactless card.

for museums I really like seeing how the richest and poorest lived by seeing both the Tenement Museum and JP Morgan library. But any of the better-known classics are great for kids middle school aged an older - Met, MOMA, Natural History, Whitney, Guggenheim, etc.

Broadway shows might be a little more expensive but if you spend some time looking you could probably find some silly cheap off-broadway christmas themed stuff. Some restaurants will be crazy but you can make reservations or always just get a slice of pizza or something from a halal cart if you don't care much about chasing food.

anyway I'd highly recommend NYC

[star seed 7]

Any African safari'rs here? I remember k-dub went like a decade ago but sadly he doesn't post here anymore.

My brother & his wife did one 7ish years ago. Loved it. Anything particular you want to know? I can ask him.

I have narrowed it down to Tanzania and 5/6 days long. It just seemed overwhelming at first but after a few hours of research it's much easier to plan than I thought.

[michigancat]

Any African safari'rs here? I remember k-dub went like a decade ago but sadly he doesn't post here anymore.

My brother & his wife did one 7ish years ago. Loved it. Anything particular you want to know? I can ask him.

I have narrowed it down to Tanzania and 5/6 days long. It just seemed overwhelming at first but after a few hours of research it's much easier to plan than I thought.

don't know why this made me think of it but i've used chatgpt to map out itineraries and it is usually a pretty decent starting point

[star seed 7]

Also the tours/accommodations are surprisingly cheap but the airfare is kinda staggering

[tdaver]

How old are the kids?

middle and high school

[tdaver]

Thinking about taking the fam to see the Harry Potter play.  We almost exclusively do outdoorsy vacations, so I need some help.

New York or Chicago?
What else should should we do?  Museums, fun city stuff, etc.
What area should we stay in?  Any specific places?
Kids are middle and high school age.
Thanksgiving week so I assume super busy and expensive?
Fallback plan is chilling in the desert 

plop yourself in midtown Manhattan around thanksgiving and you'd have a great time doing about anything you'd want. New York is honestly really special around Christmas and a lot of it is pretty cheap or free. Christmas markets, Macy's Windows, Rockefeller Center Tree, Saks light display, self-guided Elf location tour, all for free and all within a subway ride, most within walking distance from midtown/times square. Actually if you're there Thanksgiving Week you should go see them inflate the balloons before the Thanksgiving Day Parade around the Natural History Museum. (I will be doing that as well, also free). Ice skating in Central Park is great and cheaper/easier than Rockefeller Center, but I wouldn't blame anyone for wanting to do it at Rockefeller. Just maybe book that early and be flexible with times. There are also "free" walking tours that only ask for a tip that can be a good time. You should know that google maps does a great job with the subway and you can pay for any bus or subway ride with your phone or contactless card.

for museums I really like seeing how the richest and poorest lived by seeing both the Tenement Museum and JP Morgan library. But any of the better-known classics are great for kids middle school aged an older - Met, MOMA, Natural History, Whitney, Guggenheim, etc.

Broadway shows might be a little more expensive but if you spend some time looking you could probably find some silly cheap off-broadway christmas themed stuff. Some restaurants will be crazy but you can make reservations or always just get a slice of pizza or something from a halal cart if you don't care much about chasing food.

anyway I'd highly recommend NYC

Perfect.  Thanks!

[michigancat]

Thinking about taking the fam to see the Harry Potter play.  We almost exclusively do outdoorsy vacations, so I need some help.

New York or Chicago?
What else should should we do?  Museums, fun city stuff, etc.
What area should we stay in?  Any specific places?
Kids are middle and high school age.
Thanksgiving week so I assume super busy and expensive?
Fallback plan is chilling in the desert 

plop yourself in midtown Manhattan around thanksgiving and you'd have a great time doing about anything you'd want. New York is honestly really special around Christmas and a lot of it is pretty cheap or free. Christmas markets, Macy's Windows, Rockefeller Center Tree, Saks light display, self-guided Elf location tour, all for free and all within a subway ride, most within walking distance from midtown/times square. Actually if you're there Thanksgiving Week you should go see them inflate the balloons before the Thanksgiving Day Parade around the Natural History Museum. (I will be doing that as well, also free). Ice skating in Central Park is great and cheaper/easier than Rockefeller Center, but I wouldn't blame anyone for wanting to do it at Rockefeller. Just maybe book that early and be flexible with times. There are also "free" walking tours that only ask for a tip that can be a good time. You should know that google maps does a great job with the subway and you can pay for any bus or subway ride with your phone or contactless card.

for museums I really like seeing how the richest and poorest lived by seeing both the Tenement Museum and JP Morgan library. But any of the better-known classics are great for kids middle school aged an older - Met, MOMA, Natural History, Whitney, Guggenheim, etc.

Broadway shows might be a little more expensive but if you spend some time looking you could probably find some silly cheap off-broadway christmas themed stuff. Some restaurants will be crazy but you can make reservations or always just get a slice of pizza or something from a halal cart if you don't care much about chasing food.

anyway I'd highly recommend NYC

Perfect.  Thanks!

One thing I forgot to mention is the Rockettes. Just a one-of-a kind bizarre, nostalgic, and festive masterpiece. So silly and highly recommended. (But not exactly cheap)

[ChiComCat]

My only thought was that I was young when I went to NYC and I don't think I experienced it anywhere close to how I'd want to now.  I think the kids are old enough to have a great time there and not waste it entirely on dumb stuff they won't care about in a few years.

[Kat Kid]

While it is definitely touristy and expensive, I think doing the Empire State Building is a great idea. Picking a time it isn't totally overrun is probably a good idea, just after lunch is a good time or first thing in the morning.

Overall, the best things for kids that age is to give them a time block to plan themselves or provide suggestions for and then doing a little subway navigation to get there. Splurge on getting a metro card to swipe in and have them figure out the route and lead the party.

[michigancat]

While it is definitely touristy and expensive, I think doing the Empire State Building is a great idea. Picking a time it isn't totally overrun is probably a good idea, just after lunch is a good time or first thing in the morning.

Overall, the best things for kids that age is to give them a time block to plan themselves or provide suggestions for and then doing a little subway navigation to get there. Splurge on getting a metro card to swipe in and have them figure out the route and lead the party.

I agree with that, it really gives you a sense of just how massive Manhattan is. The open air busses are good touristy things too.

I'd also be careful with doing too much in a day. Most people aren't used to the amount of walking you'd be doing.

[Stupid Fitz]

While it is definitely touristy and expensive, I think doing the Empire State Building is a great idea. Picking a time it isn't totally overrun is probably a good idea, just after lunch is a good time or first thing in the morning.

Overall, the best things for kids that age is to give them a time block to plan themselves or provide suggestions for and then doing a little subway navigation to get there. Splurge on getting a metro card to swipe in and have them figure out the route and lead the party.

Yep, my kids were bit younger when we were there, but deciding how to get to places was really fun for them. Also determining the cost/time for choosing subway vs uber vs walking. One day, Mrs SF and I had a booze lunch and no one could agree on which was the fastest way back to the hotel. I took one kid on the subway/walking while she took the other via Uber. We actually walked halfway because I was sure we had beaten them by a lot. Got up to the room and they were sitting in the bed. Lil SF shamed the crap out of me the rest of the day.

[TheHamburglar]

While it is definitely touristy and expensive, I think doing the Empire State Building is a great idea. Picking a time it isn't totally overrun is probably a good idea, just after lunch is a good time or first thing in the morning.

Overall, the best things for kids that age is to give them a time block to plan themselves or provide suggestions for and then doing a little subway navigation to get there. Splurge on getting a metro card to swipe in and have them figure out the route and lead the party.

I agree with that, it really gives you a sense of just how massive Manhattan is. The open air busses are good touristy things too.

I'd also be careful with doing too much in a day. Most people aren't used to the amount of walking you'd be doing.

One day I did the hop on/hop off with my parents. My wife tried to roast me for doing the touristy thing, but it really was a great way to get around & see Manhattan.

[ChiComCat]

I think those buses are as much about transportation around a city as they are for anything touristy.

[steve dave]

I think those buses are as much about transportation around a city as they are for anything touristy.

yeah, it's a good way to get the initial lay of the land in a new city and then on the second loop you just start getting on and off to actually explore

[star seed 7]

I should go to new york. I had a trip planned for April 2020 and have never rebooked

[cfbandyman]

While it is definitely touristy and expensive, I think doing the Empire State Building is a great idea. Picking a time it isn't totally overrun is probably a good idea, just after lunch is a good time or first thing in the morning.

Overall, the best things for kids that age is to give them a time block to plan themselves or provide suggestions for and then doing a little subway navigation to get there. Splurge on getting a metro card to swipe in and have them figure out the route and lead the party.

I agree with that, it really gives you a sense of just how massive Manhattan is. The open air busses are good touristy things too.

I'd also be careful with doing too much in a day. Most people aren't used to the amount of walking you'd be doing.

Yeah would second the Empire State Building, touristy AF but I enjoyed it. also agreed, I walked a ton (didn't hate it) but you'd definitely be walking 2-3 miles (or more) a day

The Met was a lot of fun too.

[michigancat]

While it is definitely touristy and expensive, I think doing the Empire State Building is a great idea. Picking a time it isn't totally overrun is probably a good idea, just after lunch is a good time or first thing in the morning.

Overall, the best things for kids that age is to give them a time block to plan themselves or provide suggestions for and then doing a little subway navigation to get there. Splurge on getting a metro card to swipe in and have them figure out the route and lead the party.

I agree with that, it really gives you a sense of just how massive Manhattan is. The open air busses are good touristy things too.

I'd also be careful with doing too much in a day. Most people aren't used to the amount of walking you'd be doing.

One day I did the hop on/hop off with my parents. My wife tried to roast me for doing the touristy thing, but it really was a great way to get around & see Manhattan.

newsflash for your wife: you were tourists

also I would only use them as transportation for a day. Use the subway after that.

[meow meow]

going to new york on thanksgiving and staying until that sunday.  any must do things during that time?

[Phil Titola]

going to new york on thanksgiving and staying until that sunday.  any must do things during that time?

Is Rockettes happening yet? It was better than I thought . Gets kinda weird in the 2nd half with a very Jesus divergence. Other than that pretty impressive show and get to see Radio City. Serves booze too

[Institutional Control]

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[star seed 7]

[nicname]

 Where are you headed lib?

[michigancat]

https://youtu.be/4T6e3GJCjow?si=YQfR-dswnxIWplSH

[ChiComCat]

I don't know what the video has to do with the airport but I'm glad I watched it.

[michigancat]

I don't know what the video has to do with the airport but I'm glad I watched it.

what city was mentioned in the chorus?