Updated itinerary at the end in post 48.
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We didn't end up going to NYC for spring break, which ended up being good since DS2 has been sick. But, I'd still like to go and am now thinking mid-June.
This is what I have so far:
Day 1 - drive to Jersey City (10 hours/650 miles). Hope to arrive for dinner. Stay at Hyatt House. Park in structure nearby.
Day 2 - Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - I can pick 8am or 11am. Not sure which time, but am leaning towards 11am, so we can sleep and check out. We'd check out and stash things in the car. Take the NJ Path to Penn Station and walk to TRYP Times Square South. It looks pretty walkable, even with luggage.
Day 3 -the Oculus, 9/11 Memorial, 9/11 Museum (do we need a tour?), walk down Wall Street, walk across Brooklyn Bridge, subway back
Day 4 - NBC Studio Tour, Rockefeller Plaza, Top of the Rock, Central Park, Times Square
Day 5 - Empire State Building, Intrepid Museum (thinking of adding the Concorde tour, but am unsure how to estimate what time would work)
Day 6 - check out and return to car.
I have no good idea on how long we'd spend at any of this, so I'm trying to group things logically and leave time to be flexible and add things in. I could use ideas of what else could be added each of the days. I'm still reading about the various museums and will likely add in one somewhere, but I'm not sure which yet.
Are there any days of the week that are better for certain things or certain areas? We'd probably arrive in Jersey City on Thursday or Friday, making our NYC days Sat-Tues or Sun-Wed.
I could also use suggestions on where to eat. I'll try most things, but the rest of them aren't super adventurous. The boys will try a fair amount of stuff, but DD is still pretty particular and definitely not adventurous in her eating. But, she rarely complains and will often find something to order, even if it's just French fries or plain chicken.
I appreciate any input! Re-reading my earlier thread was great with the hotel ideas! Thank you to those who recommended them.