Help for Family of Five - 1st Time to NYC & Overwhelmed

Hi,

We are arriving in NY on Sunday. Staying at Salisbury through Thursday AM. I%26#39;m not sure if I am overplanning or not, but have a few things I need help with. We have 9 %26amp; 12 year old sons %26amp; a 16 year old daughter.

We won%26#39;t arrive until about 4 pm on Sunday, but thought we might walk around when we arrive to get our bearings. Any recommendations for restaurants for a nice Easter dinner?

First thing Monday we are going to Ellis Island. Already have tickets to ferry and tour. Then, Monday night we are seeing Blue Man Group (Monday Night) (boys choice). What is the best way to get back and forth to BMG theater from Salisbury? Any good restaurants near the theater?

Tuesday we are going to walk around and shop, central park %26amp; zoo. Maybe do Top of the Rock after dinner.

Wednesday we may do wax museum early in day, then we have tickets to Wicked (daughter%26#39;s choice). I would like to make the Wicked theater experience sort of our big night. What is the best way to get there and back from our hotel? Are cabs really expensive? Can FIVE people even fit in a cab? What would be a good pre-theater dinner restaurant with 3 children? They are not too finicky, but don%26#39;t want to spend a huge forture. Was thinking about Maria Pia?

ANY help would be hugely appreciated.

Help for Family of Five - 1st Time to NYC %26amp; Overwhelmed

First, here are some websites you can use

hopstop.com

for help on getting around. You can get different options for subway and even prices for taxi. 5 will generally not fit in one taxi.

menupages.com

for finding restaurants, reading reviews and menus Your hotel is in midtown west or the west 50%26#39;s. You%26#39;re also close to the west 60%26#39;s and the upper west side. Without some guidance from you on budget, type of food etc., it%26#39;s hard to make recos. I also think you might want to consider exploring another neighborhood that first night.

opentable.com

allows you to find places near where you want to be and book restaurants online. On the right side of their page they have a list of places with special Easter menus. You certainly don%26#39;t have to stick to those for your Easter dinner (those are often pricier than the regular menu).

The best way to get to Wicked from your hotel is to WALK. It%26#39;s very close.

I and many other NYers think it%26#39;s a mistake to make one night ';the'; special night for both show and dinner. Eating before the show is rushed at best, and even the best restaurant won%26#39;t seem so special if you%26#39;re running off to make a curtain. You also don%26#39;t want to overeat before sitting for 2+ hrs. I%26#39;d pick a different night for a special restaurant meal and eat good but not fancy on the night of Wicked. Maria Pia is a good idea for a pre theater though.

Maybe have some good pizza before Wicked (Angelo%26#39;s is near your hotel) and then go some place for a nice dessert after.

Help for Family of Five - 1st Time to NYC %26amp; Overwhelmed

Five people can fit in a minivan taxi, but not in a standard sedan cab.

Your hotel is at 57th and 6th, while the Gershwin Theater (Wicked) is on 51st b/t Broadway and 8th, so the best way to get there is to walk.

To get to Blue Man Group from your hotel, I%26#39;d take the R or W train from 57th Street to 8th Street. As NYWhiz said, hopstop.com will give you detailed directions for subway travel.

Here is a recent thread about restaurants in the area of Blue Man Group. See if any of those sound promising to you:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k1092891鈥?/a>

Also, here is a recent thread in which posters recommend some restaurants near the Salisbury Hotel:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k1023836鈥?/a>

There are many, many other restaurants nearby, so be sure to check menupages.com, as Whiz recommended.

I just browsed the previous post (thanks for the link, Crans) and wanted to comment on what another poster wrote:

';...Brooklyn Diner, Rue 57, and really any other place on 57th and on 7th Aves, are not worth it... ';

I know it%26#39;s just a matter of opinion, but I%26#39;d heartily recommend Brooklyn Diner. I really like Rue 57, but I don%26#39;t think of it as a family restaurant.

A great place for breakfast and lunch is Le Pain Quotidien, which is on 7th Ave. and 58th Street. It%26#39;s a Belgian chain that serves really lovely salads and sandwiches. The salads are enormous, and delicious. And their bread and pastries are divine.

The Whole Foods Market that occupies the lower level of the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle (just a few blocks from your hotel) is a great idea because everyone can choose whatever appeals to them. The selection is amazing.

For your pre-theater dining, you really need to make reservations. Maria Pia is a great idea. Another place that might be fun is Ruby Foo%26#39;s. Even though it%26#39;s very touristy, it can be lots of fun.

Ellen%26#39;s Stardust Diner gets raves from everyone for the entertainment. The food is basic.

And, relax. You%26#39;ll have a great time!

Also, you can register for free right now at Not For Tourists and print out free detailed street maps of NYC. Each nabe has three types of maps - 1. transit, 2. attractions/landmarks and entertainment/dining; and 3. sundries/pharmacies/coffee etc.

Or, buy a copy of the book when you are here. It is a great tool, very small, looks cool in basic black, and fits in your pocket.

www.notfortourists.com/newyork.aspx

For fun, cheap and good dining near theatres, get out of midtown and the theatre district and go to 9th Ave in Hell%26#39;s Kitchen. I would highly recommend Vynl (except that their Pad Thai is too salty.)

www.vynl-nyc.com