August 7, 2015

Take a bite out of the Big Apple in August

Summer's here! Enjoy vacation!

Dear Family Travelers:

According to NYC tourism officials, a record breaking 17.2 million family visitors took a bite out of the Big Apple last year and there certainly seem to be as many family visitors this tourist season.

If you have a few days before school starts, it turns out August is a good time.

You are likely to get a good hotel deal with so many business travelers gone. (Tip: Stay on a Sunday night for an especially good rate www.nycgo.com/sundaynightstays.)

As I've been researching the 3d edition of my Kid's Guide to NYC I've found other ways to Take a pleasing bite of The Big Apple without busting the budget. Here are 10 of my picks:

Download the Todaytix app for discount theater tickets .
Take a walk on The High Line, the wonderful park built on top of old New York City freight train tracks, which now runs all the way from the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street.
At the Museum of Modern Art, kids 16 and under are always free. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, kids under 12 are free and you can choose what you want to pay if you can't afford the recommended price.
Look for special free admission times at museums and zoos. For example, the Central Park Zoo offers free or pay-what-you-wish admission on Wednesdays.
Big Apple Greeter offers free tours based on your interests to different neighborhoods. You must book ahead online.
Kayak for free from the Downtown Boathouse at several locations, including Pier 96, 56th Street in Hudson River Park.
Picnic in the park for a meal a day. Pick up supplies at one of the city's many farmer's markets.
Opt for a free performance in a NYC park.
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Take your high-schoolers to tour a college or two. Music, art, fashion, academics - you can take your pick and tours, of course, are free.

Also on TAKING THE KIDS:

GLENEAGLES: A WORLD-FAMOUS GOLF RESORT, NOW FAMILY FRIENDLY

And from our partners at Family Travel Forum:

Hello Kitty is Catnip at Japan's Family Friendly Hotels

Find out what local and visiting kids have to say about nine great American travel destinations through our Kids' Guides Series from Globe Pequot Press.