The hustle and bustle of New York always stirs something within me—a palpable, kinetic energy that makes you feel alive. There’s this heightened awareness, as if every corner, every street, and every stranger holds a story. And this time, as we embark on our family adventure, New York serves as our gateway to the world.

October in New York is a sight to behold—the leaves turning, the sun casting that golden hue, and the crispness in the air hinting at colder days ahead. When our daughter announced that she wanted to start our journey here, we couldn’t have been more thrilled. Her first request? To see the Statue of Liberty. Watching her eyes light up as we stood beneath Lady Liberty was a moment I’ll never forget. It felt symbolic—a beacon of freedom as we set out to explore not just new places, but new ways of being.

I am a fairly savvy traveler, yet with children, it can potentially be a whole new story.  “Seeing around the corner” can save time, energy and preserve our little ones patience and excitement for all the most wonderful parts of our journey.  Much like each and every day, tuning in to their desires and energy makes the whole experience entirely life giving.  There’s a certain finesse to keeping the little ones’ patience intact while navigating bustling cities. We’re learning to be in tune with our daughter’s rhythm, taking things a bit slower, and savoring the moments as they come.

Where We Stayed

This trip, we opted for Midtown, smack dab near the theater district and Times Square—a fantastic choice for first-time visitors. It’s lively, full of life, and just chaotic enough to remind you you’re in New York! For a quieter experience, I’d recommend the Upper West Side, a charming neighborhood with proximity to Central Park and the Lincoln Center. Battery Park is another great spot for families, offering green spaces and beautiful views of the Hudson River.

Loyalty.nyc offers an interactive map that allows you to zoom in, search and explore the varying neighborhoods of New York City. 

The New York City Neighborhoods map

Photo credit: Curtesy of NYC Neighborhoods Map by loyalty.nyc

Source: loyalty.nyc https://locality.nyc/

Dining Highlights

Our first night, we arrived late and wandered through Hell’s Kitchen, searching for an open spot to eat. After a few recommendations, we found ourselves at Mercury Bar . The staff—especially Frank and George—welcomed us warmly, and we all felt right at home. Our daughter left with a little pumpkin gifted to her, a memento from her first night in New York.  This also happens to be a Penn State Bar, which is fun if you are a fan or an alum, and I will not hold this against them, even though I am a loyal IU alum!  It made for a more interesting experience! 

We couldn’t resist a stop at Ellen’s Stardust Diner for brunch.  The traditional diner has one major twist…all of the staff are Broadway hopefuls and their talent is on full display throughout your meal.  We walked in to a version of “Let it Go” and left with the lyrics of “Through Heaven’s Eyes” from The Prince of Egypt Musical on our minds – becoming one of those “only in New York” moments we’ll cherish.

The West Village is a fun neighborhood in the western section of the larger Greenwhich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan.  It is the center of bohemian lifestyle on the West Side.  With charming restaurants and “off the grid” angled streets, it is purely eclectic and historic, this is New York.

With the guidance of a dear friend who lives in Brooklyn and met us for dinner, we discovered La Lanterna di Vittorio, with it’s gorgeous lanterns on the back garden patio and dimly lit ambiance, it immediately strikes an intimate feel.  The menu features calzones and panini’s as well as pizzas and a selection of lasagna – unique and tantalizing combinations that we had not seen before – try the lasagna!  There was a lasagna flight offered that allows you to sample a variety if you do not want to commit to just one.  And, there are also many Italian pastries and desserts.

Before our show one evening, we dined at Tony’s Di Nipoli at the recommendation of our hotel concierge.  As far as proximity to the theater district, perfect…  The meal is served family style and you will not be disappointed in the portions!  The atmosphere, with checkered tablecloths and an old Italian feel, complete the scene at this touristy Times Square location.  The food was plentiful and delicious and the service was great.  Touristy yes, but the energy and experience were perfect for the occasion. 

Theatre

In selecting a show for our family, we considered Wicked, The Lion King and Aladdin.  We decided to go with Aladdin – in consideration of our daughters age (7) and a balance of what was being offered.  When we shared this with her, she shared that it was more for me than for her…probably true!  I sensed that once she saw the amazing production and beautiful theatre, she would love it.

The intensity of the conflict, Aladdin’s dishonesty and the “romance” did prove to be a bit much for her – however she found humor in parts and delighted in the dancing and costumes. 

For me, the experience of Broadway is magical.  The talent, the unfolding storytelling, the lyrics when you really listen in, the history of the theatres, it’s enchanting. 

Navigating the City

We mostly traveled on foot, which is the best way to see New York, though we hopped in a few cabs and used Uber when we needed to give our legs a break.

The Statue of Liberty

 The Statue of Liberty was, of course, a highlight. We took the ferry with Statue City Cruises to Liberty Island, and our daughter was thrilled by the views.

Within the grounds on Liberty Island sits the new museum, opened in 2019, it has incredible views as well as beautifully depicting the history and beauty of the Statue of Liberty.  The 10 minute film at the beginning is a must see, striking much surprised emotion.  The museum also houses the original torch and a junior ranger program.  Throughout the visit, we were all so moved.

We left inspired, reminded of the freedom and hope that Lady Liberty represents—how fitting as we begin our own exploration across continents.

Exploring the American Museum of Natural History

You could spend days in this museum and barely scratch the surface. The Halls of Gems and Minerals were dazzling, and the life-sized blue whale model left us in awe.   The Secret World of Elephants was enchanting and so educational. 

As a tip, visit the museum website to purchase timed entry tickets in advance. 

There’s something magical about seeing the world through a child’s eyes, experiencing these wonders together for the first time.

Reflections

New York has always been special to me, and returning here with my family allowed me to see it with fresh eyes. I felt like an observer, no longer caught in the hustle and bustle but savoring it and observing how our daughter took it all in. This city, with all its complexity, mirrors the journey we’re embarking on—full of wonder and vibrancy. 

Our time in New York has shown us what lies ahead: the excitement, the unknowns, and the beauty of experiencing life as it unfolds. We’re just getting started, but I already feel the shift. There’s so much more to see, and I can’t wait to share where we head next. Stay tuned—it’s going to be an adventure like no other!