Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
New York
100% customisable for you
Fight off the post-Boxing Day blues, prise the children away from their presents (easier said than done) and prepare to kickstart your New Year family adventure to New York. After speeding through security and relaxing in the airport lounge (all courtesy of our Original Services) board the eight-hour flight to the Big Apple. Equipped with our Sharky & George fun packs, time will fly by as the youngsters keep busy with New York-themed interactive maps and games. Depending on when you fly you’ll likely land in the late afternoon, so collect your bags and enjoy a private transfer to your centrally-located hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to spend as you please, whether marvelling at the city’s Christmas lights or indulging in maple-soaked pancakes at an all-American diner.
Given the UK is five hours ahead of New York, we’re sure the little ones will be ready and raring to go this morning. Luckily, you’ve got an action-packed day ahead of you. Start with a knee-wobbling journey to the Top of the Rock, an observation deck on the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Centre. We predict plenty of ooh’s and aah’s as you spot iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, Central Park and the Hudson River. Complete your experience with a ride on The Beam, where you’ll rise 12ft above the deck atop a steel beam – just like the fearless ironworkers from that famous photo some 90 years ago.
Continue the fun back on terra firma with an hour of ice skating at the Rockefeller Centre (which the children are sure to recognise from Marty’s adventures in Madagascar). Lace up your skates and let the challenge of staying on two feet commence – if the festive surroundings somehow don’t wow your youngsters, then your haphazard attempts to stay upright just might.
Finish the first full day of your ultimate festive family holiday with a visit to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Evenings don’t get much more merry and bright than this – expect a flying Santa Claus, mesmerising tap dancers and the high-kicking Rockettes. With eyes fixed on colourful costumes and hands filled with colourful candy, festive spirits will be high enough to carry you into the New Year.
Today is all about getting the family stuck into the enticing flavours of another part of New York. Cross the Brooklyn bridge, and alongside a local guide, journey through Williamsburg and learn about the rich tapestry of Brooklyn’s culture and cuisine. At Northside Bakery, taste traditional Polish pastries; at Best Pizza, enjoy a slice of Brooklyn’s finest pizza while meeting the owner; at Tacombi Taco, relish tacos with a focus on sustainable ingredients; and at Levain Bakery, indulge in giant cookies from a female-founded bakery, supporting female entrepreneurs. Of course, you can expect all this alongside a much-welcomed sprinkle of festive flavour.
The fun doesn’t end there – this evening, we’ve secured you some of the hottest tickets in town. After all, what’s a trip to New York without a Broadway show? Whether you choose the legendary Lion King or dazzling Aladdin, the family will be whisked away to a whole new world. What’s more, for the perfect pre-or-post-show meal, simply let your local Concierge know your family’s food preferences, and they’ll book a restaurant that’ll satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. You could enjoy dinner in a fun local restaurant in one of New York’s many multinational districts, be that Little Tokyo or K-Town for delicious Korean food.
If your family has any aspiring artists, this morning’s visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (affectionately known as The Met) will inspire creative spirits. Explore 5,000 years of art from around the world across two sites in the city – The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. From Egyptian to Roman art and from sculptures to paintings, it’ll be almost impossible to pick a favourite piece.
After lunch (again, your Concierge can suggest the best family-friendly places to dine) it’s time to hit NYC’s famous stores. We would normally recommend flying hand luggage on a city break, but this time you might want to pack an extra bag for all your purchases. And besides, NYC in winter can get surprisingly cold, so you’ll all definitely need to buy another warm jacket. Definitely.
The time has finally come to celebrate your way into the New Year, and we’ve left this evening free to spend as you please. If your youngsters are night owls, wrap up and marvel at the dazzling Times Square’s famous ball drop or catch Central Park’s midnight fireworks. If you’re after an early night, visit these hotspots before the countdown crowds arrive, or take to the waters for a New Year’s Eve cruise. No matter how you decide to celebrate, tonight will be a fantastic farewell to the year.
Happy New Year! We're sure your youngsters would agree that a family holiday is synonymous with bucket-list adventures. So this morning, grab your cameras (and nerves of steel) and prepare to experience the sights of Manhattan from the sky during a helicopter ride. Games of I-spy will transform into spotting the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge as you soak in the festive cityscape from a bird’s-eye view.
After one last lunch, take a transfer back to JFK Airport for the overnight flight home. After such an action-packed few days you’d have to hope the children will sleep on the flight.
Land in the UK this morning, and as you head home, fear not for January and back-to-school blues – happy family memories from your New Year in New York getaway will be more than enough to fend them off.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
