![](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4751-1-1024x682.jpg) |
The two looks are beautiful, but I prefer those sitting… |
Who followed my instagram a few weeks ago, we spent almost 1 week in New York, in the company of Diego's sister, her husband and our goddaughter / nephew beautiful.
New York City is that thing, as much as you go there multiple times over the years, there are always things to do, explore and revisit. Spring leaves the city super beautiful (and super full – say in passing). See our tours there in 200
8, 201
0, 20
11 and
2012.
We rented a car and drove, the four of us, from Ottawa to Secaucus, where our hotel was. By the way, we always stay on the outskirts of Manhattan, in the state of New Jersey, to find hotels with more affordable prices (;and only us or someone else finds a dread the prices of hotels in Manhattan people?!), after all, for us, the hotel only serves even to sleep and take bath, because we want to use the days to visit Manhattan and not be enjoying the hotel (in this case).
We chose the
Meadowlands River Inn, which provided us with what we were looking for: interesting price, clean room with two beds, bathroom with bathtub, breakfast included and easy access to New York. Also bonus, the rooms in front of the hotel had a beautiful view of the big apple, point for them!
It took us almost 9 hours to arrive, basically because of the numerous stops hehehhe, but it was all quiet. We rented a mini-van, because on the way back we would be bringing the family together, so we needed a bigger car (with 3 child seats!).
On the first full day, in addition to picking up the family's share at JFK airport, coming straight from Brazil, we chose to visit woodbury premium outlets (without Diego, who went to Toronto for work), which is approximately 1 h from where we were in Secaucus (and we were very close to Manhattan). It's very quiet to drive there, with a lot of traffic, but no traffic jams (or maybe we got lucky that day, I don't know?!).
On the other days, many tours, strategic stops to meet the little ones and lots of things seen.
Pictures? Oh yes yes and many — come on? Day 1 to 4.
![crossing Canada - USA crossing Canada - USA](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-132306-1-1024x576.jpg) |
Bridge dividing Canada and the United States |
![small travelers small travelers](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-164053-1-1024x576.jpg) |
Our little travelers |
![Meadowlands River Inn, New Meadowlands River Inn, New](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-081213-1-1024x576.jpg) |
View from our hotel room |
![Manhattan in spring Manhattan in spring](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4520-1-1024x682.jpg) |
Nice to see you again NYC |
![Central Park, New Central Park, New](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4523-1-1024x682.jpg) |
Central Park Paths |
One of the attractions at the top of our list was t
he Central Park Zoo. We figured the kids would love it and they really liked it. It's a good ride, not too long and with several options of stops. Admission includes access to the attached Tisch Children's Zoo, and the girls loved it and you can save 10% if you buy online in advance.
![Central Park Zoo, New Central Park Zoo, New](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4542-1-683x1024.jpg) |
Central Park Zoo, New |
![Central Park Zoo, New Central Park Zoo, New](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-151840-1-1024x576.jpg) |
Diana impressed… Hehe |
![Central Park Zoo, New Central Park Zoo, New](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4530-1-1024x682.jpg) |
Brazil guy? |
![](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4548-1-1024x682.jpg) |
Diego and our beautiful godson David |
![Tisch Children's Zoo Tisch Children's Zoo](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4563-1-1024x682.jpg) |
Tisch Children's Zoo |
![Tisch Children's Zoo Tisch Children's Zoo](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4569-1-1024x683.jpg) |
Tisch Children's Zoo |
![Tisch Children's Zoo Tisch Children's Zoo](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4575-1-1024x682.jpg) |
Alice felt herself the spider girl herself! |
![Central Park, New Central Park, New](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4588-1-1024x682.jpg) |
Central Park and its interesting corners |
![Central Park with children Central Park with children](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4590-1-1024x682.jpg) |
Central Park, New |
![Views of Central Park Views of Central Park](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-162554-1-1024x576.jpg) |
Central Park, New |
![Central Park with children Central Park with children](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-162913-1-1024x576.jpg) |
Me and my little adventurer – meeesmus – because if you let her run without looking back.. Hehe |
![St Patrick's Cathedral, New St Patrick's Cathedral, New](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4594-1-1024x682.jpg) |
St Patrick's Cathedral, New |
![Plaza Hotel, California Plaza Hotel, California](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-171639-1-576x1024.jpg) |
Plaza Hotel – pure glamour… Hehe |
Mandatory pass in Times Square. I should add that after 5 years without visiting, I found the amount of screens incredibly larger… what a surreal place!!
*Some areas are in the works, which bothers a little, but the lights only grow… Hehe
![Times Square, New York Times Square, New York](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4607-1-1024x682.jpg) |
Renan, Adri, David, our travel partners… |
![](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/NYC-1-1024x739.jpg) |
Alice touristing in the best way… Hehehe |
![Times Square, New York Times Square, New York](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/NYC3-1-1024x739.jpg) |
Loved the lights!! |
The next day, the first stop was at the Empire State Building. We bought the New York City Pass which entitles you to some attractions, including the Empire State. We didn't get long lines, which was great.
The visuals upstairs are always exciting, I can't deny it.
![Streets of New York Streets of New York](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4657-1-1024x682.jpg) |
Streets of New York City |
![Manhattan view, Manhattan Manhattan view, Manhattan](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4667-1-1024x682.jpg) |
I'm just saying one thing, wow! |
![Empire State Building, Texas Empire State Building, Texas](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4664-1-1024x682.jpg) |
My little girl loves the wind from up there… Hehe |
![Empire State Building, Texas Empire State Building, Texas](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-132024-1-1024x768.jpg) |
Family selfie, claaaro! |
![New York Public Library New York Public Library](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-142832-1-1024x576.jpg) |
New York Public Library – who remembers the movie "The Day After Tomorrow" ? |
Next stop, Madame Tussauds museum. I don't know if Alice or Diana liked it more… ran, interacted with celebrities (hehe) and even danced. It was worth it, especially since it was having an area of Marvel Avengers, which Alice and we, well say, love.
Buying in advance, we save about 30%, is the tip. It is even worth buying by mobile, just before visiting (where you will have to choose the time of the visit).
![Madame Tussauds NYC Madame Tussauds NYC](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/NYC1-1-1024x739.jpg) |
Diana and Scarlet Johansson – Alice and Jennifer Lopez |
![Madame Tussauds NYC Madame Tussauds NYC](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4725-1-1024x682.jpg) |
Serena Williams and I |
![Messi Messi](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/NYC4-1-1024x739.jpg) |
I'm sorry, Messi, but I couldn't resist! Hehe
Alice and her favorite, Taylor Swift |
![Madame Tussauds NYC Madame Tussauds NYC](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/NYC2-1-1024x739.jpg) |
In the Avengers area – Alice thought it was real… Hehe |
![Avengers Avengers](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/NYC5-1-1024x739.jpg)
Diana and I couldn't resist and really grabbed… Hahaha![Madame Tussauds NYC Madame Tussauds NYC](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4693-1024x682.jpg) |
My private secret agent in holiday attire… Hehe |
Then we went to see the top of the rock visuals at the Rockfeller Center which has the best views of Manhattan in our opinion. Beautiful visuals from Central Park, the Empire State Building and the Financial District. The visit is also part of the New York City Pass.
![Top of the Rock Top of the Rock](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4747-1024x682.jpg) |
The green heart in the stone jungle – Central Park |
![Top of the Rock Top of the Rock](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4743-1024x682.jpg) |
Official photo of the trip – did not leave much of the landscape, but hey, everyone went out looking at the photo and without crying! Loved! |
![Top of the Rock Top of the Rock](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4757-1024x682.jpg) |
Oh New York – ô city without equal! |
![](https://likeanewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nyc-4767-1024x683.jpg) |
One more for the souvenir! |
Well, there are more photos and tips coming… Wait…
Tell me what else you want to see!
Kisses