Dates: July 26–30
Theme: Bagels, Broadway, K-Pop & Me Trying Not to Lose My Wallet
This summer, my daughter and I took a five-day trip to New York City—her first time in the city, and my first time seeing it through her eyes. We packed in theater, history, food, iconic sights, and even a K-pop concert. Catch my video on YouTube<link>. This blog version gives you our story and the logistics + budget so you can use it as your own template (or cautionary tale).
Day 1: Arrival & Broadway Magic (Saturday, July 26)
Getting There
We decided to fly in in the early morning to avoid paying for a hotel for an extra night. We arrived at the airport at 5 AM, our flight left at 7 AM, and we made it to our hotel by 11:30 AM New York time (12:30 PM Texas time), leaving us most of the day to explore. (Although we did sneak an afternoon nap in!)
We used our United points for the arrival flight and saved points by flying into Newark Liberty Internation Airport (EWR) instead of the more obvious LaGuardia or JFK. Since EWR is the farthest away from Manhattan, cabs can be quite pricey, so I was determined to take public transport into the city. I kept reading horror stories about the complicated process to travel from Newark to Manhattan, but after TONS of research, I’m happy to report it was a breeze! The instructions sound complicated, but it’s pretty intuitive once you get there. I made a video on how we did it – watch it here: YouTube <link>.
TIP: LaGuardia is better known for being closest to Manhattan with affordable taxis or a free bus, while JFK is known for being best connected to the rail. However, if the cost of the plane ticket is substantially cheaper for Newark (EWR) – please don’t be scared to fly in there.
In a nutshell: we rode the airport shuttle → AirTrain → NJ Transit into Manhattan / Penn Station. It was around 1 hour from getting off the plane to arriving in Midtown.
Cost is about $15 for an adult and $8 for a child 11 and under (we barely made the cut!)
Everyone we asked for help along the way was incredibly kind – both airport staff and other travelers.
According to Google, “A taxi from Newark to Midtown typically costs between $65 and $100, not including tolls, tip, or rush hour surges, and the total time travel can range from 30 – 70 minutes depending heavily on traffic conditions.” So, I’d consider this decision a win!
The icing on the cake was getting to watch my daughter’s face as we rode the huge escalator up into insane Midtown NYC! What a fun memory!
Hotel: StayPineapple Midtown
StayPineapple Web
Location: 36th Street between 8th & 9th Avenues
- Cost: $877.86 for four nights
- What we loved: Bright, fun décor (my daughter: “the cutest hotel ever”), early check-in, free room upgrade, pineapple cookies in the lobby.
- Heads-up: Rooms are tiny, but that should be expected when you are traveling to NYC on a budget. The block itself is kind of sketchy at night.
We wanted to be close to Times Square, since that’s where her friend was staying. And I wanted to be close to Penn Station because that’s where the train from Newark ends. I didn’t want to lug our luggage too far from there, and didn’t want to spring for a cab.
StayPineapple was a .4 mile walk from Penn Station (less than 10 minutes), and about .6 miles to Time Square (about 15 minutes). Most other hotels in the area were either too pricey or didn’t have much character.
My daughter adored the colorful, feminine design — she thought it was the cutest hotel ever! Our friends were staying in a much swankier hotel, but she preferred ours just based on the bright colors and free pineapple cookies in the lobby.
I appreciated the affordability and perks: early check-in, welcome snacks, easy check-in, and even a free room upgrade. Rooms were tiny, but no complaints from us about that because we were totally expecting it. Beds were super comfy! They gave us a free water bottle and had a Keurig in the room with plenty of coffee and teas. The lobby had a free water bottle filler – both sparkling and still water. Staff was friendly!
The only real downside was the block itself—it felt pretty sketchy, especially at night. We stuck to the busier 8th/9th corridors when walking after dark, then moved closer to a group or walked super fast from 8th/9th to the front door. 3 minutes max of being on edge. We never actually had a problem.
I think I was just being extra paranoid because of my daughter. Because we were trying to save money on transportation, we never cabbed directly to the door. If you have the funds to do that, then this would not be a problem whatsoever.
Lunch: Beyond Sushi and a Bryant Park Stroll
Lunch was at Beyond Sushi, a cool vegan sushi spot my daughter had been dying to try. The food was flavorful and creative (especially for vegans), and the $50 bill felt like a bargain for fancy NYC. This is a great choice if you’re vegetarian or looking for something different.
We decided to stroll through Bryant Park (while I regaled my daughter with the story of how her grandparents got engaged there) and stepped into the gorgeous and historic New York Public Library. We were pretty tired from our morning travels, but the people watching in the park is always great, and there are plenty of tables and chairs. Best of all, both these activities are totally free.
Dinner + Theatre: RA Sushi & Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Lyric Theatre)
After a power nap, we headed to RA sushi for dinner. Can you tell my daughter LOVES sushi?! Dinner cost for two: $87.12. It was not my favorite. The salmon was too salty, the music too loud, and service was slow. But it was right across the street from the theater so we didn’t have to worry about being late to the show!
Then the show: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It was $238 total for two tickets. Yes, that was a splurge, but I consider it money well spent!
The theater itself was spotless, with no bathroom lines (magic?!). We loved the interactive lobby where you can make your own Petronus, but we skipped the extremely overpriced snacks and souvenirs.
We sat in the Dress Circle, Row H, Seats 121 and 122, and felt it was a great view, especially for the price. Although the actors were a bit far away, we had an incredible view of the effects—the Dementors flying through the audience felt thrillingly real, and magic really looked magical. The show was longer than expected, with a surprise second storyline, but we were entertained the whole time. I’m glad my daughter’s first Broadway experience was so memorable!
Tip: You can try for discounted tickets via lottery. For Harry Potter tickets there’s a lottery through the app TodayTix the week before the performance you’re aiming for. Download the app, enter the show & date. If you are selected, your tickets are only $40. We were not successful, but it’s totally worth a shot.
Lottery (“Friday Forty”) Website: Harry Potter Lottery Tickets | Friday Forty | The Lyric Theatre
Day 2: Bagels, Lady Liberty & K-Pop Fireworks (Sunday, July 27)
Breakfast: Liberty Bagels (Midtown)
We kicked off the day at Liberty Bagels, which quickly became a trip favorite. My daughter loved the whole chaotic system: wait in line, yell your order, squeeze through the crowd, then wait for your name to be shouted out. Their famous rainbow bagel was fun, but there was an insane amount of other choices, too. I honestly got overwhelmed at the choices and when it was my turn to order I kinda freaked out – I can’t even remember what I got!
If you’re not cool under pressure, maybe check out the menu beforehand: Menu
The line was out the door when we got there, but it moved fast.
Cost: $13.36 for the two of us.
Ferry & Sight-seeing: Statue of Liberty + Museum
We rode the subway south toward Battery Park, although we still had to walk quite a bit to get there. From Battery Park, we caught the ferry to Liberty Island—a bucket-list item for my daughter.
The security to get onto the ferry was pretty intense. There was one dude trying to make a scene about his constitutional right to wear a hat through the metal detector, but other than that things moved smoothly. The whole Statue of Liberty process felt like a lot of lines and waiting around, but considering how many people they were dealing with, it seemed efficient.
The ferry was rocking like crazy as we approached, and I was sure I’d be vomiting within minutes (I don’t do well with boats), but my daughter gave me a pep talk and I never did get sick.
Sailing up to the statue was unforgettable, despite the gray skies. I felt inspired by the many immigrants who left their homes with little and saw the same sight.
Upon reaching the island, we grabbed the free audio tour at a little kiosk on the right hand side. We got to learn a lot about the Statue’s history, symbolism, and construction. There was no line to get the audio tours – I kinda felt like no one knew about them! They should advertise it better.
After walking around the Statute, we checked out the museum, which was excellent, and ended with an interactive exhibit where visitors shared what liberty means to them. It was moving to pause and reflect on values that should unite us.
Plan at least 3-4 hours total if you want to absorb it all. I’d suggest going as early as possible because the crowds seemed to surge in the afternoon as we were leaving.
Cost: $56 for one adult and one child under 12.
Lunch: Sweetgreen near the Oculus
We skipped Ellis Island, since we had big plans that night, but not before grabbing a quick lunch at Sweet Green. The animal statues outside the Oculus made for people-watching gold.
Then we took a stroll passed the downtown murals and paused to reflect on the 9/11 Memorial. My daughter wasn’t born yet when 9/11 occurred, but I was able to describe for her my experience watching it on the news, and the incredible stories of bravery for our first responders, journalists, and ordinary citizens.
Cost: ~$40 for lunch.
Evening: BlackPink Concert at Citi Field
Back at the hotel, we were greeted with pineapple cookies before getting ready for the BlackPink concert at Citi Field. We were gifted tickets from a friend so that meant this major experience was free! The show was incredible—electric energy, amazing performances, and fireworks to close it out. Best of all, our friends with a hired car whisked us away afterward, sparing us from post-concert chaos.
We decided to forfeit the encore to avoid the post-concert traffic nightmare, and had no regrets. We got to watch the fireworks as we walked to our car and we were safely back in our hotel room before most people probably found a ride home.
Day 3: Chinatown Food Crawl & Times Square Drama (Monday, July 28)
My daughter was really looking forward to Chinatown, so we headed straight there with the intention of eating as much and experiencing as much as we could.
The most important first step – grab some cash! Many places in Chinatown were cash only, plus using cash allowed us to easily set a budget. There was a Chase Bank ATM in the middle of Chinatown that worked for us.
Then, I told my daughter we could go in wherever she wanted. Here’s where we landed:
- 46 Mott Bakery – vegetarian-friendly buns and interesting things rolled up in leaves (we literally had no idea what we were buying, but that’s part of the adventure) (~$15)
- Icy Melon – black-rice & durian bowl (SO GOOD!) + smoothies (~$15)
- Miss Du’s Tea Shop – the most beautiful lemonades you’ve ever seen ($8.61)
- Sugartown – candy souvenirs for dad, and little bro and sis (~$10 cash)
- Shu Jiao Fuzhou – $4 peanut-noodles (shared table, no frills, this place was so unique and crazy cheap)
- Daronghua Bakery – sesame buns + boba (because you can’t leave Chinatown without having at least one boba drink) (~$12)
Total cost for this day’s snack/meal crawl: ~$70 cash.
The streets were lined with colorful produce and endless souvenir shops, making us feel like we’d been transported to another country. We probably covered 2–3 miles if you include exploring alleys, streets, sidetracks. Make sure to wear good walking shoes if you want to see it all!
Evening: Times Square
We met a friend for dinner in Times Square. It was her birthday so she got to pick the place… did you know Times Square has the largest Olive Garden in the world? Haha, now I do!
The end of the meal left a bad taste in our mouth, unfortunately. My daughter accidentally left the one souvenir she really wanted – an “I ❤️ NY” T-shirt – in the bag in the bathroom. By the time I went back for it (maybe 10 minutes later…) it had been stolen. The thief even left the bag on the ground, which gave me 5 seconds of false hope that crime is not that bad in NYC. Ugh.
Lesson learned: Keep an eye on your stuff!
Next we browsed cute Times Square stores like Miniso & Line Friends, and soaked in the crowd. It did feel oppressive at times, but it’s a famous NYC experience. I think my daughter was done with Times Square after that night, though.
Day 4: Mansions, Museums & Christmas-Movie Moments (Tuesday, July 29)
Breakfast: Gregory’s Coffee
Gregory’s Coffees seem to be dotted all around NYC and I suggest you try one out! Their oat milk latte was one of the best I’ve ever had, and their vegetarian-friendly breakfast sandwiches were tasty and very reasonably priced.
Cost: $16.64
Morning: Gilded Age Mansions & Upper East Side Walk
My daughter has been watching some of the Gilded Age series with me lately, so this felt like a fun and educational tie in. We joined a walking tour of Gilded Age mansions, learning how most were demolished to make way for “modern” apartments. Luckily, some survived, including the Cooper Hewitt (now part of the Smithsonian), which we got to peek inside. We saw many more mansions from the outside, learned some of the weird history of their owners, and also learned more about the Met, which we’d visit later that day.
The subway unexpectedly shut down on the way there and we got very turned around when we tried to re-route. Our tour guide was incredibly kind, even offering to redo the first part of the tour for us because we showed up late.
Walking mileage: about 1.5 miles.
Cost: ~ $40 for two, plus tip
We used Free Tours By Foot: The Best Walking Tours in New York (Since 2009) | Tours by Foot
TIP: Here’s the money-saving bonus. We got into the Met for free via tickets provided by our tour guide. Normally, for out-of-state visitors the standard ticket is $30 per adult. But for NY State residents it’s “pay what you wish” at the counter on certain days. And our tour guide was a NY State resident! He paid $0 for the tickets and then gave them to us. We could use them any time that day.
Lunch: Bluestone Lane + Central Park + Ice Cream
We stumbled into Bluestone Lane, a café inside an old church. The soaring ceilings and stone architecture made it one of the most beautiful lunch spots we’ve ever experienced. The avocado smash toast and San Pellegrino sealed the deal. We felt quite fancy sitting right inside the door, appreciating both the history around us and the people watching right outside.
Cost: $48.21
We followed it up with ice cream at Glace by Noglu (~$14.06 for one cone – yikes! We won’t be repeating that one.) And then a leisurely stroll through Central Park, past the lake and all the way to the Met. I regret what we spent on one ice cream cone, but my daughter felt special and there were no other ice cream joints nearby.
Afternoon: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Our legs were aching and we knew we couldn’t see it all. The Met is HUGE! We spent some time on statues and ancient jewelry. My daughter specifically wanted to see Edgar Degas’s “Little Dancer of Fourteen Years.” I think she leaned about it in a movie? I was just impressed she could name a famous artist.
Then we focused the rest of our time on the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibit, which I really wanted to see. It included both modern fashion, and clothing worn by historic figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and Frederick Douglass. I love learning about Black history, and this exhibit felt powerful and celebratory. We got to have interesting conversations about how style and disguise have been used as tools of resistance.
Christmas Movie Pilgrimage: The Plaza Hotel & Macy’s Herald Square
Our family is a bit obsessed with Christmas movies, and so many classics were filmed in New York City! We had to make few stops, if for no other reason than to have bragging rights when we watch the movies again each year.
We gave in and hailed a cab (we were SO done walking!) to the Plaza Hotel to live out our Home Alone 2 fantasy—imagining limos and cheese pizzas “just for me.” We had serious imposter syndrome walking past the doormen, so we didn’t get many photos, but the experience was silly and fun.
Then, we took the subway to Herald Square for a Buddy-esque (from Elf) Macy’s elevator ride. We rode all the way to the top of the store and we were fascinated to notice how each floor’s elevator felt more antique than the last.
Both experiences: free!
Dinner: Bravo Pizza
Dinner was at Bravo Pizza, a vegetarian spot with friendly service and delicious pies—one of our best meals. We loved the loud staff and the buzzing atmosphere.
Cost: $27.24.
Sunset View: Empire State Building
Finally, we capped the night at the Empire State Building. We got advance tickets specifically so that we could time our arrival at the top with the sunset. Please do this!
I got kinda sick to my stomach when I saw how much the tickets would be, and I waffled on whether we should go. But my daughter reminded me it was on her bucket list, so we went for it. I have absolutely no regrets – the sunset view from the top was breathtaking and it was such a sweet moment to spend with my daughter on the last night of our trip.
The museum exhibits were also so much fun – both incredibly interactive and educational! It really showed you what the process to build the tower was like, what life was like during the era it was built, and how important the building has been in pop culture throughout the years.
Pre-booked tickets: $125.21 total for two.
Tip: Aim to arrive ~45 minutes before sunset so you can get through the museum in time for the big show. You should definitely pre-book your ticket online for a specific time slot, otherwise you may miss your window of opportunity.
Sunset crowds were intense – don’t get me wrong – but people were kind enough to make way so everyone could have their photo opp.
Pedicab Disaster
My daughter asked if we could take one of the cute pedicabs back to our hotel. I thought – sure! It was our last night, after all, and our feet were aching. I pulled up the map and did the math based on the driver’s cost per minute. I figured it would be a bit of a splurge, but it would be fun and would get us safely to our hotel. I couldn’t have been more wrong!
Turns out, when pedicabs charge by the minute, the driver has absolutely no incentive to get anywhere quickly. We crawled along – painfully slowly – pulling over randomly for no reason, as the driver blasted the Thong Song on repeat – ick. As my anxiety heightened, I finally asked him to let us out because this was taking way too long. He… took… his… time… and then had the audacity to ask for $130 for a 2 block ride. After shooting him several dirty looks and making exasperated arguments, I handed him $50 and walked away. Luckily he didn’t make a scene.
Lesson learned: Always agree on the fare ahead of time – and the amount of time it will take if they charge by the minute – and if they fight you on that, it’s a red flag!
Day 5: Last Bagel & Flight Home (Wednesday, July 30)
Breakfast: Liberty Bagels (again)
On our last morning, we couldn’t resist one more stop at Liberty Bagels before heading to LaGuardia. Because you can’t leave NYC without one last rainbow bagel.
Cost: $21.52
Departure: Taxi to LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
We decided to fly out of LaGuardia because I found a cheap Spirit flight and I wanted to save my United miles for future trips.
This time, we took a cab to travel to the airport (which, ironically, was way cheaper than what the pedicab the previous night tried to charge us!!)
I booked the taxi the night before on the Curb app, and they showed up perfectly on time and in the right spot.
Taxi cost: $60.27 including tip
Flight home on Spirit Airlines cost: $247 for two (note: we did not check any bags)
Tip if you’re flying Spirit out of LaGuardia: Terminal A at LaGuardia is teeny-tiny. Security took 5 minutes. There was one café, one shop. If you arrive 2+ hours early you’re just sitting awkwardly and extremely bored. Luckily, we had lots of episodes of The Babysitter’s Club downloaded on our iPad.
Final Thoughts
In just five days, we packed in Broadway magic, K-pop, bagels, pizza, art, history, and plenty of laughs. There were missteps (looking at you, pedicab scam and t-shirt theft), but overall it was an unforgettable mother–daughter trip. My daughter loved the food adventures most (Chinatown and Liberty Bagels topped her list), while I treasured seeing all the famous sites and history through her eyes.
NYC was equal parts exhausting and exhilarating, and we left with tired feet and the best memories.
Money-Saving Tips
- Lottery for Broadway tickets: For the Harry Potter show you can enter a discounted ticket lottery via the TodayTix app the week before your target date. We tried. We lost. But worth a shot.
- Subway cost breakdown: As of 2025, a single ride on the NYC subway (or local bus) via OMNY/tap card is $2.90. Unlimited-week passes exist (~$34) if you ride a lot. Using subway vs taxis saved major bucks and we found the process to be relatively user friendly with the help of the MTA app. If you are directionally challenged, like me, do NOT try to navigate the subway or any city streets for that matter without a planner app. I used the MTA App and only got lost once.
- Visit major attractions in the morning or pre-book tickets to avoid long lines/crowds. Then take an afternoon nap.
- Look for “pay what you want” museum admissions or free options: For example, The Met allows New York State residents to pay what they wish. We used Tours by Foot and they provided free tickets. The New York Public Library was completely free, as was (obviously) Central Park, Bryant Park, The Battery, The Oculus, 911 Memorial, and Times Square.
- Carry cash for certain neighborhoods: Chinatown spots may be cash-only or prefer it.
- Prioritize splurges: For us, the big budget hits were The Empire State Building and the Harry Potter show — totally worth it because there are just certain things you can only do in NYC. If you’re trying to save, maybe skip one of those and go for free/cheaper viewpoints (Top of the Rock, Brooklyn Bridge at sunset, etc.).
- Agree on fares for weird transport: Pedicabs might be fun, but clarify the cost before you board. Our friends got a pedicab around Central Park and loved it, but our experience near the Empire State Building left a lot to be desired.
- Don’t waste money on souvenirs: Photos and experiences are the best souvenirs! I let my daughter buy one thing for her dad, brother, and sister, and one thing for herself (the shirt that immediately got stolen). She knew going into the trip that the memories of the experience were what we’d be taking home.
- It is possible to eat for cheap in NYC. Our biggest splurge was Ra, which honestly was my least favorite meal of the trip. Although I’ve been to New York and splurged on fancy meals before (and had no regrets), this was not the time for that. Between bagels, sandwiches, and pizza, you can eat well and not break the bank.
Cost Breakdown (2 Travelers, 5 Days)
| Category | Details | Total |
| Hotel | StayPineapple Midtown (4 nights) | $877 |
| Food & Drinks | Meals, snacks, coffee, ice cream | ~$375 |
| Transportation (in-city) | Subway rides + cabs + taxi to airport | ~$190 |
| Airport/Flight Costs | Flight home (Flight there was free with points) | $247 |
| Entertainment / Sightseeing | Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, Harry Potter (Broadway) Tickets, Empire State Building, Gilded Age Walking Tour (concert tickets were gifted to us) | $443 |
| Souvenirs | Candy + the lost T-shirt | $25 |
| TOTAL TRIP COST | For two people, five days in NYC | ~$2,150 |