Peyton, you definitely have to hit Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree and Saks is nearby so you can see the windows. I would also do the ice skating at Rockefeller center if you can. Below Rockefeller center are some great shops and restaurants, all very inexpensive. I would also see the windows at Macy's on 34th and Santaland inside the store. Carmine's in the Times Square area is good if you like italian food.

Quick heads up, parking will be pretty pricey no matter what hotel you stay in so keep that in mind.

The museaum of Natural History and the planetarium are also great for kids at that age. Be warned though that any venue is likely to be crowded this time of year.

If you are game, I would take a ride on the Staten Island ferry for a spectular view of Manhattan. The ferry is free so you board in NYC, ride over, get off and then get back on on the Staten Island side. The ferry is free both ways.

Although most people think they are cheesy, the best way to see a lot of the city in a little bit of time is to take a double decker bus tour.

As for hotels, any where you stay at this time of the year is also going to be pricey so a central location would be the Times Square area. I like the Millenium Hotel on 44th between 6th and 7th Ave. The rooms are bigger and sometimes you can get a Times square view. If you stay there ask for a corner room because they are bigger. You can walk to many of the attractions in the mid-town area and major subways are a couple of blocks away.

The Metropolitan museum is another favorite in NY and very inexpensive.

Let me add to Deborah's suggestion about the double decker tour. I've lived in New Jersey for over 20 years and go into the city fairly often- but I'd never taken the bus tours. However this past year we've had several teen age guests visit us and we took them on the bus tours- it was a wonderful way to see the city, especially since you don't have much time. Just bundle up if you're on top.

A tip about parking- leave the car at the hotel until you're ready to leave. It's much easier to walk or hop a subway than drive in the city- plus some hotels charge an extra fee every time your request your car. We learned that the hard way a few years ago when we were visiting out daughter at Columbia. I thought the tuition there was bad- the hotel parking fees were just as bad.

If you like "funky" the windows at Bergdoff Goodman's are usually really cool.

I don't think that bus tours are at all "cheesy". They are a wonderful way to see a big city and its famous sites without exhausting yourself and the children! And personally, I wouldn't bring a car into NYC, I would Amtrak in. IMO, it's not worth the hassle and expense to have a car - you can get anywhere by bus and taxi.

What does NYC have that your hometown doesn't? That's what to show the children - a ferry ride, the Natural History Museum, pretzels from a street vendor, ice-skating, etc. Make this trip for the kids and it will be fun!

Favorite hotel: The Hudson - 356 W. 58th St.
Favorite reasonble Italian dinner: Baldoria - 249 W. 49th
(Broadway & 8th Ave.)
Favorite lunch spot: Balthazar - 80 Spring St.
Favorite brunch: Spring St. Natural Restaurant - 62 Spring St.
Favorite jazz club: Birdland - 315 W 44th music all the time
Be sure to take comfy shoes. Lots of walking. Don't miss the neighborhoods, Soho, etc.

Enjoy one of the best cities to visit!

Love, love, love Balthazar! The only thing about the Hudson is that the rooms are super, super small!!

Thank you all so much for the info. I will check them out.
Mcmann, funny but so true about the tuition!

deborahnj - Yep, the rooms at the Hudson are small, but all we do there is sleep/shower. We love the location and the hotel has such good food in the open style cafeteria. Makes having less space in the room okay for us.

Spent DD's 16th Bday in NYC a few years back. We had a room with two queen beds for 5 days with no problem. Suites are just ridiculously expensive tho.

She had never been to the Hudson so it was a treat for her. Hit the ceiling on the "hip-o-meter" for her. She thinks that scenes from SATC being shot there makes it a national landmark. lol

I can't help you with hotels as I never had to stay in one since I live so close and work there.

Here are some suggestions for things to do, especially if you have kids
1) Serendipity - it may be overrated but definitely something to enjoy
http://www.serendipity3.com/

2) The Met
http://www.ny.com/cgibin/frame.cgi?url=http://www.metmuseum.org/&frame=/frame/museums.html

3) Central Park (If its not too cold) you can go ice skating there, go to a zoo and eat at the Boathouse
http://www.ny.com/sights/neighborhoods/central_park.html

4) Shopping at SOHO/Village (not really a kid thing to do but definitely something to do when you are in Manhattan)

5) Broadway play would be great (eat at at the stardust diner - we had a lot of fun there)

6) Burgers at the Parker Meridian hotel

7) Brunch at Sarabeth's or Jane

8) Empire State is a must only because that is a very NYC though I ewnt once with someone from out of town and thought it was boring.

9) Museum of Natural History on the West side is nice - great for kids though I like the one in Washington better

10. Union Square is fun and a great shopping mecca as well

11. If the weather is bad, go to chelsea piers for some indoor sports fun

12. The intrepid or the Childrens Museum of Manhattan

13. If you want to venture out to Brooklyn, there is an aquarium, puppetworks and the brooklyn children's museum

14. Rockefeller is nice. within that area, there is the Ninetendo Store and the American Girl Doll store, St. Patrick's cathedral and Saks (the window display is cute but not as elaborate as the other stores)

15. Check out the ABC Home Store for you and FAO Schwartz for the kids (there is also a GIANT TRU in Times Square

16. Check out cupcakes from Crumbs and Magnolia Bakery

Hope this helps.

Apologies for the bad grammar and spelling. I was in a rush and I accidentally hit "submit" before I had time to re-read my post.

So, how was the trip? Hope it was grand and one the kids will always remember.