New York: NYC, Apple Core’s La Quinta, A Family Delight. 
From the lobby steps the city view is energizing. Vertical neon signs frame both sides of 32nd Street and the striking Korean translations create an exotic feeling. Only steps to the subway the hotel is a secret find and ideal for a NYC family adventure.
Cozy in the city. We stayed at La Quinta during our last city junket. The hotel is cozy, meaning comfortable, and practical. Mirrors framed by rust tones and black accents reminded us of similar hotels in Prague and Amsterdam. No grand lobby or piano bar, just a pleasant entry space guarded by an equally pleasant doorman. The elevators are in the vintage category. The exercise room small but certainly adequate. The ample-sized breakfast room provides not only the usual coffee tea and juices, cereal and pastries but bagels with cream cheese.
Plenty of pillow space. The rooms are better than average for a city where every square foot counts. We asked for extra pillows and received them within minutes. Our bath room was also vintage, meaning small yet serviceable -- not a negative. Just not enough space for two teens to be blow-drying hair and putting on make up at the same time. Our room looked out on an interior space that offered a bird’s eye view of unglamorous offices and a stock room.
Clean, safe and happy. Visiting the city with kids can be overwhelming. The boutique size of La Quinta is an obvious benefit. During our brief three-day stay the staff seemed to be alert to our needs. That is, they made eye contact, spoke and often smiled. I found the hotel to be exceptionally clean and we felt safe each time we returned.
Bonus points: It’s okay to use the fire escape between floors.
Location, location, location. For us the advantage is the location because it is only a short walk to Times Square and not far from Macy’s. The subway entrance is at the corner and there is a Starbucks within waking distance. (Starbucks is on every other corner so what else is new?)
About Apple Core Hotels. Five centrally located hotels provide affordable sleeping in the city that never sleeps. Affordable and well-appointed, all five Apple Core Hotels properties offer such conveniences as on-site fitness centers, free Wi-Fi (hi-speed wireless Internet), in-room hair dryers, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards, telephones with data port and voice mail, and cable television with Web TV, on-demand movies and video games.
Family value: Additionally, children less than 13 years of age stay free when sharing their parents’ room, making a large room with two double beds, an economical choice for families.
Bonus points: Unlike other inexpensive hotels, Apple Core Hotels’ properties are conveniently located in midtown Manhattan, within walking distance to New York City landmarks including Madison Square Garden, The Empire State Building, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Macy’s and the Fifth Avenue shops, placing families close to must-see attractions.
Details
La Quinta Inn Manhattan.
17 West 32nd Street, NYC 10001. 1(212) 736-1600 or 1-800-551-2303. For real-time reservations, log on to
www.applecorehotels.com
Sister properties include: Red Roof Inn Manhattan (6 West 32nd Street), Super 8 Hotel Times Square (59 West 46th Street), Ramada Inn East Side (161 Lexington Avenue), and New York City’s only smoke-free hotel, the Comfort Inn Midtown (129 West 46th Street). For information or reservations, contact Apple Core Hotels at 1-800-567-7720 or 1(212) 790-2710.
More New York City:
Official New York City Visitor Information Center. 810 Seventh Avenue at 53rd Street, calling 1-800-NYC-VISIT or clicking on
www.nycvisit.com
New York Family. This is a publication that you will see around the city at places frequented by families.
www.nyfamily.com
The best thing to do is walk. The sights and sounds of the city - provided at no extra charge - make the adventure. Just remember to get a good map and ask directions before starting out. Short blocks north and south, long blocks east and west. If you need to refer to your map enroute, step out of the pedestrian traffic and plan your next move.
Get a CityPass. A great value and an excellent way to enjoy the city CityPass for New York City is simple. The New York CityPass provides entrance to seven New York City attractions. The pass is good for nine days and entitles the holder to one visit at each attraction beginning the day it is activated. The best way to get the pass is online line but it may also be purchased at any of the participating New York City attractions.
www.citypass.com
Buy a MetroCard. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority provides reliable and economical transportation and is this is one of the best ways to move about the city and have fun in the process. Most kids love to analyze a bus or subway route and matching time schedule. Using it is an adventure by itself. Advice: Ride off-peak commuter times and know your station destination. You'll see some great tile-work signs and have plenty of time to get off. Riding the bus is easy and more visually interesting (scenic).
Bonus points: The drivers are always willing to give directions and resident New Yorkers are willing to answer questions, so if you're lost just ask. If you miss a stop just think of it as an adventure.
FYI: All-day or multi-day passes are the best bet for a family in touring mode. We like to make Grand Central Station our first stop for lunch; snacks/treats and our Metro Passes. Call 1-212 METROCARD (638-3236) or
www.mta.com
Kim Sun Young Hair Salon. We discovered this awesome trendy salon across the street from our hotel. It took three walk bys before we returned to the room and called for appointments. The hair cutting event was fun. The salon creates great hair and sometimes has openings on short notice. What better souvenir of a city adventure than a city hair cut. 30 West 32 Street 2ND Floor NY, NY 10001 212-695-8152 or
www.kimsunyoungny.com
Shopping discovery. South of Macys is Manhattan Mall, from the outside not so glamorous from the inside fun and bargain rich. It is a NYC shopping secret not far from the La Quinta. 33rd Street and Avenue of the Americas, 212/465-0500. www.manhattanmallny.com
The Empire Strikes Back. First time visitors often place the Empire State Building on their to do list. Some times the lines are long but the Art Deco tribute is remarkable and rewards those that wait. The historic landmark marks the skyline at 1,454 feet and offers an awesome view of the city from the observatory deck on the 86th floor.
Bonus points: A tour of the building also features a New York sky ride - a simulated helicopter ride and virtual-reality movie theater.
www.esbnyc.com
Shop or be conquered. 
Just riding the elevators between floors and browsing between the buildings can be entertaining for anyone who loves to shop. The temptations are endless as each floor showcases the latest fashions. (Warning: The chance of being bitten by the shopping bug increases with each fifteen minute interval within the grand dame of department stores.)
www.Macys.com
Sony Wonder Lab. Fun, free and not-to-be-missed. This is a showcase for technology by Sony. They have several floors with plenty of interesting activities and ways to try new equipment. This city option is great for tech savvy four-year-olds as well as teens. Located at Madison and 56th Street. 1(212) 833-8100 or
www.wondertechlab.com
South Street Seaport Museum. The museum provides experiences for all ages in a collection of 19th century buildings scattered about the area. There is a small hands-on area for young children, a printing shop and a boat-building shop. The best part for older children is the chance to board the historic schooners moored to the piers. 1(212) 748-8600 or
www.southstreetseaport.org
Eating Places
KumGangSan Korean Restaurant. Right next to La Quinta and across the street from the hair cutter. Quick service, great food, friendly staff. 49 West 32nd St. NY, NY 10001, 212-967-0909 or
www.kumgangsan-NYC.com
MARS 2112. A real blast - a flight simulator transports hungry guests to MARS dropping them in a cave tunnel. Names of passengers appear on a monitor and flight attendants escort passengers even deeper into an n amphitheater area where tables are nestled in view of a full screen with ever changing space /images/ezine. When things are busy there are two staging areas, a bar and a video forum. The menu selections have clever names but the food is mundane. The children's menu "Food for smaller earthlings" is clever. Sometimes Martians appear causing distractions. At the conclusion of this eating experience passengers are re-assimilated into the gift shop. 1633 Broadway, Level C-1, at 51st & Broadway, 1(212) 582-2112 or
www.Mars2112.com
Comfort Diner. The menu provides “comfort” choices at reasonable prices and has food for kids as well as adults. Located at 214 E. 45th between Second and Third Avenue.
Book Connection.
Cricket in Times Square by George Selden, Yearling Books. A clever story about a cricket from Connecticut that winds up in the subway station at Times Square and makes the best of the situation. Also by the same author Chester Cricket’s Pigeon Ride. (Ages 6 –10)
Stuart Little by E.B. White, Harper &Row. A bout the crazy adventures of the Little family and their mouse sized son. This makes Central Park enchanting for youngsters. (Ages 6 –10)
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh, a Harper Trophy book. Harriet M. Welch, an imaginative sixth grader keeps track of her Upper East Side neighborhood. (Ages 8-12)
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil Frankenweiler by E. L. Konigsburg, Simon & Schuster or Aladdin Publishers. Two Connecticut kids hide in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and become involved in a mystery. (Ages 8-12)
For fun, kid-friendly
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