Newark Arrival and JFK Departure New York Family Basketball Trip

Arrival and Check-In

Arrive at The Westin New York at Times Square around 2:00 PM, or leave your bags with the bell desk if the room is not ready. The hotel is at 270 West 43rd Street, right in the middle of the theater district, so it is an easy base for a first evening without adding transit logistics. Take a little time to settle in and recover from travel; the hotel’s location makes it simple to return upstairs whenever the family needs a break.

Late Afternoon in Times Square

Head out toward Times Square in the late afternoon, when the signs are already bright but the evening crowds have not fully peaked. Wander around Broadway, 7th Avenue, and 42nd Street for about 45 minutes, keeping an eye out for the constantly changing billboards and costumed street performers. Then spend 30–45 minutes at M&M’S New York, the colorful multi-level shop at 1600 Broadway. It is free to browse, though the personalized merchandise and candy displays make it easy for children to want a small souvenir. Keep belongings close in the busiest parts of the square, and use the pedestrian plazas rather than trying to cross against the crowds.

Dinner and Evening Walk

For an uncomplicated family dinner, go to Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery at 1515 Broadway. Expect roughly $25–$45 per person before drinks and tip; portions are generous, and the classic cheesecake is worth sharing at the table. A 5:00–6:00 PM dinner helps avoid the heaviest theater rush, though the restaurant generally serves from late morning into the evening and does not require a formal occasion. Afterward, take a relaxed 30-minute walk through the Broadway theater district, passing the illuminated marquees along 45th and 46th Streets before returning to the hotel. Keep the night easy—tomorrow’s walk to Madison Square Garden is straightforward, but arriving rested is more valuable than squeezing in another attraction.

Morning

Start with a relaxed walk through Bryant Park, about a 10-minute walk east from The Westin New York at Times Square. The gardens, chess tables, carousel, and open lawn make this an easy family start, and 45 minutes is plenty before heading to the New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue. The library’s landmark interiors and historic reading rooms are typically open from 10:00 AM; admission is free, though some areas may be closed for events or exhibitions. Keep voices low and check the library’s same-day visitor information before relying on access to the reading rooms.

For lunch, take the subway or walk south toward Eataly Flatiron—walking via Fifth Avenue takes roughly 25–30 minutes, while the N, Q, R, W, or 4/5/6 trains can shorten the trip. Give yourselves 1–1½ hours to choose among the Italian counters rather than committing everyone to one menu; expect approximately $20–$40 per person. After lunch, stroll a few blocks to Madison Square Park for a 45-minute break beneath the Flatiron and Empire State Building views. This is a good point to use the restrooms, refill water bottles, and buy any snacks before the game.

Afternoon and Evening

From Madison Square Park, walk west along 23rd Street and then south toward Madison Square Garden, allowing about 20–25 minutes. Aim to reach the arena 60–90 minutes before tipoff: security lines, ticket scanning, team merchandise, and concessions take longer than expected with a family. The Garden’s entrances and bag rules can vary by event, so check the official event guidance that day and bring as little as possible. After the University of Kentucky Wildcats game, walk about 10 minutes west to Los Tacos No. 1 inside Chelsea Market if it is still serving and the family wants a quick meal; allow roughly 45 minutes and about $15–$25 per person. Check the market’s closing time and postgame crowd before setting out—if the counters are closed, head back toward Times Square for a simpler late meal rather than making a special trip.

Morning

Take the 1 train from Times Square–42nd Street to Chambers Street, then walk south toward the World Trade Center; allow 20–30 minutes total and leave around 8:00–8:30 AM for a comfortable start. Tap an OMNY reader with a contactless card or phone—the subway fare is currently $2.90 per ride. Begin at One World Observatory, where the high-speed elevator and 360-degree views make a strong first stop; reserve a timed ticket in advance, and allow about 90 minutes. Clear mornings usually give the best visibility, especially toward the harbor and Statue of Liberty.

Walk a few minutes through the World Trade Center complex to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The outdoor memorial pools are free and can be visited quietly before or after the museum, while the museum itself is emotionally intense; plan roughly two hours and consider whether younger children will be comfortable with the exhibits. Timed admission is wise, and security screening adds a little time. For lunch, continue to Eataly Downtown, only a short walk away, where the family can choose among pasta, pizza, sandwiches, and pastries rather than committing to one formal meal; budget about $20–$40 per person and expect the busiest period between noon and 1:30 PM.

Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, walk south along Greenwich Street toward The Battery, a pleasant 15–20-minute route through Lower Manhattan. Give yourselves about an hour for the waterfront paths, gardens, and skyline views; this is a good place to slow down after the museum, and there are benches for a break. Then continue to Whitehall Terminal for the Staten Island Ferry. The ride is free, runs frequently, and takes about 25 minutes each way; stay on board for the round trip unless you want to explore Staten Island, and stand on the right side going out for especially good views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan. Check the return schedule before boarding, and allow about 1½ hours for the full experience, including waiting and security. For the trip back to Times Square, use the nearby subway or a taxi if everyone is tired; avoid paying anyone who offers “official” ferry tickets, since the ferry itself costs nothing.