BAPS Akshardham reservation- Sunday timed slot required Book reservation ↗
Free
Manhattan Times Square Hotel ✅ BOOKED- May 3-6, 3 nights · 790 7th Avenue · Kevin family (2 rooms) Priceline #92926646517 · Prakash family (1 room) Priceline #92926668517 · All paid by Kevin
Booked
Empire State Building ✅ BOOKED- May 3, 6:45 PM · Order #132148273 · 9A + 2C · Paid by Kevin Paid: $613.48 total
Booked
Intrepid Museum- Group B, Pier 86. Book on Klook for best price Klook ~$33 ↗
$36/$26
Parking - Kevin's group- check with hotel first, else SpotHero SpotHero (backup) ↗
~$30-60/day
▶May 4 - Statue of Liberty + Rest Evening0/2 pending
Statue Cruises Pedestal Reserve ✅ BOOKED- May 4, 9:00 AM · Confirmations #74723236 (5A) + #74723320 (2A+2C) + #74723406 (2A) · Paid by Kevin Includes pedestal + museum + Ellis Island
Booked
OMNY / MetroCard- tap contactless for subway ($2.90/ride) OMNY info ↗
$2.90/ride
ESB moved to May 3 sunset. 9/11 Memorial is free (outdoor only). Rest evening - no late plans
Edge NYC (Option A only)- skip if choosing Option B or C Klook ↗
~$40/pp
Decide Option A/B/C before this day. Central Park, Little Island, High Line are all free
▶May 6 - NYC to Niagara (driving day)0/4 pending
E-ZPass- for NY Thruway tolls (or plan cash at booths)
Varies
Download offline maps- NYC to Niagara route on Google Maps
Free
Kids tablet content- download shows/movies for 4.5 hr stretch
Free
Seneca Niagara Resort ✅ BOOKED- May 6-7, 1 night · 310 Fourth St, Niagara Falls · Kevin family (2 rooms) Priceline #92919367516 · Prakash family (1 room) Expedia #9091287735582 · All paid by Kevin
Booked
No tickets to buy - driving day. Lunch near Albany is walk-in. Pack snacks + chai thermos
▶May 7 - Niagara Falls & Hershey0/4 pending
Maid of the Mist ✅ BOOKED- Voucher UR-799971 · 9A + 2C · Paid by Kevin · exchange voucher at Prospect Point ticket booth Valid any day through Nov 8, 2026
Booked
Vraj Temple darshan timings- check Sandhya Aarti time for Thursday vraj.org ↗
Free
Pack waterproof gear- poncho, extra socks, phone pouch for Maid of the Mist
-
Courtyard Marriott Hershey ✅ BOOKED- May 7-8, 1 night · 515 E Chocolate Ave · Kevin family (2 rooms) Priceline #92919403516 · Prakash family (1 room) Priceline #29441245395 · All paid by Kevin
Booked
Maid of the Mist: family of 4 total ~$100. Boats every 15 min, no advance booking needed
▶May 8 - Hershey → D.C. (rest at Greenbelt)0/3 pending
Holiday Inn Greenbelt ✅ BOOKED- May 8-9, 1 night · 7200 Hanover Dr Greenbelt MD · Kevin family (2 rooms) Priceline #29445470396 · Prakash family (1 room) · All paid by Kevin
Booked
Hershey's Chocolate World experiences- pick 1-2 paid (Create Your Own Bar kid favorite) Chocolate World ↗
$10-32/pp
Pack car for May 9 early departure- load luggage tonight, full gas tank, offline maps
-
May 8 = easy day. Chocolate World morning, 2.5 hr drive to Greenbelt, rest evening. All memorials moved to May 9 or skipped.
▶May 9 - D.C. → Buford (driving day)0/5 pending
Air & Space Museum - free timed ticket- reserve for 9:30 AM entry Reserve free ticket ↗
Free
Decide: push through OR overnight Charlotte- 10.5 hr drive = 1 AM arrival · Charlotte = safer with kids
Decision
Charlotte overnight hotel (if chosen)- book Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn same day Booking.com ↗
~$100-120
Full gas tank + car snacks- fruit, chips, chai thermos, water
-
Download offline maps + kids entertainment- D.C. to Buford route, movies on tablets
Free
Recommended: Overnight in Charlotte NC for safer drive with kids. Arrive Buford Sunday noon instead of 1 AM.
✈️ Travel to NYC - Apr 29-30 (Rescheduled)
Mumbai → Abu Dhabi → New York JFK · Etihad Airways both segments · Airbus A350-1000
Flight 1 · EY 205 · Mumbai → Abu DhabiEconomy · Etihad Airways
Depart
BOM · Mumbai · 23:10 on 29 Apr 2026
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Intl · Terminal 2
Arrive
AUH · Abu Dhabi · 00:45 on 30 Apr 2026
Zayed International Airport · Terminal A
Duration
3h 05m · Nonstop
Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000
Abu Dhabi layover: 1h 45m · Zayed International Terminal A (same terminal transfer)
Flight 2 · EY 1 · Abu Dhabi → New York JFKEconomy · Etihad Airways
Depart
AUH · Abu Dhabi · 02:30 on 30 Apr 2026
Zayed International Airport · Terminal A
Arrive
JFK · New York · 09:30 on 30 Apr 2026
John F Kennedy International · Terminal 4
Duration
15h 00m · Nonstop
Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000
US Immigration: Cleared at JFK (Abu Dhabi preclearance is currently closed - verify status before travel) Baggage: 2pc checked (23kg each) + carry-on, free of charge both ways
Schedule change: Flight rescheduled from Apr 30 to Apr 29 departure. You now arrive JFK on Apr 30 morning instead of May 1. This gives you 3 full days at your friend's home in Secaucus before the NYC itinerary begins on May 3.
Before departure: Train to Mumbai Central must be rebooked for Apr 29 (was Apr 30) · Submit Etihad Advance Passenger Information (API) via Manage Booking · Print: DS-160, host invitation letter, proof of funds, return tickets · Pack Gujarati travel foods carefully (customs rules on thepla/khakhra)
April 30 (Thursday) - Arrival Day
Land at JFK 9:30 AM → immigration → travel to Secaucus NJ → rest · recover from jet lag
👕 T-shirt + warm jacket for arrival · JFK terminals are air-conditioned · pack layered clothes for flight · airport pickup chilly outside
1. Arrival at JFKApr 30 morning
9:30 AM
Land at JFK · Terminal 4
Etihad EY 1 arrives on time · disembark · follow signs to US immigration
9:45 AM
US Immigration + Customs + Baggage
B1 visa line · officer will ask about purpose/duration/hosts · have printed docs ready · ~1 to 1.5 hrs including baggage pickup
11:30 AM
Exit JFK Terminal 4 · arrange pickup
Options: friend's car pickup / Uber / Lyft · Secaucus is ~23 miles / 45-60 min from JFK
12:30 PM
Arrive at friend's home in Secaucus NJ
Settle in · rest · light lunch · hydrate
Tip for immigration: Keep DS-160, host invitation letter, return tickets, proof of funds, hotel bookings all accessible Jet lag: India to NYC is -9.5 hrs · try to stay awake until 9 PM local time · eat small meals
2. Rest of day - RecoveryFlexible / rest
Afternoon
Short nap (max 1-2 hrs) + freshen up
Avoid long sleep · helps beat jet lag faster
Evening
Home-cooked dinner with friend's family
Gujarati food if possible · comfort food for tired bodies
Night
Early sleep by 10 PM
Full 9-10 hrs to reset body clock
Apr 30 goal: Land safely, get to Secaucus, eat, short nap, stay awake till night, sleep early. No sightseeing today.
May 1 (Friday) - Free Day
Rest or light local exploration · jet lag recovery continues
Edison/Iselin NJ has authentic Gujarati restaurants · Patel Brothers grocery · ~30 min drive from Secaucus · great if kids miss home food
Option 4
Quick NYC peek from NJ side
Take PATH train from Secaucus Junction to World Trade Center (~15 min) · view NYC skyline · save main sightseeing for May 3
Recommendation: Take it slow today. Kids may still be tired. A relaxed mall visit or short walk is perfect. Save energy for the packed May 3-5 NYC days.
May 2 (Saturday) - Free Day + Prep
Last rest day · meet friend for lunch · pack for Sunday NYC move
Pack light day bag for NYC · keep main luggage organized · set alarm for 10 AM checkout May 3
Night
Early sleep · big Sunday ahead
May 3 = NYC hotel check-in + Intrepid Museum + ESB sunset · need energy
May 2 checklist: Confirm Uber / ride to NYC for Sunday · verify BAPS Akshardham Sunday reservation · verify ESB ticket for May 3 6:45 PM · charge phones/power banks · comfortable walking shoes ready for May 3 · pack umbrella just in case
May 3 (Sunday) - Group A: Kevin's Family
Marriott checkout → BAPS Akshardham → NYC hotel → Empire State Building sunset → Times Square
~60 miles · ~1.5 hrs via NJ Turnpike → Lincoln Tunnel
5:00 PM
Park car · pre-book on SpotHero (~$30–50/day)
5:30 PM
Check-in at The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel ✅ BOOKED
790 7th Avenue, New York City, NY 10019 · 3 nights · Check-in 16:00, Check-out May 6 12:00 · Paid by Kevin (Priceline #92926668517, $861.16 for Prakash's family) · Both groups check in now
Friend's home, Secaucus NJ → The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel · ~20–30 min
11:30 AM
Drop bags at hotel front desk
Room not ready until 3 PM — hotel stores bags free · freshen up in lobby restroom
2. Lunch — pick your cuisineNo booking needed
12:00 PM
Choose one for lunch (~1 hr)
Option A
🍕 Don Antonio - Neapolitan wood-fired pizza
309 W 50th St · 8 min walk · Opens 12 PM · ~$21-27/pp
Top 30 pizza in the world. Try Montanara Classica (v) - fried then wood-fired, unique to NYC. 4+ veg pizzas marked (v) on menu. Fall...In Love pizza is great for kids
Option B
🍕 John's Pizzeria - NYC coal-fired classic
260 W 44th St · 5 min walk · Opens 11:30 AM · ~$15-20/pp
Inside an 1888 converted church with stained glass. Coal-fired brick oven since 1929. Whole pies only - order margherita or veggie
Option C
🥗 Westville Hell's Kitchen - Farm-to-table American
246 W 49th St · 7 min walk · Opens 11 AM · ~$15-18/pp
Market vegetables plate - pick any 3 seasonal sides. Huge veg-friendly menu. Fresh, healthy, kids love it. Mac & cheese, sweet potato fries, seasonal greens
Hudson Yards mall · 15 min · then 7 train → Times Sq (5 min)
5:50 PM
Hotel — rest, pack for May 6 Niagara · departs 8:30 AM
Together
Until 5:15
Subway
2 + 1
Walking
~3 mi
Opt A
~6:30 PM
Opt B
~7:00 PM
Opt C
~5:50 PM
CityPASS covers: AMNH (included) · Edge, Vessel, stores are separate Option A (Edge): Book on Klook (~$40) to save vs official ($44) Tomorrow (May 6): Depart NYC 8:30 AM for Niagara Falls — pack tonight
🧥 Coldest day of the trip - feels like Gujarat January night at Niagara. Warm jacket essential. Pack waterproof jacket/poncho for falls mist tomorrow. 🧃 Carry snacks, water, chai thermos for the drive. 👦 Kids: extra layer + entertainment for 4.5 hr stretch
1. Depart NYCCheckout by 8:30 AM
8:00 AM
Checkout from The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel
Load car · settle hotel bill · fill water bottles, pack snacks
8:30 AM
Drive north: I-87 N (NY State Thruway)
NYC → Albany · ~150 miles · ~2.5 hrs · toll road (E-ZPass or pay at booth)
2. Lunch near Albany (~11:00–11:30 AM arrival)Choose one option
Option A
Dosa Grill — South Indian · Buffet $13.99 · ⭐ 4.6 (1,167 reviews)
Midway point · restrooms, stretch break for kids · 15 min
~4:45 PM
Arrive Niagara Falls, NY
4. Hotel check-in + restSeneca Niagara Resort
5:00 PM
Check-in at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino ✅ BOOKED
310 4th St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303 · ~0.5 miles from falls · 1 night · Check-in 4:00 PM, Check-out May 7 11:00 AM · Paid by Kevin (Expedia #9091287735582, $153.13)
Morning is better: sunlight creates rainbows in mist, warmer, full energy
Driving
~7 hrs
Distance
~440 mi
Lunch
~45 min
Rest stops
1–2
Check-in
~5 PM
Evening
Optional
E-ZPass: NY Thruway is toll road — E-ZPass saves time, or pay cash/card at booths Kids: Download shows/movies on tablet before departure for 4.5 hr Albany→Niagara stretch Fuel: Fill up in NYC or at Albany lunch stop · service areas on I-90 have gas Tomorrow: Niagara Falls morning (9 AM–12 PM) then drive to Hershey via Vraj Temple
May 7 (Thursday) - Niagara Falls morning → Vraj Temple → Hershey
Falls experience 9 AM–12 PM · drive ~375 miles · Vraj Temple stop · Hershey check-in by evening
🧥 Morning at falls: 11°C + mist = feels like 7-8°C. 🌧 Waterproof jacket/poncho required for Maid of the Mist (free poncho provided but bring your own waterproof layer). 🧦 Extra socks in backpack. 📱 Phone waterproof pouch recommended. Hershey evening warmer (~17°C)
1. Niagara Falls State Park — morning experienceMaid of Mist: $30.25/$19.75 · Park: Free
8:30 AM
Breakfast at hotel · check out · load car
Pack waterproof poncho, extra socks, phone pouch
9:00 AM
Drive to Niagara Falls State Park · Parking Lot #1
Maid of the Mist: Tickets at Observation Tower — no reservation needed. Boats every 15 min. Season opens early May — confirm at maidofthemist.com Vraj darshan: Check vraj.org for exact Sandhya Aarti timing on Thu Tomorrow (May 8): Hershey's Chocolate World → drive to Washington D.C.
May 8 (Friday) - Hershey → Washington D.C.
Chocolate World · drive to D.C. · Lincoln Memorial + Washington Monument at sunset
🌟 Warmest day of the trip! T-shirt + light layer · jeans or comfortable pants · sneakers · ☀️ SPF 30 · hat for kids · water bottle · light jacket for evening (~15°C)
1. Hershey's Chocolate World - morningFree entry · ~2.5 hrs
8:00 AM
Breakfast at hotel · checkout Courtyard Marriott Hershey
Load luggage · head to Chocolate World (3 min drive)
Dark ride showing chocolate-making process · ~10 min · free chocolate sample at the end · kids will love it
9:45 AM
Optional paid experiences (pick 1-2)
Create Your Own Chocolate Bar ($32/pp) - design custom bar, kids' favorite, ~45 min 4D Mystery of Chocolate ($10/pp) - 4D movie, ~20 min Hershey's Trolley Tour ($19/pp) - town history tour, ~45 min
10:45 AM
Chocolate shop browsing + souvenir stop
World's largest Hershey store · custom Kisses · gifts for family in India
11:30 AM
Depart Hershey for Washington D.C.
~115 miles · ~2.5 hrs via US-322 E → I-83 S → I-695 → I-95 S · own car
Climb the 58 steps · Abraham Lincoln statue (19 ft tall) · Gettysburg Address inscribed on north wall · "I Have a Dream" marker on steps · iconic view back to Washington Monument · ~45 min
7:00 PM
Walk along Reflecting Pool east · 15-20 min
Iconic mile-long walk · pass WWII Memorial (quick photo if interested) · sunset colors reflecting in water
Organize bags · reserve Air & Space timed entry online · download Buford route offline · full gas tank
10:30 PM
Sleep · big driving day tomorrow
9:30 AM Air & Space + 10.5 hr drive to Buford = plan for 7 AM wake
Chocolate World
~2.5 hrs
Driving to DC
~2.5 hrs
Check-in
3 PM
Lincoln + Monument
~2 hrs
Sunset
8:05 PM
Back hotel
9 PM
Must-see memorials: Lincoln Memorial + Washington Monument sunset (the 2 most iconic DC spots) Skipped: Natural History Museum (covered by AMNH on May 5), Jefferson/MLK/FDR/WWII/Vietnam memorials (kept simple) Tomorrow (May 9): 9:30 AM Air & Space Museum + White House/Capitol photos + long drive to Buford (~10.5 hrs). Pack tonight
May 9 (Saturday) - D.C. → Buford, GA
Air & Space Museum morning · White House + Capitol photos · drive to Kevin's home (~10.5 hrs, own car)
👕 Light clothes · comfortable for long drive · jacket for AC · snacks + water in car · Atlanta is warmer (~26°C) - pack away jackets by time you arrive · sandals/slip-ons for rest stops
1. Air & Space Museum - morningFree · 3 hrs
7:30 AM
Breakfast + checkout Holiday Inn Greenbelt
Load ALL luggage in own car · don't return to hotel · big driving day starts
8:30 AM
Drive to National Mall · park at Union Station
Union Station Garage ($20/day) · 10 min walk to Air & Space Museum · own car stays parked for museum + photos
Independence Ave SW · free timed entry pass required · kids will love it
9:45 AM
Must-see highlights (recently renovated!)
Wright Flyer (1903 original) · Spirit of St. Louis (Lindbergh) · Apollo 11 Command Module · SpaceShipOne · Destination Moon exhibit · kids can touch a real moon rock · ~3 hrs
Best photo angle from Lafayette Square · 15-20 min · park on H St or 15th St briefly
1:50 PM
Back to car · prepare for long drive
Skipped: Interior tours (need 3-month advance booking via congressman). Exterior photos are standard for tourists Own car advantage: No Uber needed · flexible between museum, Capitol, White House
~600 miles · ~10.5 hrs · route: I-495 W → I-95 S → I-85 S · own car
4. Drive plan - D.C. to Buford (stops)3 planned stops
~5:00 PM
Rest stop 1: Richmond, VA area
~2.5 hrs from D.C. · gas + bathroom + kids stretch · Fast food options off I-95 · 15-20 min
~7:30 PM
Dinner stop: Raleigh/Durham NC area
~5 hrs in · Udupi Cafe Cary NC - Pure veg South Indian (5 min off I-40) · ~45 min · full dinner + bathroom break
~10:30 PM
Rest stop 2: Charlotte, NC area
~7.5 hrs in · quick gas + bathroom · 15 min · coffee/chai for driver
~1:00 AM
Arrive at Kevin's home, Buford, GA
Late arrival · unload basics · kids straight to bed · full unpack Sunday morning
Alternative: Overnight halfway (safer with kids)Consider if tired
Why?
10.5 hrs driving = arriving 1 AM
Kids at 8 & 10 may sleep in car but tiring for driver · safer to split if fatigued
Plan
Overnight stop in Charlotte NC
Depart D.C. 2:30 PM · dinner Raleigh 7:30 PM · Charlotte 10:30 PM · sleep at budget hotel (~$100-120) · Sunday morning 3.5 hr drive to Buford · arrive lunch time refreshed
Air & Space
3 hrs
D.C. photos
~1 hr
Driving
~10.5 hrs
Distance
~600 mi
Depart DC
2:30 PM
Arrive Buford
~1 AM
Decision needed: Push through to Buford (~1 AM arrival) OR overnight in Charlotte (arrive Sunday noon)? With 2 kids, overnight is safer Air & Space: Reserve free timed entry ticket at airandspace.si.edu a few days ahead Own car: No Uber needed in D.C. - drive between museum, Capitol, White House Pre-drive checklist: Full gas tank · car snacks (fruit, chips, chai thermos) · downloaded offline maps · kids tablets charged · pillows/blankets for back seat EZ-Pass: Multiple toll roads on I-95 - E-ZPass saves time Next 3 weeks: 🏡 Relax at Kevin's home in Buford, plan Atlanta activities separately
💰 Expense Tracker
Log daily expenses · track who paid · calculate settlement between groups
Kevin's Family (7 adults)
Paid$0.00
Share$0.00
Balance$0.00
Prakash's Family (2A + 2K)
Paid$0.00
Share$0.00
Balance$0.00
Trip Total
Total spent$0.00
Per adult avg$0.00
All expenses logged (11 people)
⚖️ Settlement
No expenses yet
📋 Expense Log
Date
Item
Paid by
Kevin (7A)
Prakash (2A+2K)
Total
How to use: Click "+ Add Expense" to add a row. Enter Kevin's share and Prakash's share separately - this way you can reflect actual adult/child ticket prices. For shared costs (meals, taxi), click ⚖️ to auto-split 7:4 by headcount. Total is calculated automatically. Data saves in your browser.
Tip: For group tickets, enter Kevin's 7 adult tickets amount in Kevin column, and Prakash's 2 adult + 2 child in Prakash column.
