BAPS Akshardham reservation- Sunday timed slot required Book reservation ↗
Free
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)0/3 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
No tickets to buy - driving day. Lunch near Albany is walk-in. Pack snacks + chai thermos
▶May 7 - Niagara Falls & Hershey0/3 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
-
Maid of the Mist: family of 4 total ~$100. Boats every 15 min, no advance booking needed
✈️ 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
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)
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.
💰 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.
