NYC for kids

I will be in NYC for 4 days at the end of the month with my wife and 2 sons (ages 9 and 4). What are the must-see items that kids would appreciate? We were planning on a trip to the Statue of Liberty and to the Museum of Natural History for sure, and perhaps a trip to the top of the Empire State building and some time in Central Park. What would be other kid-friendly activities that are unique to NYC? We have heard great things about the Bronx Zoo but we don't know if it is so much better or unique compared to other zoos to spend a day on.

Any advice from Gotham denizens would be welcome!

Bronx Zoo is great, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building are all good.

What about the wax museum?

Rockefeller center?
The MET (metropolitan museum)

I took my kids to NYC when they were in that age range, and they had a blast. They loved riding the subway. Playing in Central Park in the many large playgrounds was also a highlight. Depending on when you are there, ice skating in Central Park is something kids love. There is a restaurant in midtown called the Jekyll and Hyde Club. It is like a not-so-scary haunted house where you eat. The food was okay, but the atmosphere was awesome. In Times Square, there is a huge Toys-R-Us, with an indoor Ferris wheel. FAO Schwartz is also a great place for kids. The Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum is a great place for kids, with navy ships, airplanes and space stuff. Circle Line also runs boat rides around Manhattan. It is a great view of the City for kids.

4 is kinda young, but kids LOVE the Museum of Natural History. I know I did, even when I was 5 or 6.

If you don't want to trek all the way to the Bronx Zoo, you can always spend some time at the Central Park Zoo. It's in no way comparable in scope or size but it's always fun for kids to see the animals and sometimes their attention span prefers a shorter zoo visit.

There are a couple of Children Museums as well (I know of one close to where we live downtown).

Also, make sure to check out what's happening that particular week on TO Kids
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/kids/

Originally Posted by Captain65

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The Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum is a great place for kids, with navy ships, airplanes and space stuff.
I have never been to the Intrepid, in part because it seems like such a fantastic place to take kids that I'll just wait. Great idea for sons. Also, +1 to Natural History and the Central Park Zoo.

For boyz (that's what we have, too): Intrepid would be good, I imagine, but have not yet been. Fireman's Museum is pretty good. Definitely MONH. If they're into Indians, there's an AMerican Indian museum in the old customs house down @ Bowling Green. Also downtown, over at the seaport there are a couple of old ships you can go on. The Peking is a big old sailing ship, but my kids love the Ambrose(?), an old light ship that is much smaller and cozy - it's usually empty and they are the crew running things. If it's a nice day walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and have lunch @ Grimaldi's pizza. Another thing we've never done, but some people seem to enjoy is the ESPN End ZOne place on Times Sq - lots of games + restaurant, and views of TS. Chelsea Piers is pretty good for a rainy day (skating, bowling, arcade). I'll try to think of more....

Museum of natural history can take two visits. there is a lot to see. PLus, there is the Polar Rink - fake-ice skating that is actually a good surface for beginners.
Check the calendar for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you can take your kids to one of their kids tours, you will be very happy. The docents are very good and they take the kids all over the museum, focusing on interesting stuff. Adults will enjoy it, too.

Just noticed your username - Don't forget rugby matches in Van Cortland Park.

Originally Posted by chorse123

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I have never been to the Intrepid, in part because it seems like such a fantastic place to take kids that I'll just wait. Great idea for sons. Also, +1 to Natural History and the Central Park Zoo.

The Intrepid was my favorite as a child with MoNH coming in as a close second.

Originally Posted by chorse123

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I have never been to the Intrepid, in part because it seems like such a fantastic place to take kids that I'll just wait. Great idea for sons. Also, +1 to Natural History and the Central Park Zoo.

+1

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

I'll definitely add the Intrepid museum to the list. I was not planning on adding any museums other than the Intrepid and Natural History museum to the list - I think even a 9 year old is going to get bored looking at paintings by old dead European dudes, leave alone the 4 year old.

Also, thanks for the suggestions on the eateries. Now, I've got the plan a schedule to make efficient use of time. We'll be coming over from Edgewater, NJ where my sister-in-law (CUNY professor) lives.

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

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4 is kinda young, but kids LOVE the Museum of Natural History. I know I did, even when I was 5 or 6.

+1

met

kids museum

intrepid (I don't remember if it is open now)

central park zoo

bronx zoo