new york with a child

seanandnik · Apr 10, 2006

I am taking my 8 yr old daughter to New York this July and wanted a little inside info from some of you N.Y.'ers. We are staying at the Mayfair hotel, right outside Central Park, in midtown I think. We plan on doing the regular tourist stuff, you know, the Empire State Bldg, Statue of Lib., Museum of Nat. Hist., Central Park, and of course Fifth and Madison Ave. Where are some good outlets? Filene's basement? Century 21? we are taking Amtrak from Boston so we are carless for the week, but taxi's are good enough for a million N.Y.'ers so they'll be fine for us. Any info ?

Beckwith · Apr 10, 2006

Don't forget FAO Schwarz for your daughter. 57th and Fifth.

Mr. Checks · Apr 10, 2006

See my post below re: my first visit to NYC.

I think your child will find Century 21 overwhelming. It's really a bit of a madhouse.

There are some fun things for kids in Central Park, along 5th Ave (playground stuff)

Arethusa · Apr 10, 2006

I would not take a child to Century 21.

Then again, I would not take anyone to Century 21. "bit of a madhouse" is more than generous.

chorse123 · Apr 10, 2006

I wouldn't do both Empire State and Statue of Liberty in one visit. Too much waiting in line for a kid. Stick to Empire State, I think. Natural Hist. is a definite must. The Met is a fantastic, even if just for a short visit when you're in the park. Central Park Zoo is fun, too.

Filene's is okay, but not really worth the time for an out of town visitor, I think. Century 21 can be great, but is also nuts on the weekends. May be overkill for a kid, not sure.

Taxi? Take one or two, but the subway is usually easier, faster, and cheaper.

Alexander Kabbaz · Apr 10, 2006

The Children's Museum, American Museum of Natural History, the ferris wheel in Toys R Us at Times Square, the carousel in Central Park, Dylan's Candy Shop (about 3rd & 60th), Serendipity on 60th, the children's playground in Central Park by the West 60th Street entrance and also the one by the East 72nd Street entrance. While you're there, walk north past the boat pond to the Balto statue. Then south to the Children's Zoo and the Main Zoo - don't miss the penguin house, the polar bears, and the Rain Forest house. Continue heading south to the Wollman rink (should be roller blading by now). Disney store on fifth avenue ... but on the way don't miss Bergdorf Men's. You can pretend you took a wrong turn as it is across the street from FAO.

Don't forget to take a subway ride and do the Circle Line.

Shirtmaven · Apr 10, 2006

The penny park just north of the boat basin in Battery park city. There is also a good playground there.

Get a burger at the shake shack in Madison park. Also a decent playground.
The toys r us in times square is preety cool. The huge ferris wheel.

A Broadway or off broadway show could be in order. Many restuarants will be happy to make special dishes for your child.

Carl

globetrotter · Apr 10, 2006

everything alexander said - I would have suggested an almost identical list. think about the bronx zoo - the central park zoo is great, but the bronx is slightly greater. check on line for feeding times - I love to take my son to the penguin, sea lion and bee-eater feedings (for the bee eater feedings at 3:30 in the bronx zoo you get to throw crickets to birds who catch them in the air).

china town is cool, and little italy is right there, and has great ice cream/pastry places.

staten island ferry (which you can do the same time as china town/little italy)

Toys R Us on times square is pretty amazing.

have fun

mr. magoo · Apr 11, 2006

Originally Posted by seanandnik

We plan on doing the regular tourist stuff, you know, the Empire State Bldg, Statue of Lib., Museum of Nat. Hist., Central Park, and of course Fifth and Madison Ave. Where are some good outlets? Filene's basement? Century 21?

Instead of the Empire State Building, you might consider Rockefeller Center, which has re-opened its observation deck. In my only visits to the ESB, I had to wait in line about 45 minutes and go through multiple checks. Rock Center just opened, is fresh and clean, has a mini-museum, great views and, when I went on a Sat. afternoon, there was no line at all.

Plus, it's next to Saks, the Cathedral, and Rockefeller Plaza, so is much more centrally located than 34th Street and Fifth for your purposes.

I'd skip outlets. They all require digging in NYC, and a 7 year old is not likely to be patient at any of those. I'd take in a couple easy smaller stores and maybe a department store, but that's about it. I don't know if this is your daughter's thing, but you might also try the American Girl Place store. She might like that.

FIHTies · Apr 11, 2006

Originally Posted by seanandnik

I am taking my 8 yr old daughter to New York this July and wanted a little inside info from some of you N.Y.'ers. We are staying at the Mayfair hotel, right outside Central Park, in midtown I think. We plan on doing the regular tourist stuff, you know, the Empire State Bldg, Statue of Lib., Museum of Nat. Hist., Central Park, and of course Fifth and Madison Ave. Where are some good outlets? Filene's basement? Century 21? we are taking Amtrak from Boston so we are carless for the week, but taxi's are good enough for a million N.Y.'ers so they'll be fine for us. Any info ?

Is your question "what to do in NYC?" or is it "where to shop in NYC" for those particular dates?

Horace · Apr 12, 2006

I'd take the child to the Plaza for ice cream.

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new york with a child

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