New York City vacation with kids

[TimSJ]

Son has a hockey tournament in CT in a couple of weeks so we are going to head down a few days early and take the kids into NYC. Staying 3 nights son is 8 and daughter is 10.

We already have tickets to a few shows for my wife and daughter and will be getting a few more same day when there as theater is what she is into. Hoping that the Rangers first playoff dates will fall in line and that son and i will be able to catch game 1 and will likely head out one afternoon for a Mets game.

Have you been to NYC with your kids. Any suggestions?

thanks

[Table 5]

Take the kids to the Museum of Natural History. It's fantastic.

[troutman]

NBC Tour and Top of 30 Rock would be fun for kids. Boat Cruise around Manhattan.

[peter12]

There are some great burlesque shows in NYC too.

[Jordan!]

Don't have kids but NYC has something for everyone. MSG game is a must.. nothing like it.

Do your kids play Nintendo games? The Nintendo store is a great option.

[CaptainCrunch]

Take em to Strawberry fields and lecture them about how much todays Rock and or Roll music sucks compared to the Beatles.


Isn't MLB starting by then? Take them out to a ball game.

go by the UN and point at it and laugh

Go up to the observation decks on any of the uber buildings there.

I agree with the ferry rides they're very cool.

Buy matching wife beater shirts for your kids and significant others, go to New Jersey for a day and absorb the culture.

[GGG]

Natural History Museum is Kid Friendly

But don't be afraid to hit one of the other museums while you are there even with kids. THey will adapt. I think the MOMA is pretty kid friendly as the abstract modern stuff is pretty cool.

[RW99]

They have updated the Nintendo store, that might be a good option.

There is the MTA (transit) museum in Brooklyn that had a lot of kids in it.

Coney Island might be less cold by mid April? I do recommend using the bathroom before and after Coney Island, you do not want to use those public toilets

There is a pinball arcade in midtown where you play by the hour, not sure how much your kids would like it though.

There is the Intrepid museum on the west side, lots of planes on top, a version of the space shuttle and other stuff inside.

[TimSJ]

Thanks all keep them coming..

Wife and Daughter are really just doing shows more than anything.. Aladdin, Matilda and Wicked are their must go's and they will pick one other to do as well.

Yankees are out of town but the Mets are at home so i think we will head out to CITI field for a game one day..

Hoping for a Rangers playoff game if we can swing it.. really going to depend on the schedule for the first round. If there is one we will be going for sure.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Came looking for SBarro reference. Leaving surprisingly disappointed.

[getbak]

I'd avoid going to the Statue of Liberty or Empire State Building. The lines are long and not really worth spending so much time waiting around.

The Top of the Rock at 30 Rock has shorter lines than the ESB, and arguably a better view.

If you take one of the cruises that goes around the southern end of Manhattan, they'll go close by the Statue. They have a sunset cruise that starts before dusk and ends after, which is pretty good for getting to see the skyline all lit up at night.


If you can't get tickets to a game at MSG, the tour is pretty good.


If your son is like a lot of 8 year-old boys, he'll probably enjoy the Intrepid museum. It's an old aircraft carrier turned into an aerospace museum. They have one of the retired Space Shuttles (unfortunately, it's the Enterprise, so it never went into space). They also have an old Concorde and a submarine on display that you can go into.

[billybob123]

The USS Intrepid museum is pretty cool for kids - it's an actual aircraft carrier that has parts you can explore, plus they have one of the space shuttles there now.

Edit - 4 minutes later than the post above. I second it!

[Calgary14]

You may want to also consider a tour of MSG. When I did it we got to see the dressing rooms of the Rangers and Knicks and see the view from the top as well as the corporate suites. Definitely worth it

[peter12]

As an aside, NYC is like the least kid-friendly city ever. Only the rich can afford 'em!

[Derek Sutton]

Warn your kids before hand that they will not be getting their pictures taken with anyone or anybody (or any superhero, cartoon/ sesame street/ disney character, celebrity "look a like" etc...). Also do not give your name to anyone who wants you to "sample their music".

[taffeyb]

Barclay's Center. Take in an NBA game. Fantastic atmosphere.

The M&M's Store in Times Square is also pretty interesting. Huge. Johnny's Pizza in Times Square too -- just to see how big it is inside and the architecture.

Didn't mind the Central Park Zoo. Nowhere as big as Calgary's, but interesting as an oasis.

[DionTheDman]

I think MoMA might be a bit too "out there" for little kids, but I'll second the recommendation for the Museum of Natural History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a good one too. It has relics and a lot more tangible things that kids might enjoy like armour/weapons, clothing, furniture, statues, etc.

Take them to the Toys 'r' Us in Times Square. Kids' heaven. But leave Times Square after that and never go back. It's a pretty crappy area overall and is just one giant tourist trap.

If you want to see the Statue of Liberty, don't actually go. Take the Staten Island Ferry (free). It'll take you by the statue and you won't have to brave the lines. Instead of going up the Empire State Building, go to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Centre at night. You'll get neat views of the whole city.

[Jordan!]

Get a few slices here if you're near Times Square on 46th street

http://www.yelp.com/biz/patzeria-perfect-pizza-new-york

If you want a great sit down pie, go to John's ... amazing place, used to be a church.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/johns-of-tim...are-new-york-2

[kipperiggy]

I second the suggestion to do Top of the Rock over Empire State Building. I got the same advice when I went to NYC. Friend said it took over 3 hours to do Empire.

Take the free ferry and drive by the Statue. Island was a waste of time.

Sounds like you have tons to do so far if you're only there 3 days! Sounds like fun.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Take the kids to the Museum of Natural History. It's fantastic.

100% a must visit. A tour of the Empire State Building is great but can be a bit pricey.