I live close enough to NYC that I can pop in and out on the train whenever my son has a day off from school, which gives me the advantage of being able to take small bites, but if you have enough energy you can do a whirlwind tour and hit many of the highlights in the course of a short vacation.
Times Square is my son’s absolute favorite place to hang out, the Toys ‘r’ Us store has a large ferris wheel where all the cars are themed to a toy or favorite kids character, buy a ticket and take a ride, but beware, the line can be long. We like to wander around the store while he asks me to buy him stuff and I say no so many times I feel like I’m stuck on repeat. Be sure to check out Superman, the giant dinosaur and the huge lego models. The store can be packed and you still don’t feel too overcrowded. The M & M store is also worth a visit, but the Hershey store is cool on the outside but rather small inside. The Planet Hollywood in Times Square has the same food as the rest of the chain, but it’s fun to stop in for a snack (try the fried zucchini chips or the sliders) or dessert (brownie or cheesecake) and check out the movie props and costumes. Most of the restaurants in the area are chains, so if that’s the kind of food you’re looking for it’s the place to go. During the summer of 2009 they turned a large part of the square into a pedestrian seating area, hopefully they’ll repeat it again.
Moma, the Museum of Modern Art, is my son’s favorite museum, I recommend that you pay attention to the warning signs, as some of the exhibits aren’t child friendly, I did have the “pleasure” of explaining why there was a movie of a woman hula hooping what appeared to be barbed wire on bare skin, you can bet I watched for signs after that. The last time we were there my son was amazed to find an airstream travel trailer was considered art, he’d only seen it as a functional trailer, and I took a much needed rest as he spent a surprisingly long time walking around the multicolored tape installation on the floor and was fascinated by the hanging curtains of green plastic interlocked vines. There is also a sculpture garden, which we haven’t had time to visit yet.
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is a typical children’s museum in the respect that it has plenty of hands on exhibits and interactive areas designed to teach in fun and absorbing ways, it’s billed as birth through ten, but I would lean more towards the younger end, my ten year old now refuses to go. But if you have younger kids it’s perfect, especially if the weather isn’t cooperative for touring outside. My son prefers The New York City Police Museum, very small, rarely crowded, a stones throw from South Street Seaport and perfectly designed for young boys, with police cars, paraphanalia and weapons, there is also a moving tribute to September 11th.
The Museum of Natural History, is huge, and please don’t expect to walk into Night at the Museum, as beyond the front entrance, they don’t have a lot in common (although a line now forms at the Easter Island Head). This museum is huge, seeing the whole museum in one shot without a huge amount of whining from both the children and possibly the adults too, might be tough. Pick the must see’s for your family and do those first and then add in as many secondary’s as you can. In our family we have to visit the great blue whale and the sea life exhibit every time, my husband likes the hall of human origins, any child who likes dinosaurs needs to see the fossils. Don’t miss the dioramas to see just how big some of the animals are and don’t miss the beauty in the gold and minerals exhibit. They also have a planetarium and an IMAX theater
The Empire State Building should be visited by everyone at least once, unless you’re deathly afraid of heights. I strongly recommend buying your tickets online beforehand it helps to cut out large portions of the slow moving lines, and they can be incredibly slow moving. Even if the visibility is bad, the elevator ride is cool, and foggy photos while not as dramatic as the full length view can still have a place in your vacation album.
The Statue of Liberty is another must see, it can be viewed from shore, or from the water, or up close and personal. The ferry to the statue leaves from New York or New Jersey (the Jersey side is usually less crowded). The National Park Service only allows a limited number of people in the statue, so during peak times you may want to purchase advance ferry tickets. Be aware that in summer it’s very hot (bring water, sunscreen and hats) and in the winter you’re out on the water and the wind can really whip out there, so dress accordingly. If you have time the Ellis Island tour is fascinating, although older children will probably enjoy it more.
Of course there are many other places to visit, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, South Street Seaport, Macy’s, 5th Avenue, Grand Central Station, FAO Shwartz, Broadway, Ripleys, not to mention entire neighborhoods such as China Town, the village and on and on, but then this article would last for another 10,000 words.
