What to do in NYC with young children, 4 & 7

[Denise L]

Hi, I'm interested in planning a trip to NYC some day with my family. What is there to do with two young children? Assume we go in mid June some year. I've been there many times as an adult and it's great to see plays & eat out and walk around and shop, etc. Do kids like it there, or is it too overwhelming?

 

[calgal]

Denise, Going in mid-June would be perfect. I have taken my daughter there almost annually. On the upper West side is a great Children's museum. School will still be in session in mid-June in NYC so it won't be too crowded.
You can spend most of your time outside. The playgrounds in Central Park along Fifth Ave are themed. I love the one near the Metropolitan Museum of Art that is Egypt themed. There is a small zoo in Central Park too. The Museum of Natural History is a bit overwhelming and I would not take them there. A boat ride around Manhattan would be great. Maybe the ferry to Liberty Island. The American Girl store on Fifth. You can spend hours there. They also have a play you can go to about some of their historical girls. Great playground along the East River in the high 80s.

 

[Corinne]

I don't know that I would advise taking the ferry to Liberty Island. We did it a few weeks ago and even in the slow season it was a long slow process, including long waits in line and two very thorough security checks which include x-ray machines and chemical sniffing chambers, removing shoes, putting backpacks in lockers, etc. For children that age, just take the Staten Island ferry and enjoy the view of Liberty from the boat.

We also visited the American Girl Place. The 9 yr olds loved it, but I wouldn't do it unless your daughter was a fan. It can be overwhelming, and it's really just a giant store, geared to getting you to buy stuff. The show the previous poster mentioned does not allow children under the age of 6 in. Just as well - though well done there were some intense moments that even my 9 year old found a little disturbing (e.g. Addy and her mother escaping from slavery, being chased by hounds, nearly drowning in the river, etc).

OTOH, we loved the Museum of Natural History. Lots to see and do for children and adults. It's quite large, though, so don't feel the need to see it all.

On past trips we've gone up to the top of the Empire State Building, but again, we spent much time in long, hot lines and it was quite crowded at the top. I hear the Top of the Rock(effeler Center) is a more pleasant experience.

I second Central Park, see the zoo there, or go over to the Bronx Zoo which is supposed to be great.

NYC is exciting and vibrant. Enjoy your trip, whatever activities you decide on!

-Corinne

 

[Denise L]

Thank you

It seems like the park(s) would be the best thing for my 4-year-old, but my 7-year-old might tire of that. I might have to wait until they are a bit older, maybe in 2 years. My daughter isn't into dolls yet and I don't like the idea of suddenly spending a lot of money in the doll store. Well, I'll figure something out. I do want to go though, and June weather is great!

 

[andrea t]

For our family outings in NYC we have enjoyed the family shows at the New Victory Theater, ice cream at Serendipity, a Circle Line cruise around the harbor, the Intrepid ( I think your son will think its really cool), Roosevelt Island Tram (just for the fun of it), carriage ride around Central Park, the dinos at the Museum of Natural History, lunch at Mars 2112(I can't say the food is very good, but the dessert is, and the atmosphere rivals Disney themeing. And speaking of Disney, I believe Tarzan will be opening on Broadway this spring. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[MissTins]

Thought I'd throw in my $ .02 based on my experience....I had my first trip ever to NY City in Feb. '05. It was absolutely wonderful....EVERYTHING....I was like a kid in a candy store. I stayed at the Manhattan Club, was surprised by my hubby showing up unexpectedly - it was only supposed to be "the girls" for 4 days and they were coming on the tail end - anyway....my sisters and I LOVED it.

So...we thought bringing the kids to NY would be a great idea and therfore planned our trip for Aug. 05 with some of our children. I only brought my 2 oldest (9,7 boys) my sister brought her middle (8 girl), and my other sister brought her oldest (8 boy). We were certain they would have a grand time because they were "old enough" to appreciate it all.....

Let me preface before I go on......my own family frequently takes trips into the "big city" of Chicago and the boys love it when we do our long weekends down there, so maybe it was just a timing thing with NY, but my experience on our big trip to NY at the tail end of last summer was.......

The 8 yo girl slept during a Broadway matinee (Beauty & the Beast - which I loved by the way). My 7 yo son slept more than half of the double decker city bus tour of Manhattan. The lines were sooooooo long at the Empire State Bldg. that after 1+ hours, we ended up just doing the Skyscraper ride thingy and I still have the "unused portion" of the ticket to the observatory. The loonngg lines for the Statue of Liberty tour (which we booked way in advance and had one of the 1st tours of the day) made the children more antsy and unappreciative than I would have expected. Riding the subway in February smells alot better than riding it in August. ......So, you get my drift....

Now, I do acknowledge all people are different. I can guarantee you there are 6 year old children out there more mature than my 2 oldest boys so I take everyone's experience with a grain of salt. Each person/child is different and only you know your own kids. I thought my kids would enjoy it because they do enjoy our weekends in Chicago with Mom, Dad & the 4 boys......maybe it was the dynamics of the "2 aunts & cousins" vs. "dad & 2 other brothers".

I'm not sorry we did it (although the hubby has a field day saying "I told you so"), but I'll think twice the next time I have such a great time somewhere that I become "certain that the kids will enjoy it as much as I did".

MissTins