Albeit ~17 years ago, I actually lived in NYC for a couple of years. I’ve been back a few times but not with kids 6 and 11. I’m not worried about public transportation but would like to plan at least a straw man of a trip along the lines of something as follows:
Arrive mid-town Manhattan early afternoon on a Friday, Time Square low key site seeing and dinner probably in BrooklynSaturday morning Natural History Museum, lunch and broadway show matinee, Apres show, American Girl Doll store souvenirs, etc.,Sunday Bronx Zoo room to add something for half day or soMonday morning get on train after rush hour.
I’d appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Go see King Kong. The reviews don’t do it justice, so you can get a good price on tickets;
Don’t sit too close, I think it would spoil the special effecrs. I think the front of the Mezzanine is perfect.
I see a lot of shows and King Kong is like nothing ever to come to Broadway!
I think one of the city bus tours is always nice for first time visitors ( definitely for the 11 year old ) to get an overview of the city and see the major points of interest and learn a little something. They may have tours that are geared a little more for kids also.
Albeit ~17 years ago, I actually lived in NYC for a couple of years. I’ve been back a few times but not with kids 6 and 11. I’m not worried about public transportation but would like to plan at least a straw man of a trip along the lines of something as follows:
Arrive mid-town Manhattan early afternoon on a Friday, Time Square low key site seeing and dinner probably in BrooklynSaturday morning Natural History Museum, lunch and broadway show matinee, Apres show, American Girl Doll store souvenirs, etc.,Sunday Bronx Zoo room to add something for half day or soMonday morning get on train after rush hour.
I’d appreciate any comments or suggestions.
My kids were “meh” about the Bronx Zoo, so I’d consider something else for Sunday. Maybe the Central Park Zoo would be enough zoo for them. If they like Balto, his statue is near the CP Zoo too.
Maybe a trip up to the Top of the Rock or a visit to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and/or Statue of Liberty.
It’s going to be hot, so keep that in mind and don’t plan too much walking. The High Line is cool, but the kids could be hot and bored. Bryant Park has some fun games you can play and a free magic show next to the Carousel at 2pm Sunday:
https://bryantpark.org/events/2019/07/28/le-carrousel-magique
Get a babysitter and go to Le Bernardin for dinner.
There is a free ferry from Manhattan to Staten island that runs every 30 mins or so. The views cross the statue of liberty. So if they like boats, and you want to save some money/dont have time for full tours/want to be inside, then that cold be a thing.
Not sure where you are from. But grand central is always really cool to see. They also recently open up that toy store from BIG (FAO shawrtz?). Not sure if there is anything really to see there other than a historical toy store. If they like sports, you can have tour of MSG or yankee stadium (maybe).
I am not sure if they are scared of heights, but seeing the city from an observation deck around CP is always really cool.
I like to walk from downtown to Harlem. Then take the local sub back. So very much to see, experience and enjoy.
We went in Oct 2017 with our then 8, 6, 3 and 7 month old and spent about 48 hours there. Had an absolute blast! We stayed a block from Times Square and it was perfect. Hit up the Hard Rock for late night snacks, walked to Bryant Park and had breakfast and people watched, then the Empire State Building, went up to the observation deck. Watched a parade. Walked around Broadway (did not see a show), rode the subway (almost lost the oldest in the rush off the train car), went to the Statue of Liberty, entered the MET, (but didn’t stay due to kiddie exhaustion), played hide and seek in Central Park. Completely touristy, kids walked everywhere, they had a blast. My oldest is OBSESSED with high rise architecture, so the Empire State Building was a must. We didn’t get to the Ellis Island museum, we were too late, but wished we could. We have family that came through. Kids can walk a lot more than you think when they are excited. If it’s hot - ice cream and slurpy stops often. It was super cold so we had hot chocolate and had to buy gloves and hats! Have a blast. We can’t wait to go back when the youngest is old enough to walk a lot (age 6 at least) and spend a week or 2.
Anything good at the Met?
My daughter is weird, but even at almost 8 she loved going to the opera a few years ago.
How hot is it in NY this time of year? Thinking about planning a trip there for an anniversary in late Aug, early Sep. Is it still silly hot?
How hot is it in NY this time of year? Thinking about planning a trip there for an anniversary in late Aug, early Sep. Is it still silly hot?
You have a fair chance of getting a hot, muggy day into early September. Mid-September thru October is beautiful though.
We went a few years ago for the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade when my daughter was eight, did the Natural History Museum, Times Square and the Central Park Zoo plus saw the Christmas Show at Radio City. She loved Top of the Rock where we went at night and it was crystal clear, well worth it.
I went a few weeks ago with my wife and did the tourist thing. I think the double decker bus tour would be nice where you can get on at off at will. The pedicabs in the park were also fun. I think we did it for an hour, which was probably just enough time for the novelty to not wear off. Someone local will need to get the specifics, but there was a really nice street market thing going on over the weekend near Bryant park. I assume that was a regular thing. We did the Statue of Liberty thing, but we had a tour guide. Our travel agent set it up, and it was definitely worth the extra cost. Having someone explain everything in a fun way was great.