New York for kids

I don't have any of my own kids, but I'm asked a lot by friends and family who do what they should do with their kids when they visit New York City. I've never done some of the kid-iconic stuff (the American Girl Doll Store is a prime example--you couldn't pay me to set foot in there), but I've explored the city with lots of teen and tween visitors. As you're doing your research, there are lots of great websites you can check, like NYCGO and Kid101, but here are my thoughts...

Parks - New York has lots and lots of parks and playgrounds for playing and exploring...Central Park, of course, will be at the top of your list. Multiple playgrounds, the Alice in Wonderland statue (while you're there, don't miss the Ugly Duckling statue not far away), the Bethesda Fountain (you've seen it in many, many movies, including Enchanted and One Fine Day), rowing on the pond, the Central Park Zoo, ice skating in the winter...You could spend all day exploring.

Bryant Park is another wonderful park. They have a lot of programming throughout the spring, summer and fall, including movie nights, puppet shows, juggling, and a giant lawn (or ice rink) for working off any excess energy. (Not that you'll have any after walking all over town, but...) If you're a musical fan, stop by over the lunch hour Thursdays in July and the first half of August for Broadway in Bryant Park and see a few numbers from Broadway plays.

Finally (for my purposes), the High Line Park. This isn't a traditional park, but there are some fun features for kids. At 15th Street once the weather gets nice, there's a water feature for splashing around in hot weather and on the north end (30th Street and 11th Avenue), there's an exploration area for climbing, jumping and even popping your head up in a flower bed! One Saturday a month from April - October (generally the fourth Saturday, but check the website), the High Line sponsors a family day called Make It! It's good to pre-register for any events, but everything on the park is free of charge.

Times Square - Every tourist has this on his list, so I'm sure you do, too. Be warned: It's a madhouse all day and night. Here's what you need to know: 1. If you want your picture taken with Elmo, Hello Kitty, or any other character, you have to pay. Tips for pictures is the rule. 2. Keep a close eye (or a tight hand) on your small ones. It can get very, very crowded and easy to lose track of people. 3. If you really want to see it at its best, go at night. It's lit up like Christmas all year round.

The Statue of Liberty - You can pay to go out to Liberty Island (and Ellis Island) or you can take the (free) Staten Island ferry round trip and get a great view of Lady Liberty. Another fun option is to take a schooner out for a trip around the island. I've been up in the crown, and I was a bit disappointed. That, and I couldn't walk for a few days after all those stairs!

The Empire State Building / Rockefeller Center / One World Trade Center - You're going to want to go up in a skyscraper while you're here. Which one you choose is up to you. My favorite is One World Trade, aka Freedom Tower. It's expensive (check Groupon - you can almost always get a discount) but the views are incredible, and the elevator ride is a video history of Manhattan. The ESB and Rock Center are more centrally located, which provides a different view. If you do the ESB, get the express pass so you don't end up standing in line forever.

The American Natural History Museum - AMNH has something for everyone. Dinosaurs? Check! (Be sure not to miss the Titanosaur!) Butterflies? Check! (As long as you're here between December and May.) Giant blue whale suspended from the ceiling? Check! Planetarium? Check! (See photo below) Mummies? Check! (As long as you're here before mid-January, 2018.) I've taken multiple nieces/nephews here, and spent time here alone as well. I'd recommend against eating in their cafeteria, but the museum is incredible.

Broadway musicals - Resign yourself now to the fact that Hamilton is not going to happen, unless you're willing to drop about $4000 for tickets. That said, there's a lot of fun to be had on Broadway, with or without kids. Aladdin, Anastasia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Lion King, School of Rock, and Wicked are all current family-friendly options. Tickets vary by show and by showtime / date. If you're willing to take a risk and wait till you get here, you can save up to 50% on your tickets. Stop by TKTS at Times Square or the South Street Seaport (usually less crowded) or use the TodayTix app to see what's available day-of. (If you're going to a matinee, those tickets are available the day before at the TKTS windows.) Many shows (including Hamilton) also have a lottery, which allows you to pay $20 each for up to 2 tickets if you win. Not much use if you're here with your whole family, but if it's just you and one child, why not try?

The New York Public Library - The library has storytelling and other events for youngsters all year round, but stop by the main Schwartzman Building (on Fifth Avenue, between 41st and 42nd) and visit the original Winnie-The-Pooh toys that belonged to Christopher Robin Milne.

Carousels - Bryant Park's Le Carrousel. Battery Park's Seaglass Carousel. Central Park's Carousel...There are 7, if you want to make it a scavenger hunt.

Ground Zero and the 9/11 Museum - Bring a box of Kleenex if you decide to visit the museum. The grounds of the memorial are powerful as well. The infinity pools, the Tree That Lived...Download the app before you go, especially if you're looking for someone's name.

Zoos - The be-all-and-end-all is the Bronx Zoo. But if you just want to see a few animals and watch the sea lions, you can make do with the Central Park Zoo.

Museums - If you have a budding artist, or if you just want to expose your child(ren) to the arts, you have hundreds of choices, and many (if not most) have activities geared toward children. Here are links to the family-friendly programs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Whitney Museum of American Art, and MoMA. If you're here with an older child or two, I'd highly recommend the Intrepid. You get to explore an aircraft carrier and a nuclear submarine, and there's a space shuttle on site as well. Get the audio guide, and don't miss the Kamikaze Experience.

Riding the Subway - The subway is (usually) the most efficient way to get from place to place, especially during rush hour. And unlike the DC system, you pay one price no matter how far or when you're traveling. Depending on your child's height, he may get to ride for free. Cabs limit you to 4 people per vehicle, which can be a problem for Catholic families like mine.

Food - If you can, try not to eat at places you can find at home. I know that some kids are all-McDonalds, all the time - I'm related to them. But if you have an adventurous kid, you can find every possible cuisine here. Here's a list of some fun, kid-friendly places you might want to check out. Have lunch and take a (free) ride on the North River Lobster Company boat. Oh, and be sure to visit either Serendipity or Dylan's Candy Bar for dessert, and grab some Baked By Melissa cupcakes at least once--they're my favorites.

Tours - Circle Line and CitySights buses and cruises are a great way to see New York. The tour guides are well-versed in New York history, so you'll learn a lot about the city. The hop-on-hop-off buses are great, but I'd recommend the cruises. They leave from the west side (around 43rd Street and the Hudson) and take you around the tip of Manhattan up to the Williamsburg Bridge and back again.

Finally, my favorite instructional video about how to be a good visitor to the city (any city, really): Johnny T's Tourist Tips. He's a puppet with an attitude, and he gives good advice. My nieces and nephews can recite it by heart. :)

Enjoy!!