9 things to do with kids in NYC

Posted on 9:44 PM by

Our family trip to NYC was a huge success. If you're headed for the Big Apple with your kids, here are some things to do.

1) Slurp up noodles at Momofuku. Does bringing the kids to a James Beard–award winning restaurant seem unlikely? Well, it's doable at Momofuku, a happening noodle joint that's so loud your kids can scream at the top of their lungs and no one will notice. Kids can split a bowl of chicken ramen ($12).

2) Wave hello to Miss Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry. On board this two-level ferry, you pass right by Lady Liberty. The free 25-minute ride takes you between Lower Manhattan and St. George on Staten Island.

3) Hang with the teeny bopper crowd at Legally Blonde. Little girls will love this high-energy musical about the ultimate princess, Elle Woods, who wears only pink and carries her Chihuahua in a rhinestone-studded bag.

4) Shop for European yogurts at Zabar's. You'll find cheeses, meats, olives, candies, and all sorts of other food from all over the world in this store that takes over an entire block. Kids will love the selection of rich and creamy European yogurts and mom and dad will appreciate the low prices.

5) Pick up cheap souvenirs on Canal Street. Forget Fifth Avenue when shopping for trinkets. You'll find the best and cheapest NYC souvenirs on Canal Street in Chinatown where stores sell five T-shirts for $10 and miniature reproductions of the State of Liberty.

6) Snack on cherries in Chinatown. The California-grown cherries sold on the street in Chinatown are cheaper (only $2.99 a pound) and sweeter than those you'll find in the Golden State. Yummy!

7) Get face-to-face with a Tyrannosaurus Rex at the American Museum of Natural History. This labyrinthine building that stretches across four blocks is filled with dinosaurs, aquatic life, fossils, and meteorites. Children will either be enthralled or frightened by the museum's crowning glory, a 40-foot-long T. Rex.

8) Nosh on dino-shaped chicken nuggets at EJ's Luncheonette. A few blocks away from the museum, you'll find one of the most popular family eateries in NYC--with stroller parking out front and a kids menu featuring mac-n-cheese and dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets.

9) Rent rowboats in Central Park. At the Loeb Boathouse, on the east side of the park, you can rent a rowboat and paddle around The Lake. Kids will also enjoy climbing on the surrounding rock formations and looking for turtles.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Few more ideas (vouched for by my kids):
Central Park Zoo - beats Bronx Zoo for under 10's.
M&M store
Nintendo Store
Top of the Rock
Intrepid
Shopping (for cheap gifts) in Times Square
Olive tasting at Zabars
Barnes and Nobles

There are probably 100 fun things to do in New York City that I can think of.

naked notes said...

And some other tips:

All to often, tourists don't explore the wonders of downtown and Brooklyn! Check them out!

For more NY tips (especially if you're thinking about moving here): http://nakedapartments.com/blog

New York hotel said...

Hey..I don't know what about kids these days, but every few years I come over to NYC with my semi-grownups "kids". Every time we explore another part of the city, even the less touristic places. But even so, I truly believe that a good hotel (preferred ordered through the web, by the way) can give some hours of enjoyment for kids at any age, and a little rest for the parents :)

Anonymous said...

Try this bike rental place near Central Park. I booked online and got 50% off the website is http://www.bikerentalcentralpark.com and their phone # is 212-664-9600. It was an amazing experience we were able to see the whole entire Central Park in less then 3 hours. I definitely recommend this activity to everyone who would be a firsttimer in the park.

caroll said...

There is a great bike rental Central Park company located on 57st. Their number is (347)236-4129. They even give you up to 30% discount. No extra charge. Free helmets, locks, and maps oc Central Park.

Briana said...

New York is a nice place but I can't imagine myself traveling with kids. Whenever I travel, I always see people together with young kids and it’s a total disaster. Climb up here and there and run everywhere. I can't handle that for sure.

Anthony said...

Also you can try Bike rental NYC wich provides Central Park Tours.

http://www.bikerentalsnyc.com/
(917)520-2066, Central Park is top 3 places to see in New York. Don't miss it! They located at 117 West 58th street, NY, 10019

chadsdad12 said...

Firstly, thank you for suggesting the ferry... shockingly turned out to be one of my sons favorite things. I have to recommend to you, Blue Man Group. It's the only thing he talks about more than the ferry. We went because of this article about new material being added (http://timeoutnewyorkkids.com/things-to-do/time-out-kids-blog/125873/blue-man-group-brings-the-new-zeitgeist-to-its-long-running-s). Plan on returning soon and bringing others to the show with me, I enjoyed it as much as my son. I can't say the same for the Staten Island Ferry... that was all him.

liz said...

Sounds like you guys had a blast! My dad owns Family In New York. They specialize is personalized custom New York tours. They are a great option for families who want to make the most of their time in New York! They will customize a tour to fit your families schedule, interests, and needs!