Bill

We're going to NYC right after Christmas with sons age 11 and 16. We are going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for sure, and we already went to the Museum of Natural History last year. Could anyone comment on any of the following possibilities?

- American Museum of the Moving Image (in Queens)
- Lower East Side Tenement Museum
- Intrepid Air-Sea-Space Museum
- Sony Wonder Technology Lab
- Madame Tussaud's (yeah, I Know...)

Anything else along these lines that we should consider?

Owen O'Neill

You might consider the Transit Museum in Manhattan, the Radio and Television Museum and also the frick Collection. The Frick is on "Museum Mile" and is a fascinating collection of art and artifacts once belonging to industrialist Henry Frick. It's housed in his former residence, many rooms still containing furniture and furnishings from his tenure there. It's an intriguing way to view a collection and I like it because one can do justice to viewing the entire collection in a few hours.

Marj

The Museum of the Moving Image is a good choice. While in Queens check out some fine ethnic food. I think there are some very good greek restaurants near the museum. They may be a little old for Sony Wonder Labs. Other possibilities are The Pierpont Morgan Library, current exhibit of documents from the national archive at the public library on 5th av and 42nd (thru 1/5). Also, on your way downtown, check out the Forbes Gallery, it's free, with great collections of historical documents and other historical items, monolpoly boards, toy boats & soldiers and of course, Febrege Eggs.

Philip

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum shows how new immigrants to the US lived in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The guided tour takes about 45 minutes and shows four different apartments and chronicles 3 of the families that lived in them. It really illustrates how determined these immigrants were to make a new life for themselves and the conditions that they were willing to put up with to live in the U.S.

If you take the tour, go before or after for a deli lunch at Katz's Deli, which has been in business since the late 1800's. Then take a walk up to Little Italy and have dessert at Ferrara's. Both are NYC institutions.

C

I second the Pierpont Library-what a nice way to spend a couple of hours! Browsing through the collection of manuscripts and music by Mozart and other greats, wandering the rooms of the former home, then lunch/tea in the Conservatory.Buy a little souvenir in the little shop..perfect for a wet or too cold afternoon in the city~ the Frick and the Whitney on Madison Ave too.Also-the boys are guaranteed to love the Hayden Planetarium at the Natural History Museum..Have fun, it will be really cold this week~C

RQF

National Museum of the American Indian located at 1 Bowling Green
American Crafts Musuem - 40 W. 53rd across from MOMA
Intrepid Sea-Air Museum - W. 46th and 12th Avenue - an aircraft carrier
New York City Fire Museum - 278 Spring St

Kathy

We went to Madame Tussaud's this past April with kids ages 15, 13 and 11. The whole family enjoyed it. It was a fun place and I would recommend it.

Dave

I second Philip's suggestion for the Tenement Museum. It is more of an unforgettable experience than a museum.

Patrick

We went to the Intrepid this summer thinking we'd spend an hour or two and ended up spending the better part of the day. Found it fascinating, and I'm usually not into the war or military type things. The only drawback was that we were hungry, their little snack bar was closed and the only eating option was the McDonald's there, but that may not upset the 11 and 16 year olds.
I also really enjoyed the Museum of New York on 5th Avenue somewhere around 90th(?). Particularly interesting there was an exhibit in a large room that was sort of a time line with memorabilia from each year -- very interesting.

Rex

All museums in your list should be of interest to your children; however, going to Queens may not be such a good use of time to see memorabilia about the movies (unless you want a subway ride).

Although I think the Frick & Pierpont are wonderful, I can't imagine this being any sort of "fun" for an 11 year old. Keep to your list. If you must take in some more art go to the Gueggenhiem museum (just north of the Met on 89th & 5th), the Frank Lloyd spiral shaped building is fun for kids (even if they don't look at the art), plus the current show is on Norman Rockwell (actualy of interest to some kids).

Hope you enjoy my home town! !

Neal Sanders

The Forbes Gallery on 5th Avenue at roughly 11th Street (just north of the arch at Washington Square park, is a must-visit for any kid. It houses the personal collection of Malcolm Forbes, who collected everything from Russian imperial family Faberge eggs to toy boats. The museum's display is wonderful. The gallery is free, but the hours are limited.