NYC in September with kids
Mar 7th, 2011, 04:59 PM
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NYC in September with kids
My family and I are travelling from Australia to New York City in late September and were wondering what the best things to see and do in NYC are? Our kids will be 11 and 9. Thinking of a bike ride around Manhattan across Brooklyn Bridge. Any other suggestions? Also love to do some shopping!!! What can we do in Central Park? Is it worth going to Coney Island in September? Can you climb the Statue of Liberty these days? We have done that before in 1998 but not with the kids. Many thanks for any suggestions offered.
Mar 7th, 2011, 06:08 PM
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I would never take children for a bike ride on New York City streets. As an adult and Manhattan resident for many years, I personally would hesitate to ride a bicycle on New York City streets. The Brooklyn Bridge is in a heavily trafficked area and is not really conducive to a pleasant family bike ride. Stick to a family ride inside Central Park when the traffic is rerouted and bicycles and runners rule the roads. However, your family might enjoy a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Central Park also has a small zoo, a great carousel loved by both children and adults, and plenty of interesting areas and vistas. Here's the official website to explore:
http://www.centralparknyc.org/
Coney Island amusement parks may be closed by the time you arrive in September. It is a long trip from Manhattan and may not be the best use of your time even if it is open.
Yes, you can climb the Statue of Liberty , but you must reserve months ahead since access is limited. To climb to the top, you need a Crown ticket.
http://www.statuecruises.com/ferry-service/welcome.aspx
Central Park also has a small zoo, a great carousel loved by both children and adults, and plenty of interesting areas and vistas. Here's the official website to explore:
http://www.centralparknyc.org/
Coney Island amusement parks may be closed by the time you arrive in September. It is a long trip from Manhattan and may not be the best use of your time even if it is open.
Yes, you can climb the Statue of Liberty , but you must reserve months ahead since access is limited. To climb to the top, you need a Crown ticket.
http://www.statuecruises.com/ferry-service/welcome.aspx
Mar 8th, 2011, 04:07 AM
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There are bike tours and if they indicate kids are ok, I think they would be fine. Coney Island will still be open on weekends in Sept. and "worth it" always depends on the people involved. I think it would be worth it on a nice day. The neighboring area of Brighton Beach is a Russian community with some tasty food.
A Broadway show, an off Broadway show, some sort of cruise to see Manhattan from the water (goldstar.com often gets good discounts for these and other things), a visit to Top of the Rock, pizza, hot dogs--maybe a food tour like noshwalks.com or foodsofny.com, accomplicenewyork.com (part scavenger hunt, part theater). gocitykids.com and mommypoppins.com often have listings for kids' events by date.
Have you picked a hotel yet?
A Broadway show, an off Broadway show, some sort of cruise to see Manhattan from the water (goldstar.com often gets good discounts for these and other things), a visit to Top of the Rock, pizza, hot dogs--maybe a food tour like noshwalks.com or foodsofny.com, accomplicenewyork.com (part scavenger hunt, part theater). gocitykids.com and mommypoppins.com often have listings for kids' events by date.
Have you picked a hotel yet?
Mar 8th, 2011, 04:07 AM
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Coney Island will be mostly shut down at that time of year.
Go to the Bronx Zoo - one of the world's great zoos.
Definitely walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and end up in Brooklyn Heights - beautiful turn of the last century n neighborhood with spectacular views from the water front.
Go to the Bronx Zoo - one of the world's great zoos.
Definitely walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and end up in Brooklyn Heights - beautiful turn of the last century n neighborhood with spectacular views from the water front.
Mar 8th, 2011, 06:47 AM
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If you want to go up into the crown of the Statue of Liberty, book it now. I tried to book it a couple of months ahead, and it was completely sold out since they really limit how many people can go to the top now. We were still able to get tickets to walk up, but those crown tickets are elusive.
Mar 8th, 2011, 12:34 PM
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Best NYC activities for kids:
Museum of Natural History - esp the dinos
Central Park (small zoo, bike riding, boats on the lake, carousel)
Top of the Rock (incredible views - go near sunset to see the city both in daylight and lit up at night)
Staten Island Ferry ride
Perhaps the Shark boat ride in the harbor
Tour Intrepid air/sea museum
Bronx zoo (but will take the whole day) if you don;t have a great zoo
At least one broadway show (kids are at the age to start enjoying that - look for discounts on Broadwaybo.com.
Met Museum (check out web site to see what you would like - even as a little kid my brother loved the Arms & Armor and the Egyptian department - he always tried to get into one of the sarcophagi to find a mummy)
I would also do a baseball game (Yankees over the Mets if you can manage it).
Coney Island is very 1940s - nothing like a modern amusement park - and I think many kids would be bored - plus it's more than an hour from Manhattan.
DO NOT take kids on bikes on a street in Manhattan. This is way too dangerous - most drivers don;t like bike riders and many ignore then (often coming too close or honking at them) This would be terror - not fun. (I'm a native and ride my bike only in the park - never on the streets except the block to the Park).
Museum of Natural History - esp the dinos
Central Park (small zoo, bike riding, boats on the lake, carousel)
Top of the Rock (incredible views - go near sunset to see the city both in daylight and lit up at night)
Staten Island Ferry ride
Perhaps the Shark boat ride in the harbor
Tour Intrepid air/sea museum
Bronx zoo (but will take the whole day) if you don;t have a great zoo
At least one broadway show (kids are at the age to start enjoying that - look for discounts on Broadwaybo.com.
Met Museum (check out web site to see what you would like - even as a little kid my brother loved the Arms & Armor and the Egyptian department - he always tried to get into one of the sarcophagi to find a mummy)
I would also do a baseball game (Yankees over the Mets if you can manage it).
Coney Island is very 1940s - nothing like a modern amusement park - and I think many kids would be bored - plus it's more than an hour from Manhattan.
DO NOT take kids on bikes on a street in Manhattan. This is way too dangerous - most drivers don;t like bike riders and many ignore then (often coming too close or honking at them) This would be terror - not fun. (I'm a native and ride my bike only in the park - never on the streets except the block to the Park).
Mar 8th, 2011, 11:26 PM
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we did the flight from Melbourne to NYC last DEcember and we had such a good time in fabulous NYC.
You will love it.
First of all, I would not ride a bike in Manhattan. I would only ride a bike in central park. You can also row a little boat in central park. Or visit the zoo, or all the above.
Take a walk over the Brooklyn bridge, but from Brooklyn to Manhattan to get the view.
Also:
Top of the Rock, The view is great once you get to the top, but the lift ride is also fun. Your kids will love it because the ceiling of the lift is glass.
Empire State Building. I know people prefer TOTR, but I loved the Empire State Building. Plus you get wonderful views of the Chrysler building.
We did the Statue of LIberty Crown climb. And if was fantastic. We climbed the 350+ steps and once we reached the top you are in the crown. Views are good too. Although it sounds hard it wasn't and your children will manage. However, you need to pre book tickets.
Shopping was very good. We enjoyed Macy's and Bloomingdales. My son could not believe the prices in Macy's of all the brand names that we pay ridiculous prices here. Both my son and husband bought themselves Ralph Lauren, Hillfiger, and Nautica.
I really liked Bloomingdales and bought myself some lovely cashmere cardigans (which I could never justify the cost in Melbourne)
What I really liked was a store called Sephora. It has great make up and many brands. You will find very reasonably priced makeup for brands such as Dior, and Clinique. I also bought myself face and eye cream.
My children are older than yours, and my daughter (22) shopped in Soho. There are many boutique stores there where she bought some lovely 50's style dresses. And of course she managed to find a pair of Manolo's that she just had to have.
We also shopped in Century 21. I bought a few things and found the shoes to be the best buy.
I would also take the children to FAO Shwartz.
You can go to Times Square and buy M & m's at their store. So many colours to choose from
I am so jealous I would love to be going again. Planning to visit again in 2012, and my daughter is going back this July she loved it so much.
You will love it.
First of all, I would not ride a bike in Manhattan. I would only ride a bike in central park. You can also row a little boat in central park. Or visit the zoo, or all the above.
Take a walk over the Brooklyn bridge, but from Brooklyn to Manhattan to get the view.
Also:
Top of the Rock, The view is great once you get to the top, but the lift ride is also fun. Your kids will love it because the ceiling of the lift is glass.
Empire State Building. I know people prefer TOTR, but I loved the Empire State Building. Plus you get wonderful views of the Chrysler building.
We did the Statue of LIberty Crown climb. And if was fantastic. We climbed the 350+ steps and once we reached the top you are in the crown. Views are good too. Although it sounds hard it wasn't and your children will manage. However, you need to pre book tickets.
Shopping was very good. We enjoyed Macy's and Bloomingdales. My son could not believe the prices in Macy's of all the brand names that we pay ridiculous prices here. Both my son and husband bought themselves Ralph Lauren, Hillfiger, and Nautica.
I really liked Bloomingdales and bought myself some lovely cashmere cardigans (which I could never justify the cost in Melbourne)
What I really liked was a store called Sephora. It has great make up and many brands. You will find very reasonably priced makeup for brands such as Dior, and Clinique. I also bought myself face and eye cream.
My children are older than yours, and my daughter (22) shopped in Soho. There are many boutique stores there where she bought some lovely 50's style dresses. And of course she managed to find a pair of Manolo's that she just had to have.
We also shopped in Century 21. I bought a few things and found the shoes to be the best buy.
I would also take the children to FAO Shwartz.
You can go to Times Square and buy M & m's at their store. So many colours to choose from
I am so jealous I would love to be going again. Planning to visit again in 2012, and my daughter is going back this July she loved it so much.
Mar 9th, 2011, 04:34 AM
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We live just outside Manhattan and have two kids of similar age.
My son's favorite thing to do in New York is just wander Central Park. There are very large rocks that can be climbed throughout the park, but especially around the 6th Avenue and 59th Street entrance. There are plenty of trees for him to climb.
We'll start on the Southern end and gravitate towards "The Mall" which is a wide walking path which starts around 67th Street towards the East Side of the Park. On a nice Saturday, especially in September, there will be plenty of performers all the way back towards The Bethesda Terrace and The Lake. We've rented rowboats and had a fun hour exploring the the Lake.
Once finished we'll walk north through the various paths exploring our way towards the Belvedere Castle. That's just a sample of what you can do. Central Park is one of the best things about NY, I would highly recommend with two kids planning a nice long morning or afternoon of wandering. There is a small zoo which is also nice.
http://www.centralparknyc.org/maps/
Other things to suggest are: The Intrepid, The Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum (every kid knows the Impressionists plus their Egyptian wing is really cool.), walking the Brooklyn Bridge, The Empire State Building, The Staten Island Ferry and the New York Yankees game. There are several theme restaurants in town that appeal to kids. The food is usually mediocre, but if going to one I'd suggest lunch at Jekyll & Hyde on 6th Avenue.
Things I would avoid: The Top of the Rock, The NBC Studios tour, Mars 2112 restaurant (it is moronic & sad actually), one of those hop on, hop off open top buses.
I know a lot of tourists like the bus tours, but perhaps I'm jaded because I grew up here. I don't think they show you anything you can't see on your own by foot or in a taxi.
My son's favorite thing to do in New York is just wander Central Park. There are very large rocks that can be climbed throughout the park, but especially around the 6th Avenue and 59th Street entrance. There are plenty of trees for him to climb.
We'll start on the Southern end and gravitate towards "The Mall" which is a wide walking path which starts around 67th Street towards the East Side of the Park. On a nice Saturday, especially in September, there will be plenty of performers all the way back towards The Bethesda Terrace and The Lake. We've rented rowboats and had a fun hour exploring the the Lake.
Once finished we'll walk north through the various paths exploring our way towards the Belvedere Castle. That's just a sample of what you can do. Central Park is one of the best things about NY, I would highly recommend with two kids planning a nice long morning or afternoon of wandering. There is a small zoo which is also nice.
http://www.centralparknyc.org/maps/
Other things to suggest are: The Intrepid, The Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum (every kid knows the Impressionists plus their Egyptian wing is really cool.), walking the Brooklyn Bridge, The Empire State Building, The Staten Island Ferry and the New York Yankees game. There are several theme restaurants in town that appeal to kids. The food is usually mediocre, but if going to one I'd suggest lunch at Jekyll & Hyde on 6th Avenue.
Things I would avoid: The Top of the Rock, The NBC Studios tour, Mars 2112 restaurant (it is moronic & sad actually), one of those hop on, hop off open top buses.
I know a lot of tourists like the bus tours, but perhaps I'm jaded because I grew up here. I don't think they show you anything you can't see on your own by foot or in a taxi.
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