1st time trip to NYC over Easter
 

We are planning to be in NYC over Easter vacation. We have an 11 year old son and will be there for 5 days. Any ideas for the must see places would be appreciated! Plus places to eat - we will be staying at the Sheraton Manhattan, have heard both good and bad, do you have any feedback? Is there anything special going on over Easter? Thanks so much for the help!

We just recently came back and did the NBC experience in Rockefeller center and it was kind of neat...saw actual set for Saturday Night Live, Date Line and others..it was really interesting..also ate at Virgil's BBQ very good...and Le Rivage (french) also very good...had very expensive breakfast at Libby's Dinner ($40 for two french toast orders and one side of homefries!) won't do that again...but ohter restaurants very reasonable for city..have fun
Amy

So much to do in NYC- it's hard to narrow it down! The Intrepid Museum (an aircraft carrier) at South Street Seaport is great for young and old. Also if it's your first time a tour by boat around the island is really great (picked up in the same area). Of course the Natural History Museum is a must- your son should love it. Also- Toys-R-US in Times Square is amazing! Definately worth the trip inside! Have fun!

Verify directly with the hotel that you have 2 beds. Normal here is 1. I had a bad experience a few years ago, that I no longer stay there. (I go cheaper now and am just as happy to get there more frequently - 4 trips last year :) ) Just to clairfy, my experience is NOT recent and most likely is not a valid complaint now.

Things will be very crowded in NYC over Easter - so just plan accordingly. Get to the Nat History Museum early (like when it opens!). My kids used to like the Sony Wonderlab. Their web site is http://www.sonywondertechlab.com/
The NYC Tenement Museum is very interesting - even to a kid. Stop into Macy's for the Flower Show - it's great!

the trip around the island is called the circle line tour. you only need do the half island trip not the full island. it takes you out to statue of liberty but you dont get off. How about a yankee game at yankee stadium. very easy to get to by subway. how about going to see a show in the theatre district. take a tour of the un building but get tickets in advance. visiting st. patricks cathedral is a must if for nothing more than the beautiful architecture. the zoo in central park is nice. the museum of art is one of the worlds best. take your son to serendipidy for the biggest ice cream sundae on the planet. but be prepared to wait in line.

oh my, how did i forget. the empire state building is a must. go to the top.

You can get lots of information on must see sites in NYC, so I will mention a few an 11-year old boy should like:

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge - do it from the Brooklyn side, so you can see Manhattan as you cross

2-hour Circle Line boat tour - takes you around the best parts of Manhattan and gets pretty close to the Statue of Liberty

The Toys R Us at Times Square - ferris wheel and life-sized, animatronic T-Rex

Central Park and Central Park zoo

Museum of Natural History - amazing dinosaur collection; also take in a show at the Rose Space Center

I assume you will visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Your son should love the mummies in the Egyptian collection.

If you want to see a show, Lion King is fantastic; don't wait much longer to order tickets. You can get tickets for as low as $35, but I would go for slightly better since the balcony is cramped.

Mars 2112 is a fun place to eat for kids - like a big underground cave with alien-characters walking around. Eating in Chinatown is a good experience for kids and adults. Pizza - Lombardis and John's are two I have tried and liked very much.

Times Square at night is sure to be a hit.

Top of the Empire State Building - buy tickets online before you go (print yourself) to prevent waiting in line.

Fodors has a guidebook for NYC with kids.

FYI, the Intrepid is not at the South Street Seaport. It's at Pier 86, 12th Ave and 46th Street on the west side.

South Street Seaport is at the end of Fulton Street on the east side near Wall Street.

On Easter Sunday, there's a &quot;parade&quot; on Fifth Avenue around St. Patrick's/Rockefeller Center. It's not a parade <i>per se</i>, but a bunch of people dressed in crazy Easter outfits that I'm quite sure an 11 year old would find hilarious and fun. People just walk up and down that area of 5th Ave. If you're in NY on Easter Sunday, don't miss it.

My favorite entries inthe Easter Parade are the dogs and other animals in full regalia.

You may also want to consider the Bronx zoo (the one in Central park is very tiny) or the aquarium in Coney Island.

In the Met a lot of boys love the arms and armor section.

I have another question. If we were to see a Broadway show, does anyone have any recommendations of one that might be appropriate for an 11 year old? We are seeing the Lion King in San Francisco next week, so that one is probably out. My husband and I saw The Producers, which would NOT be appropriate for an 11 year old. Any input would be appreciated. Also, where is the best place to go looking for the theatre tickets. Last, I've heard that you should buy tickets in advance to Ellis Island. Where do you get those? Can you buy them online? Thanks again.

www,playbill.com
the best theatre site

Madame Tussards is a fun place. Located on W. 42nd Street.

I bet he'd love Little Shop of Horrors. Not toooo adult and all in good fun. He'd love the giant plant that takes over the audience.

This might be obvious, and perhaps you've already seen it (most people have), but I'd recommend the Phantom for the broadway show with an 11 year old. My kids loved it way back when. It's still really great music, fun set, etc. Have fun!