Highly recommend a ride on the free Staten Island ferry since you're not going to the Statue of Liberty. Our kids love Chinatown and especially dimsum.

On your way to or from the Intrepid check out this slide on 42nd between 11th and 12th Avenue.
http://dnainfo.com/20100715/midtown-...-hells-kitchen

I have not been in Wahington Square Park in a few weeks, but the entire left side is open as is the center with the arch.

Travelbuff, the Victorian carnival sounds right up our alley. I think we'll skip the Bronx Zoo on Monday and head there. I also like your idea of doing all four carousels in NYC. Sounds like something a 6yo would remember forever.

Economy candy is on the list, Dylan's is out.

DancingBear (are you a Buffett fan? Yes, I know, that's another thread), we're staying in a friend's apartment in the neighborhood of Grant and Essex. I'm keeping Chinatown and Little Italy on the list only because it is NOTHING like anything you can see at home. Plus, when I first went to NYC, I thought Chinatown was the most exotic place in the world.

I replaced South Street Seaport and "the beast" with a Staten Island Ferry Ride. Slower, but nicer and not so wet!
I can't thank you all enough.

Aduchamp1 and Janie, I'm making a list of those places you suggest and will keep it with me- if we are in the neighborhood, we'll stop in. We usually stop every 90 minutes or so and get ice cream, a snack, a water, etc., so that is tremendously helpful. The comment about a fruit never being near a Grey's Papaya made me LOL.

I'll try the TKTS booth for Broadway tickets.

Thank you all again!

From where you are you have to hit Katz's Delicatessen some time.

FYI, there is a playground between your apartment and Chinatown in Roosevelt Park (North of Hester and South of Grand, to quote Billy Joel). There is also one about a block from the MoNH (the Tecumseh Playground at Amsterdam and 77th. And you know about the playgrounds in Central Park I guess. http://www.centralpark.com/pages/act...aygrounds.html

Have your kids seen National Treasure? The 8yo at least might enjoy the scene on the Intrepid since you are visiting there, and if you are going to Ground Zero you could stop at the nearby Trinity Church at the head of Wall Street which was featured in the movie.

The reason I suggested the South St. Seaport was mainly for TKTS booth there. It opens early, so you don't have to wait hours inline in Times Square, and the kids might like to see the tall ships anchored there. I would never wait in line in Times Square for tickets, the line can get really long, especially during the tourist season, which come to think of it is almost all year round now, lol.

From there, you can walk right up Water St to Chinatown, about a 10 minute walk, and Mott St has lots of good places to eat and some Dim Sum spots as well. My fav is Mandarin Court, and of course the Ice Cream Factory is a must after lunch.

Sounds like you guys are going to have a GREAT time!!!!!!!

If you go to Katz's, be sure to put a dollar in the tip jar for an extra fat sandwich. Bribery is legal at Katz's. They will also give everyone a little ticket upon entry, on which the prices of what you eat will written later.

If you get your own sandwich, you eat on the right, If you get table service you sit on the left. Yes, it is a bit confusing.