Going to NYC in a couple of weeks with two boys (5 and 8). I'm trying to find some alternatives to Toys R Us (which I know we will go to). Can anyone suggest comic stores, game stores, children's book stores, or good children's book sections?

When will the Pokemon store reopen?

Thanks very much!

Pokémon Center is open at, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, 48th Street between 5th and 6th Aves. Phone: (212) 307-0900.

Have fun!

Forbidden Planet on Broadway at 13th Street. It's a comic book/collectible store. It has a huge selection of trading cards, comic books, anything having to do with sci-fi and all kinds of other related items. I beleive it's part of a UK chain.

If you go to FOrbidden Planet, be sure to take the boys to the FOrbes Gallery on 5th av between 12th and 13 sts. It's a great little gallery with exhibits from M. Forbe's various collections (model ships, toy soldiers, historical items, antique monolpoly boards, etc). It's free, and it has this very cool marble maze as you enter. My son loved (he's a teen now, but still likes it) this place, and has been there dozens of times.

You'll find lots of inexpensive toys in Chinatown along Canal Street, between Mulberry and Broadway. My nephews, about the same age, absolutely love Canal Street!

(FYI -- On weekends it's extremely crowded.)

Thanks for these great ideas, Forbidden Planet sounds perfect, they are both into trading cards and love to look / read comics. I've always had the Forbes Collection on my list of things to do and have never made it. I think the boys will enjoy it.

In Chinatown / Canal St. can anyone recommend someplace to eat?

Please keep the ideas coming...

Two great comic book stores are Midtown comics (on 7th Avenue and 32nd St. I think - it's two blocks south of Madison Square Garden) and The Time Machine (on 14th St. between 7th and 8th Avenue). You can vist Midtown at www.midtowncomics.com

And MFNYC is right with Forbidden Planet - a fun store full of comic book nerds, action figures and they also do tournaments of those card games upstairs in the back - lots of kids (age 6 and up) hang out there.

When you visit Canal Street, I'd suggest you eat lunch in Little Italy, on Mulberry Street just north of Canal. I like Il Fornaio for lunch and Da Nico for dinner.

Another option is the most famous pizza place in Manhattan, Lombardi's, on Spring Street. It's a short walk from Little Italy/Chinatown.

Enjoy!

Any of the large Barnes and Nobles have large kids sections - often with activities, stories etc. Have a look at their website for specifics on times and stores.

Sorry -

Also look at NY1news.com (local news channel). They have a kids/family section with lots of special inexpensive to dos - shows etc - esp for smaller kids.

Midtown Comics is on 40th St., just west of Seventh Ave.