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Kid Friendly 'Stuff' to do in NYC (over the 4th of July)

Kid Friendly 'Stuff' to do in NYC (over the 4th of July)

Old Jun 24th, 2013, 06:00 AM
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Kid Friendly 'Stuff' to do in NYC (over the 4th of July)

My gf is attending a conference the week of July 4th, so my kids & I have opted to join her. We are looking for fun, possibly off the beaten path types of activities. The kids are putting their lists together & THAT should be interesting, but Dad is not really a touristy kind of guy who has been to NYC many times in the past. This will be there first trip & they are great travelers..They are 8 & 11. + it is over the 4th so there may be some fun things in relation to taht as well ?? Please share. Thanks, S.
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 06:05 AM
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I need to learn how to type - their & that maybe its the 't' words that give me difficulty...?
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 08:38 AM
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Natural History Museum is always great. I would definitely spend time in Central Park including the Zoo. Boat tour possibly?
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 08:42 AM
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Free RT on Staten Island ferry
or Jet Boat (the Beast)
Intrepid Museum
Subway - if they're not used to riding it
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 09:02 AM
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One has been to Paris but the other one loves all things trains - What/where is the Intrepid Museum ? Zoo is on the list...Thanks !
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 09:22 AM
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Rent remote control model sailboats on the ond in Cental Park?
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 09:23 AM
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Correction ...

...to sail on the pond...
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 10:23 AM
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Intrepid Air Museum is the Aircraft Carrier that has been turned to an Air Museum. Definitely a great stop.

http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 04:35 PM
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Zoo in Central Park is very small - but select. The real zoo is in the Bronx - but takes a whole day.
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 08:39 PM
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Stores

Forbidden Planet
Evolution on Spring Street

http://theevolutionstore.com/

Lombardi's pizza
Jacques Torres chocolates

Sights
The Highline
If they love trains take the subway and get on the first car and look through the front door to see the stations and lights pass by.
NYC Transit Museum
http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/New_York_Transit_Museum

And as the others cited
Museum of Natural History
Central Park
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Old Jun 25th, 2013, 05:20 AM
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Don't forget the Met - it's way more than an art museum

Many kids love the Egyptian dep't (my 6 year old brother always wanted to get into a sarcophagus and get his own mummy), the Temple of Dendur and Arms & Armor.
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Old Jun 25th, 2013, 09:10 AM
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Gracias !!
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Old Jun 25th, 2013, 01:23 PM
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Hi, SAnParis,

We went to New York right around a year and a week before you. My youngest was 11, so we definitely have some overlap. My trip report link is below.

Also, there's a Broadway musical out now that's perfect for your age group, Matilda by Roald Dahl. Has gotten good reviews. The movie was one of my daughter's favorite books and we're looking forward to seeing it when it goes on the road.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...amily-of-5.cfm
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Old Jun 25th, 2013, 01:37 PM
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I used to recommend South Street Seaport, but not sure if it's back up and running after Sandy.

My first choice was the Intrepid, it also has one of the Space Shuttles on Display now.

The Met is great and as others pointed out, has some fun exhibits for kids. Plus then you are close to Central Park which is perfect. You can also hit the Natural History Museum/Planetarium.

Get a copy of Time Out New York when you are here and see if there are any specific things going on for kids. The Bronx Zoo is definitely an all day trip since you'd need to take Metro North up to the Bronx and it's a big zoo, but it's wonderful. Central Park Zoo is small and easier to fit in a qu
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Old Jun 25th, 2013, 02:06 PM
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South Sea Seaport has not fully recovered. I know I should be more generous and supportive but it is just not interesting.
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Old Jun 25th, 2013, 04:05 PM
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FYI, the Space Shuttle will not be on view at the Intrepid until after July 10th.
South Street Seaport also suffered another setback when the Museum of the City of NY which had been managing it for a couple of years basically gave up.
http://manhattan.ny1.com/content/top...s-new-operator
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Old Jun 28th, 2013, 06:21 AM
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Thanks to all for the updates...
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Old Jun 30th, 2013, 01:27 AM
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"FYI, the Space Shuttle will not be on view at the Intrepid until after July 10th"

Based on my visit to the Intrepid in March, you can see the Enterprise but not get up close to it while they do construction of the building around it - which opens July 10th so you should still be able to see the Enterprise.
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Old Jun 30th, 2013, 03:55 AM
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You have gotten GREAT ideas. NY for kids is super.
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Old Jun 30th, 2013, 04:36 AM
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I just returned from only a one day visit with my 7 year old granddaughter which was also her first trip. You can read about it here titled "one day in NYC." rather than repeat myself on what we did. It depends are they boys or girls? I would highly recommend the pedicab in Central Park--it holds 3 people I am sure they would like that--You can rent boats canoes in CP for $10.00 hr. there are also playgrounds and interesting fountains things to see. If you do the pedicab you can then walk back to what was of interest. You should also try and see a play with them. Something they will always remember. I only had one day, so a play was out of the question. Annie or Lions King would be great to see. Schwartz Toy store or Toys R us is also a must. Toys r us has a ferris wheel inside the store--something different. Museum of natural history is great, a lot of dinosauer exhibits if they like that sort of thing. Have Fun and enjoy!
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