New York City with 2 kids need some advice
Mar 8th, 2007, 06:50 AM
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New York City with 2 kids need some advice
Hi I just posted another question about my trip but this one is more specifically relating to planning the days with the kids. Last time I was in NYC I was alone and met some friends, and the last time my wife and I were there together we were not even married and were still in college. Needless to say this trip will be different but exciting in it's owen way my sons are looking forward to it.
I just have a few questions, we arrive on the 31st in ewr the flight lands at 9am or 930 am, i figure we should get to the city by 11 or 12. We got 4, 3day city pass tikets as a gift so museum admission/attraction admission is covered. My first question is should we start using that the day we arrive? I was thinking it may be better just to walk around midtown that day take the boys to FAO swartz, st patricks cathedral, walk by rockefeller center and maybe times square and not do anything too structured.The pass starts the first time you use it.
Also would it be better crowd wise to do the Natural history museum on a sunday or monday? I have been reading other posts and agree that we should just plan to big things like museums for each day and do them in the morning and then play the rest by ear. The kids also want to go to the statue of liberty should we do that and the natural history museum in one day or separate them since they are in different parts of town?
Also my wife and I get to do one alone activity each, i am going to see talk radio on saturday night(should I pre buy this one or will they have at TKTS?) and she wants to go to a spa. I also already got orchestra seats for her and my oldest son to see tarzan. I am not sure my youngest will sit through the entire show so I did not want to spend another $200+ and have to leave. What I was hoping to do is be able to but discount tickets for the 2 of us at TKTS for the sunday 6:30 show even if they are in the balcony that way if he needs to get up or leave it wont be as big of an expense. Does anyone know if my chances are good to get tickets for Tarzan at TKTS for the sunday 6:30 pm show.
Any other must sees for kids, so far they want to see the natural history museum (the saw the movie night at the museum)empire state building, madame tussads and the statue of liberty. Plus my oldest wants to go to china town and my wife definately wants to walk around Little Italy. Again we arrive on the 31st in the morning and leave the 4th at 4pm, probably need to leave around 1 pm to get to the airport.
Thanks in advance for any tips or suggestions!
I just have a few questions, we arrive on the 31st in ewr the flight lands at 9am or 930 am, i figure we should get to the city by 11 or 12. We got 4, 3day city pass tikets as a gift so museum admission/attraction admission is covered. My first question is should we start using that the day we arrive? I was thinking it may be better just to walk around midtown that day take the boys to FAO swartz, st patricks cathedral, walk by rockefeller center and maybe times square and not do anything too structured.The pass starts the first time you use it.
Also would it be better crowd wise to do the Natural history museum on a sunday or monday? I have been reading other posts and agree that we should just plan to big things like museums for each day and do them in the morning and then play the rest by ear. The kids also want to go to the statue of liberty should we do that and the natural history museum in one day or separate them since they are in different parts of town?
Also my wife and I get to do one alone activity each, i am going to see talk radio on saturday night(should I pre buy this one or will they have at TKTS?) and she wants to go to a spa. I also already got orchestra seats for her and my oldest son to see tarzan. I am not sure my youngest will sit through the entire show so I did not want to spend another $200+ and have to leave. What I was hoping to do is be able to but discount tickets for the 2 of us at TKTS for the sunday 6:30 show even if they are in the balcony that way if he needs to get up or leave it wont be as big of an expense. Does anyone know if my chances are good to get tickets for Tarzan at TKTS for the sunday 6:30 pm show.
Any other must sees for kids, so far they want to see the natural history museum (the saw the movie night at the museum)empire state building, madame tussads and the statue of liberty. Plus my oldest wants to go to china town and my wife definately wants to walk around Little Italy. Again we arrive on the 31st in the morning and leave the 4th at 4pm, probably need to leave around 1 pm to get to the airport.
Thanks in advance for any tips or suggestions!
Mar 8th, 2007, 08:00 AM
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I'd save the passes for your first full day. The Museum of Natural History will probably be less crowded on a weekday; get there a few minutes before it opens and do your research and thinking ahead of time about any extras like special fee exhibits or IMAX tickets.
Little Italy gets littler every year; Chinatown is encroaching on it block by block. So not only can you do both of these on the same day, it's almost impossible not to.
Is Mme Tussaud's free, on your pass? Otherwise, this might be a good time for one parent to have their alone time.
Little Italy gets littler every year; Chinatown is encroaching on it block by block. So not only can you do both of these on the same day, it's almost impossible not to.
Is Mme Tussaud's free, on your pass? Otherwise, this might be a good time for one parent to have their alone time.
Mar 8th, 2007, 09:36 AM
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I would definitly do the Met. Don;t know how old your kids are - but there are parts for everyone to enjoy - I remember my brother when he was only 5 or 6 being fascinated by Arms & Armor - as well as the Egyptian section and the Temple of Dendur. Girls might also enjoy the Costume Insititute.
Go to the web site to see what they have (and one adult might be able to take the kids around wile the other enjoys some old msters or impresionists) - and see if you can catch any of the gallery talks - which can be fascinating.
Definitely do any Museums on weekdays - they're mobbed on weekends with NYCers trying to stuff a little culture into their kids - from stroller age on up.
Go to the web site to see what they have (and one adult might be able to take the kids around wile the other enjoys some old msters or impresionists) - and see if you can catch any of the gallery talks - which can be fascinating.
Definitely do any Museums on weekdays - they're mobbed on weekends with NYCers trying to stuff a little culture into their kids - from stroller age on up.
Mar 8th, 2007, 09:38 AM
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Sorry - again don;t know the ages of your kids. but the local news channel features info on special activities/performances for kids every weekend. If you go to their website you can get info. It's New York 1 News.
Mar 8th, 2007, 10:14 AM
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Thanks
the kids are 4 and 8 both boys.Madame Tussads is free with the passes they want to see the pirates of the carribean wax figures. How far is the met from The natural history museum? Could both be done in one day?
the kids are 4 and 8 both boys.Madame Tussads is free with the passes they want to see the pirates of the carribean wax figures. How far is the met from The natural history museum? Could both be done in one day?
Mar 8th, 2007, 10:48 AM
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It would be a lot to do both the Met and the Natural History Museum in one day, but it can be done as they are across the park from each other. Note that the Met is on Mondays, NHM is open.
I would start using the passes on the first full day. Your plan for walking around the Midtown area is good. There is so much to do and see in that area.
I would start using the passes on the first full day. Your plan for walking around the Midtown area is good. There is so much to do and see in that area.
Mar 8th, 2007, 10:49 AM
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Met and NHM are literally across the park from each other. Very walkable.
I am not familiar with Talk Radio however if it's a must see I would pre buy. You never know what inventory tkts will have.
For your wifes spa, I highly recommend Soho Sanctuary. My favorite.
Just an idea, instead of taking the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. You might want to check out the tours by NY Waterway. Might be fun for the boys on a boat....
http://www.nywaterway.com/tour/downt...ute-lady.shtml
I am not familiar with Talk Radio however if it's a must see I would pre buy. You never know what inventory tkts will have.
For your wifes spa, I highly recommend Soho Sanctuary. My favorite.
Just an idea, instead of taking the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. You might want to check out the tours by NY Waterway. Might be fun for the boys on a boat....
http://www.nywaterway.com/tour/downt...ute-lady.shtml
Mar 8th, 2007, 11:35 AM
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I don't think you can do both museums in one day, unless you just want to see a few exhibits in each. I think your kids will have more fun at the Museum of Natural History. Definitely go on a weekday, and get there in the morning. My husband and I went in the morning, and were finished by 2 or 3, just when it was starting to get really crowded. I would recommend the butterfly exhibit if it's still open. SO much fun, and the workers let kids feed the butterflies so they'll land all over you. (o:
If you go to the MET, try and plan it before you go. They have a map online. Your kids will probably love the temple. The rest just depends on their interests and how long they can stand it. (o: Again, if you can get there in the morning it'll be much easier.
Glad you're going to FAO Schwartz-I think it's impossible for kids not to have fun there!
Have fun on your trip!!
If you go to the MET, try and plan it before you go. They have a map online. Your kids will probably love the temple. The rest just depends on their interests and how long they can stand it. (o: Again, if you can get there in the morning it'll be much easier.
Glad you're going to FAO Schwartz-I think it's impossible for kids not to have fun there!
Have fun on your trip!!
Mar 10th, 2007, 01:32 PM
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I assume your kids have seen Night at the Museum. It might be fun to see it again after the trip and re-live the memories. Ghostbusters would be another good movie to get in the mood for the trip.
Our kids were about the same age when we first took them to NY. They really liked walking in Central Park. We went to the Met and then walked to the zoo, stopping and playing along the way. We went to Ellis Island rather than the Statute of Liberty (but this was shortly after 9/11 so you really couldn't do anything at the Statute).
Our kids were about the same age when we first took them to NY. They really liked walking in Central Park. We went to the Met and then walked to the zoo, stopping and playing along the way. We went to Ellis Island rather than the Statute of Liberty (but this was shortly after 9/11 so you really couldn't do anything at the Statute).
Mar 10th, 2007, 04:19 PM
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Thanks for the replies, They saw Night at the Museum and are definately excited to see the real museum. We want to walk around central park after the museum and take them to the zoo. They are very excited!
