My husband and I are taking our three girls (ages 8, 5, and 5) to NYC for two days, one night. We live in New Jersey. We plan on arriving around noon tomorrow, and leaving after dinner on Monday. We are staying at the Manhattan Club (mid 50's). We'd like to go to the Museum of Natural History, and Central Park Zoo if the weather is nice. What else would you suggest? We need to go down to Soho at some point on Monday for a quick stop, so we'll be down there, too. I need advice on places to take the girls (who are pretty picky, but my husband and I love food) for dinner. Any other activities you think they might enjoy? Thanks for the help!

I think your picky eaters comment makes it very difficult to recommend a restaurant. Do they like Italian?
Our grandchildren loved Pazza Notte( on 6th at 56/57) but they aren't picky eaters.

What do you mean by picky eaters? What types of food do they like?

Ellen's Stardust Diner has a wide range of regular diner fare (just ok - but good choice of usual suspects for kids - unless there are only 1 or 2 very specific things they eat) and also singing wait staff which should amuse them.

They have an American Girl store in Manhattan. It was built after mine stopped playing dolls, but they might like to go there and have tea?

The café at the American Girl Place!
http://www.americangirl.com/retailstore/new-york

We've eaten brunch and lunch at the American Girl Café in NYC and the food was good. Grand daughters were thrilled with the experience. Also ate at AG in Chicago, good experience there too.