I am taking my three boys to NYC for a few days before a family occasion. What is a must see/do/eat etc while there. My boys (8,8,12) love comedy, do any of the clubs do early hour shows w/o too much bad language that children are allowed to go to? They loved the commedians on the cruise I took them on a few years ago.

My son was 10 and my daughter was 3 when we visited NYC. They loved the Statue of Liberty (we climbed to the crown), but make sure you get on the first boat. They didn't like Ellis Island (which I loved). They enjoyed the top of the Empire State Building. We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant, took in a play, saw Times Square at night, and finished with ice cream at Howard Johnsons. Both my husband and son are sorry that we didn't visit Yankee Stadium. There are wonderful museums in NYC, but since we are from Chicago, we didn't focus on that. We walked around alot. My three year old loved the taxis, since we don't use them at home.

To see-the Museum of Natural History (dinosaurs!) and the Planetarium are side by side. The Intrepid sea air & space museum (intrepidmuseum.org). To eat ESPN Zone-a sports lover's dream.
Found this info for you on the web re comedy club.

Gladys' Comedy Room
At Hamburger Harry's, 145 W. 45th St btw Broadway and Sixth, 832-1762
If you are looking for a place to have a party, this is a good choice. Beer and food are good and cheap and minors are allowed to enter the club. Call ahead for reservations and mention NY.com.
$5 table minimum every night; can be food or drink.
Wed 7:30pm-11pm: Talent Night
Sign up to perform 6:45; names are drawn by lottery.
$12 Thursday and Friday from 8:30-11:15
$12 Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30

Thanks for the recs. I'll try most, but as i'm currently raising my kids in the UK, the ESPN restaurant probably won't suit as the sports they like are different. I had planned on the ESB, and a boat ride to see the Statue of Liberty, but I thought you couldn't go up it anymore, due to terrorist threat. Does anyone know for sure?

Do any of the bars at top of skyscrapers (Marriot Marquis?) that have great views allow parents in with children?

I also plan to take them to south street seaport, chinatown, times square, fao schwartz, macy's etc.

A

For a show, they'd probably love Blue Man Group. It's very creative, very funny, and has audience interaction. THere is a Sony Wonder Tech-Lab, where they can test-play some new products.

While you can get off on Liberty Island for a closeup view of the Statue, the Statue itself is still off limits. If the long waiting lines and trip there and back seem like a waste of time if you can't go inside the Statue, take a roundtrip ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It's free, passes by the Statue for a reasonable photo op, and you'll be back to Manhattan in about an hour. Then you can stroll past Wall Street on your way to South Street Seaport.

For all you uptown activities, keep in mind the Central Park is just steps away. It's a great place for kids to run around and work off some energy that's been contained by indoor activities. There's a small but lovely zoo, a carousel that moves pretty fast, and plenty of other interesting spots from almost any entry point.

Blue Man Group - definitely. My daughter saw it 3 years ago, when she was 10, and she still talks about it.

The New Victory Theatre in the heart of Times Square has kid oriented shows. You can check them out on the web.

While the Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty sight seeing "thing" can be great, I must admit that for a lot of the kids, a more memorable and enjoyable experience is "The Beast" or "The Chelsea Screamer".

They are both speed boats which cruise the NY harbor, stop for photo ops near the Statue, and then either zoom back up the east rivier or goes up to the Intrepid battle ship Museum docked around 40th street. They reach, in land terms speeds of about 40mph) and go bouncing thru the waves, with gobs of spray slapping over the sides. The "captain" plays loud 70's rock and roll and tells corny jokes.

My 8 year old kid loves it - we do it at least once every year on a hot summer day - very refreshing. The beast is owned by the Circle Line - their website lists the schedule and prices.

Blue Man group is another great choice - very funny, very cool.

Try also the web site "go city kids" which lists tons of kids activities and venues.
have fun!

Marriott Marquis has a wonderful revolving restaurant and bar on the top two floors with fabulous views. There were many children there (even in the bar) when we visited last October. The menu is pricey.....you may want to consider the buffet in the bar. It got crowded before and after the theatre, and we had to wait for the elevator (only two or three go to those floors) and for a table by the window. We loved it though!