We're debating between booking a long weekend in NYC or Washington DC before Thanksgiving. We've been to both several times, and I'm hoping for suggestions for new/different activities we could try with our sons (4 and 1.5), specifically in NY.

We would arrive in NY late morning on the first day, drop our car and luggage at hotel (on West 57th), and head out from there. The rest of the Day would likely be split between Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History.

Beyond that, we typically do a lot of walking and people watching (and vehicle watching for the boys...trucks, taxis, and traffic are fascinating to the preschool set). FAO Schwarz was always a required stop, and despite the chaos, it's sad that it's no longer there.

I was thinking that a walk through Chinatown would be something different for us, and a visit to the WTC memorial (for the grown ups) would probably make the list.

I'd also consider the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum if the boys can handle a second museum (they're usually up for it).

Does anyone have other suggestions of fun things for small kids? Unique playgrounds, fun restaurants, activities that aren't necessarily on the "tourist must-do" list?

We'll be there two nights, but will have almost a full day on the day we arrive, and we'll leave around lunchtime on Day 3.

Thanks in advance!

The Guggenheim. Kids love to run/walk down the ramp, holding onto and brushing against the railing. You might even be able to talk to them (the older one anyway)about some of the art on the way. Just FYI, no strollers allowed; park it inside the entrance. The museum is right across the street from Central Park.

The Highline. It's an urban park on the tracks of an old train line, with flowers, trees, etc., places to sit, and a great view. There's a market building with restaurants, etc just below one section, for snacks and hot chocolate. Lots of neighborhood art galleries.

Staten Island ferry. Boats...enough said.

The Cloisters. (part of The Met) Set in a big parka at the northern tip of Manhattan (You almost can't imagine that it's the same island of the downtown skyscrapers.), looking out over the cliffs in NJ, it has the set of unicorn tapestries which capture many kids imaginations. the building is interesting too..

The Tenement Museum. Life as it was for several families as an example of the era. Visit the apartments, fully furnished. Visitor center has lots of books, some for kids, to discuss how new immigrants lived/live. Narrow stairs (so plan for them) on the tours of the apartments. Hit a neighborhood Jewish deli for lunch/dinner. Neighborhood also has some chic and unique shops too.

Children's Museum of Manhattan cmom.org
Two sites with info about NYC & children: mommypoppins, citykiddy.
Gazillion Bubbles Show

The Tenement Museum is great, but not for children 1.5 and 4 years old. There are stairs to climb (and therefore babies to be carried), and you have to stand still in the rooms themselves.

The gazillion bubbles show was really good. About a. Hour so perfect for short attention spans.

If you like carousels there's a new one at a Battery Park which could be combined with a ride on the Staten Island Ferry.

Agree on the Staten Island ferry - as long as they don't get motion sick.

You might also consider the Roosevelt Island Tram. (Have seen adults with this on their list which I don;t get but it might be fun for kids.)

You might consider lunch at Ellen's Stardust Diner - which has singing waitstaff (resting B'way chorus boys and girls). Food is basic diner fare but kids might like the show.

The local news channel has info every week about special activities for kids - puppet shows or dance groups or whatever. Check it out online: NY1.com.

Thank you to everyone who has offered advice so far. I hadn't considered the Staten Island Ferry before, but am definitely adding it to our list. Is there anything close to the ferry building in Staten Island that would be of note before making the return trip? Restaurants, bakeries, parks, etc?

Thank you, @abram, for suggestion MommyPoppins. I've been going through the website all afternoon.

I'm also thinking of adding Riverside Park to our first day (perhaps as a break after the natural history museum). Does anyone have any kid-friendly restaurant/deli suggestions for this area?

Thanks again!

Go to the Zoo in Central Park.

sf7307--Been to the Tenement Museum with a kid (girl) that age (4) who really got into the stories, looking around....a good listener, wide eyed taking it all in. We'd read the All Of A Kind Family series together beforehand and talked about our own similar immigrant relatives.

I would like to concur re the above suggestions of the Gazillion Bubbles Show. I'm old but loved it. Kids go nuts there.

Plan alternative indoor activities as the end of November can be rainy and cold.

Family friendly restaurants include Bubby's, Lombardi's, Junior's, Brooklyn Diner, Hill Country, Blue Smoke, S'Mac, and Big Daddy's. Quality varies.

Samba, I still wouldn't take a 1-1/2 year old and a 4 year old, BUT I just wanted to say I remember "All of a Kind Family"! Wow, I hadn't thought about them in a gazillion years!

Loved "All of a Kind Family".

I wasn't familiar with "All of a Kind Family," but I've added it to my Amazon cart.

We'll certainly plan alternate activities in case of rain. Is it crazy to consider the Met for a rainy day option? I think my 4 year old would really like the Temple of Dendur, though my youngest could be a wild card.

We took my son to NY when he was 1-1/2. That was a long time ago, so I don't remember what we did in particular (although I do remember meeting a friend and her son at the Central Park Zoo). However, we just put him in the stroller and did whatever we wanted - he slept in the stroller.

From the Natural History museum, you are right across the street from Central Park and I feel like there's a good playground right there. There's also a park space behind the park but I can't remember if it has a playground in it. Shake Shack is right there and there are also some good childrens clothing stores right there. Polarn O Pryet which I think is Swedish and Bitz Kids which is out of Korea, I think. I love Bitz Kids. My son is tiny and very narrow and their clothes fit him fantastically.

If you cab it all the way over to Riverside Park, I suggest Hippo Park which I think is about at 90th street. Go down the big hill to get to the park.

How about the armor and weapons section of the Met? The mummies and Temple are good too. How about a food tour geared for younger children? Those are places we have used in the past. I would skip the Tenement Museum for such young children. For indoor activities, Chelsea Pier may have something.

There's a great new carousel near the SI Ferry and I would second the Children's museum near AMNH or go to a Marionette show inside the Park at Swiss Cottage.

A Guide Named Sue

Thanks everyone who has offered up suggestions. We've booked our hotel, and will be traveling the weekend before Thankgiving.

We're keeping the SI Ferry open as an option depending on how my youngest is doing around nap time. It might be a great bit of down time for everyone, or not, depending on how our day is progressing.

I've also made the Met the top of our rainy day plans. I think my 4 year old would really enjoy it.

SueNYC, I've looked into the marionette shows at the Swedish Cottage, and I think my kids would really enjoy it. I'm going to see how it fits with our schedule, but I'm hopeful it will work.

Thanks again to all who have contributed. If there are more suggestions, please keep them coming!

It might be a great bit of down time for everyone,

Ha - we thought so too, and it was - we all fell asleep on the ferry!