Hello!

DH is going to NYC for a meeting in a few weeks and would like the kids and I (2 under age 4) to go with him. We'd be staying at Embassy Suites (apparently a block away from Ground Zero). NOW, I am not a city person. We live in a very small town in Vermont and I am a bit apprehensive about having 2 small children in the City. I am going to research things close to where we would be staying that are kid-friendly but thought I'd ask here if anyone had any suggestions.

TIA

First, Fodors has a good book called “Around New York City with Kids” that might be very useful to you.

Second, the downtown area is better for kids, IMO, as it is not nearly so crowded as mid-town, esp on weekends and evenings, and is not all high rises like mid-town. It is quiet at night as well in terms of street noise. There is a long esplanade along the river not far from your hotel which is good for walks and views of the Statue of Liberty. South Street Seaport is walk able (about a mile down Wall Street is a good walk) and has kids activities. Take a look at http://www.southstseaport.org/
You are also close to the New York Waterway ferry pier so you can take ferry rides, take a look at www.nywaterway.com. China town and Little Italy are not far away.

Third, NYC is on generally and statistically very safe. I would not have too many concerns, your biggest issue may be getting strollers in and out of cabs and down to the subway, etc.

Your hotel gets lots of good comments on this site.

Century 21 discount store is right around the corner which has lots of kids clothes at great prices. 22 Cortlandt St. (bet. Church St. & Broadway). It is open until 8 pm and is open on Sunday. If you have purchases shipped to Vermont, you will not have to pay NYC sales tax. Take a look at http://www.c21stores.com/home_page.asp

Definately go to FAO Swartz up near central park. It's not in the area near your hotel but its a must for kids.

I don't think there is much around the former WTC area to see - its the business district. But it is quieter at night than other areas.

I definately don't recommend Times Square to stay - too congested and noisy for little kids.

cindyloo, I guess I should have indicated that the Embassy Suites IS downtown, which I think is the preferred location.

If the weather is decent, Hudson River Park (right where your hotel is) has several playgrounds.

There's a nice children's museum on the upper west side, not far form the museum of natural history.

A good place to eat for weekend brunch/lunc is AMerica on 18th ST (between B'way & 5th av). It's huge and very kid friendly. DUring those hours there's usually some form of kid entertainment (balloon makers, magicians).

We took a 4-year old to NYC for a week not too long ago, and she has talked about wanting to go back for the past 1 1/2 years. Not having been to NYC before that trip, we had a few concerns about traffic, keeping up with her in crowds, and other things, but it was not a problem at all. A stroller is definitely recommended, but use one that is light weight easy to fold up when you are taking the subway. We actually stayed not far from Times Square, which was perfect for us - Toys R Us, Broadway. My daughter loved it all.

I highly recommend visiting/seeing Times Square, the South Street Seaport, the Museum of Natural History (consider seeing a show at the planetarium), the mummies at the Metropolitan Museum of Art if you go there, the Central Park Zoo and playgrounds (if not too cold), Toys R Us (a really cool place for kids), a good pizza place, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island boat ride. Again if not too cold and you have a stroller/strollers, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It is at the top of my daughter's list for things to do next time. My wife was pregnant the first time, so we didn't do it, but I went alone on a return business trip, and it was a lot of fun. It really doesn't take all that long to walk across.

We took a 4-year old to NYC for a week not too long ago, and she has talked about wanting to go back for the past 1 1/2 years. Not having been to NYC before that trip, we had a few concerns about traffic, keeping up with her in crowds, and other things, but it was not a problem at all. A stroller is definitely recommended, but use one that is light weight easy to fold up when you are taking the subway. We actually stayed not far from Times Square, which was perfect for us - Toys R Us, Broadway. My daughter loved it all.

I highly recommend visiting/seeing Times Square, the South Street Seaport, the Museum of Natural History (consider seeing a show at the planetarium), the mummies at the Metropolitan Museum of Art if you go there, the Central Park Zoo and playgrounds (if not too cold), Toys R Us (a really cool place for kids), a good pizza place, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island boat ride. Again if not too cold and you have a stroller/strollers, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It is at the top of my daughter's list for things to do next time. My wife was pregnant the first time, so we didn't do it, but I went alone on a return business trip, and it was a lot of fun. It really doesn't take all that long to walk across.