I will be in NYC for just 3 days next week (17-19 Oct). What is the weather like (day and night)? I will be staying in Statten Island, should I bring my rental car to NYC when visiting? What kinds of things are there to do and see with my son? I hear the kids like double decker buses, which is the best no complaints cleanest double decker bus tour in NYC? Also, are there any good broadway shows for kids? Thank you!

Weather can vary from 70s to 40s, this time of year.

Intrepid Museum (46th & West Side Hwy, battleship, sub, etc), Bronx Zoo, NY Aquarium (easy via car from Staten Island via Staten Island Expy to Brooklyn at exit 7), Dinosaur floor at Museum of Nat. History (Central Park West / 79th - nothing like it) and nearby store Maxilla & Mandible (Columbus near 81st, unique for bones, etc.)

Car is very doable option.

Eric, I used to live on Staten Island, so staying there you have some fun options to see the city.

Instead of driving into the city, I would suggest driving to the Staten Island Ferry or taking the train, if you are close and try not to drive in Manhattan, mass transit is so much easier and less expensive and there are few places to park or you have to park in a garage and that is expensive.

You son will love traveling to and from the city on the Ferry. When you get to the ferry terminal in Manhattan, go one block up to Water St and turn right and walk down to the South Street Seaport, lots to see and do there and a couple of good restaurants.

Just north of there is Chinatown and Little Italy for lunch or dinner.

Take the train uptown to Midtown, skating should be started up at Rock Center by then. The Museum of TV is also in the area and he will probably enjoy that.

Then go over to the Museum of Natural History which is at 79th Central Park West.

After that hop on the #1 train back to S. Ferry and back to Staten Island.

Hope this helps have a fun time while you are here.

tweedy

Don't bring your car into the city. Take the ferry. You'll pass the Statue of Liberty and have a great view of the skyline weather permitting. The weather has been pretty cold the last two days-- winter jackets, gloves-- but jumps around a lot this time of year. Bring umbrellas/rainjackets. There are lots of shows kids would like-- The Lion King, The Music Man, Annie Get Your Gun and depending on your son maybe Jekyll and Hyde or Les Miserables. Walk around Times Square once it gets dark-- this time of year as early as 6:30 or 7-- he should love it. The dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History, Fao Schwarz, Central Park (the lawns, zoo, playgrounds, carousel...), South Street Seaport, top of the Empire State Building/World Trade Center (twin towers).

Hi Eric:
The weather has been in the 30-40's this week with predictions of 60's for the next week or so (daytime--40's in the evening). Leave the car on Staten Island!!!! Take the "Tottenville Trolley" or any of the buses that go to the Ferry Terminal. Get Metro Cards as soon as you can. Try the TKTS booth for Lion King, etc. Midweek is a good time to visit. The Central Park Zoo is a lovely place to visit. Have a great time in NYC!!!

Put the American Museum of Natural History at the top of your list, especially for two things:
1. The dinosaur exhibit area.
2. The new show at the planetarium (make advance reservations).
As for shows, take him to see Stomp (off-Broadway) or perhaps "The Music Man" or "Annie Get Your Gun" on Broadway. (Half-priced tickets for the latter two should be available at the TKTS booth in Times Square. Forget about "The Lion King" at the half-price booth. It'll not happen!)
As everyone else has said, leave the car in Staten Island and take the ferry. You'll both love the view of the Statue of Liberty and the NY harbor. Stop at the South Street Seaport (near where you get off the ferry).
Other suggestions: The Circle Line Cruise around Manhattan, the top of the Empire State Building and/or the World Trade Center Building, the Intrepid aircraft carrier.

Take your son to the NBC building in Rockefeller Center - Without going on the tour you can take turns using the blue screen to "view" yourselves on the Tonight Show or other NBC show -- My 10 yr. old daughter had a great time and took home a photo of her Tonight Show interview of her dad.

A long time lover of the Museum of Natural History - I would set out to find the display of shrunken heads. You get to see a lot of the museum as you search for them. I think all 10 year old boys would love to see a display of shrunken heads, don't you?

The other choices posted are also great -
Have fun!

Maybe it's just me; but I went on a field trip with my son's class of sixth graders to the Museum of Natural History, and everyone was bored stiff. Besides a butterfly exhibit, which you had to pay extra for, nothing held the kids interest for more than 2 seconds--not even the dinosaurs. The kids kept complaining they were bored, and I had to agree with them!!!!! Who wants to look at dead animals in glass cases??? Maybe years and years ago this was a great place, but with all the options open to kids today, this just doesn't cut it. (The Liberty Science Center is much more interesting)

Thanks for the info. people. You have helped quite a bit!

Wow, there were a lot of great suggestions! As everyone else said DO NOT drive your car into the city. Driving is a nightmare and it'll ruin your mood. Although the weather is pretty cool right now, kids are suckers for ice cream and Serendipity's is one of the best places to go (they have other food too). Plus the weather is supposed to warm up a little by the time you get here, probably not much though I'm afraid. FAO Schwartz is the toy store from the movie BIG with Tom Hanks where he played the floor keyboard. I think someone else mentioned the Bronx Zoo. I know most people don't go to movies on their vacations but I think IMAX is a great experience for a child. IMAX movies are films shown on a screen 8 feet high and some are in 3D. A film showcasing Cirque du Soleil, another featuring the moves of Michael Jordan, another on the wonders of New York City through a child's eyes called 3D Across the Sea of Time, and the classic - Fantasia are being shown now.

Serendipity - 225 E.60th St.
FAO Schwartz - 767 Fifth Avenue
Sony IMAX/Lincoln Square - 1998 Broadway and 64th St.

Hope these help and have a great time.

I may be in the minority, but I like driving to, from and in the city. It isn't all that bad. Here are some 'positive' points, which not everybody will agree.

1. It is almost impossible to get lost. Most of the streets and avenues are numeric. Just know where you have to go or where you entered

2. Parking is always available. I've never, ever had a problem finding a lot - with one notable exception, Thanksgiving eve near where they blow up the parade balloons

3. Traffic is predictable. You can plan for the peak travel times.

4. It's fun.

To me, I get more anxiety thinking about driving on "the other side" - say in Ireland, or in wacky areas like Cali than in NYC.

Which is better? the Big Apple or Grayline Bus tour?

Eric
Go with Grayline - Big Apple has had much bad press lately concerning safety, and was even closed by the city until a court order allowed them to reopen. Grayline is much more established and has a better reputation.

Great! Thanks for the advice. Would a trip to the Statue of Liberty be worthy considering that I have only two days in NYC (and considering that I also want to see Museum of Natural History, Trade Center, Empire State Building, FAO Schwartz, WWF Cafe, and a Broadway Play (maybe Central Park too).

I think seeing the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry should suffice! You actually get a better view of it from there. I don't think climbing the Statue is all that great anyway.

Thanks for the advice....I heard I could wasts alot of time just trying to tour the Statue of Liberty when I could just as easily see it from the Staten Island Ferry (I hope the Ferry runs 24 hours a day). I really only have two days with my son in NYC and considering that I also want to see Museum of Natural History, Trade Center, Empire State Building, FAO Schwartz, WWF Cafe, and a Broadway Play (maybe Central Park too), I hope I can successfully do this in the given time.

Eric, I think it's doable in two days. The museum opens at 10. So, you might want to go there first on one of the days. (If you're planning on going to the show at the planetarium--highly recommended--call for tickets in advance. Obviously, the time of your tickets will determine when you go.) If it is in the morning, you can complete the day by walking back through Central Park from the museum, which faces the park at 79th. Cut through the park to the southeast corner and you'll find FAO Schwartz's there. That's one day. And your other plans can easily fit into your other day, with time to spare.

Thanks....I was wondering if i should drive my car to the Museum of Natural History and park there.

Hi Eric:
Like everyone else has said...leave the car at home...The subway and buses have stops at the Museum. Get a subway and bus map when you arrive. Grand Central Terminal is a good source for maps and timestables. The Ferry runs 24 hours 20 minutes rush hours..30 minutes non-rush hours. one hour after midnight. Have a fun time.

Thanks for the info. everyone!