Prima Princessa's TutuZone : Kid's New York City!

New York New York with Kids!

There is so much to do in New York New York with kids! Make sure to do a little planning ahead of time to maximize your visit. New York is made up of many different neighborhoods. Pick up a carry-around map and familiarize yourself with the general layout of NYC. This will save you lots of time and aggravation in the long run. No need to be criss-crossing back and forth across town needlessly with kids in tow.

Additionally, many of the museums are closed generally one day a week and often different days. Make sure you check into visiting hours and days before heading out to a museum. Additionally, popular attractions such as the Statue of Liberty can require advanced ticket purchase. Try to get to popular attractions like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State building as eraly as possible to beat the lines.

The below notes are organized by neighborhoods.

Downtown

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island

You catch the ferry for these attractions downtown. If you are in NJ you can also get a ferry in NJ which is a good way to beat the crowds. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are both very close to one another and you can buy tickets for ferry ride to one or both. Purchase tickets online well in advance. Try to go as early as possible in the morning to beat the crowds.

Directions: train from Penn Station, NYC. Subway 1 or 9 to last stop at Battery Park City.
Get on first car/ Catch ferry in this area.

Call them at 866-statue4 to discuss further and purchase tickets for ferry and for inside statue or go online. Pack snacks!

Ellis Island is especially great for kids who are a little bit older. Read up on the history of Ellis Island ahead of time and your kids will be more interested in it. Check out the movies and the free play offered regularly at Ellis Island Ellis Island as well, since ferry goes by here as well.

Battery Park City. Directions: The ferry returns you to Battery Park City in NYC. There is nice indoor mall there to grab a bite to eat after your visit to either Ellis Island of Statue of Liberty.

Two detours (will take up lots of time)

South Street Seaport (12 Fulton b/w Water & South Sts. 212-748-8600).

Can walk here from Battery Park City. Just go East Subway: Take 2-3-4-5 to Fulton or A-C to Broadway/Nassau.

Touristy, but fun to see the historic ships and restored historic buildings. Eat at Pier 17e
South Street Sea Port Museum. In season they offer a harbor cruise on a historic sailboat.

During the summer season try out the fun Sharkboat for a fast speedboat ride.

Brooklyn Bridge (near Center St. South of Chamber St.)

Can walk here from South Street Seaport go North. It is really a cool experience for kids to walk across this bridge. It is a long walk so don't feel bad about turning around midway.

Ground Zero

Directions: You can walk to Ground Zero from Battery Park City. Walk just 1 or 2 blocks north. Located at West Side Highway and Liberty.

Century 21

This is right on corner of Ground Zero at 22 Cortland (212) 227-9092

Shop for discounts on big name designer clothes. Fun for teenagers and moms.

Soho

Soho is known as one of NY’s hippest neighborhoods and is right next to Chinatown. This is not really that exciting for kids.

Canal Street runs between the two neighborhoods (funplace to shop for discount goods, purses) Start at Pearl River Mart.

Pearl River Mar t is a huge store full of fun Chinese goods. 212-431-4770. Between Broome St. and Grand St. in SoHo

Balthazars is a fun place to eat in Soho. Restaurant or take out section for baked treats. Often need a reservation during peak time. Directions: walk from Pearl River north a block on Broadway to Spring Street. 80 Spring St between Crosby and Broadway (212-431-4770)

Dean and Delucca: fun gourmet store

Chinatown

Directions: walk west on Canal Street into Chinatown. Chinatown is large. Mott Street is in middle. The Bowery Street is about the end of it. Chatam Square at The Bowery and Canal Street has the big Chinese arch. Chinatown is great to walk through with kids. Lots of fun restaurant and shop windows. Try some Dim Sum. Any where with a crowd is sure to be tasty.

Little Italy

Directions: cab or walk depending on how far into Chinatown you have walked. At Mulberry St. and Broome St. try Caffe Roma at 385 Broome fro Italian pastries.

Other Downtown:

Tenement Museum (90 Orchard St; Need reservation. It is a long guided tour and something to do with older children.

NYC Police Museum (Broadway between Morris & Battery Place) 212-301-4440

NYC Fire Museum (278 Spring Street b/w Vanck & Hudson) 212-691-1303

Meatpacking District:

Not much of interest for kids in this area. Hip restaurants, shops and clubs. Spice Market (go for dinner) Pastis (café) are good picks. Jacques Torres Chocolate Have: 350 Hudson Street. 212-414-2462. make their own chocolate and have places to sit for a snack. In the hip meat packing district is not of much interest to kids, but not too far from recently redone water walk way.

High Line- cool new park on a former elevated rail line. Interesting views of rooftops, river and traffic below. Access to the High Line is possible via any of the following spots: Gansevoort Street; 14th Street (elevator access); 16th Street (elevator access); 18th Street; 20th Street

Direction on Subway: L / A / C / E to 14th Street & 8th Avenue; C / E to 23rd Street & 8th Avenue;

1 / 2 / 3 to 14th Street & 7th Avenue; 1 to 18th Street & 7th Avenue; 1 to 23rd Street & 7th Avenue

Upper Eastside

Start at top hitting selected sights ending up in Midtown

Jewish Museum (5^th b/w 93^rd & 92^nd sts)

Cooper Hewitt (91^st & 5^th)

Guggenheim Museum Directions: Walk from Metropolitan to Guggenheim Museum at 5th and 89^th. 212-423-3500 (Sat-Wed, Fri.). Kids love the wild shape of this building and how they get to walk in a spiral up inside of it.

Metropolitan Museum of Art (82nd & 5^th-Upper East Side) 212-535-7710 (Tues-Sun) Directions: Train in to NYC Penn Station. Catch cab right out front of train station. There should be a cab stand with line. Cab to up to Metropolitan at 82nd & 5th

· Have snack on rooftop deck café to see gorgeous view of Central Park

· See Egyptian Temple, Armor, Costumes

Frick (5^th &70^th) note: a bit below where you’d walk into park to visit Boathouse 212-288-0700 Tues-Sun

Central Park (uppereast side section)

Central Park Boathouse at 212-517-2233. Directions: Boathouse at East 72nd and Park Drive in Central Park. Make sure to go to Lake and not the pond for drinks

Serendipitys 6:00 PM (225 E. 6oth St. b/w 2^nd and 3^rd Ave. This seems to be on the tourist radar and I remember loving it as kids, but not so much as an adult. Make reservation or 1-2 hour wait which I just don't feel is really worth it. Order iced hot chocolate.

Dylans Candy Bar: right near by for candy shopping &ice cream. Fun. Subway 60^th & 2^nd drops you right there.

Midtown

Central Park (Midtown section)

Central Park Zoo (Boathouse to Zoo is long walk, but doable. I suggest taking street)

Directions: at 5th Ave and 64^th. Zoo right on Street. There is the regular zoo and a Children’s Zoo. Make sure to see penguins and tropical rain forest. Very small. Takes only about 30 minutes for each zoo.

· There is an OK cafe in the ZOO. Good for a quick, cheap bite to eat

· Right outside park are vendors, portrait artist

Central Park horse drawn carriage rides: (cost about $40. 30 minute loop). Directions: outside park entrance near 5^th & 64^th – where you go into for Zoo. Near Plaza.(pedicabs cost about $60 and do a longer loop)

Other:

Victoria Gardens/Woolman Arena (cute amusement park in summer and ice-rink in winter. Check online for info). Directions: Subway: ABCD or 1,9 to 59^th or B, Q to 57^th. Enter park at 59^th st & 6^th Ave and walk north

Carousel: mid-park near 64^th –weather permitting . Near by is a fun playground and lots of giant rocks to climb on as well. This part of park is very near Columbus Circle Subway stop which can take you directly to Port Authority.

Model Boat Lake: neat place for kids to sail remote control boats on a pnd. Odd hours. Best to try after lunch.

3 Nearby Midtown Spots

Directions: these are all walking distance from Central Park Zoo and are within sight of one another

· Fao Schwartz (at 767 5th Ave and 58^th- fun ice cream counter now)

· The Plaza Hotel (at 768 5th Ave between 58th and 59th) You can go here for an “Elloise Tea” or shop at the Eloise store. Make a reservation.

· Apple Store is right around here as well. Can’t miss it. All glass store. Supposedly to a very cool new store. Play on computers

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) closed Tuesdays

Directions: 11 West 53^rd Street near 5^th Ave. You can walk or cab it from above spots

· Recently renovated and is supposedly quite a site to see. Fun café overlooking lobby. Make sure to go to cool gift store.

· Or eat at casual. Large outdoor 24. hour café close to museum. Maison Café at 53^rd & 7^th

· Starry Night on 5^th floor

· Adults will enjoy the ultra hip bar which you can dine in as well. Restaurant is fun but very pricey. Enter from street.

Museum of American Folk Art: right by MOMA and has a small but very fun gift shop

Times Square: 51 & Broadway is right near center. Do at night to see lights

· Broadway shows – book far in advance

· Toys R Us (Broadway & 44^th- Ferris Wheel, long lines so go early or late and mid weekand )

· Ellen Stardust Diner: wait staff sings songs

Rockefeller Center

Directions: Walk or cab 5 blocks down to Rockefeller Center (5^th Ave., B/w49th & 50th)

· Today Show: 7-9 AM can watch show thorugh windows on south side at 49^th st.

· RadioCity Music Hall: Rocekette Christmas Show during season

· Can go to top for good city views and shorter lines than Empire State Building

· Rock Center Café 20. West 50^th 212-332-7620 to waych skaters in season or plaza action

American Girl

Directions: Walk to American Girl. Rockefeller Center is very short walk to American Girl (609 5th Ave at 49th St.) Has red awning. Across from Saks

· Get to American Girl early and go right to hair salon to see about appointments

· Make reservations well in advance for meals.

Other Shopping/eating:

· Barneys

· Bendell’s Tea Room (very pretty)

· Ruby Foos Midtown : 1626 Broaddway at 49^th St. 212-489-5600)

· Saks: 611 5^th Av. 8th floor café has city view

· Shake Shack now has a midtown location.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum (42^nd b/w 7^th & 89^th. Round corner from Port Authority)

Lower Midtown

Empire State Building: 5th Ave & 34^th St (by 8:30 to beat long lines) www.esbnyc.com

· Buy combo ticket in advance to save money. Skyride is fun but bumpy

· Subway B-D-F-N to 34^th.

Eating: Korean: Won Jon 32^nd b/w Broadway & 5^th. Upstairs for BBQ or Cho Dang Goi at 55 West 35^th St 212-695-3797. Close to Macys Department Store

Madison square Park After Empire State Building can walk 10 minutes to Shake Shack. Early on weekends will avoid lines. Outdoor café with great food near little playground. Bathrooms in Tabla or 11 Madison Park (two good spots for adult dinner dining)

Upper West Side

American Museum of Natural History

Central Park West at 79^th 212-769-5100 Subway B-C to 81^st or 1-9 to 79^th.

Don’t miss the Big Blue Whale, Giant Dinousaurs

Lincoln Center: for Opera, Theatre, Ballet 65^th & Columbus

Shows

Shows good for kids: Blue Man Group (older ones), Stomp, Mary Poppins, Lion King, beauty and the Beast, Wicked (older ones), Shrek

In season: Big Apple Circus, NYC Ballet Nutcracker, Rockette’s Christmas Show