NYC activities for kids

[jodi]

Hi - wondering if anyone has suggestions for fun things to do in NYC with kids (ages 2, 4, and 5). My parents got all their kids and spouses, with kids, tickets to the Rockettes. We're going 11/24. We're staying in Tarrytown and taking the train into NY in the morning. We have all day to see the sites before our show at 5 pm. We are planning to hit Toys R Us and probably FAO Swartz, as well as get some good NY food Any thoughts on what else we can do with kids to get out of the cold and show them the city?

[disneysteve]

Don't forget the World of Disney store at 55th and 5th.

You mention getting out of the cold, but if you want to spend a little time outdoors, go down to Macy's and see the window displays.

Times Square is a wealth of sites. There are all the lights which are a tourist attraction all by themselves. As for kid-friendly shopping, you've got the Hershey's store and M&M World. Both are fun places to visit. There is also Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum but your kids may be a little too young for that and likely wouldn't know the people depicted.

[Fern]

Ice skating at Rockefeller Center.

Get seen on TV by watching the Today Show where they do a live segment outdoors.

If you're staying in Tarrytown, you can go to nearby Pocantico Hills, a former estate of the Rockefellers, now open to the public to tour the home and hike the land, which is very reminiscent of Britian with its stone walls, rolling hills, and Swan Lake. Also in Pocantico Hills is an old stone church with stain glass windows designed by Matisse and the old cemetery where the headless horseman story originated. There's a lot of history there. Maybe not necessarily a good kid activity, but you still might want to check it out.

[disneysteve]

Also lots of things in and around Central Park like the zoo, the carousel, the Natural History museum, etc.

[sweeps]

Get seen on TV by watching the Today Show where they do a live segment outdoors.

Did it! Was on TV about 10 times. The trick is to get there early and stand next to Linny.

[jodi]

Thanks for the suggestions! We won't be getting there early though. We're taking the train in after the kids get up in the morning, so I'll be surprised if we make it to the city by 10 or so. I think we'll definitely have to hit the Disney store - the chocolate shops sound good too

What is the name of the zoo? It's near the park? We're not too familiar with the city (obviously). We plan to spend most of the day in the Times Square area. Just wondering how close the zoo and carousel are.

[disneysteve]

What is the name of the zoo? It's near the park?

It is called the Central Park Zoo and is in the park.

http://www.centralparkzoo.com