New York City
Midtown
MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) - Visiting MoMA with kids is a great introduction to modern art.
Some artwork you might see - Starry Night and portraits by Van Gogh, The Sleeping Gypsy by Henri Rousseau, Cat and Bird by Paul Klee, Waterlilies by Monet, Three Musicians by Picasso, plus works by Magritte and Basquiat (perfect for teens).
Exhibits are always changing on the floors. Check out schedule of kids programs - drop in gallery talks, drawing,, storytime and more.
Kids under 16, free admission, baby strollers okay.
Rockefeller Center -
Rockefeller Plaza - In winter, kids will want to take a turn around the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Plaza. Skates can rented and the rink is open daily, until 10:00pm (and sometimes later), daily from October to March. Rockefeller Plaza - In the plaza is also the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a huge tree, at least 65 feet high, decorated with thousands of lights. Each year there is a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, usually at the end of November.
Top of the Rock - Ride the elevator to the 68th floor of Rockefeller Center for panoramic views of New York in all directions (the nighttime view is stunning, the skyscrapers are all lit up). The observation deck has three levels, one is enclosed (perfect for bad weather), the other two are open air (child-safe). The view of Central Park is especially nice in autumn, when the trees have turned color.FDNY Fire Zone (next to Radio City Music Hall) - Meet New York firefighters, climb on a real-fire truck, try on equipment, check out fire fighting tools and learn fire safety. There’s also a Fire Simulation Presentation every hour, for kids 5 and up (a fire drill and smoke). The Fire Zone is free.
LEGO store -
Pop into the store on Fifth Ave. next to Rockefeller Plaza , to see New York landmarks, Rockefeller Center buildings, ice skating rink, skyscrapers, Statue of Liberty, full-size yellow taxi, created out of LEGO!
Fun food
Down below Rockefeller Plaza is a dining concourse, with lots of restaurants and casual eats, sandwich shops, pizza, sushi, Chinese, hamburgers, bakeries, ice cream. And restrooms. A hidden gem!
Shopping
FAO Schwarz toy store is a New York tradition. Three floors of toys for kids of all ages, famous selection of plush toys (some bigger than a child), plus remote control toys and trains, arts and crafts, musical toys, board games, candies and chocolates. Store is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
