New York City
Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is our favorite neighborhood in Manhattan, with wide, shady streets, the buildings feel homey, strollers and kids are everywhere. Best bakeries, ice cream, bagel shops, supermarkets, bookstores, children's stores, laundromats, playgrounds.
American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) - The American Museum of Natural History is a “must-see” for your visit with kids to New York.
Head to the fourth floor Fossil Halls for a boggling collection of dinosaurs - full size T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, Triceratops, gigantic Titanosaur, and more, plus dinosaur tracks, and kids can touch a skull, bones, etc.
Gilder Center – Four story addition, with huge beehive model, live insect displays, butterfly garden, and “Invisible World” immersive science-and-art experience.
On the second floor, don't miss the Mexico and Central America, South American Peoples, with a huge Olmec head, Teotihuacan and Aztec artifacts, Maya stele, replica of a Sipan tomb,ancient Andean pottery, gold and textiles.
On the first floor, see Star of India, biggest sapphire in the world (Hall of Gems), or a 4.5 billion year old meteorite (Hall of Meteorites).
Stop into Giant Screen Theater for excellent movie presentations. We watched the odyssey of a green sea turtle, felt like we were there in the water with the turtles
Tip: This museum is large and there’s so much cool stuff to see, allow plenty of time, don’t rush through it. Some exhibits have additional timed tickets, such as Butterfly Vivarium, Giant Screen Theater, Invisible Worlds, Planetarium.
Diana Ross Playground - Across from the museum in Central Park is the Diana Ross playground, at 81st St. and Central Park West. Little kids can play on the climbing structures and swings, water play area in summer.
Strand Bookstore (450 Columbus Ave) – Also close to AMNH, pop into the bookstore, head downstairs to the charming children's book section. Large selection of books, complete with couches, tables and chairs for arts activities.
Tecumseh Playground (Amsterdam Ave. and 78th St.) – Playground with climbing structures, swings, slides and restrooms.
Lincoln Center - Lincoln Center, home of the Metropolitan Opera and other music and dance companies, has a wonderful selection of family events. During your visit to New York City, attend family concerts, ballet productions of Swan Lake or Cinderella, juggling, giant puppets, African drumming and dancing for kids, outdoor storytime.
Fun food
Zabar's - If the weather is good, take a picnic out to Central Park. Zabar's, deli and supermarket, is a West Side favorite, with everything under the sun (really) for a picnic - sandwiches made to order (tons of ingredients to choose from), bagels and cream cheese, sweets, cookies, and more.
