Kid Stuff

Upper West Side

American Museum of Natural History – 79^th Street and Central Park W, $10 adults, $6 kids.  Open 7 days.  S=1/2/c

Children’s Museum of Manhattan = 83rd St btwn Broadway and Amsterdam.  Open Weds-Sunday & School Holidays.  S = Red,1,2 (get off at 79^th St)

Central Park – 59^th-110^th Streets between Central Park West (CPW) and 5^th Avenue.  The Dairy is at 65^th St (Free).  Strawberry Fields and the Dakota Apts are at CPW and 72^nd St.  Tavern on the Green (closed) was CPW & 67^th Street

Upper East Side

Museum of City of New York – 5^th Avenue & 103^rd St.  Families = $12. Closed M & Tues.  S= 6

Bemelmans Bar - yes you can take the kids here!  The bar named for illustrator of the Madeleine books and decorated with Madeleine murals offers a Madeleine themed high tea for children.  Located in the Carlyle Hotel on 76th Street & Madison. 212-744-1600
Central Park Boathouse – E 72^nd Street entrance.  Gondola rides.

Belvedere Castle – 79^th Street in the Park.  Closed Monday.  Free.
Central Park Zoo – 64^th Street off 5^th Ave.  Statue of Balto is within a block.  Head north out of zoo and under archway.  Turn left.  Near big rock area.

Midtown

FAO Schwartz -  5^th Ave & 59^th St.
Sony Wonder Technology Lab - Madison  & 56^th St.  Tues – Sat: 10-5, and Sun noon – 5.  Free but make reservations by calling (212) 833-8100.  4 story interactive technology and entertainment museum for all ages. 

American Girl Place - 5th Ave & 49th St.  Shopping, dining, photo studio, doll hair salon.  Reservations for dining:  877-247-5232 or http://www.americangirl.com/stores/location_ny.php

Rockefeller Center - 5^th Ave & 47^th-50^th Streets

            NBC Experience Studio Tour (49^th St side)

            Ice Skating Rink

            Top of the Rock:  Timed tickets, good alternative to Empire State Bldg.  Look at ceiling of elevator going up. 
United Nations – Along 1^st Ave in the mid 40’s.  S = 4/5/6/7.  Guided tours from booth at 46^th St entrance.  Tours run daily.  (March – Dec)  every ½ hour and last 45- 60 minutes.  $8.50 adults, $3.50 grades 1-8.  Under 5 not allowed.  Would not recommend for those below middle school level.

Times Square
Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum:  Pier 86, W 46^th St. & 12^th Ave.  $5 ages 6-11, $7.50 ages 12-17, $10 adults.  Hours 10-5.  Closed Mon-Tues. October – April.  Summer Weekends 10-6.  Bus Route M50.
Empire State Building – 5^th Ave & 34^th St.  Do get the audio tour – very interesting.  Skip the simulator ride.  Dusk is a good time to go watch the city light up!  9:30 am to midnight daily.

Chinatown – South of Canal Street between Broadway and Bowery (Mott, Pell and Doyers Streets) S = 6/J/M/Q/N/R/S/V transfer at Canal Street go south (downtown)

Pearl River Mart – Chinese clothing, teas, etc.

Downtown:

South Street Seaport – Fulton Street & FDR Drive.  Children’s Museum 165 John Street, Print Shop – 211 Water Street.  Boat Building on corner of John & South.  Ships at Piers 15 & 16.  Shops & Restaurants.  S=1/2/4/5 to Fulton St. Head east for several blocks.

NY Stock Exchange – 20 Broad Street.  Visitors Gallery and self guided tours M-F 9-4:30.  Free. Tickets are required for tours and are limited.  Arrive early.  (212) 656-3000.  S= Red/1/2 exit Wall Street

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island – Statue of Liberty inside access is closed during renovations.  Should reopen late 2012.  Grounds are still open.  Catch Ferry at Battery Park, it will take you to Liberty Island first and then on to Ellis Island.  Buy tickets in advance http://www.statuecruises.com/ Open daily except Christmas. Call for schedule or check website:  http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm.  Statue – 212-363-3200, Ellis Island 212-363-7772, Ferry 201-2604-2800

New York Fire Museum – 278 Spring St (1 blk north of Holland Tunnel) Tues- Sat 10- 5, Sun 10- 4.  $5 adults, $2 students w/ ID, $1 under 12.

National September 11th Memorial & Museum (Ground Zero)  - 90 West St & Albany St.  Open 10 am - 7 pm (8:30 pm in summer)  Free but donations are accepted.  Best to reserve passes:  http://www.911memorial.org/visitor-passes