New York for children

[Phteven]

Mr 6 is dying to visit New York (mainly because he likes the song lol).
We're trying to figure out how we can make this happen.
Has anyone here taken children to New York? What is good to do with children and what is best avoided?

[nothing2lose]

I have no idea sorry. But, if you're taking your child to New York can you please adopt me? Mummy

[Phteven]

I would adopt you but DH and I decided that we should stop at 2.


So far the only thing we have planned is cruising down 8th street in an off-white Lexus. God I hope it's not the transexual prostitute street

[nothing2lose]

Meh, if it is, tell the kidlets they are in Disneyland.

(PS I am very disappointed in your decision re: number of children. I should add I am toilet trained and require no breastfeeding)

[Elocin]

I didn't do NYC with kids, so I don't really know of too many kid friendly spots. But the general site-seeing things would be great with kids...

Do the double decker bus tours... they are hop on, hop off, literally go everywhere and come through to every stop every 30 minutes or so. They are a great way to see the city and get your bearings... also good for kids whose legs tend to get tired quickly. They go up through the Bronx and over to Brooklyn as well.

FAO Schwatz (sp?)... the world's biggest toy shop I think. The piano Tom Hanks played in Big is there

Central Park... horse and cart ride, you can hire bikes, picnics, I think you can hire paddle boats and go out on the lake.

Rockefellar Centre and Empire State Building have amazing views.

Staten Island Ferry, ferry over to the Statue of Liberty.

I think it would be very easy to do NYC with kids.

Jealous....................

[LizLemon]

Like Elocin I did NYC without kids a few years ago - it is simply the coolest place ever.

Yep, central park lots for kids (including a zoo), ferries very good idea. The ToysRUs in times square also good. Oh, and there's a huge disney store too, I think on the Avenue of the Americas. While we felt perfectly safe wandering around anywhere at night (although we did stay around Midtown and I know there are dodgy areas) certain places, like Times Square can be absolutely crazy at night and may be a bit overwhelming.

Make sure you have access to a stroller, we had no comprehension just how big that place is, and make use of the subway to get around. Be picky with hotel location, we stayed at a great hotel about a 2 minute walk to times square, and a 5 minute walk to rockefeller, which is a good subway stop.

Something else we did too was a helicopter ride, which was expensive but well worth it. Although that was before that helicopter/plane crash a couple of years back so it depends on how brave you are!

I know the exchange rate is awesome at the moment, but also don't be afraid to wait if need be, because unlike Disneyland, New York is one of those places that your appreciation of it will increase with age.

[Elocin]

I have also been to Las Vegas twice and to be honest...its not that kid friendly. I'm sure you *could* do it, but I can't see the kids loving it as much as the adults. I can't wait to go back myself, its Disneyland for grownups with alcoholic beverages!! but there's not that much for the kids unless you want to drag them around all the casinos.

I absolutely agree (I just couldn't find the right words... Disneyland for grownups with alcohol pretty much sums it up!)...

My DSDs would love to go to Vegas after seeing our pics, but I would rather do LA and Disneyland (the real one!) with kids... Much more to do, and MUCH more kid friendly!!

[LizLemon]

I agree LA over Vegas - but when we were there there were some big indoor fun park things for kids. Maybe they are for bigger kids though. Yeah, it's not a place you would go FOR the kids, but if you were really wanting to go while you were there I think the kids would be fine. We spent most of the time splashing around the pool anyway - ashamed to say we didn't gamble a cent... ok now we just sound sad!