Family Activities in New York
New York City has experienced a complete transformation over the past two decades, particularly in areas near the Hilton in Midtown – site of the 2012 AAG Annual Meeting. While many locals and scholars grumble about the “Disneyfication” of Times Square and the Theater District, these changes have led New York to surpass Orlando as the #1 family vacation destination in the country. New York has unlimited options for children of all ages, but here are some of my boys’ favorites, plus “must-dos” and “only in New York” selections. The weather in February can range from balmy (as it was when AAG met here in February 2001) to freezing with snow and ice, so I’ve included both indoor and outdoor activities below.
Times Square and the Theater District
Times Square is a short distance from the hotel and is a very popular family destination. Many of the streets have been closed to allow for outdoor seating, street performers, and safer pedestrian traffic. The color and vibrancy of Times Square, especially the neon lights required on every business (even the police station and military recruiting station!), make it a fun must-see experience for your family. Even very young children are enthralled by this spectacular landscape, and older children will love Times Square after dark when the neon is best appreciated.
Many national chain stores and restaurants can be found in Times Square, but the lights and special features create a unique shopping and dining experience. For example, where else can you find a Toys R Us where your child will be greeted by a photographer, can have his or her picture taken with Geoffrey the Giraffe, and then ride a three-story Ferris wheel inside the store? A block away, chocolate lovers can explore the M&M store and the Hershey store.
There is a TKTS booth in the middle of Times Square where you can purchase discount tickets to long-running Broadway shows. Tickets to some of the more popular shows may not be available through TKTS, but you never know until you try. There are several family-friendly shows on Broadway right now, including The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Wicked, and Spiderman-Turn Off the Dark. Madame Tussauds wax museum is a popular spot for older children. And you may even find yourself appearing on the SONY Jumbotron.
In or Near Central Park
Running from 60th Street to 110th Street a short subway ride or 10-15 minute walk from the hotel, you find one of Olmstead and Vaux’s crown jewels—Central Park. If you need to just get out of the hotel and let your kids run around and play, this is the perfect location. Your family can take a horse-drawn carriage ride from Central Park South (60th Street) through the lower portions of the park past the Central Park Zoo, Wollman Rink, the Pond, the Sheep Meadow, the statues along the Mall, the Carousel and the Dakota. The Central Park Zoo, located on the east side of the park at 5th Avenue and approximately 64th Street, is open year-round and has a children’s petting zoo. My boys and their friends enjoy ice skating at Wollman Rink, located just past the zoo, where you can rent skates of all sizes at a modest price.
Are your children fans of “Night at the Museum”? The American Museum of Natural History is few subway stops uptown from the hotel at Central Park West and 79th Street. There you will find dioramas and displays for every age, as well as the Hayden Planetarium and the Butterfly Conservatory. Do you have very young children and want to give them a New York museum experience? Then the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, located on 83rd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, is the perfect place for a fun-filled indoor hands-on day with displays and activities designed specifically for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and early elementary ages.
Located across the street from the southeast corner of the park at 60th Street and 5th Avenue, FAO Swartz’ flagship store is a fun “toy museum.” Most of the toys are quite expensive, but they do welcome families who just want to window shop and play with their unique products.
Are you bringing a daughter who has an American Girl doll? You can arrange for her and her doll to enjoy a special high tea at the American Girl store on 5th Avenue at 49th Street. (I have boys, but two of my nieces list this as one of their fondest memories of visits to New York.)
A Subway Ride Away, But Worth The Trip
One of the best views of the city, day or night, is from the top of the Empire State Building, located on 34th Street and 5th Avenue. The observation deck is open year-round except when there is poor visibility due to snow or fog. Many of the city’s open-air tour bus companies are also located along 34th Street.
A New York must-do for you and your children is the Statue of Liberty. Tickets for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island can be purchased at Battery Park in Lower Manhattan or can be purchased in advance online (definitely the better option unless you really like lines). The interior of the statue is being renovated, but both Ellis Island and the grounds of Liberty Island will be open in February. A free way to see the Statue close-up without going to Liberty Island is the Staten Island Ferry. You can access it from Battery Park as well, and the trip to Staten Island and back is a free short cruise past the Statue, Ellis Island, and Governors Island.
If your children really enjoy zoos and are up for a longer subway trip, the Bronx Zoo is a terrific all-day indoor and outdoor experience. Even teens enjoy the Bronx Zoo (one of the reasons we’ve kept up our membership). The zoo is huge, so be prepared to walk…a lot…although they do have shuttles that take you to major areas within the zoo and to the exits.
Are you and your kids TV and movie buffs? The American Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens across the street from the Kaufman-Astoria Studios (the original Paramount Studios) houses an incredible collection of movie and television memorabilia and offers hands-on opportunities to understand digital image creation, sound effects, and other key components of contemporary filmmaking.
Another longer but worthwhile trip is out to Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, the site of the 1939 and 1964 World Fairs. Here you will find the Unisphere, a huge stainless steel globe; the Queens Hall of Science (another terrific hands-on museum for kids); the Queens Museum of Art, which houses a panorama model of every building in the entire city as or 1992; and the famed flying saucers from “Men in Black II” (the observation decks for the New York State Pavilion—no longer open but fun to see). The park also has a new indoor skating rink with very affordable rates and skate rentals. The 7 train out to the park is above ground for most of the trip, so your kids will enjoy a special visual trek through the most ethnically diverse corridor in the country.
Welcome to New York!
Although you don’t necessarily get this perspective from the media, New York is a wonderful place for families with children. Whether a planned trip to a museum or zoo, or a spontaneous trip to build a snowman in Central Park, there is no end to things you can do with your kids to make their time in New York memorable.
Ines Miyares
Hunter College
