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Many people forget that New York is a town full of families and plan their vacations without providing much thought to the entertainment possibilities that abound for children in New York City. It only makes sense that with so many families living in this city that there would be very many family oriented things to do and sights to see.
For instance, there are 5 zoos in New York City; some of them better known than others. The five zoos are Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Bronx Zoo, and Staten Island Zoo. Each zoo has something slightly different to offer than the others and if you have a true animal lover in your family there really is no harm in stopping by all of them.
For the child who loves drama, New York City offers many theatrical productions that might suit him or her just fine. The first is geared towards girls and is American Girl Place. You can enjoy dining, shopping, and theater while spending a day with your special little girl. This is a great bonding experience for mothers and daughters.
The Manhattan Children’s Theatre produces several high quality shows for children and families throughout the year at quite reasonable prices (season tickets are also available for those who live nearby). The New Victory Theater offers a different type of theater experience for families to enjoy. The Paper Bag Players are a must see experience. They offer a different type of theater for children that encourages audience participation that gets your children involved in the dramatic process. If you have the time you should also check out TADA! Youth Theater in order to show your children that even children have talents that need to be explored and can make a difference not only in their own lives but also in the lives of others.
In addition to the great activities mentioned above, there are several children’s museums located in New York in addition to other museums that offer exhibitions that may be of interest to your children. The following museums are well worth checking out even if you decide to seek entertainment elsewhere: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Staten Island Children’s Museum, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, FDNY Fire Zone, Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, New York Hall of Science, Sony Wonder Technology Lab, Queens Country Farm Museum, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square. There are many more museums in the city that may provide plenty of family entertainment and education but these are some of the most kid-friendly museums in the city.
Shopping is a fun and often educational process that often gets overlooked or even ignored when it comes to children. However, it would be remiss to mention great family things to do in New York without mentioning some of the wonderful children’s retailers that abound in this city. Books of Wonder is aptly named as it brings back those books that held such wonder for us as children and gives us the chance to share those books with our children. They have old and rare books as well as many excellent current book selections.
New York is also home to the largest Build-A-Bear store in the world, which will make the bear lover in your family’s eyes light up with glee. Toys R Us Times Square is offering up a Dinosaur portion of competition however by bringing in great attraction to get families in the door and buying toys. Be sure that you let your little ones ride the Ferris wheel and that you get a copy of the photograph as a keepsake.
New York City is gaining a reputation for a much softer far more family oriented side. Don’t let the past reputation of this city prevent you from making this the family vacation destination it could be ideally suited to be.
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I didn’t realize that NYC has the biggest Build-a-Bear store in the world. I’ll surely keep this in mind for when we go this year.
Going to the zoo is always fun and something everyone enjoys. There is always a play that everyone can attend and enjoy. Tons of things to do as a family.
I’ve always wanted to visit NYC and now I want to even more. I didn’t realize it was such a family-friendly city. I might have to take the kids when I plan my trip. I was planning to go without them.
I just love NYC! I was there years ago and I do hope to go back. My daughter really wants to go and see a musical there. One day!
New York is somewhere I would absolutely LOVE to go and visit one day. I have no idea what I would want to do first though, so much to see and do once there!
I would love to visit the Central Park Zoo one day with my little ladies. I know we will all enjoy it. This is a great guide to what you can do as a family in NY.
New York is such an amazing city. I’ve been there for work a few times, but I’ve never been able to get the entire family there. I’m bookmarking this for ideas on where to go when I finally get us all there.
We need to make another visit to NY to visit the Zoo. I love NY!! We are planning to make a visit to our Zoo in Atlanta very soon.
I swear New York has everything! I have been there quite a number of times but it was before I had children. I would love to go back and explore with my kiddos because now I can see it from a whole new perspective. It would be fun.
We love New York City I used to live hour away from there 5 years ago. And every time we come visit I feel like its always my first time. So much to see in a Big Apple.
I never realized that there were 5 zoos in NYC. And the biggest Build a Bear? That is reason enough to take the family and go.
As much as I’ve traveled I have yet to visit NYC with my family. There is so much to see and do and I just don’t know where we would start first. Thanks for these recommendations.
You are super right, Robin. NYC is family friendly if we know where to look and find places perfect for our young troops. We have been enjoying the city sooo much
I am just an hour out of the city and yet don’t get there that often. I really want to go to one of the zoos, hoping to make that happen this spring.
We have never been to the Staten Island Children’s Museum but it sure does sound like fun! I can’t wait to go to NYC this summer! Your list has made me even more excited.
I have never been to New York. I would love to plan a weekend with my girls some day. It sounds like such a great city.
What a great list. I lived in NYC my whole life and still haven’t been to half these museums!
New York offers so much family fun actives. Can’t wait to visit the Bronx Zoo again. I visited many years ago and loved it.
You listed some pretty fun things to go do. We’ve been once but didn’t get any time to go do anything. Next time around, we plan on hitting some of these places up!
I’d love to see the Build a Bear. I heard FAO Schwarz is reopened. I’d love to visit there too.
New York City is a place we have never gone to before. I don’t know if it’s an ideal place to have a relaxing vacation but I want to see it someday.
These are all great ideas. Going to NYC with kids can be a challenge, and definitely a lot different from the days when I went to the city before I had kids!
There’s just so much to love about NYC! I miss going there and there’s definitely plenty of things for the kids to do. I like all the suggestions that you have.
I consider NYC my hometown especially since that’s where I built a life and started a family. I really miss going there! There ard so many things that the kids will love about NYC, that’s for sure.
New York is my birthplace. NYC has a plethora of things to do for the family anyone can have a good time in the city.
New York City is one of the most fun places. I love that there are also a ton of family friendly activities to all do together.