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Central Park
Myriad
activities for kids include storytelling, carousel rides, bike riding,
boating, ice skating, nature workshops, and guided walks. The Central
Park Zoo is excellent, not too large in size, and the Tisch Children’s
Zoo allows petting and feeding of farm animals.
Central Park’s carousel
Polar Bear in Central Park Zoo
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Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Five
floors of educational hands-on fun with exhibits like Body Odyssey,
exploring a giant crawl-through body; Inventor Center, using scanners
and digital images; and a TV studio where kids produce their own shows.
Under-fours have their own play area .
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
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American Museum of Natural History
Join
throngs of New York parents introducing children to the world-famous
dioramas of wild animals in realistic natural habitats and the
fascinating dinosaur exhibits. The totem and giant canoe in the
Northwest Coast Indian exhibit and the enormous meteorites and mineral
rock specimens are also favorites. The Rose Center will intrigue older
children and teens . -
New Victory Theater
The
“New Vic,” a 1900 landmark, has been transformed into New York’s first
major theater devoted to family entertainment. Troupes from around the
world offer plays, circus acts, and other diversions to delight young
audiences. Pre-performance family workshops with staff and cast are
scheduled, offering interesting insights into how a theater functions.-
209 West 42nd St, between 7th & 8th Aves
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Box office open noon–7pm Tue–Sat, 11am–5pm Sun & Mon
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Admission charge
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F.A.O. Schwarz
Expect
to be awed by this toy store selling giant stuffed animals to the last
word in action toys. This wonderland of fun was founded by German
immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz in 1862 and is now the flagship
store for dozens of locations nationwide. Kids love looking, but be
prepared to be wheedled into a purchase.-
767 5th Ave at 58th St
F.A.O. Schwarz
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Coney Island/ New York Aquarium
Although
a bit frayed since its early 1900s heyday, Coney Island (undergoing
some development) is still home to the landmark ferris wheel and
roller-coaster rides, and the long sandy beach and beachside boardwalk.
The excellent New York Aquarium, along the boardwalk, is an
indoor/outdoor complex where whales, walruses, and dolphins play, and
finny creatures range from sharks to seahorses. A great day’s outing for
the family.
Coney Island
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Tall Ship Cruises
A
boat ride in Manhattan harbor is always a thrill, and what better way
to go to sea than aboard the 1885 Schooner Pioneer at South Street
Seaport? Ninety-minute lunch sails are good for those with short
attention spans; two-hour cruises depart afternoon and evening.South Street Seaport Museum
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Pier 16 at South Street Seaport
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Thu–Sun May–Sep
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Admission charge
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The Circus
New
York’s own non-profit Big Apple Circus, with a delightful one-ring
show, pitches its tent from October to December in Damrosch Park at
Lincoln Center. Those who want the traditional three-ring extravaganza
will find Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in town in March and
April.Big Apple Circus
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Children’s Museum of the Arts
When
little ones get fed up with sightseeing, bring them to this SoHo stop
where children can enjoy interactive exhibits. Those under the age of
ten can create their own works of art using paint, collage, chalk, or
you name it, and work off energy in the play areas. Under-fives have
their own WEE (wondrous experimenting and exploring) Artists Drop-In
section. Children’s art from other nations is on show.-
Open noon–5pm Wed–Sun, noon–6pm Thu
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Admission charge