Few people forget their first childhood trip to the Big Apple, but we would never say it's inexpensive. If your family wants to see all the major attractions, note that New York is a participant in the CityPass Program. This discount pass program includes admission to six popular attractions: the Empire State Building Observatory, the Guggenheim Museum, The Museum of Modern Art, the Circle Line Harbor Cruise, and the American Museum of Natural History for one price, reflecting a substantial savings off individual tickets.
The Big Apple Greeters are a group of volunteers who show visitors the ins and outs of the city. A volunteer can take you around to sites of your choice and even show you how to use public transportation to get around. This service is free, and tours last anywhere from two to four hours. Call 
212/669-8159 for additional information.
Editor's Note: Due to heightened security measures, tourist attractions may change hours and availability. Call ahead or check out
nycvisit.com for the latest updates in the metropolitan area. For general information, contact the NYC Visitors & Convention Bureau at
212/484-1222.
(toddlers to age 10)
American Museum of Natural History
79th Street on Central Park West
New York, NY 10024
212/769-5100
A must-see for the kids, who will love the collection of life-size dinosaur skeletons that awaits them upon entering this gigantic museum. Decide what you want to see before wandering around: you can pick and choose from the Hall of Ocean Life, the Mammal Halls, or special shows and exhibits going on at the time of your visit. The Rose Center for Earth and Space (a.k.a. Planetarium) goes lightyears beyond its promise to deliver "the most up-to-date information in astrophysics and earth sciences." If you manage to come on the first Friday evening of the month, there are performances of live jazz music, and tapas and drinks are free once the regular admission price for the Rose Center has been paid. In this levitated glass dome, there are three stories of images, photos from the Hubble telescope, flat screen videos of the stars, space charts and interstellar sculpture illustrating the history and growth of the universe. Though the fascinating exhibits are too sophisticated for young astronauts to understand, they are definitely cool enough for all ages to enjoy. The actual sky show itself, shown in the very comfy Space Theater on the top floor, requires tickets. Another children's favorite -- the DinoStore gift shop or the Dinersaurus Cafe, both located on the fourth floor. They can even try the PlaySpace in the Cafe, it's great!
The Bronx Zoo
Fordham Road, off the Bronx River Parkway
Bronx NY 10460
718/367-1010
The largest zoo in any city in the U.S., the reknowned Bronx Zoo is a New York Wildlife Conservation Society Park covering nearly 300 acres. The animals here live in natural replicas of their home environments. There is also a great children's zoo with a petting area for infants through pre-schoolers, within this huge park. A monorail cuts down on walking and is fun in the summer, but doesn't run in the winter season (Nov. 5th - March 31st) when the whole Wild Asia section is closed. This is at least a full-day excursion. The zoo is easily reached by Express Bus or subway.
FAO Schwarz
767 5th Avenue at 58th Street
New York, NY 10153
212/644-9400
If a toy store could be exciting enough to enchant adults (never mind the kids), this one would do it. This is a place you are unlikely to leave empty-handed unless you tell your kids, as we have, that it's actually a museum! The first floor is a wonder of larger-than-life stuffed animals. Upstairs are toy cars, electric trains, dolls, board games, candy and, of course, the Dance-On-Piano made famous by Tom Hanks in Big, waiting to be discovered. Prices are standard, but the quality, variety and service are exceptional. Note that after a recent bankruptcy reorganization, the New York and Las Vegas branches are the only two remaining FAO Schwarz retail stores.
South Street Seaport
Fulton and South Streets
New York, NY 10038
212/SEA-PORT
Shops, Shops, Shops, and some overpriced restaurants too, but don't skip the newly revamped South Street Seaport. It is fun for the kids, and there is a great South Street Seaport Museum (12 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038; 212/748-8600) for boat lovers, the schooner Peking to tour, the Ambrose lightship and yes, still some fish vendors, though the city hopes to move their smelly wares up to the Bronx. Also available are daily sightseeing cruises, and often some sort of live entertainment or special event going on. Visit their website or call before you go.
Carnegie Hall
154 West 57th Street at 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10019
212/247-7800
Remember the old joke: "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" A: "Practice, practice, practice." It's still a lesson worth teaching our kids and since the famed concert hall is located in the heart of midtown, you won't have any trouble locating it. To inspire all that practice, Carnegie Hall presents kid-friendly, short and sweet, weekend Family Concerts for 5 to 12-year-olds, available year-round with a modest $8 admission. Kids are led through pre-concert activities, given special programs and encouraged to join in. The seasonal Carnegie Kids programs for the 3 to 6s are just pure fun wrapped in 45-minute packages, with plenty of room to wiggle in seats. These are held weekly in spring and fall; admission $3 per person.
(up to age 18)
Times Square
Running from 42nd-48th Streets along Broadway & 7th Avenues
New York, NY 10036
If you start at 42nd Street and Broadway, just south of the landmark skyscraper which hosts the 'falling ball' each New Years, you can pick up brochures at the Visitors Center, and admire the neon-lit views north. From 50th St. and Broadway, you can look south to the huge billboards, underwear ads, movie marquees, performance artists and street vendors and admire the showmanship capital of the country. Don't miss the chance to prove you're cool by pointing out 1515 Broadway, where MTV does all its filming and the outdoor balcony where many videos are staged. Across the street is the world's largest Toys"R"Us with a really fun, super-huge Ferris wheel. Watch your wallet!
Theatre lovers: Be sure to check out the TKTS booth, offering up to 50% off the ticket prices of selected Broadway and Off-Broadway performances, sold only on the day of performance. Don't be scared off by the long line as it moves quickly and offers a great opportunity to people watch. Although you won't find the hottest ticket in town here, there is usually a great selection to choose from. It is temporarily located in the Marriott Marquis Hotel at 46th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue while its usual location on Duffy Square (between 45th and 47th Streets/Broadway and 7th Avenue) is being renovated.
Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum
166 West 46th Street and 12th Avenue at Pier 86
New York, NY 10036
212/245-0072
The aircraft carrier, USS Intrepid, is a National Historic Landmark. This floating museum is intriguing to people of all ages, but the kids will especially enjoy climbing into the aircraft parked on the boat's top deck. Don't avoid it on a rainy day, there are many fine A/V exhibits and war memorabilia within its decks. Every May during Fleet Week, special free events occur on this pier. [Editors Note: The Museum was closed for renovations on October 1, 2006 and is scheduled to reopen Fall 2008.]
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
234 West 42nd Street
New York NY 10036
800/246-8872, 212/512-9600
If you’ve dreamed of standing right next to your favorite celebrities to have your photo taken with them, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum can make your dreams come true. This museum give fans the opportunity to take as many pictures as they want with music’s well-known stars such as Madonna and Beyonce and Hollywood’s A-listers such as Nicholas Cage and Julia Roberts. Don’t be offended if you don’t get an autograph -- after all they are just wax figures. In addition to musical acts and actors, you will also encounter some sports figures and politicians.
Chelsea Piers
23rd Street and the Hudson River
New York, NY 10011
212/336-6666
Spend a day of fun at Chelsea Piers, the biggest sports and recreation center in New York. Whether it's golf, rock wall climbing, rollerblading, or even kayaking your kids are into, Chelsea Piers has what they're looking for. You can rent ice skates, rollerblades, take a scenic dinner cruise and more. There are public buses that run to and from the pier, so getting there is no problem.
Museums
Allow time for world-famous museums such as the following, and note that many of New York's cultural institutions now offer one-hour guided tours geared to families.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
New York, NY 10028
212/535-7710
Continually expanding its collection since 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's now contains more than two million works of art from all across the globe, and all different time periods. Plan to spend a day at the Met, because you will see that this museum will take you hours to go through: In addition to European and American Painting, Sculpture and Decorative Arts, the museum features the arts of Asia, the Near East, Africa and Oceania, Ancient Egypt and Rome, as well as Modern Art, Photography, Musical Instruments, Arns and Armor, and Costumes. With Museum Kids, this attraction is fun for both adults and children. There are many family and kid-friendly activities, so kids can have fun while learning. There are also many dining options at the cafeteria when you need to re-energize.
Guggenheim Museum
1071 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street
New York, NY 10128
212/423-3500
With its unique architectural design by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Guggenheim Museum is a work of art in and of itself. This must- see New York City landmark houses thousands of works by artists such as Picasso, Chagall, Modigliani and many more. The whole family can enjoy this world famous museum. Note that "The Gugg" is closed on Thursdays.
The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
11 West 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue
New York, NY 10019
212/708-9400
Re-opened in 2004 after a complete renovation and expansion, New York's Museum of Modern Art is considered by many to be the leading museum of modern art in the world. Housing 150,000 paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, films and examples of industrial design and architecture, go to MOMA to see Monet's "Waterlilies," VanGogh's "Starry Night," Warhol's "Campbell Soup Cans" and much more. MOMA is definitely a must-see in New York City.
Whitney Museum of American Art
975 Madison Avenue at 75th Street
New York, NY 10021
800/WHITNEY
This museum is exclusively devoted to 20th Century American Art, including film and video. Bring the kids along to introduce them to the works of Alexand Calder (including his famous "Calder's Circus"), Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe and Keith Haring among others.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum
212/363-3200; 212/344-0996
Liberty Island and Ellis Island
New York, NY 10004
Upon entering New York Harbor, every immigrant's first sight of America was the Statue of Liberty, the very symbol of freedom. And, since 12 million immigrants were "processed" on Ellis Island before settling in America, this site was a very important part of our forefathers' lives. A visit here is a must-do to learn the story of the 12 million people who passed through these gates from 1892 through 1954. To reach these monuments to liberty and immigration, you must take the Circle Line Statue of Liberty Ferry, which operates daily, every half-hour, depending on season, through Dec. 31, 2007. [Editor's Note: Beginning January 1, 2008, Circle Line Downtown will no longer provide this service. Visit the new site for Statue Cruises or the National Park Service, or call 212/363-3206 to obtain tickets.]
Central Park
Visit Central Park on a Saturday or Sunday, when cars are not allowed on the 10K (6 mile) Park Drive from 7am-7pm, providing great space for rollerblading, bicycling, skate boarding, or a casual stroll. In the summer, there are often neat tricks being performed by professional rollerbladers around Tavern on the Green at West 67th Street, and it is fun to sit and watch. Don't skip the Carousel (at about 65th St.) or the Zoo nearby, both easy to access from just about anywhere -- stop and ask for directions if you get lost. Rent a row boat or a bicycle at the Boat House at 72nd Street west of 5th Avenue. The Central Park Visitor's Center (212/794-6564) is located mid-park, around 65th Street. Housed in The Dairy, a 19th century Gothic-style Swiss chalet, the Visitor's Center is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Sunday and features a permanent exhibit on the history of Central Park and a gift shop. Stop by to pick up information on current park programs.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10118
212/736-3100
A must-stop spot for every family should be the the city’s tallest building at 102 stories. In addition to being one of NYC's most popular tourist destinations where the views from the Observatory are phenomenal, the Empire State Building also offers the New York Skyride (212/279-9777 or 866/SKYRIDE), a virtual tour located on the 2nd floor of the building. With a movie, motion, and sights, families can see the city in its entirety from the inside out. This one-of-a-kind tour begins with a series of short movies on the city's many attractions and the construction of the Empire State Building. For the grand finale, guests are strapped into their seats as they prepare to "take off" for a tour of New York. Sitting in front of a high definition IMAX screen listening to narrations from actor Kevin Bacon, you will feel as though you are really flying over the city! As the seats move from side-to-side and rock back and forth, you can see all of New York City in just less than 15 minutes. The complete tour is approximately 30 minutes, ideal timing for families who are on tight sight-seeing schedules. Children must be at least 36-inches to take the Skyride. A combo pass which allows admission to both the Skyride and the Observatory is available.
Top of the Rock
30 Rockefeller Plaza,
New York, NY 10112
212/698-2000
If the Empire State Building lines are too long, try your luck at Rockefeller Plaza’s Top of the Rock (open daily from 8am to midnight.) As you enter the main entrance on 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, you are directed into the pre-show area. A display of Rockefeller history surrounds you as you walk up to get your photo taken. The next stop is a mini theater where you can enjoy some educational clips about the center. Then prepare for ear popping and amazement as you take the 43-second sky shuttle to the 67th floor (be sure to look up when rising to the top). The atmosphere is relaxing and comfortable as you explore the three observation decks. The first level includes two open-air terraces; the second level is open and the 70th floor is where you’ll experience the 360 degrees view of New York City with perfect views of the Empire State Building and Central Park. This "top of the world" feeling is an unforgettable one for the whole family. Make sure to visit the Target Breezeway room for a breeze and a play spot for the kids as colorful lights jump from wall-to-wall. When you leave the rock, the pictures taken in the pre-show room are available for purchase.
Tribute: World Trade Center Visitor Center
120 Liberty Street
NY, NY 10006
866/737-1184
As the country continues to heal from the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, many travelers feel the need to visit the site of the former World Trade Center. The city has erected a small information booth with a staff member available to answer any questions and guided tours are available daily. Feel free to walk around the site viewing the progress that has been made to rebuild Ground Zero; currently, World Trade Center 7 is complete. The plans to create the Freedom Tower (which will stand at a soaring 1,776 feet) are visible on the back side of the information booth. Although the Memorial and Museum are still being completed, there are five galleries open to the public, each displaying various aspects of 9/11, including one entire gallery dedicated to the victims.
Yankee Stadium
161st and River Avenue
Bronx, NY 10451
718/293-4300
Tour the home of the Bronx Bombers and take in a game at this historic ballpark.
Some Great Neighborhoods
Little Italy
Canal-Houston-Elizabeth-Lafayette Streets. The main street is Mulberry Street
New York, NY 10013
Best on a late Summer/early Fall evening, Little Italy is a great place to take the kids for dinner (personal favorites are Benito I, or Sal Anthony's both located along Mulberry Street). Reservations are hardly necessary and almost all of the restaurants in this neighborhood are casual. Make sure you sit at the outdoor tables and people watch, and then continue on and stroll beneath the lights of Little Italy. During the day, shop for authentic Italian groceries from the many specialty food shops. Visit the famous Ferrara Bakery & Cafe (195 Grand Street, between Mulberry & Mott Streets, 212/226-6150) for some truly delicious Italian desserts.
Chinatown
South of Canal Street from Allen Street to 6th Avenue
New York, NY 10013
Generations of immigrants and centuries of Chinese culture are entwined in the winding streets of the largest Chinatown in the United States, filled to the brim with shops and restaurants. Visit the Chinatown Information Kiosk on Canal Street between Walker and Baxter Streets for maps and information. Chinatown can get very crowded, so if you're in a rush it may be in your best interest to skip it. After a brunch of dim sum at 20 Mott Street (20 Mott St., 212/ 964-0380) or Mandarin Court Restaurant Inc. (61 Mott Street St., 212/608-3838), stop at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (65 Bayard St. between Mott and Elizabeth Sts., 212/ 608-4170) where the freshest ice cream in NYC is found. In addition to conventional flavors they have Asian specialty flavors like mango, red bean, and green tea.
Lower East Side
South of East Houston, bordered by the East River and the Bowery
New York, NY 10002
Explore immigrant culture and cuisine in a neighborhood, once filled with pushcarts, that is now a "happening" spot. You can still tour remnants of the old ways of life, including some Orchard Street shops, historic synagogues and the old Municipal Bath House, where tenements dwellers would go to bathe. Treat yourself to pickles straight out of the barrels at Guss' Pickles (85 Orchard Street near Broome), corned beef and pastrami sandwiches (and don't forget hotdogs) at Katz's Deli (205 East Houston Street at Ludlow), knishes from Yonah Shimmels Knishery (137 East Houston Street) and smoked fish from Russ and Daughters (179 East Houston Street). Free walking tours of the neighborhood, offered Sundays at 11am, meet in front of Katz's Deli.
For an in depth look at tenement life, plan to tour the Lower East Side Tenement Museum (buy tickets at 108 Orchard Street, 212/432-0233) where you are invited into the apartments of five families who lived and worked in this building, their first homes in America. Learn about the impact of the garment industry on these families and how they adjusted to life in a new world. A guided neightborhood walking tour is also an option.
Sightseeing Cruises
- Circle Line: ( 212/563-3200) cruises depart from Pier 83 on West 42nd Street and offer several tours including the Sightseeing Cruise and The Beast.
- Chelsea Screamer: (212/924-6262) departs from Pier 62, West 23rd Street & 12th Avenue
- New York Water Taxi: (212/742-1969) depart from several piers as scheduled ferry-style service;
Take the Circle Line's classic 3-hour cruise around the island of Manhattan, right past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and up the East River past other major sights. There is a narrator and a food stand on the boat. If you think your young children may get bored, check out the less-interesting 2-hour Semi-Circle and Harbor Lights Tour, as well as the 75-minute Liberty Cruise. If you think your teens may get bored, spring for the 30-minute tour on The Beast, a high-speed power boat circling the Statue of Liberty (seasickness is a possibility.)
Then, of course, there's The Chelsea Screamer, a full 60-minute competitor to The Beast cruising at 35mph. For sightseeing in more than a New York minute, consider the budget alternative - the New York Water Taxi, which charges $20 for a two-day "hop-on, hop-off" pass or you can take one of their Harbor Tours.
Guided Tours
Grayline is one of the many companies that host hop-on, hop-off doubledecker bus sightseeing tours. Each company has different routes around some the five boroughs, and each provides headsets for multi-lingual guides.
If you find all the goings-on in NYC a bit overwhelming, contact Beyond Times Square (800/999-8160), for family-friendly walking tours of Manhattan, as well as the other boroughs, with guides who go beyond the typical tourist spots to give you an authentic Big Apple experience. Tours can be booked separately, or as part of packages that include lodging, theatre tickets, harbor cruises, etc.
Whether this is your first or fiftieth visit to New York City, the tours provided by Harlem Spirituals and New York Visions Travel Group (
212/391-0900) are well worth signing up for. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the company has been providing unique itineraries of cultural value in five languages, to visitors from around the world.
If you've already seen the highlights of midtown and downtown, or if you just yearn for some ethnic flavor, contact Harlem Spirituals to learn about their wide variety of offerings including a Harlem Gospel Tour of several Harlem landmarks including a church service and inspiring gospel concert, or sign up for a Jazz Tour and see the sites of the original Cotton Club and Savoy Ballroom, and attend a jam session or swing dance event. All of these events include the option of a meal at the legendary Sylvia's soul food restaurant.
Additionally, tours are offered in other historical, multiethnic neighborhoods such as the Lower East Side in Manhattan (with a nosh at Katz's Deli); Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg and the Russian enclave of Brighton Beach in Brooklyn; and the Grand Concourse, Bronx's Little Italy, the Bronx Zoo and Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Comfortable buses and vans accomodating groups of all sizes depart from their headquarters at 690 8th Avenue (between 43rd and 44th Streets).
There is no better way to see 42nd Street, Times Square than to get on the New York Splash Tours (877/527-4691) the first ever land and water visitor experience. The unique “AquaBus” holds 44 "shipmates" and is designed in memory of Henry Hudson’s ship, The Half Moon. The bus starts along East Broadway and then onto 42nd Street where visitors can take pictures of mind-blowing attractions. At the edge of the Hudson River the bus enters the Aqua Bus Theater for a multi-media experience of Henry Hudson’s journey with the sights and sounds of lightning and wind along with little rain 
droplets (don’t worry you will barely feel the droplets). After the storm, the sun rises as the AquaBus transform into a boat and splashes into the Hudson River wetting the front of the boat (rain coats are supplied). The mini-cruise around the Hudson gives visitors a beautiful sight of New York’s skyline, so take plenty of pictures. The AquaBus returns to land and travels back to Times Square along 12th Avenue. The tour is approximately one hour long. This experience is great for the whole family, especially the kids who are able to play a role as a sailor. This exploration runs from April through December.
