Central could possibly take two or three days to wander through---this Olmsted and Vaux wonder, where nature persists, stretches from 59th to 110th Street, encompassing 843 acres. Not only does Central Park have numerous playgrounds and fields for ball games, it has attractions that only exist here. Kids love the statues scattered throughout, as well as the boat pond filled with remote-controlled vessels. One of the best attractions for kids in the park, besides the zoo, is the carousel. Housed in a wooden building, the old-fashioned hand-carved horses spin at a dizzying speed.
A study in sights and smells, Chinatown appears tailored for children. The small shops---crammed with toys, candy, trinkets, T-shirts, Buddhas, souvenirs and so on---will keep them very distracted. However, they will especially love the market streets, where bins outside the stores display a variety of dried creatures and crustaceans or live frogs, sea cucumbers, soft shell crabs (depending on the season) and flopping fish. They also will admire the skinned ducks hanging in rows in restaurant windows. Though this might not be your cup of tea, your kids, especially boys, will think it is all very cool.
What kid wouldn't love a giant toy store with four floors and every toy they've ever dreamed of? Toys "R" Us, in Times Square, makes for a kids' paradise: a giant Lego creations, robotic dinosaur, life-size Barbie house and enormous ferris wheel right in the middle of the store. Each car on the ferris wheel represents an iconic toy, and tickets for a ride are affordable.
Your child may appreciate the history and sights of New York City, but chances are she'll love riding the subway. The dark, dank tunnels mean adventure to kids who don't usually travel by underground train. If you take the F train all the way to Coney Island, the train goes above ground through a cemetery, which some kids might find ghoulishly thrilling. (In Coney Island, stroll along the board walk, get hot dogs, corn on the cob and ice cream, then go for a swim. Here you can visit the amusement park and the New York Aquarium, then take a ride on the ancient Cyclone roller coaster if you and your kids are brave.)
The Broadway musical "The Lion King" brings Simba's story to life with intricate animal costumes and compelling music that will have your kids wide-eyed and glued to their seats (no minimum age required). Tickets should be purchased well in advance.
Since the release of the blockbuster "Night at the Museum," kids find the museum displays and artifacts even more fascinating and will have fun searching for their favorite scenes and characters from the movie.
