New York can be a wonderful city to visit with
children
. Obvious attractions include museums, skyscrapers and ferry rides, as well as the simple pleasures of just walking the streets, seeing the street entertainers and taking in the shopping scene. Free events, especially common in the summer, range from puppet shows and nature programs in the city's parks to storytelling hours at local libraries and bookstores. In addition, many museums and theaters have specific children's programs.
For a further
listing
of what is available when you're in town, see Friday's
Daily News
or
New York Times
, and "Activities for Children" in the weekly
New York
magazine, as well as
Time Out
and the
Village Voice
. An excellent automated directory of family-oriented current events all around the city is available through the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau, 810 7th Ave (between 52nd and 53rd sts), NY 10019 tel 212/484-1222 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm;
www.nycvisit.com
).
Museums
One could spend an entire holiday just checking out the city's many museums, which almost always contain something of interest for the kids; the following is a brief overview of the ones that should evoke more than just the usual enthusiasm.
...
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Central Park
Year-round, Central Park provides sure-fire entertainment for children. In the summer it becomes one giant playground, with activities ranging from storytelling to rollerblading to rowboating. The following are merely a few of the highlights.
The...
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Sights and entertainment
Bronx Zoo (formally, the International Wildlife Conservation Park)
Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Rd. March-Oct Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 10am-5.30pm; Nov-Feb daily 10am-4.30pm; $9, kids $5, free on Weds, rides and some exhibits are an...
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Shops: toys, books and clothes
Books of Wonder
16 W 18th St (between 5th and 6th aves) tel 212/989-3270.
Excellent kids' bookstore, with a great story-hour on Sun at 11.45am, and author appearances Sat in the spring and fall.
F.A.O. Schwarz
767 5th...
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Theater, puppet shows, circuses and others
The following is a highly selective roundup of miscellaneous activities, particularly cultural ones that might be of interest to young children.
Barnum & Bailey Circus
Madison Square Garden tel 212/465-6741.
This large...
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