I LOVE NYC

One of my favorite city's, New York has so much to offer!

With a little research before you get there, your trip to NYC with the family can grow to be a fun filled experience for every member of the family & one that will be fondly remembered for years to come.

New York overflows in activities not only for adults but for children as well. Kids can enjoy numerous outdoor sites & visit many educational attractions that spark their interest in the arts, science, music, history and nature. No matter what time of the year, New York has something to offer active and curious children to keep them excited, entertained and buzzing!

Here is a list of my top favorite things me & my Family have experienced in NYC - The list is sure to grow as the possible sites, events and buildings to see are infinite!

Central Park

Central Park is one of New York’s iconic attractions & it’s extremely kid-friendly. Central park covers 843 acres, which is 6% of Manhattan. Within Central Park, you can find the famed Carousel the Carousel is visited by almost 250,000 riders each year! (tickets needed) Enjoy an entire afternoon, or day could easily be spent in Central Park. Pack a picnic and plan your activities carefully ahead of time. The park is deceptively large and you may find yourselves doing more walking than intended. Vendors can be found in the spring & summer. 

Hear some local street music, have your face sketch by charcoal park artists or discover all the parks history with a guided tour (must set up in advance) From November through March ice skating is available in the southern end of the Park and in the northern end. (Skate and locker rentals are available) Visit, stand a reflect at Strawberry Fields - a living memorial to the world-famous singer, songwriter and peace activist John Lennon.

Kids will enjoy seeing Alice and her cast of storybook friends from: philanthropist George Delacorte commissioned the bronze statue as a gift to the children of New York City. Inspired by the zany characters of the Lewis Carroll classic Alice in Wonderland, the sculpture was also meant as a tribute to his late wife, Margarita, who read Alice to their children. Engraved around the statue are lines from his nonsensical poem, The Jabberwocky.

The sculpture is a favorite among children, who love to climb atop it and explore around the statue. Through the years, thousands of tiny hands have polished parts of its patina surface smooth. (taken from the official website of Central Park)

Look on their website calender for events, things to do, maps (which you need!) and ways to volunteer or donate. Map out a list of sites you wish to see and explore one of the most beautiful parks in America! 

Ellis Island Ferry Ride/Statue of Liberty

Visit two of the nation's most historic and iconic landmarks all in one enjoyable ferry ride. The history of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are taught to young school age children, so your kids will most likely appreciate these symbolic monuments with you. (tickets needed in advanced + security check point with bag checks) Lines can be long even with timed tickets so plan your day and be early for the ferry.  As you enter Ellis Island by ferry, you'll experience what 12 million immigrants once felt as they began their journey to becoming Americans. Once on Ellis Island, you can check out the Immigration Museum (great for bringing back books and other real mementos from a great historical land site!)  or eat at the Island's restaurant. You and your family can wave "Hello" to Lady Liberty her self! Tickets can be held for the base which everyone can be on once the ferry docks,  additional tickets are needed for the base and crown. The Statue of Liberty is going to be under construction and renovations for 2012 so check events and calender before hand. Bring your camera for the ferry ride that is one of NYC's best tours! If you are unable to get a ticket for the Ellis Island Ferry also check the New Jersey entrance if this is a MUST see on your list. There are two ferry's one out of NJ (Liberty State Park) & NYC (Battery Park) Still not able to get tickets?! Take the family to Battery Park for a look over the water to see Lady Liberty standing tall - It's a stretch but with binoculars, or a good telephoto lens you are able to see her!  

Times Square

Times Square is packed with activity every day of the year, some more than others and there’s a huge range of things to see and do for any age, taste or budget. Don’t get too caught up in the speed of things. Be sure to take some time to just people watch the other tourists and locals too, that’s part of the fun. Kids will enjoy the lights, noises and ever changing flashy billboards! There is NO WAY kids will never be bored when exploring Times Square. Lots of photo ops for this exciting icon spot but after you have taken a it all in check out some of the city's funnest kids shops like Times Square's  Disney Store & Toys R US. These stores are circus crazy & are beyond "normal" stores! Strollers are tough but do-able, and shops are open late weekends (11pm!) My kids loved all the taxi's that seem to swirl in Times Square!

9/11 Memorial

The highly emotional tenth anniversary of 9/11 was this summer and the long-awaited 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero are now open for reflection.  You are now able to visit nearby venues and learn what critical parts they played during those dreadful first days. Including St. Paul's Chapel, yards away, which incredibly was spared severe damage and served as a hub for relief efforts. Including the Steel Beam Cross (now moved to the 9/11 museum) formed by two steel girders hoisted from the debris to become a shrine dedicated to the heroes of Ground Zero. Plus, many other sights of profound significance to 9/11 history. If you are unable to get inside the grounds to the falls or walk with a guided tour I do encourage families to visit "The Ten House" were an historic 9/11 memorial sculpture to the New York City Fire Department is in place. The memorial wall is dedicated to the 343 members of the NYC Fire Department that lost their lives in the line of duty. It is located at the active FDNY Engine 10 Ladder 10, directly across from the World Trade Center. A special place to go if you have children that yet understand the weight of what happened 9/11. It shows sculpture of fire fighters and offers remembrance. Unfortunate site you have to see to feel what all New Yorkers and the world felt that day the world stop turning.....

Rockefeller Center

Home to the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree with 30,000 environmentally friendly LED lights strung on more than five miles of electrical wire, and topped with a Swarovski crystal star, this is a spectacle not to be missed! Thousands crowd the sidewalks for the event and millions watch the Tree Lighting Ceremony broadcast live across the globe.  Each year the world's most famous tree is lit the week following Thanksgiving. Make plans in advance for your family to enjoy this festive site! Strollers are permitted but during the ceremony there are some sidewalk closers and some steps around Rockefeller Center once you get close to the tree. If you are unable to make it the lighting ceremony the tree is up till New Years so head over and view the enormous tree and take a family Christmas card photo in front of it's beauty!

Arguably the world's most celebrated ice skating rink, The Rink at Rockefeller Center offers breathtaking views of the gold gilded statue of Prometheus and the towering tree. Rent some ice skates and take part or enjoy watching all skill level skaters during the holidays!

FAO Toy Store

Feel like a Kid Again at the FAO Schwarz Toy Store in New York City. Located at 767 Fifth Avenue in New York City, FAO is one of the most famous toy stores in the world! Opened in 1870, FAO Schwarz is more than a toy store, it's a fun landmark & experience. The sheer size of the store, along with all of the wonderful displays, make the store a tourist attraction for everyone who goes to the city. Whether you have children or not, you will want to visit. Camera's & strollers are allowed. Take part in playing on the jumbo or "Big Piano" or watch a member of the staff play the famous tune Chopsticks from the movie BIG!

Macy's Christmas Experience

My family's most memorable Christmas yet! Macy's Christmas Santaland kicked off our holidays in NYC and there winter wonder land was TOP notch! Journey through enchanted forest to the North Pole that ends with a private visit with Santa. Along the way kids stare at highly decorated Christmas scenes, model train displays, talking trees, ice-skating polar bears, lavishly decorated Christmas trees, dancing animals, and twinkling lights. The wondrous surroundings make the wait to see Santa pass by in a flash. Try to arrange this experience during the week (Monday-Thursday) we enjoyed Macy's on an early morning in early December 2010 and there was NO line! Weekends can draw crowds with locals and tourist . Camera & strollers are permitted.

Carrie Stoop

After you have done all the family activities find some "you" time and visit the legendary Carrie Stoop of Carrie Bradshaw. Featured in many scenes from "Sex & The City." On the show, she is depicted as living on the Upper East Side, but this active building used to depict the front of Carrie's apartment is really in the West Village. The steps are no longer on the bus tour and you are unable to go up the steps or stand on them, but you are able to pass by, take pics and lust over your favorite girl show scenes! Fabulous!

New York City with my children has been so magical! All the sites, lights and memories are priceless and we look forward to going back as the possibilities for my families adventures are endless there!