| 1. Central Park: It is 8000 acres of greenery in the | | | | Catholic Cathedral built of white Marble has the most |
| middle of a bustling city. This is my favorite place in | | | | amazing architecture, stained glass windows, and |
| NYC, if I happen to be in New York for my Birthday, | | | | marble sculptures. It is very peaceful, and gives you a |
| this is where I always spend the day. There is plenty | | | | sense of calm from the hustle and bustle right outside |
| to see and do at Central Park. You can just stroll, | | | | its door. After 9/11 a lot of people took solace visiting |
| which can be so romantic, almost any season of the | | | | this tranquil cathedral. |
| year. If you are with the kids, during summer, you can | | | | 6. Brooklyn Bridge: You can get an up and close look |
| sit at any of the grassy area and have a picnic, or play | | | | at one of the oldest suspension bridges in the country. |
| ball. There are benches all around the park underneath | | | | It spans the East River connecting Brooklyn to Lower |
| big oak trees, where you can sit and enjoy music from | | | | Manhattan. There is a water taxi you can take from |
| the local musicians, watch people dance on their roller | | | | here to Manhattan. You get a spectacular view of |
| blades, or just simply people watch. There are 2 | | | | Manhattan from this side of the east River. It's also |
| children's zoos: Tisch Children's Zoo, and Central Park | | | | nice to walk around Brooklyn Heights and look at all |
| Zoo -which is free for kids under 3. If you don't want t | | | | the beautiful Brownstone Homes. |
| to go inside you can still enjoy watching the Seals and | | | | 7. South Street Seaport: Most recently, the evacuation |
| the Sea lions for free, who are visible from the outside. | | | | scene for the Will Smith movie, I am Legend was |
| If your kids like to sail toy boats, there is a small pond | | | | filmed here. We just happened to be there while the |
| just for this. For kids 6 and up, who like to bird watch, if | | | | filming was going on with thousands of extras. See, |
| you go by the Belvedere Castle they'll loan you | | | | you never know what you will run into in New York! At |
| Binoculars, guidebook, map, and sketching pads. In the | | | | Pier 17 Pavilion there is plenty of places to Shop and |
| summer time, if you want to cool off by a fountain, | | | | eat. It's nice to sit by the window in one of the |
| there is a beautiful one. During winter, there are 2 ice | | | | restaurants overlooking the river and Brooklyn. Or you |
| skating rinks in the park. | | | | can get this view from one of the decks. You might |
| 2. Staten Island Ferry: It's a great way to see the | | | | see and enjoy some street performer's or live music |
| wonderful view of New York Harbor across a 5 mile | | | | during summer time. The South Street Seaport |
| stretch, in this 25 minute ride, as it goes from | | | | Museum comprises of 12 blocks of artifacts and |
| Manhattan to Staten Island back and forth. It's free, you | | | | collection of historic fleets. It shows the history of NYC |
| can't beat that! This is one of the main means of | | | | as a port city. It's quite a sight to see the skyscrapers, |
| transportation used by Staten Islanders to get to | | | | tall ships, and the Brooklyn Bridge, all in the same view. |
| Manhattan, so try to avoid rush hours. | | | | 8. Grand Central Station: The inside of the main |
| 3. Times Square: Yes it is very touristy, but I'm still in | | | | concourse with high beautiful painted ceiling, tall arched |
| awe with all the lights and building high advertising | | | | windows, marble floors, is just as impressive as the |
| boards every time I see it. If you want to take a break | | | | outside design, with great sculpture of Hercules among |
| from the glittering lights and go window shopping, you | | | | others surrounding a 13 foot clock, and large Corinthian |
| want to visit the multi-story Virgin Store, Toys R Us, | | | | columns. It's amazing how this hub connects all forms |
| Hershey's, MTV etc. If you wish to go see a | | | | of transportation; it is the world's busiest train station, |
| Broadway, the tickets can be purchased at a | | | | with 150,000 commuters every day. On Wednesdays, |
| discounted price, up to 50% off, at the ticket booths | | | | and Fridays, at 12:30pm there is a free tour of the |
| with big TKTS signs on 42nd Street, on the day of the | | | | station. |
| Show. | | | | 9. Metropolitan Museum of Art: If you love art, and it's |
| 4. Rockefeller Center: If you can wake up early | | | | never too early to start exposing your little one to this. |
| enough, the Today Show on NBC is hosted from the | | | | The museum is free on 1st weekend of every month |
| Rockefeller Plaza. We went there once with 3 month | | | | if you are a Bank of America customer, and have |
| old Seth, even though it was pretty chilly that morning, I | | | | BOA debit, ATM, or credit card, under the Bank of |
| guess it was worth it being on TV for 2 seconds!! To | | | | America, Museum on Us program. We have visited |
| see the view of New York from the observation deck | | | | and enjoyed more museums now than ever before, |
| at Top of The Rock, buy the Sunrise Sunset ticket, this | | | | once our son was born. |
| allows you to visit the deck twice in the same day. If | | | | 10. Window Shop: As long as you are willing and enjoy |
| you still don't want to spend that money taking the | | | | walking, there are plenty of places to window shop in |
| NBC Studio Tour or the Radio City Tour there is plenty | | | | NYC. Take along your husband or boyfriend to 49th |
| to do in and around Rockefeller Center. My favorite | | | | street Diamond district, walk on Fifth Avenue, or Upper |
| thing to do is sit by the food court near a window | | | | West Side - By Columbus Avenue and Broadway. |
| overlooking the ice skating rink. Or, rather than pay the | | | | Sometimes just being there amongst all that, makes |
| full $10 to $14 ice skating ticket price, go during | | | | you feel like a million bucks!! Of course during the |
| lunchtime Monday - Thursday (excluding Holidays) | | | | Christmas season, you want to take Window tour, |
| between 11:30am to 1:00pm, and you can get in for just | | | | with beautiful holiday themed displays at stores like |
| $5! The subway stop is right at Rockefeller Center, | | | | Bloomindales, Barney's, and Saks Fifth Avenue etc. |
| few levels down. The St. Patrick's Cathedral Church is | | | | How has your experience been at some of the places |
| right across the street. | | | | mentioned above? |
| 5. St. Patrick's Cathedral: This 125 year old gothic style | | | | |