Exploring Family Friendly New York City

Many people forget that New York is a town full ofIn addition to the great activities mentioned above,
families and plan their vacations without providing muchthere are several children's museums located in New
thought to the entertainment possibilities that aboundYork in addition to other museums that offer
for children in New York City. It only makes sense thatexhibitions that may be of interest to your children. The
with so many families living in this city that there wouldfollowing museums are well worth checking out even if
be very many family oriented things to do and sightsyou decide to seek entertainment elsewhere: Brooklyn
to see.Children's Museum, Staten Island Children's Museum,
For instance, there are 5 zoos in New York City; someChildren's Museum of Manhattan, FDNY Fire Zone,
of them better known than others. The five zoos areMuseum of Comic and Cartoon Art, New York Hall of
Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo,Science, Sony Wonder Technology Lab, Queens
Bronx Zoo, and Staten Island Zoo. Each zoo hasCountry Farm Museum, and Ripley's Believe it or Not!
something slightly different to offer than the others andTimes Square. There are many more museums in the
if you have a true animal lover in your family therecity that may provide plenty of family entertainment
really is no harm in stopping by all of them. Also if youand education but these are some of the most
purchase the New York Pass you will find that mostkid-friendly museums in the city.
of the zoos mentioned above offer free admission toShopping is a fun and often educational process that
card holder.often gets overlooked or even ignored when it comes
For the child who loves drama, New York City offersto children. However, it would be remiss to mention
many theatrical productions that might suit him or hergreat family things to do in New York without
just fine. The first is geared towards girls and ismentioning some of the wonderful children's retailers
American Girl Place. You can enjoy dining, shopping,that abound in this city. Books of Wonder is aptly
and theatre while spending a day with your special littlenamed as it brings back those books that held such
girl. This is a great bonding experience for mothers andwonder for us as children and gives us the chance to
daughters. The Manhattan Children's Theatre producesshare those books with our children. They have old
several high quality shows for children and familiesand rare books as well as many excellent current
throughout the year at quite reasonable prices (seasonbook selections. New York is also home to the largest
tickets are also available for those who live nearby).Build-A-Bear store in the world, which will make the
The New Victory Theater offers a different type ofbear lover in your family's eyes light up with glee.
theater experience for families to enjoy. The PaperThere's FAO Schwarz, which is a toy store unto itself
Bag Players are a must see experience. They offer aand almost worth the price of the trip to NYC alone.
different type of theatre for children that encouragesOld and young kids alike will enjoy spending an
audience participation that gets your children involved inafternoon here. Toys R Us Times Square is offering
the dramatic process. If you have the time you shouldup a Dinosaur portion of competition however by
also check out TADA! Youth Theater in order tobrining in great attraction to get families in the door and
show your children that even children have talents thatbuying toys. Be sure that you let your little ones ride
need to be explored and can make a difference notthe Ferris wheel and that you get a copy of the
only in their own lives but also in the lives of others.photograph as a keepsake.