Two Day Trip to NYC with 5-7 Year Olds.

There's a lot to do in Central Park-like the Children's zoo. My children always liked going to FAO Schwartz, seeing a Broadway show and eating at Serendipity! There are several museums and free stuff, too:

http://www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/memorial-day?intcid=...

have fun!

Bless your heart. Come prepared. Back packs with snacks and water, wipies and paper towels. Don't carry a pocket book, but something to hold money and cards that wraps around over one shoulder and stays close to your chest. That way, hopefully you won't get mugged. Plus, you need both hands free at all times.

The Central Park Zoo is a wonderful place for kids. My kids loved it and went everytime we went into the city from NJ. They also loved the Natural Museum of History because of the dinosaurs. I truly think that if you pick the right venues for them, you can only fit 2 things into a day, with all the transportation and waiting for them that you will do.

I always found that breakfast was great at any cafe, and lunch is pretty easy, too. Opt for what is convenient to where you are when the kids are hungry during the day, rather than trying to plan your day around restaurants. If you are spending the night in the city, then have advance reservations somewhere for a later dinner, but recognize that the kids may not be able to cope with a nice restaurant because they will be tuckered out. I would rather eat somewhere less fancy for the kids' sake.

If you want to take them to a show, Time Square has a discounted tickets booth. If you are willing to stand in line and take what they have, you can get a nice deal. We got Beauty and the Beast tickets like that, and even though my 1st grader and 4th grader were worn out, they loved it so much that they stayed awake during it. (Fell asleep in the taxi on the way back to the hotel, LOL!)

Have a wonderful time!

First NYC is safe, contrary to what Doris Day says. A great place for lunch or dinner with kids is Mars 2112. Think it is 49th street and Broadway or 7th. Can't remember. It is a replica of Mars with aliens roaming around talking to the kids. Ellen's Stardust Diner is great too. Google it. 51 st and 6th I think. Is going and dancing waiters and waitresses. Always a hit with kids.

For parking: go on line and search parking garages in NYC. You can get some great deals. You will need to print out the coupon or page. Stick with Icon parking garages.

Staten Island Feery is great and you can see the Statue of Liberty and it is free. South Street Seaport if great. There are several old ships there.

Central Park Zoo is ok. A carriage ride around the park is nice. Museums: sin e you come from Chicago, I would not recommend them. You have plenty in Chicago.

Best pizza I town: Johns Pizzeria. 260 West 44th street. It is an old church with beautiful stain glass done and murals.

If you want to see a show. The Gazillion Bubble Show is a blast. Your kids are the peccect age. Took all my grand kids. You might be able to get discount t tickets on line.

Then there is always Times Square. The biggest Toys R Us with a Ferris wheel inside. Yes you can ride it.

If I think of anything g else, I will write back. Hopefully this will help. The subway is the quickest way to get around town.

Oh forgot about The Intrepid. 12th Avenueand around 42nd Street.

I, I think Rock Hill, Connecticut ere is a Dinosaur Park which is a lot of fun.

Enjoy. nYC is a great city.

Central Zoo, Statue of Liberty (costly though), ride trains...

Upper West Side, Museum of Natural History, Central Park, eat anywhere. There are a TON of good restaurants and it seems that EVERYONE on the upper west side has kids - so there will be kids in every restaurant (including the rather good ones you might choose to eat in even without kids). Of course, if you live anywhere but NY, you should probably consider just getting pizza once and bagels as well. If you live outside the NY metro area, whatever you are calling pizza and bagels are not.

I would skip the Central Park Zoo - if you want to do a zoo, make a full day of it and do the Bronx Zoo - world class. And yes, I used to go frequently with my two siblings and my mom - and we could do it at that age without a problem.

ETA -Can you take the train in from where you are staying? If so DO NOT take a car - it is simply a liability. Mass transit is the way to go. And yes - the subway is safe. So are buses and cabs. You can probably cab wherever you are going for the cost of parking.

There is a website called mommypoppins (like mary poppins), it usually has loads of kid friendly suggestions and events listings.

If your kids are at all the sort to step away, wander, lag behind, might I suggest that you prep them for hand holding, and/or get brightly colored matching caps, scarves, t-shirts or something else conspicuous? It will make for good photos, and it will hep you keep your eye on the little ones. Traffic, congestion, crowds can be daunting for adults, and downright dangerous for little ones.

You've gotten some great suggestions. Have a nice trip.

F. B.

The only main advise I can offer, is forget about driving. Traffic is a nightmare, parking is impossibly and extremely expensive. Look into taking the train. Also, you may want to use the water taxi to get around http://www.nywatertaxi.com/tours/hop. I've heard it's a great way to see the city.

I live in CT and have only been to NY a few times.

A few have mentioned the zoo. I've never even heard of it. You have great zoos in Chicago, so skip it.

Times Square is a place to go. Check out the candy stores - M&M, Hershey.

Be sure to take them to the beach. The ocean just isn't the same as Lake Michagan.

I'm thinking of doing this with my kids:

Gazzillion Bubble Show

https://www.broadwayoffers.com/OnlineBoxOffice/show.aspx?...