New York may be the city that never sleeps as far as adults are concerned, but it also has plenty to offer children on a family vacation. Whether your children are interested in outdoor activities, the arts, sports or science, you can find something to keep them entertained in New York. You will have no problem finding plenty of restaurants that will welcome families and many offer extra entertainment for the children while you enjoy your meal.
Central Park and Zoo
In the summer, Central Park is a great place to hang out with your children. The Lasker outdoor pool on the north end of the park will cool them off in the city heat and you can also enjoy a ride on the carousel or just a healthy picnic. During the winter, the Lasker pool is laid out as an ice rink, while more skating is held 40 blocks south at the Wollman rink, which also offers ice hockey and figure skating classes. The Central Park Zoo is home to a wide range of animals, while the Children's Zoo will allow your young ones to get close to farm animals such as sheep and goats, and more exotic species such as Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs.
Manhattan Children's Theater
Broadway may be the heart of New York's theater district, but the Manhattan Children's Theater offers original shows suitable for children of all ages. The theater specializes in adaptations of classic fairy tales, such as Rapunzel and Red Riding Hood, but each with the production's own modern twist. Performances take place each Saturday and Sunday afternoon, and are held in the company's own Tribeca theater. New York residents can even sign up for the Kids Choir or weekly drama classes in acting and improvisation.
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History, now made famous by the movie "A Night at the Museum," is located on Central Park West and has plenty to keep children entertained. The skeletons on display in the two dinosaur halls and more modern exhibits such as movies at the IMAX cinema or the Planetarium shows are among the more famous attractions. The venue even holds occasional Night at the Museum Sleepovers, with families able to camp out in the museum and explore the halls after dark.
Brooklyn Children's Museum
The Brooklyn Children's Museum is a hands-on, interactive experience, aimed at younger children. Exhibits include a collection of 30,000 cultural and natural history pieces, most of which can be handled by children, and educational play areas for even the smallest of visitors. New in 2010 was the "Run! Jump! Fly!" exhibit, allowing children to try out unusual physical activities and aimed at encouraging exercise and preventing child obesity. The museum is located next to Brower Park in Brooklyn.
Live Sports
If your children are sports fans, Madison Square Garden is home to two of New York's major teams, the Knicks and the Rangers. The Knicks plays basketball and the Rangers are the city's hockey team, with both seasons running between October and April each year. The New York Yankees baseball team play at the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx from spring through fall each year. You can also take tours of their stadium, as long there is no game or training taking place. If you don't want to pay for your sporting action, there are basketball courts and baseball fields on the Great Lawn in Central Park, where you can watch for free or even take part.
Child-Friendly Restaurants
Feeding children in a big city does not always need to be about fast food. Mars 2112 is a restaurant with a space theme in the Times Square district. The Martian decor is matched by the costumed staff, who even speak a different language. The food is presented innovatively too, with a menu that features interesting dishes for parents alongside kids favorites such as burgers and chicken. The Peanut Butter & Co. sandwich shop is located in Greenwich Village and serves a wide variety of sandwiches, all including peanut butter and other ingredients. These range from the "Pregnant Lady" featuring peanut butter and pickles, to the "Elvis," packed with peanut butter, bananas, honey and bacon. The store is open daily until late.
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