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5 places to see which won’t bore your children (too much)
Let’s face it, announcing a family trip to New York will not be met with the same enthusiasm as a trip to Disney World would. New York isn’t the land of dreams like Kissimmee Florida’s main attraction is. Manhattan, however, does have many attractions and sites that are kid-friendly and might teach the little tykes something at the same time.
Of course, there are certain parts of Manhattan that don’t cater to children and could lead to interesting but awkward conversations between parents and children. Times Square, for example, is an incredible place to watch people. What you see and what your child sees might not be the same, however. Especially after dark.
Keeping it kid-friendly
If your children are too young, sticking to more pedestrian sites could be a promising idea. For your first visit to Manhattan with kids, you might want to stick to the following list of sites:
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Statue of Liberty. The most iconic piece of art in New York, the Statue of Liberty is recognizable and appreciated by almost everyone – with little regard to age – and you can enjoy a short ferry ride to get to the island. Inexpensive and self-paced, touring Liberty Island’s museum and the statue itself can take as long as your kids maintain their interest. Not to mention you can get them those cute little foam headpieces of Lady Liberty for your kids.
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American Museum of Natural History. Kids like dinosaurs, and whales, and hands on exhibits where they are encouraged to touch and manipulate displays. The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) can keep you and your kids occupied for hours.
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Central Park. When you need a break in the middle of your sightseeing, this massive expanse of green space is a welcome oasis. It includes plenty of places to run and play, food and activities
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for children of all ages. The Tisch Children’s Zoo includes a petting zoo and the ‘enchanted forest’ where kids can see and watch birds, turtles and frogs. If you visit Central Park between April and November, take a ride on the carousel. The current carousel is over a hundred years old and features 57 hand-carved and painted horses and two chariots. It is well worth the $3 fee to ride.
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Empire State Building. For the best views of the city, the Empire State Building or the World’s Trade Center have the best observation decks. Although not as tall as the WTC, the Empire State Building is less expensive to visit and less scary to ride to the top, the elevators are not as fast as the ones on the WTC.
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Children’s Museum of Manhattan. If you are looking for a place to take the kids that they can’t help but enjoy, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan offers hours of fun and interesting exhibits (most of them interactive) all designed to capture and keep the attention of children so their parents can relax and get rid of some of their stress.
Although these sites are all within walking distance (for adults) of each other, younger children could struggle getting between them. Luckily enough, Go New York Tours offers sightseeing with a double-decker tour bus allowing you to travel between your favorite attractions at your pace without having to walk or catch a taxi or public transportation to get to the next stop.
When traveling to New York, or almost anywhere, preparation will make the trip a lot smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved. Plan your itinerary and buy tickets early to ensure that you will be able to see and visit the attractions you want.
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