1. American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History offers wonderful exhibits for visitors of all ages where you can explore science and the natural world up close. The displays offer all the excitement of a zoo without any difficulty of finding them in their habitat. Note that there are gifts shops on nearly every level, so it is pretty hard to avoid them!
2. Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo will entertain the whole family for a whole day. The kids will enjoy the Children’s Zoo as it is great fun with lots of hands-on and close-up experiences. On the other hand, kids of all ages enjoy the Bug Carousel together with the Asia Monorail which offers wildlife viewing while you rest your feet. The giraffes and zebras are ones to visit, and with a little time for planning, you will find your favouring animals for sure. If you are not up for an all-day adventure at the Bronx, the Central Park is another destination if you want something more easily accessible.
3. Circle line Semi-Circle Sightseeing Cruise.
Even though when looking for a family attraction, a boat ride might not be the first idea that comes to mind, this one is a great choice for families with children of all ages. There is plenty of space for exploring, but it is also easy if you get tired easily to take a rest. It offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to see NYC’s dynamic waterfront, and also to understand better the layout of the city. From this boat ride, you will also get a great view of the Statue of Liberty.
4. Lower East Side Tenement Museum
At the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, you will get to experience some of New York City’s rich history, where children together with their families can tour a tenement building and learn about the families that called it home. Seeing how families used to live in these small tenement apartments is sure to make them appreciate the conveniences we have of our modern life. The option for kids who are of age five and older, together with their families, “Meet the Residents: Victoria Confino” even has a hands-on component and other tours, which are suited to children 8+ and 12+ and their families, which offer more of an insight into lives of immigrant New Yorkers. Be sure to reserve a tour that will suit your family best due to different tours which are appropriate for different age groups.
5. MoMA
You might not think that a modern art museum is the best place to explore with your kids, but the MoMA is an ideal place for families. Babies and toddlers will enjoy seeing the art while being in their own stroller or baby carrier, while elementary school aged kids will love the fun, interactive audio tour.
6. Top of the Rock
From the Top of the Rock Observation Deck you can enjoy a birds-eye view of New York City. Even though it is not as well-known as the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock lets you see the Empire State Building together with Central Park from it's three indoor and outdoor observation area floors. If you purchase times tickets in advance, you can avoid most of the waiting associated with enjoying a skyline view.
Article Provided by michela@welovenyc.com