New York help with a child

[djbleach]

I recently took our 5yo dd to NYCity. She really loved it. Times Square's lights and excitement really wowed her. We also did the Empire State Building
Ground Zero (really wasn't anything for her to see or really understand)
Stanton Island Ferry to get the Statue of Liberty View. Bronx Zoo and rode the Ferris Wheel at Toys R Us. And we went to FOA Swartz and Central Park.
We had a blast.
What has come up is some friends want to go and would like for us to go as "tour guides". Problem is they will want to do some things that we want want to do. Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
We will only be there for 1 afternoon and 1 whole day.
I'm thinking we will do the afternoon day with visiting the empire state building again. Not knowing how long the lines will be, it's hard to estimate the time. When dd and I went the lines were non existing and we had tickets in advance, so we bypassed that line. So ESB and Times Square that first afternoon. (We are staying in NJ and catching the bus into the city)
On the second full day, I'm thinking we will go with them to Battery Park and then split up until later. I've read it takes around 4-6 hours to do liberty island and ellis island.
So I was thinking of riding the Beast boat ride to see another view of the statue of liberty.
After that I really don't know what my 5yo dd and I will do?
Central park more?
Disney store?
I tried doing a search because I know this topic has been discussed, but for some reason I can not find it??
So if anybody has some good suggestions that has worked for you with a little girl, please let me hear them.
Walking on the Brooklyn Bridge?
American Girl Store? I've seen something about that on this site, but haven't really checked into it.
Thanks for any help in advance

[nnapoles]

I just came back from NYC and I was there for 3 weeks. There are plenty of place where you can go If it fits your budget. For example: American Museum of Natural History, The Children Museum , M&M Store, Broadway shows, The Wax Museum and ect.. We did all those thing and my son had a blast. He's 6 years old. Also check out the NY tourist center they can give you suggestion and coupons. Have Fun !!

[clj1410]

We love NY we take DD8 & DS6, the both love Times Square and Central Park, they could spend the whole day just climbing on the rocks and playing in the play ground. My DD also loves American Doll store, DS loves anywhere that sells toys!

[ChrisinNJ]

Definately the Museum of natural history. My kids love it there. By the way, their admission is suggested donation, so pay what you are comfortable paying.

[java]

Instead of Empire State Building why not Top of the Rock? It's a different experience.

American Girl has a cafe that is just adorable and for NYC very reasonable. It books up though so if you are going to go make your reservation early. We went for Breakfast and it was lovely. My daughter LOVED it.

The Museum of Natural History is great but really that is a full day. So I don't know if that would be on the list for me if I only had a day and a half.

Street fairs are fun and cheap places to eat. (Yes I eat street food and have lived to tell of it!)

http://www.nycstreetfairs.com/sched.html

Lists most of the fairs going on in nyc. My kids love it and it's a cheap place for a little treat too(like a $2 pocketbook)

[Uncle.Jr]

have u considered one of those hopon-hopoff doubledecker bus tours?


also, if ur in times sq, rockefeller ctr is close by, only 2 blocks east.

if ur kids are into video games, they might like nintendo world.

depending on what day ur in nyc, u might be lucky enough to catch the today show concert or gma concert

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29181613

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/SummerConc...7502433&page=1


perhaps try and get tickets for david letterman

http://www.cbs.com/lateshow_tickets/


or perhaps try and get standby tickets for saturday night live

http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Tickets/


plenty of things to do in nyc, the question is, do u have the time?

[bamor]

Definitely pass on the Empire State Building, and go with the Top of the Rock.
Museum of Natural History and Central Park. There is a Shake Shack behind the museum. Central Park Zoo would be great, too.
Walk from top of the rock to 5th ave, Am Girl is on the corner. Come out of Am Girl and go right down fifth, 15 mins to Central Park Zoo.
John's Pizza in Times Square

Subway to Brooklyn and walk the bridge back into Manhattan. There is a great park under the bridge on the Brooklyn side (grab some pizza and have a picnic under the bridge). Then take the Staten Island Ferry and maybe a stop into Chinatown (Chinatown Ice cream factory and some shopping/maybe dinner).
www.hopstop.com
www.menupages.com
www.broadwaybox.com or www.mousesavers.com (Little Mermaid is closing 8/30)
www.tripadvisor.com, NYC forum is fantastic. Always check hotel review on here before staying in NYC. www.travelzoo has some GREAT specials.