NYC with 1 1/2 yr old- What should we do?

[Metsfan520]

I don't know if it's still there (its been 8 years since I was in NYC!) but FAO Schwarts is always fun, especially for little ones!

Also, take a horse and buggy ride through central park- so fun and maybe a nice little break for you and DH!

FAO Schwartz is a wonderful idea!
http://www.fao.com/stores.html#new-york

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I agree that the Shake Shack has wonderful food, but just be prepared - the line at lunch usually averages a 45 minute wait! So, as long as you're prepared for that and one of you waits in line while the other lets your toddler run around or go play in the kid's park located at the other end, it will be a good experience. I work right by there and every day I see a small child have a melt down because they are hungry and can't wait that long for food and can't stand in the line that long either. The park is gorgeous and right by the Flatiron Building and a nice break from sightseeing. And, also please do NOT try to feed the squirrels. They BITE! I have never understood why parents let their children try to feed a wild animal and then seem so surprised when their child starts screaming and blood appears on their finger.

At that age, my two DD's always, always loved the Central Park Zoo. It was their favorite thing in the city and they never tired of it.

I was going to say the same thing. The line is always long at the Shake Shack, and not many toddlers are up for the wait.

I would go to Central Park, and go to the Children's Zoo and the main CP zoo. The one ticket will get you into both sections. There's also the carosel ride, although I don't know if a 1 1/2 year old would think it's fun or be scared. You can get food at the zoo or the Boathouse for lunch. There's lot of playgrounds all around the park. You can rent a rowboat by the Boathouse, although again I'm not sure if your toddler would enjoy it or just be bored. FAO's is closeby.

Have a fun time!

 

[justhat]

I don't have kids, but I spend my life here and I think I can kind of see what luv2sew was trying to say. When compared to Sesame Place and some of the other destinations geared to very little people, New York's appeal can be a bit less overt for toddler entertainment. Also, it's not the easiest in terms of stroller sidewalk navigation (in parts of midtown, your kid in his stroller literally acts like a battering ram against crowds) and overall cleanliness (I wouldn't necessarily want the kid to touch things outside). That being said, there is a lot of stuff here that little kids would like.

Little-known fact: if your kid likes trucks, most NYC fire departments are totally wonderful with you walking in (you'll pass a bunch with open garage doors) and letting the little guy or gal take a look. They will usually dote on him or her.

I highly recommend Shake Shack, which is next to Madison Square Park down at the intersection of Madison Ave and East 23rd. They have luscious burgers and hot dogs and snacks, and you can carry it out and have a lovely little picnic at the park. Other families will be down there doing it. Your toddler can run off a little energy while you enjoy the sun

P.S. I went to Mars 2112 and, while it certainly wasn't winning any Zagats awards, I found it entertaining as an experience. And isn't an experience what we're essentially after when we're tourists?

Hi Dana!

Anyway, I agree, the experience is what it's about, particularly for kids. My kids could care less about good food, as long as there's a coloring book or something equally as entertaining they're satisfied. Once place we ate at had hot dogs and prepackaged Oreos and she thought it was the best meal ever cause of those Oreos. Simple things.


But I should add, having done Sesame Place, and clearly WDW, with kids, and NYC (or even my own city, Washington, DC, or San Francisco, Chicago, etc.), I think the cities are easier. In 'kiddie' places, they are easily overwhelmed cause everything is designed for them to look at and be excited about. They want to see and do everything in their sight. In a city though, so much is just 'boring' to them (like tons of buildings, cars, etc.) that they just sit in the stroller and hang out. They're less likely to want to touch stuff simply cause nothing is so appealing, like a giant Elmo in Sesame Place, or whatever. And those Elmos have tons of kiddie germs all over them so you really don't want them touching that! I also find my kids fall asleep in the stroller easily while touring a city, or any non-amusement park vacation, while it's much more of a struggle in WDW, for example. They're just not as into it so they don't feel like they are 'missing out' like they do when there is a character or ride every 5 feet.

Now, some things are easier at kiddie places, like bathrooms with changing tables throughout and restaurants with chicken fingers all over, but overall I wouldn't say the vacation is easier or that a big city is scary with a kid.

 

[Caradana]

Hi Dana!

Anyway, I agree, the experience is what it's about, particularly for kids. My kids could care less about good food, as long as there's a coloring book or something equally as entertaining they're satisfied. Once place we ate at had hot dogs and prepackaged Oreos and she thought it was the best meal ever cause of those Oreos. Simple things.


But I should add, having done Sesame Place, and clearly WDW, with kids, and NYC (or even my own city, Washington, DC, or San Francisco, Chicago, etc.), I think the cities are easier. In 'kiddie' places, they are easily overwhelmed cause everything is designed for them to look at and be excited about. They want to see and do everything in their sight. In a city though, so much is just 'boring' to them (like tons of buildings, cars, etc.) that they just sit in the stroller and hang out. They're less likely to want to touch stuff simply cause nothing is so appealing, like a giant Elmo in Sesame Place, or whatever. And those Elmos have tons of kiddie germs all over them so you really don't want them touching that! I also find my kids fall asleep in the stroller easily while touring a city, or any non-amusement park vacation, while it's much more of a struggle in WDW, for example. They're just not as into it so they don't feel like they are 'missing out' like they do when there is a character or ride every 5 feet.

Now, some things are easier at kiddie places, like bathrooms with changing tables throughout and restaurants with chicken fingers all over, but overall I wouldn't say the vacation is easier or that a big city is scary with a kid.

I just want to say for the record that justhat and I were in the same class in a very tiny private kindergarten in 1985 in New Jersey, and then never bumped into each other again until the DIS twenty-something years later, despite mutual friends. I personally find that personifies the beauty of the internet.

 

[Lisa_M]

I just want to say for the record that justhat and I were in the same class in a very tiny private kindergarten in 1985 in New Jersey, and then never bumped into each other again until the DIS twenty-something years later, despite mutual friends. I personally find that personifies the beauty of the internet.

Wow! That is amazing.

Well unfortunately, our trip has been put on hold. We had some unexpected expenses, so NYC for my birthday weekend is out for now. I do appreciate everyone's suggestions and I know in the future I will have tons of ideas for things for us to do when we do actually get there.

 

[kenyadh]

The Toys 'R Us store in Times Square!!!