Brooklyn Children?s Museum
145 Brooklyn Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11213
718-735-4400
brooklynkids.org
This museum houses 27,000-square feet of interactive exhibition space, designed for kids between the ages of two and ten. World culture and natural science is taught in ten different galleries, featuring animals, music, life in New York City and more. Children younger than five have their own special section.
Children?s Museum of Manhattan
The Tisch Building
212 West 83rd Street
New York, NY 10024
212-721-1234
cmom.org
Founded in 1973, this not-for-profit museum?s mission is to encourage partnerships between children and families through interactive exhibits and programs.
Children?s Museum of the Arts
182 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10013
212-274-0986
Kids 12 and under will enjoy the imaginative, interactive programs, activities, and events focusing on them!
American Girl Place
609 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10017
877-247-5223
Fancy meals are served in the café, exciting shops with all the dolls, books, and toys kids love, live musicals present in the theater, and more.
Astroland Amusement Park
1000 Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11224
718-372-0275
This is the largest full family amusement park in NYC with more than 30 exciting rides and attractions including the Cyclone Roller Coaster, arcade games, food court, and more.
Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park
2300 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, NY 10460
718-220-5100
This is the country?s largest urban zoo with more than 6,000 animals of over 600 species. They have Tiger Mountain, JungleWorld, Baboon Reserve, and more.
Central Park Zoo
830 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10021
212-439-6500
See polar bears, monkeys, sea lions, and much more all in their natural habitats.
Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex
23rd Street & Hudson River Park
New York, NY 10011
212-336-6666
More than 25 acres of family fun including a golf driving range, roller and ice rinks, bowling center, batting cages, rock climbing, soccer, and more. Restaurants and sports shops along with dining cruises on site.
FAO Schwarz
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153
212-644-9400
fao.com
A fun toy store for all ages, and probably the most well known, FAO Schwarz doesn?t disappoint. This location is even large enough to host catered corporate events and parties.
Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art
594 Broadway, Suite 401
New York, NY 10012
212-254-3511
Enjoy the most popular art form through exhibits, lectures, and special events showcasing cartoonists? and animators? works.
New Victory Theater
229 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
646-223-3020
newvictory.org
More than a century old, this theater has seen a host of changes over the years, and is now catering to a young audience. The New Victory Theater is billed as New York?s ?ultimate theatre for kids and families.? Performances at this family-friendly theater include dance, circus arts, comedy, music and puppetry. Check Web site for show schedule and ticket information.
New York Aquarium
502 Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11224
718-265-3400
nyaquarium.com
This extensive aquarium includes more than 8,000 sea creatures and animals living in both indoor and outdoor naturalistic exhibits. The kids will love discovering what?s around every corner.
New York Hall Of Science
47-01 111th Street
Queens, NY 11368
718-699- 0005
nyscience.org
Parents and kids can learn and play together at this interactive museum. More than 225 exhibits explain the physics, chemistry and biology behind everyday life.
New York Mets Baseball
Shea Stadium
123-01 Roosevelt Avenue
Flushing, NY 11368
718-507-METS
This $25.5 million stadium opened in 1964 in Flushing Meadows, Queens. On opening night the New York Mets played the Pittsburgh Pirates in front of nearly 49,000 fans. For a fun family outing, catch a game in this historic ballpark. Check Web site for game dates and ticket information.
New York Yankees Baseball
Yankee Stadium
East 161st Street & River Avenue
Bronx, NY 10451
718-293-4300
Whether you want to catch a game or just admire the stadium, the home of the Yankees is worth visiting. Take the tour of the stadium and learn behind-the-scenes trivia, and then pick up a few souvenirs at the gift shop. Check Web site for games dates, tour information and more.
NYSkyride
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10118
212-279-9777
Wish you could see more of NYC in a short amount of time? This motion-simulated theater experience whisks viewers from the top of the Empire State Building to spots all over New York City.
Queens County Farm Museum
73-50 Little Neck Parkway
Floral Park, New York 11004
718-347-3276
queensfarm.org
This 47-acre Queens County Farm is the largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland in New York City. It is the only working historical farm in the city, and it dates back to 1697. Old buildings, farming vehicles and implements, a greenhouse complex, livestock, an orchard and an herb garden are all used as learning tools on this historic farm.
Queens Zoo
53-51 111th Street
Queens, NY 11368
718-271-1500
queenszoo.com
More than 400 animals of 70 species can be found inside this zoo in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. North and South American wildlife is featured, including mountain lions, eagles, sea lions and bears. The zoo, which dates back to 1968, underwent a $16 million renovation in the early 1990s.
Sony Wonder Technology Lab
550 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212-833-8100
This hands-on communication and entertainment museum will be fun for the whole family as you browse through one-of-a-kind exhibits, jam with music artists, produce your own movie preview, and even create a video game.
Staten Island Children?s Museum
1000 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island, NY 10301
718-273-2060
This interactive museum is set within an 84-acre park. Hands-on exhibits introduce children to geography, science, art, performing arts and more.
Staten Island Yankees
Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George
75 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island, NY 10301
718-720-9265
The Staten Island Yankees were the first Minor League baseball team in New York City. The team is the single-A Minor League affiliate of the New York Yankees. In 2002, the team won the NY-Penn League championship.
Staten Island Zoo
614 Broadway
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-442- 3100
Check out the red panda exhibit first, then head to the African savannah, the tropical rainforest, the wrap-around aquarium, and the serpentarium. Events and program are regularly scheduled throughout the year; check Web site for latest event dates.
Toys ?R? Us Times Square
1514 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
646-366-8800
This 110,000-square foot store is not your typical, everyday toy store. In addition to the eye-catching 60-foot high Ferris wheel, the store features a Jurassic Park exhibit, Lego land, a 4,000-square foot Barbie dollhouse, a 15-square foot Monopoly game board, lots of interactive activities and more.
Attractions for Teens:
Manhattan Mall
33rd Street & 6th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
212-465-0500
If your teens just can?t go a day without visiting a mall, send them here. They?ll find the usual mall standbys, including Victoria?s Secret, Nine West, Radio Shack, Express and The Body Shop, as well as a variety of specialty shops and restaurants.
St. Marks Place
Eighth Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues
East Village, NY 10009
646-810-2576
Trendy shoes, tattoos, T-shirts and more can be purchased along the streets of St. Marks Place. If you?re in East Village, this is a hip and inexpensive shopping area.
South Street Seaport
Pier 17
19 Fulton Street
New York, NY 10038
212-SEA-PORT
Both teens and adults enjoy this area, filled with more than 100 shops and restaurants set on the waterfront. Strolling performers entertain visitors up and down the Cobblestone streets. The 12-square block area dates back to the 1600s and offers a wealth of history in addition to beautiful views of the harbor. The shops open daily at 10 am.
Times Square
Teen-appealing sites include Planet Hollywood, the WWF restaurant, MTV Studios, street performers, vendors and much more.
Bowlmor Lanes
110 University Place
New York, NY 10003
212-255-8188
Who knew bowling could be cool? This bowling alley has been around since 1938 and has remained a popular attraction with celebrities as well as tourists and locals. Teens will especially enjoy Night Strike, which features glow-in-the-dark bowling and a DJ playing the latest techno dance music. Call for restrictions.
A Hip Hop Look at New York
292 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
212-714-3527
Hip-hop fans will appreciate this bus tour through Manhattan, Harlem and the Bronx. Members of the hip-hop genre take passengers on a historical journey dating back 30 years to the beginnings of this music style. The tour traces the hip-hop movement over the past three decades. Includes live entertainment, buffet lunch, and gifts.
Intrepid Sea ? Air Space Museum
Pier 86
West 46th Street & 12th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
212-245-0072
Walk the decks of an aircraft carrier, tour a submarine and a destroyer, and go on a simulated F-18 mission!
TRL ? Total Request Live
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
212-846-6000
Join Carson Daly and a host of other crazed fans for a taping of the MTV popular show. Call to be a part of the audience and to hear restrictions.
IMX
11 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10001
212-324-3461
This fast paced daily live music show boasts videos and live performances by artists including Linkin Park, Good Charlotte, and more. You must be 14-26 years old. Call for more info and to reserve seats. You can still be part of the action outside the studio and even meet the bands as they come out!