New York with toddler

[massagegirl]

Any tips or must do/see. First time in New York and taking our two year old. Never been so happy to do some sights as well as more off the tourist trail. Staying with friends in Manhattan and going at beginning April. Thanks.

FAO Schwartz
Central Park
Toys R Us
Dylans Candy store
I think there are some playgrounds/parks down by the west village.
Boat ride around the city
Intrepid museum (can also get the boat tour next door to this)
Im sure your friends might know of some playgrounds, I think there is one in the village but not 100%.

Are you planning to do the ESB and TOTR?
The WTC memorial is really good, although a 2yr old could get cranky so perhaps take a stroller.

There are nice playparks in Central Park and Madison Square Park.

The High Line is good for letting the toddler out for a leg stretch.

Most diners are really child friendly. As is Blue Smoke for good BBQ food on East 27th & Lex.

Thank you. Really great ideas. I'm writing a list!

Central Park has a children's zoo where they can feed sheep. Quite nice and is included in the price of the main zoo. $12 for adults and under 3s are free.

We live over the water in hoboken. I take my kids to the library for mommie and me sing a long. DS loves it and it's free.

How long are you going for? We're going for a week in mid-April with a 20mo...are you concerned at all about the flight and the jet lag? I am!

Manhattan's children's museum is great! I took my dd and she loved it. Parks, the high line, museums - New York is super child friendly, apart from the subway...
Don't worry about jet lag, they get over it within a couple of days (bit harder coming back).

I loved taking my toddler to NYC. Be prepared to do nappy changes on floors or in the stroller/pushchair. I found that a lot of places didn't have changing tables. Not a biggie but just giving you a heads up.

My DS loved the piano in FAO Schwartz (the one in the film Big). High Line is fab for a stroll. Whole Foods at Columbus Circle is great for grabbing food for a picnic in Central Park. And if you like a good burger and milkshake find a Shake Shack - there's a few of them in Manhatten.

Definitely the Manhattan Children's Museum on the UWS. It's brilliant for under 5's in particular.
Top of the Rock as the lift is awesome for kids. Take quarters so they can look through the telescopes even if they have no idea what they're looking at.
Central Park has so many playgrounds, huge rocks to climb on, the zoo, the castle, a boat ride on the lake, etc.
Toys R Us in Time Square has a Ferris Wheel but I would go early (ie go with your jet lag) as it gets crazy busy and can be very overwhelming for little ones.
The Natural History Museum.
Staten Island Ferry to see the S of L.
NY Public Library.
If your toddler will sleep in the buggy, I would try and time everything so that they will sleep while you go and see the stuff you're interested in. Alternatively, (and I did this several times when mine were little), you can take a picnic for the park, spend time there wearing them out, and then walk through the park to either restaurants on the UWS or UES or the BoatHouse in the park itself. The idea being that toddler falls asleep long enough for you guys to catch a grown up meal together.
Also, if you want to get a little off the beaten track, the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria is fantastic and has loads to do to keep a little mind happy but is equally fascinating for adults. Having lunch/dinner there gives you a little insight into another side of NYC.

Museum of natural history has some brilliant dinosaur stuff and other exhibits they'll enjoy

We took our kids when they were 3-and-4-months and just under 2, and had a great time.

Central Park, Natural History Museum, Brooklyn and Manhattan children's museums all big hits.

We took 2 x soft structured carriers (e.g. Manduca, Ergo type things) and carried them on our backs when they got tired. Way easier than faffing with a buggy on endless subway steps etc imo.