If you are taking dc to New York what MUST you do?

[m0therofdragons]

In April dh and I are taking dd1 9 and dd2&3 aged 5 to the states starting with 6 days in New York.

We want to see a show (probably Aladdin), Central Park including zoo and maybe horse and carriage ride, bit of shopping and staue of liberty but what else should we do?
We are then off to Chicago, Milwaukee then the Wisconsin Dells so any suggestions there also greatly received but assume New York is more likely to give me some answers. Plus dh and I planned to go to ny as a couple so never factored in dc before.
Many thanks in advance.

We did NYC at Easter with our 3DSs (ages 9, 7 & 4). They loved it. We did most of what's been listed above - Natural History Museum; Central Park (including hot dogs); Top of the Rock; Empire State Building; Times Square; Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island; 9/11 Memorial museum; shopping. We all had the best time - our hotel was just off Times Square & we jumped in & out of taxis to get around as we only had 4 days & that kept it simple for us.

Enjoy Op - I'm sure you'll have a great home.

How long are you in Chicago for m0therofdragons; I could help you with that part of the world.

FAO Schwarz closed last summer.

What you need is a van taxi; the taxi dispatcher at JFK will call for one of those for you.

Lincoln Park zoo in Chicago is better and its free to enter as well.

I don't suppose anyone has been to New York in a wheelchair, have they?

I would suggest you each purchase a Chicago City Pass for that city; it will get you into attractions like the Skydeck at Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler planetarium for far less money. Do not remove any of the vouchers yourself prior to admission, the staff have to do that.

We spent several hours in a vast Lego store just outside the Rockefeller centre

Atila, good point - if you're doing the things I've listed Op, then you'll save money by buying an NYC city pass also. We bought ours in advance of travelling but you can buy them for the same price at the first attraction.

Tribpot, no, no wheelchair experience. I imagine for the attractions themselves that wheelchair access would be ok but trying to get down the street around Times Square would be difficult as it was so congested that we struggled to walk much more than just shuffling along.

Yes we also spent an entirely unreasonable length of time in the Rockefeller Centre Lego shop. Still regret not buying the set that was never released in the UK.

Yes please move to long haul - I posted there before and didn't get much reaction but loads of fab ideas here!

Slightly baffled why a random person would request a thread was moved but makes sense to move it.

Re Wisconsin- we are staying in a house on one of the lakes just outside the dells (family holiday home).

Probably in Chicago for 3 days but the third day will be travelling home. Could make it four days possibly.

I'm so jealous!

Took DD (then just age 6) to NYC last October. She loved the cannoli's in little Italy, and really loved the boat trip to see the NYC skyline & statue of Liberty. She was blown away by 1 world observatory, it was fantastic. She talks about the trip every day. We also took a train from Central station to a little village/town in upstate New york to see what a traditional small American town was like. It was beautiful.

Went to Chicago pre DD. Absolutely loved it. Navy pier and shed aquarium are a must see for kids. Really want to go back with DD.

If you're going to be there several days, I think it's worthwhile to buy a guidebook.
Personally, I think on a short trip, things like Coney Island are a waste of time. Even the Statue of Liberty trip can be very time-consuming; check first. Ellen's Stardust Diner always struck me as a tourist trap. You might check out the Metropolitan Museum - beyond the paintings, they have furnished room of decorative arts, a costume wing, and an ancient Egyptian temple, for instance. Maybe a meal that would take you down to Chinatown.
It can be very walkable - but that depends on where you're choosing to go. Subways are fast, but of course on buses you can actually see things.

We have been to NY with DD when she was 7y, 8y and 11y.

Over those visits she has enjoyed:

Children's Museum of Manhattan: cmom.org
Natural History Museum: www.amnh.org
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours: www.newyorksightseeing.com
Ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island
Trip up Top of the Rock (Rockerfellar - great views of Central Park and of the Empire State Building
Trip up The Empire State Building
Lunch at Katz Deli
Central Park - theres a few ball park areas, playgrounds, roller skating, boating lake, etc.
We went in the Met art museum and the Guggenheim (latter for its design really)
Battery Park - DD spent ages when smaller in the fountains.
Going to see places from films such as the large piano from Big and the hotel from Home Alone 2.

DH went to the Intrepid Sea and Air Museum which he enjoyed.

Unfortunately FOASchwartz (owned by Toys R Us and where the large piano from the film Big was) is no longer there. Neither is the Toys R Us in Times Square (which had the large ferris wheel.)

The large piano is now located in Macy's and still free to use.

Heading off to NY next week with DDs (11 and 9), staying midtown. Any good child friendly restaurant recommendations please? Already have Ellen's Stardust Diner on my list.