If you’re planning a trip to New York City, be sure to take the kids along. There’s a great selection of fun and educational attractions that the entire family will enjoy. Kids will learn amazing things with many hands-on activities, and they won’t realize how much they are learning because they’ll be experiencing a world of amusement in the Big Apple.

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum was established in 1899 and was the first museum in the world dedicated to future generations. It is a place where children can touch the world and is the only museum in New York State accredited by the American Association of Museums.

The Museum is 102,000 square feet, and its mission is to engage children in educational experiences with science and cultural exhibits that offer hands-on innovative exhibitions. There are nine galleries for kids to explore, as well as a traveling exhibit that changes two to four times a year.

Permanent Exhibits

Kids will enjoy fun-filled adventures through natural science and the environment. They can explore the cultures of people and places and learn about animals, plants and music from around the world.

Together in the City

At this exhibit, kids can experience a Bar Mitzvah, visit Yankee Stadium, build a fort or perform feats on a parade float. Kids learn how diverse communities can live, play and work together to co-exist peacefully, respecting all cultures and races.

Children’s Library

Children can choose from over 4,000 books in the Museum’s library, including ones on folklore, poetry, science and, for the young, picture books. There is a world of books just waiting to be explored by kids of all ages. Computers offer visitors Internet access and there is a wide variety of reference books that include art books, encyclopedias, field guides, journals and magazines. Whatever subject they love, they will find books to keep them interested.

Music

Music from countries around the world can be studied here. Kids will learn about melody, pitch and rhythm and have the opportunity to compose their own musical masterpieces using Congo drums, a thumb piano, xylophones and more. They will enjoy tapping their feet and clapping their hands to a wide variety of musical beats. As well, there are a large number of musical artifacts from a variety of countries.

Con Edison Greenhouse and Garden

Study ecosystems, insects, plants and soil and then record your observations. Specimens include a collection of flora that includes a rubber plant, cactus, edible herbs and a cocoa tree. The environment is lush and green with special botany programs that kids will enjoy.

Totally Tots

Kids who are under the age of five years will be inspired by cultural, historical and science collection that promote physical and social development as well as literacy. The Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s gallery has created special places, including the Play Pond, the Sand Spot, Kids’ Quarry, Reading Nook, the Baby Patch and others, especially for the very young.

Animal Outpost

At the Animal Outpost, kids will find answers to a wide variety of curious questions. Are snakes really slimy? What do tadpoles eat and how do they become frogs? They will also view animals that are eating, playing, sleeping and swimming. The hotspot in the animal Outpost is in front of the 17 foot Burmese python exhibit. Kids love to watch him being fed by the science curator. The Animal Outpost has been specially designed by the Brooklyn Children’s Museum to encourage budding scientists.

Location

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is located at 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan includes five floors of unique exhibits and programs that are fun for the entire family. Kids will love exploring the exhibits that are sponsored by Nickelodeon.

Oh, Seuss! Off to Great Places

This exhibit is themed on Dr. Seuss’ book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! as well as other Seuss classics. The entire family can explore a world of fantasy and accomplish feats that are only possible in Seuss’ world. Trick photography will allow kids to become jugglers and trapeze artists. Youngsters will dance with excitement as the words from Seuss’ books fall from above and land on arms, heads and legs.

Allow the kids to play dress-up and try on costumes that have been inspired by Seuss. Watch them teeter high in the air on a tight rope in Circus McGurkus.

Racing eggs down Horton’s slide and sitting in his nest will bring gales of laughter from little ones. They will love climbing into the Green Eggs and Ham car or train or playing games of rhyme next to the Green Eggs and Ham boat. This is the wonderful world of Seuss in all of its glory. It encourages children the love of books and does a great job of promoting literacy.

Kapla Blocks

The Kapla Blocks exhibition is back due to popular demand. Tikes of all ages will love building skyscrapers or a chair that they can actually sit in. This exhibit encourages creative juices to flow and stimulates the imagination. Both the young and the young at heart will delight in the architectural wonders that they create. The entire Kapla Gallery is filled with blocks and there’s no limit on creativity. This exhibit encourages kids to follow their dreams and teaches them that all things are possible.

City Splash

The City Splash is a ton of fun. Kids can explore the wonders of water at this seasonal outdoor exhibit. Interactive learning stations examine buoyancy, the use of water energy and currents. Kids can discover amazing facts about the scientific properties of water. Everything at City Splash is hands-on and a great place for kids to have a pleasurable experience.

For thrilling fun the kids can race a boat down a 16 foot stream that zigs and zags, operate a water wheel using pumps that they power themselves and paint a water masterpiece. The entire family will love City Splash and it encourages kids to explore the natural world around them.

Little West Side

Kids from infancy to five years old will rule the town at Little West Side. They will learn about color at the grocery store, tell time at the clock tower, build a city skyline and drive a mail truck to the post office. When they have explored a wide range of fun activities, they can sit back, relax, and read a terrific book. Little West Side encourages kids to explore math, the world of color and also promotes literacy.

Location

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan takes kids on an adventure of learning. It is located at the Tisch Building, 212 West 83rd Street, New York, NY.

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

This unique museum is housed on one of the most famous ships in United States history, the USS Intrepid. This museum allows kids a look at a time in US history when the free world depended on great ships like the Intrepid for protection. The Intrepid, the USS Growler and a wing of twenty-five aircraft gives kids a glimpse of life at sea from the past, present and into the future.

USS Intrepid

At the Intrepid Museum kids will see an extensive collection of aircraft that span the history of flight, including amazing wooden planes that were known as “flying machines.” The latest supersonic jets are also included in the exhibit and they are absolutely amazing.

Concorde

The Concorde, the fastest airliner ever used in commercial flight is on display. Kids of all ages will enjoy seeing this spectacular plane.

USS Growler

The USS Growler was opened to the public in 1989, and is the only nuclear missile submarine in the world that’s open to public viewing. Kids will love exploring the Growler, as will the accompanying adults. This is a great opportunity that is only available at this venue.

Virtual Flight Zone

At the Virtual Flight Zone, both the young and young at heart can have the ultimate experience of being a pilot who is under attack. This is a real thrill for all the little pilots in the family. They’ll love this unique and wonderful adventure.

Location

The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum is dedicated to the history of life at sea. It’s an amazing place for a family adventure. It’s located on Pier 86, on Manhattan’s West side at 12th Avenue and 46th Street. It is easily accessible from everywhere in the New York City Metro area.

The New York Hall of Science

This is an awesome experience for kids. The exhibits are hands-on, which allows them to have fun while they’re learning. The giant teeter-totter at the science playground can balance an entire school class of kids. Their eyes will sparkle with excitement as they learn about simple machinery, angular momentum and kinetic energy. They’ll have a ton of fun playing a game in which they try to hit a target with a beam of sunlight. When they succeed, things begin to move and spin. You’ll hear gasps of delight as this happens. It’s a wonderful experience for kids of all ages.

Marvelous Molecules

Do your kids know what they have in common with bacteria, broccoli and an elephant? Well, they can find out at the Marvelous Molecules exhibit. If you can’t take them a trip to New York City, your kids can visit online.

Marvelous Molecules, the Secret Life is an exhibit that shows the connection between all living things. It is located on the lower level of the Museum and is a place of wonder to both kids and adults. Kids can build their very own molecule using snap together model pieces and learn that water, carbohydrates, protein and water make up a portion of all living things, including bacteria, broccoli and even an elephant.

Science Playground

The outdoor Science Playground was opened by the Museum in 1997. The goal is to help people experience all aspects of science through body sensation. People of all ages can explore scientific principals of balance, motion, sight and sound, as well as sun, wind, water and machines through the use of seesaws, slides and other playground equipment. The New York Hall of Science’s Playground helps all who visit to better understand science through a hands-on experience that leads to discovery through participation.

Location

The New York Hall of Science is located at 111th Street and 48th Avenue, Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, Queens, New York.

The New York Aquarium

This is the only aquarium in New York City. Its mission is to “save wildlife and wild places around the globe.” Exhibits feature more than 8,000 animals and visitors can learn about animals that live in New York State and as far away as the Arctic and Africa. Kids of all ages will delight in the diverse species at the Aquarium and will be delighted to meet the animals there.

Willie the Sea Otter

Be sure to take the kids to visit, Willie, who is a California sea otter. His species is threatened and he is somewhat smaller than other sea otter species. Willie weighs about sixty pounds and puts on a delightful show for his audience as he plunges, dips, dives and skims through the water. The entire family will enjoy their visit with Willie, where they will learn a great deal about California sea otters.

Ayveg the Walrus

Ayveg (pronounced Eye vuk’) was born in the Bering Strait, which is located between Alaska and Siberia. He was brought to the Aquarium in 1994, when he weighed only 150 pounds. Today, Ayveg’s weighs over 1200 pounds. Kids and adults alike will love their visit with Ayveg, where they’ll learn a wealth of information about Walrus.

These are only two of the wonderful animals species found at the Aquarium. Be sure to visit all of them.

Location

The New York Aquarium consists of 14 acres and the animals here live both indoors and outdoors. If your kids enjoy aquatic life and sea creatures, they’ll love the visit to the New York Aquarium, which is located on West 8th Street and Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.

The Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo is the largest city zoo in the US, consisting of 265 acres that houses over 4,000 animals. It gives kids an opportunity to see how animals interact with each other and with people. Kids can touch some of the animals at the Zoo, which offers a special program for toddlers.

Kids get the chance to see endangered animals such as red pandas and snow leopards and will be thrilled to ride a camel. They can board the Bengali Express monorail to watch animals in recreations of their natural habitat.

Astor Court

In the Victorian era, women weren’t allowed in the Primate House. Today, everyone is welcome to come and watch the comical antics of the residents. Astor Court is the oldest part of the Bronx Zoo and the area is being renovated to allow the animals to live in an atmosphere that is a recreation of their natural habitats, instead of being housed in cages.

Sea Lion Feeding

Be sure to plan your excursion at the Zoo to include Astor Court at 3 pm, which is when the sea lions are fed. Though they’re fun to watch at any time, they are especially active at feeding time.

Crocodile Dinner

At 2 pm watch the crocodiles eat their dinner. These sharp-toothed reptiles are very aware of their surroundings and it’s fun to watch them feast on their daily meal. Crocodiles are very active at feeding time and kids will realize that they do more than lay around basking in the sun.

Bison

Be sure to make the trek to see the bison. Icons of the American West, at one time these majestic creatures were very near extinction. The Bronx Zoo, along with other zoos and nature reserves around the world developed a breeding program that helped the bison make a successful comeback so that these magnificent beasts could be enjoyed by future generations.

Zoo Favorites

Favorites at the Bronx Zoo and around Astor Court include Siberian Tigers, Polar bears, Asian elephants, cheetahs, grizzly bears, monkeys, lions and gorillas.

Congo Gorilla Forest

The Congo Gorilla Forest is the newest attraction at the Bronx Zoo. It consists of 6½ acres of recreated African rainforest. This makes the gorillas feel right at home because the jungle at the zoo has over 400 species of plants that flourish in the Congo, which is the natural habitat of these extraordinary creatures.

Tiger Mountain

Tiger Mountain is a fairly recent addition to the Bronx Zoo and consists of three acres of recreated natural habitat for Siberian tigers. The Zoo has also added a sprinkler and a pond that help the tigers live a more active life. Every effort possible is being made by the Zoo to save these beautiful, endangered big cats.

Butterfly Garden

The Butterfly Garden is now open and it’s more spectacular than ever before. Explore the pathways that are surrounded by lush vegetation as you explore the 5,000 square foot area. See more than 1,000 butterfly species that are native to North America, as they flit and flutter around you. Meander through the elegant garden where you will learn fun facts about butterflies, view whimsical sculptures and hear beautiful music. Butterfly species include Monarchs, American Ladies, Black Swallowtails, Luna Moths, Mourning Cloaks and a wide variety of others.

Bug Carousel

If you are visiting the Bronx Zoo with little ones, be sure to visit the Bug Carousel when you have finished exploring the Butterfly Garden. Here, they can fly high in the sky on magnificent insects. This is a truly unique carousel. Instead of the usual horses, kids ride on praying mantis, ladybugs, grasshoppers and a variety of other insects. The 76 seat carousel is brightly decorated and is accessible all year ‘round.

Location

The Bronx Zoo is located at Fordham Road and the Bronx River Parkway, The Bronx, New York City, NY.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Be sure to take the kids to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, which was once the bustling hub for immigrants who were entering the US between 1892 and 1929. The main floor exhibits show patterns of immigration over the years and gives a multitude of interesting facts about the immigrants that were processed at the station. The second level displays a wide array of objects brought to the new country by immigrants of widely diverse backgrounds.

Have the kids look for the names of ancestors or those of friend’s ancestors on the Wall of Honor outside the Museum. They will leave Ellis Island with a good understanding of the people who arrived in America to start new lives.

Location

Ellis Island is located in New York Harbor and can be accessed by ferry from Battery Park, which is in lower Manhattan.

Rockefeller Center

Any kid who’s seen the movie, Home Alone, will want to visit Rockefeller Center. It’s the busiest during the Christmas season and this is the time when it sparkles with magic. Crowds come in droves to the area to see the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall. This is the time when families enjoy skating at the Center to participate in a bit of outdoor exercise and to get some fresh air. It is also when kids gaze in awe at the giant Christmas tree that graces the front of the GE building each year. This tree is awesome and even the adults are justifiably impressed. The tree will be approximately the same size as the one the kids saw in the movie and they will gaze in awe at the wonder of such a magnificent tree.

Other Attractions at Rockefeller Center

There is much to see and do at Rockefeller Center all year ‘round. Visit the shops and restaurants for unique shopping and dining experiences. The Center is home to NBC Studios, the Catacombs and the Channel Gardens.

Channel Gardens

 Channel Gardens are a great place to take a break with the kids. Sit on a park bench and people watch, or stroll through the exquisite gardens to view a wide range of plant species. These gardens are beautiful and have lovely sights that greet visitors every month of the year.

NBC Studios

Just behind the Prometheus statue, you will find NBC Studios. Enjoy a tour of the 70 story tower, but be sure to book in advance, as tours sell out rapidly.

The Today Show studios can be found on the main level of 10 Rockefeller Plaza. These studios are always open to the public throughout the day. At times Today Show hosts Matt Laurer and Katie Courac will come onto the street to talk to the people. The Today Show is recorded between 7 am and 9am daily.

The Catacombs

The official name of the Catacombs is the Underground Concourse. This area makes for easy access to the subway lines that run under the City of New York. Visit the great selection of unique shops, boutiques, restaurants and other services in the Catacombs. Kids will be enthralled by this underground city that connects the fourteen buildings of the complex.

Location

Rockefeller Center is located between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan.

Other Sights for Kids

There are a wide variety of other sights and attractions for kids in the Big Apple. Try to see as much of the City as possible. The sights, sounds and fragrances of this wonderful city is something that they will never forget.