https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:54:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2160538 Wed, 29 Apr 2015 08:08:54 +0000 lawbee11 2160538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just realized there were more replies! Thanks everyone for the suggestions. </p> <p>@Modern Daisy: The puppet show sounds cute. Will have to look into that!</p> <p>@MrsSCB: I was reading about the free Fridays online and a bunch of stuff I read said people start lining up 30 minutes to an hour before free admission starts and then it's super packed. If it were just me and DH I'd do it but with a toddler it might be worth it to just pay. </p> <p>@hotchildinthecity: I think we'll just stick to having a picnic in CP and skip the bikes. </p> <p>@Anagram: I'll look into that tram. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2160492 Wed, 29 Apr 2015 07:38:56 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2160492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: try the bronx zoo. Way better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2160465 Wed, 29 Apr 2015 07:16:53 +0000 Anagram 2160465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: I would suggest the Roosevelt island tram--my LO looooves going on it. It's just a subway card fare, but it's an aerial tram that gives you a great view of the city and it's just 8 minutes over and you can ride it right back. Also, there's a Whole Foods not far from it, so it's a good place for a bathroom pit stop or snacks (bathrooms are in the café upstairs). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2160453 Wed, 29 Apr 2015 07:05:30 +0000 Anagram 2160453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: I agree with you! But maybe because we went on a Saturday---it was super overcrowded, the animals were hiding, and the habitats were mostly really small. It also made me sad...just the sheer amount of people crowded around each habitat...ugh.</p> <p>But maybe a week day would be better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2160397 Wed, 29 Apr 2015 05:51:12 +0000 ElbieKay 2160397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will dissent about the CPZ. I took my son there recently, and it was my first trip to a zoo in a very long time. Some of the exhibits were ok but some were tiny and made me feel really sad for the animals. The penguins were especially packed in and have no access to sunlight. I really found it depressing. I am not sure how it compares to other zoos though. I may try taking him to one or two more zoos but if they are anything like the CPZ then I am going to boycott zoos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2159464 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 10:50:41 +0000 QueensBee 2159464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whenever we take my son (2 yo) into NYC, we try to plan for "runaround time" built into the day. He's usually in the stroller or holding our hand for much of the day, so I like to make sure we go to a safe place for him to run around and get his wiggles out. </p> <p>With that in mind, we have the most success at the parks and playgrounds. In nice weather I would definitely spend one afternoon strolling through the Upper West or Upper East sides and then running around Central Park. All of the CP playgrounds are pretty lovely at this time of year. I'd spend another afternoon strolling the Brooklyn Promenade (get off subway at Borough Hall) and walk to Brooklyn Bridge Park/ Jane's Carousel. And I'd also recommend walking the High Line and visiting the Intrepid.</p> <p>I would also skip the Aquarium, which is a bit of a trek. If it's raining, you could definitely go to AMNH or Children's Museum.</p> <p>And the Moma can be wonderful for adults and toddlers alike! But then head to a playground for some "runaround time." :silly: </p> <p>Have fun!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2159077 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:40:56 +0000 808love 2159077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took LO at 18 months. We went to Hercksher (sp?) playground at Central Park - and ran in the water features!!! So much fun. We listened and watched the park's street entertainment too. Then we did the zoo and FAO Schwarz and was a ton of fun as well. While I was working DH took LO to MOMA with a sketch pad and Liberty Science Center. That bike trailer idea sounds divine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158881 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 18:27:06 +0000 katsupgirl 2158881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Central Park Zoo- there's a cool space to watch the Penguins as they swim underwater<br /> If you want to hang out in Staten Island after taking the ferry they have a children's museum as well. It's pretty nice. Plus there's a big outdoor grassy space to run around/picnic. Check out the website. The museum isn't too from the ferry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158785 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 16:26:55 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2158785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh I missed the part about renting bikes in Central Park. I would not recommend that with a small child. I personally think biking in Central Park looks terrifying and when I used to run there I was always dodging the racing bikes going a billion miles an hour. I'm very against the horse and carriages but if that's your thing, go for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158781 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 16:23:54 +0000 sailgrl18 2158781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>--Aquarium - SKIP, out of the way and I think its still partially under construction after Sandy. </p> <p>--Central park zoo (and possibly renting bikes &amp; baby trailer to ride throughout the park)- Central park and the zoo would be fun. Bikes might be scary.</p> <p>--MoMA (not sure how kid-friendly this is, but DH and I really want to go and LO is usually good in her stroller)- Can get really crowded but definitely a must see for you guys if you like impressionist and modern art.</p> <p>--Museum of Natural History - We have not been with DS but I think he would enjoy it like a zoo (there are so many stuffed pieces, dinosaur skeletons and the hall of ocean life.</p> <p>--Brooklyn Bridge Park/Jane's carousel - Would be really nice on a Sunday if you are around since that's when Smorgasburg is. You could also take the ferry there and get nice views of the city.</p> <p>--Children's museum (not sure which one...any recommendations?) - We've only done Brooklyn and it was a bit much for DS when he was 1 year old. I'd say he wouldn't enjoy it until 2.</p> <p>--FAO Schwarz - We went with DS when he was 13 months and he was in absolute heaven. He enjoyed everything and wasn't at the point where he was upset if we didn't let him buy something. We went on a snowy day so it was not crowded at all.</p> <p>-- </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158774 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 16:11:15 +0000 MrsSCB 2158774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>MoMA has free admission on Fridays, I think starting at 4 if that would work for you. I'm from DC so I prefer free museum admission ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158752 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:51:32 +0000 Modern Daisy 2158752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is a puppet show somewhere in central park that you can reserve tickets to in advance. They keep the group small and it's only like $10 per ticket, the minimum age is 18 months though so i never went while we lived there.</p> <p>Only do childrens museum if it's a crappy day, otherwise i'd start at heckshire playground and make my way up to the childrens zoo. You want to stay in places where there are bathrooms which can be hard to find without long lines in the park. The natural history museum has a discovery room for kids, otherwise its not much fun for a toddler. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158665 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 14:38:22 +0000 hummusgirl 2158665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not sure where you're coming from, but if you're not regularly around water in real life I'd suggest the beach at Coney Island and the Governor's Island Ferry - my LO LOVED those around 21 months. The ferry pick-up is in Brooklyn Bridge Park and there's a great splash pad nearby too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158636 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 14:13:24 +0000 lamariniere 2158636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From your list, I would do these:</p> <p>--Central park zoo -- but it's really small, if I'm remembering correctly. I did it with the girl I used to nanny in under an hour. I would concentrate more on seeing a bit of the park and just stopping off at the zoo, not making it the focus of the park visit.</p> <p>--MoMA</p> <p>--Brooklyn Bridge Park/Jane's carousel </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158218 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 10:53:18 +0000 ChelseaRose 2158218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went to NY in October when my son was 23 months. We stayed in Brooklyn because that where our family members live (and we were there for a wedding that was in Brooklyn). We went to the Transit Museum, Brooklyn Children's Museum, AMNH (probably only for about 2-3 hours), walked through Central Park for a bit, Epire State Building (more for my husband), and the 9/11 memorial (not museum). We were there for almost a week, but had several wedding related things to do and were pretty consistent about getting back to the hotel for him to nap every day (and he did!). Have fun! We didn't go to any zoos because we live in southern CA and have gone to four different zoos locally so it didn't seem worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158214 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 10:50:03 +0000 SweetiePie 2158214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't done a ton of kids stuff yet, but near the zoo in Central Park is the Delacorte Clock. I forget when it goes off, might even be every hour. But it plays music and characters spin around it. Fun to see, my nephews loved it. </p> <p>I know some people are iffy about the carriages but my nephews loved it. I'd recommend over bikes. That just sounds stressful to me. </p> <p>And I'm not sure if she's a Madagascar fan, but my nephews LOVED going inside of Grand a Central to see the clock. I guess one of the characters was on it in the movie? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158203 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 10:43:44 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2158203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aquarium- haven't been yet but I think it's a skip...it's low on our list<br /> Central Park-yes but not necessarily the zoo...it's really nice now for exploring/playing/picnicking<br /> Moma- yes, my kids loved it and it's a manageable size. It's pricey but free on Friday nights (although it's a complete madhouse then)<br /> Natural history-yes! We loved it so much! Agree with the advice to just pick a couple things to do because it's huge.<br /> Brooklyn bridge park- the kids definitely had fun but it wouldn't be at the top of my list...I guess it depends how much time you have.<br /> Children's museum- we've been in different cities and I feel like they all end up being pretty much the same so I vote skip.<br /> Yankees game- haven't been but when we went to a baseball game around your part of the country actually the kids loved it!<br /> As for FAO- my 3 year old loved it but 2 year old was pretty indifferent so depends if you think LO would be excited for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158186 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 10:32:15 +0000 lawbee11 2158186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@magnolia: Ugh, I know MoMA is so expensive. Luckily LO is free. Will take a look at the Brooklyn Museum and Staten Island Ferry...and yes, BYOB is definitely my thing :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158185 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 10:32:03 +0000 SAHM0811 2158185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just one thing to add: </p> <p>MoMA has a kid's room called Material Lab. It's on the bottom floor and closer to the opposite side of where the main entrance is. There are activities there for little toddlers up to school-age children. If anything, it's just great to let your LO visit if he/she needs a break from the stroller. Their cafe on the 2nd floor is pretty kid-friendly too, with Trip Trapp high chairs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158129 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:57:33 +0000 magnolia 2158129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oops I also forgot the Staten Island Ferry!! Free ride, you can see the Statue of Liberty and a great view of the skyline if you ride on the back. Also you can byob and have a drink if that's your thing... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158124 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:55:03 +0000 magnolia 2158124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>MOMA is great but pricey. The Brooklyn Museum is also great and admission is pay what you wish. It's right next to the Botanic Gardens which is beautiful this time of year. Also Bryant Park is centrally located and has a carousel and often fun things for little ones to watch/do like yoga and music. Have a great trip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158061 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:27:15 +0000 lawbee11 2158061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Haha I mentioned taking LO to FAO Schwarz or Toys R Us in a separate thread and others made it seem like it would be really packed and overwhelming! So I scratched that one off the list. We'll be there on a Thursday and Friday as well as the weekend so I could maybe try one of those days, but it seems like Times Square is packed regardless of the day/time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158056 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:24:18 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2158056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: the new stadium is really nice and super easy to get to on the subway. They have a lot of crazy rules now for what you can bring in now tho so check before you go. We've had stuff taken away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158047 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:21:50 +0000 looch 2158047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>UMMM, glaring error, FAO Schwartz isn't on your list! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158040 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:19:03 +0000 lawbee11 2158040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: We've taken LO to a MLB game before, but it was before she was mobile so I feel like it's going to be a lot more challenging now. DH really wants to see Yankee Stadium, though, and I was able to find a discount code for tickets so it would be pretty cheap. </p> <p>@Smurfette: LOL we're high rollers on vacation :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158019 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:11:33 +0000 Smurfette 2158019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: they have Petsmart in NYC? :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158013 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:09:59 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2158013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The aquarium is very far away so unless you also want to do the rest of coney island(like the rides and stuff) I would skip it.</p> <p>I'm not a huge CMOM fan to be honest and on the weekends is going to be crazy. Central Park Zoo is great and smaller than the Bronx Zoo so it will take you less time. </p> <p>I love going to Yankees games and can't WAIT to take LO. If you can't get tickets on the Yankees website, try stub hub depending on what weekend you're going. I love doing the bleachers (cheap) but keep in mind they are very rowdy and lots of swearing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2158008 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:05:44 +0000 lawbee11 2158008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: We're staying near CP so I'm really hoping the weather is nice as I think we'll be there a lot!</p> <p>@hilsy85: LO loves fish but the aquarium does look like it's way out of the way, so maybe we'll skip that one. Good to know that there's a children's zoo at CP! And a picnic is a great idea as well. Thanks for the link to the children's museum of the arts...looks awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2157983 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 08:49:23 +0000 hilsy85 2157983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aquarium--skip. It's kind of out of the way and it's not that great TBH. </p> <p>Central Park zoo-- I would just do the children's zoo, it is small and manageable! As for bikes, depends how good you are on bikes! I personally would not find that relaxing, the park can be madness on a nice weekend. I think better to do a picnic or something on the great lawn or sheep's meadow. </p> <p>AMNH: fun, but very overwhelming. I would pick one or two things to see (like the whale, and the dinosaurs), and stick to that. Honestly at 2.5, LO has a limited attention span for it but prob depends on the kid. </p> <p>BBP/Jane's carousel: must do! SO fun and totally age appropriate. You can also do smorgasburg--just show up when it opens. </p> <p>children's museum: eh only if it's a rainy day. It will also prob be crazy on the weekend (although less so if it's nice out). I personally think the brooklyn one is better for kids under 3, but it is annoying to get to. The manhattan one is not bad, and a good option if the weather is bad. </p> <p>Haven't done the MOMA or baseball game so can't speak to those! :) You'll have a blast!</p> <p>ETA there are also a million playgrounds in central park. There's an awesome one--maybe it's hecksher playground?</p> <p>ETA again that the children's museum of the arts in Tribeca is AWESOME. <a href="http://cmany.org/" rel="nofollow">http://cmany.org/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-activities-with-a-toddler-do-it-or-skip-it#post-2157977 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 08:47:25 +0000 mrsjyw 2157977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS loves any aquarium, so I'd say yes to that. We did the museum of natural history and he LOVED it :) so many different displays and areas. Might be a bit redundant for the adults though. I've heard GREAT things about CMOM and will probably make a trip there when we're there :) [wish we were going to be there the same wknd!]</p> <p>We will def be doing CPark, (pending weather). </p>