Learning is Fun if You’re a Kid in NYC!
Published: April 27th, 2016New York City, with endless entertainment choices for adults from Broadway, to shopping on Fifth Avenue, to the splendiferous nightlife scene, it is easy to fill a week or weekend, but what about trips to the ‘Big Apple’ with the kids? New York is chock-full of places to discover for simultaneous entertainment and education. Let’s take a look at 10 amazing places to take the entire family!
Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum
This marine and maritime history museum is located aboard the aircraft carrier Intrepid. Talk about cool! This carrier was launched in 1943 and was used in World War II. Today it remains
stationary in the harbor, as it houses historical artifacts from WWII, along with archives and artifacts from the submarine Growler, the space shuttle Enterprise, and the supersonic airliner Concorde. All of these machines themselves can also be found at the museum. Plan a visit.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Do your kids have trouble keeping their hands to themselves? If so, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is the place to take them. Numerous interactive exhibitions allow for a hands-on learning experience. The CMOM pushes healthy lifestyles with their EatSleepPlay exhibit, teaches about our environment with City Splash,and will soon be opening a new exhibit, America to Zanzibar where children can ‘travel the world’ with images and information from over 50 countries! Toddlers are welcome – visit PlayWorks, ages 4 and under, and Frolic for ages 5 and under. Plan a visit.
New York Transit Museum
The New York Transit Museum is the largest public transportation museum in the United States. Learn all about the development of New York’s metropolitan region over the years. The Steel, Stone and Backbone gallery tells the tale of NYC’s century old subway system. Kids and parents alike will enjoy exploring the inside of an old trolley car or bus with interactive exhibits, such as On The Streets. Plan a visit.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Jennifer Aniston, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp, Barack Obama and Marilyn Monroe all in the same place? Not quite, but these life-like wax figures will have you second-guessing. Celebrities, musicians, world leaders and athletes are featured in the museum. The jaw-dropping detail at Madame Tussauds New York will make you and your kids feel like you are walking amongst legends. Plan a visit.
New York Hall of Science
The Hall of Science, also known as NYSCI, presents 450 exhibits, demonstrations and activities that will engage your child with science, technology, engineering and math. Visit again and again, and still find something new to do! The 60,000 square foot Science Playground is not your average playground. Lessons on motion, balance, simple machines and more await your child in this interactive space. If you are staying the weekend, check out Tinker It Sunday, where you can build, explore and create together at this family tinkering workshop. Plan a visit.
Discovery Times Square
Discovery Times Square is a travelling exhibition space in the city. Different exhibitions make their way in for months at a time, so things are always fresh at Discovery! If you are a Star Wars fan, visit now, as they are featuring the Star Wars and the Power of the Costume Exhibition. 70 costumes from the first six Star Wars movies are on display, along with the creative process and inspirations behind them. Plan a visit, to a galaxy not so far away.
American Museum of Natural History
Located on the upper west side of New York City, the American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Are your kids into dinosaurs? You’re covered. Do they like outer space? They’ve got it. Does the ocean fascinate them? They have multiple ocean exhibits! The 3D, giant screen puts you right in the action, underwater, with Jean-Michael Cousteau’s Secret Ocean; a must see. Plan a visit.
New York City Fire Museum
The Fire Museum of New York City is home to a massive collection of fire related art and artifacts from the late 18th century onward. Fire engines, uniforms and tools are on display, as well as a remarkable 9/11 memorial featuring tributes to the 343 FDNY firefighters that lost their lives on 9/11, along with items recovered from Ground Zero. Plan a visit.
Museum of the Moving Image
The Museum of the Moving Image is dedicated to movies and film-making. Their mission is to advance the understanding, enjoyment and appreciation of the art, history, technique and technology of film, television and digital media. Let your little ones discover how films are made and the gear used to turn movie ideas into reality! Opening soon, the Jim Henson Gallery will feature over 50 of his puppets, from Kermit and Miss Piggy, to Elmo and the Swedish Chef. Plan a visit.
The New Victory Theater
That is what the New Victory Theater thought specifically about children when they opened. The stage features theater, dance, circus, opera and music devoted to the younger crowd. For each show, guests are encouraged to check out the Try This exhibits where children can engage with props, design elements and other ideas from the show they are about to see on stage! Plan a visit.
And of course if you need a place to call home while exploring, we’d love to host you (and your children!). Visit our company website to explore the hotels within the Library Hotel Collection. Our concierges at the Hotel Elysee, Casablanca Hotel, Library Hotel, and Hotel Giraffe look forward to helping you plan your trip. Please stop by the Front Desk for directions around NYC. Our concierge staff can assist with additional planning details.