Traveling to NYC with Four Year Old Daughter- What to Do?

Chinatown.

Top of Empire State Building.

tons of museums--i personally like the cloisters, it's up in the Bronx, I think. Medieval stuff, nice garden, but I have not been there for ages. check it out online or in AAA tour book first before you go.

Subway rides are always fun. Avoid rush hour.

You might find an open air farmers market or flea market.

I don't know which airport you are flying in to, but at LaGuardia many years ago there used to be what we called "the perpetual motion sculpture" where it hauled a golf ball up to the top of this contraption, then let it fall into, onto, around, through, you name it...all kinds of other things--it would roll around in a stainless steel bowl before falling through the hole in the bottom, bounce down xylophone keys, etc etc. It was GREAT! and not the same every time depending on which path the ball took. The was also one in the NY Port Authority Bus Terminal, not sure if either or both are still there, but well worth a look.

Have fun!

K. Z.

We lived in NYC before living in Cincinnati. There are so many kids, and so many fun things to do! I definitely recommend spending time in Central Park. You will find many playgrounds scattered around the park, as well as much open space for her to run around. Another fun "kid" activity is going to the restaurant "Serendipity" where they are famous for their frozen hot chocolate. I also recommend avoiding the subway at rush hour :) Have a great time!

There is the Museum of Natural History in mid-town, lots of dinosaurs, stuffed big ol' animals, etc. that might be interesting to your daughter. In Times Square there is the Toys R Us with a ferris wheel in the store. And though I've never been I've heard FAO Schwartz (sp?) is a hit as well. You could always head up to Central Park to find a childrens play area or just walk around if she enjoys stroller rides and people watching or picnics and running around. Have fun!

I took my 3 yr. old to NYC last summer for a week. We had a BLAST!!!!!
We rode the double decker bus and took a tour of the city. You can hop on & off at any point that you see something you'd like to see or do. (such as the Am. girl store)
We went to Central Park to the Zoo they have there. There is a regular Zoo and a petting Zoo too!!!
There is also a Carousel in Central Park. That was FUN!!!
I second the Toys R Us store for the Ferris Wheel. That was a neat thing & brought big smiles.
Otherwise, just walking the streets of the city (which is amazing!!) & doing a bit of shopping was fun. (but my daughter is a shopper. ;o)
As for the stroller, yes, a small one will benefit you greatly. We took one & that worked out well for us.
Check online for all of the great stuff to do there as well. Some of the Museums have free days. ;o)
Have FUN!!! My daugher can't wait to go back. lol :o)
Oh, of course take her on a ride on the Subway, that's always a hit.
And, we went to Ground Zero.
You'll have a great time. :O)
OH, and there is a FREE ferry that you can ride. It's about a half hour one way, you get off, and you ride back. It takes you BY the Statue of Liberty, but doesn't stop. Check that out for sure, it was a beautiful ride. (you can ask the locals where to catch the FREE ferry, it's mostly for people to get to work & such, but there were tons of tourists on there too. Mind you, you won't get TOO close to the SofL, but with the zoom on your camera, you'll get a great photo. The lines to actually GO see her are hours long & I think too much for a young child.
Once again, lol, have FUN!!! :O)

I was in NYC last year and I think the Zoo in Central Park would be a great time for a 4yr old. Even if she is not a fan of the zoo, there are a lot of activities that go on in the park. Good Luck.

Definately visit the Bronx zoo if you get the chance! It is absolutely fabulous. Then there are always street vendors to do shopping with your little one. The pier is awesome because of the big boats. You could take her on the staten ferry. My kids always loved that. The biggest Toys R Us in the world is there and FAO Schwartz is a must see for all kids.

You probably won't have any trouble finding things to do and look at. Every time we have ventured into the city there are always carnivals, festivals, and things going on all over. As far as security, we have never been bothered once. Trick is to look and feel secure with yourself. Carry yourself like you know where you are going and don't let yourself wander into any dark alleys. Have fun!! I know you will!

V.,

Have you thought about going to Central Park? There is a great Alice in Wonderland sculpture that your daughter can climb all over that's cool. Just remember to take water in case it's really hot but, I think there is shade there. You might want check out to see if they have something like a "Cosi"..

If you're flying for the first time just make sure that your daughter is sucking on something for take off and landing! It really helps with the pressurization!I took my 4 week old to CT. and it really helped to have him sucking on something!

Have a great time!!

The east end of Long Island is beautiful. You could take the train out to Montauk or Orient Point, both are very beautiful with beach areas, maybe have a picnic lunch. Or, if you don't want to go out that far east, there are many, many beaches on Long Island if you are a beach fan. You could also visit Port Jefferson Marina and check out the huge yahts. Visit the link below for more family fun on Long Island, which isn't far from New York City.

www.longislandtourism.com/kids.htm

Hope this helps, have a blast!!
J.

You could take your little princes to see The New York Palace Hotel.
A bit about it:
An icon of Manhattan splendor, The New York Palace Hotel seamlessly blends old world elegance with new world opulence. As you walk through the courtyard gates of the Hotel's famed Villard Mansion on Madison Avenue and down the hotel's grand staircase you enter into a life rich in history and elegance.

The New York Palace is known for its luxurious accommodations, spectacular views, spacious rooms, and unparalleled service. The Palace's 55-story tower features 806 guest-rooms, 86 suites, an extensive Spa & Fitness Center, fine dining at Gilt restaurant and bar and Istana, stunning meeting and conference space, a state-of-the-art business center, and four Triplex Penthouse suites with roof-top terraces and panoramic views. Located in the heart of midtown Manhattan at 50th Street and Madison Avenue, The New York Palace Hotel is just steps away from St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center and Saks Fifth Avenue. The Palace is a short walk from New York's Broadway theaters, Central Park, the business districts and world class shopping.

The New York Palace has been recognized as one of the top places to stay not only in New York, but in the world. Condé Nast Traveler named The Palace as one of the "World's Best Places to Stay" in the January 2006 issue. Institutional Investor ranked The Palace 14th in the USA and named the hotel as one of "The Top 50 Hotels of The World" in the November 2005 issue. Travel + Leisure named The New York Palace as one of the "Best Hotels in the World" in the January 2006 issue.

Not sure if this will help you but I googled New York trip ideas and the first website listed was New York City family trip www.family.com/travel. It seems to have a bunch of ideas and it divides things out by the age of the child.

Hope this helps a little!!

A.

When my family went to New York three years ago we had a six year old, three year old, and a nine month old. We took a stoller but found it to be too cumbersome and I ended up carrying our nine month old, so do not take a stroller. Just hold her hand and she should be fine. The best way to get around is to use the subway-$2.00 round trip for adults and free for kids, or at least it was 3 years ago. We enjoyed the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. We also spent a lot of time walking in Central Park. Hope this helps.

There are tons of things to do with her in central park.