NYC with a toddler

DH and I are thinking of taking DS into NYC tomorrow. It will be his first time there, he is 13 months. We know we want to stay away from Times Square- to congested! What are some fun suggestions? We were thinking the Central Park Zoo & Carousel- but we are going to the Bronx Zoo on Father's Day so not sure about doing a zoo this weekend too. What about south street seaport? DH and I were big city people before we had DS, but we were always in mid town or the village, we have never been to South st. seaport. Any family friendly restaurants? Should we go to Central Park but skip the zoo? Does the park have sprinklers? Maybe I should bring his bathing suit. I really want to plan a nice family day, any help would be appreciated!!

Re: NYC with a toddler

We take DD to the city pretty frequently. She's 13 months. Last time we went we took her to the central park kids zoo (we have the year passes to all the zoos). DD loved it since she could walk around and explore there was a peacock walking around and then she fed a few animals. We walked the west side of the park and just let her listen to the musicians playing, etc. We had no plan and there was more than enough action to keep her occupied. We went to lukes lobster shack on the UWS for lunch and a burger place for dinner ( DH's choices), both were kid friendly, but kind of random. I think a ton of places in the city are kid friendly, we've never had a problem. DD is pretty easy she'll stay in her stroller for awhile and just watch people.

On other trips we've gone to the museum of natural history, FAO schwartz, and mid town. We've never taken her to South Street Seaport, but have been ourselves a few times. Seems like it would be a fun for kids!

I didn't see any sprinklers, but I wasn't looking. Tons of places to let them run around though.

Re: NYC with a toddler

Thanks! I think DS would LOVE FAO schwartz! And he's young enough where he won't beg us to buy him something. I love the natural history museum but I think we will wait until DS is a bit older for that. Thank you for all of your suggestions- I am looking forward to tomorrow!

Re: NYC with a toddler

Victorian Gardens in Central Park is open now I believe its on 59th street in the middle of the park. Its a little amusement park just for kids really nice. If you go to the seaport there is imagination playground right across the street. It has a sandbox water area and slide etc plus a bathroom thats fa irly clean. You could.also walk.up to water street and take the free NYC connect bus to Battery Park City. They have an awesome playground with sprinklers grass.and you can walk the river. There is also a fairly clean public bathroom

Re: NYC with a toddler

If you decide on downtown, and the weather isn't great, hit the National Museum of the American Indian, right on the south side of Bowling green. Great museum, and it's FREE! (Donations are accepted of course, but not required).

Re: NYC with a toddler

Big Daddy's is a great spot to eat w/ kids in the city (kid friendly foods, cartoons playing on all tv's) and Make Meaning is a lot of fun (UWS or UES) -- lots of crafts and activities for the kids. I took my niece - we dipped her hands in paint and she grabbed a mug, they glazed it and we gave it to her mom as a Mothers Day gift. Highly recommend you check it out. http://www.makemeaning.com/
Have a great day.

Re: NYC with a toddler

Tomorrow (6/10) is the PR Day parade and a subway series... it's going to be busy.