One of many questions we get requested by readers most frequently is: “I’m bringing my youngsters to NYC! What ought to we do?” My boys have lived in NYC their complete lives — which is sort of loopy to consider — so we’ve got explored quite a bit. Listed here are six itineraries we love doing with little dudes…

Itinerary #1: See a large whale (Higher West Aspect)
The American Museum of Pure Historical past is magical with its Tyrannosaurus rex, animal dioramas, and large mannequin of a blue whale suspended from the ceiling. Within the whale room, there’s additionally a glass elevator that my youngsters love taking over and down by themselves. And in the summertime, you’ll discover sprinklers on the roof!
What’s close by: For lunch, get burgers and fries on the close by Shake Shack or strive the legendary chocolate chip cookies at Levain Bakery. In case your youngsters nonetheless have vitality to burn, head to the nice wood playground proper throughout the road. Or you may take a stroll across the Higher West Aspect, which appears like old-school New York from the films — massive house buildings with uniformed doormen; bookstores, bagel spots, and the enduring Jewish grocery Zabar’s; and, after all, sprawling Central Park.

Itinerary #2: Depend bums on the Met (Higher East Aspect)
The beauty of the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork is that youngsters below 12 are free, so that you don’t should really feel strain to remain for hours. My youngsters assume it’s humorous to “rely bums” within the nude work, or we’ll head straight to the Temple of Dendur (like in When Harry Met Sally!).
What’s close by: Should you’re hungry, seize a sizzling canine or pretzel from the meals vans out in entrance; or stroll a couple of blocks north to Café Sabarsky for elegant Viennese muffins and sandwiches. The Higher East Aspect feels deliciously fancy — preserve an eye fixed out for older {couples} in pretty coats and plenty of tiny canine.

Itinerary #3: Stroll round Central Park and let the magic occur
This monumental (843 acres!) park is stuffed with surprises and delights, so that you don’t want a plan. Simply stroll round and also you’ll come throughout avenue musicians, bubble-makers, carousels, grassy lawns, and ice-cream stands. Should you’re in a playground temper, take a look at the pyramid and bridges at Heckscher Playground; in the summertime, it turns into an epic water park, with cool jets spraying each approach, even contained in the tunnels. And, in case your little one, like Anton, believes they’re secretly a knight, get them to the Belvedere Fortress. (Very castle-y.)
What’s close by: Deliver a picnic to get pleasure from whereas lounging on the Nice Garden. Should you’d like cheese, bread, or ready meals, swing by Butterfield Market on eighty fifth and Madison.

Itinerary #4: Wander the West Village
Once I first got here to this neighborhood approach again in 2002, I couldn’t consider how charming it was. Assume: attractive brownstones, magnolia timber, and cafés on each nook. Our household has since spent many pretty days simply soaking all of it up. Bleecker Playground is toddler-heaven, with swings, slides and an enormous sandbox. Should you’re hungry, deal with yourselves to cupcakes on the well-known Magnolia Bakery (proper subsequent to the park) or cease by Murray’s Cheese for smelly goodness. Three Lives is a captivating bookstore; and on a sizzling day, you may stroll to Washington Sq. Park and dip your toes within the glowing clear fountain.
What’s close by: For lunch, seize a slice at Bleecker Road Pizza or Joe’s, or get pleasure from a sit-down lunch at Café Cluny, a fairly spot with sandwiches and dependable celeb sightings.

Itinerary #5: Journey a horse (Dumbo)
If you need your coronary heart to swell, head to Jane’s Carousel within the night’s golden hour — or actually anytime. For $2, you may journey a horse (my boys suggest “the up and down ones”) positioned proper between the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, so that you soak up attractive views as you spin. There’s additionally an adjoining meadow for working round and people-watching afterward.
What’s close by: Luke’s Lobster Shack is only a couple blocks away, or you may hit up OddFellows for artistic ice-cream flavors, like Malted Banana and Kitchen Sink.

Itinerary #6: Courageous the rides at Coney Island
For a few years, our boys went completely bananas for the rides at Deno’s Marvel Wheel — automobiles that go in a circle, boats that go in a circle, planes that go in a circle, fireplace vans that go in a circle… you get the gist. Since turning 9 or so, they’ve leveled as much as the larger rides at Luna Park, together with the well-known wood rollercoaster, The Cyclone, which is an official New York Metropolis Landmark.
What’s close by: The amusement park meals is dear and never nice, so we normally pack a lunch after which get gelato on the boardwalk.