I’m taking my daughter up to Brooklyn this weekend to visit her new cousin (and coincidentally the rest of his family :) )
In order to respect their time and need for naps, we’ve put some serious time on the calendar to do something fun in NYC each day we are there. For Friday, that means going to the top of a very tall building (thinking Empire State Building) and the American Museum of Natural History. Right now our Saturday plans are up in the air… so suggestions would be greatly appreciated for something awesome and fun to do in Brooklyn with a precocious seven year old.
Roger Moore
Statue of Liberty?
CONGRATULATIONS!
PIZZA. She must know the truth, that New York pizza really is the best.
EllenH
One of my personal favorites is the Transit Museum. It’s located in an old subway station and they have subway cars going back to the 1930s that you can board and check out up close.
chopper
saturday check out the farmer’s market at grand army plaza right off the 2/3.
then walk to the library, then next door the brooklyn museum and then the botanical garden.
then go down to DUMBO and get pizza at grimaldi’s and eat it on the pier. then get ice cream on the pier.
Poopyman
Say hi to Dr. DeGrasse-Tyson at the Hayden when you’re at the MoNH.
LAO
CONEY ISLAND! its the mermaid parade at 1:00 pm — http://www.coneyisland.com/event/mermaidparade2016
It’s very hookey (and cheesy) but worth seeing.
MomSense
I don’t know about Brooklyn but I am really envious that you are going to the AMNH. My son loved it last summer. I highly recommend purchasing the extra ticket for the Planetarium.
chopper
if you want you can then walk down to pier 6 along the waterfront where there’s a rad playground and splashpark. if you really want to go all the way, there you can pick up the free ferry to governor’s island and your kid will have free reign of a huge open space to run and go all nuts.
Denny Kolb
If you are going to the empire state building and haven’t already, get online and get express passes. They are worth their weight in gold – they give you an automatic front of the line pass for security, the main elevator and the second elevator that gets you to the 86th floor. Depending on the lines it can save you a very long wait.
Kyle
High line. By all means, the High Line,
maya
If you’re in Brooklyn gotta walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
raven
Hand ball?
DesertFriar
On Friday’s, the Museum of Modern Art is free. Well worth going.
Also at night I would recommend taking the Roosevelt Island Tram. Great view of the Manhattan Skyline.
Mike J
Everyday another reason it’s a crime that CBGB is gone.
Bronx Zoo? They probably have zoos where you’re from though. Ferry to the statue of liberty? I believe in boat rides.
Major Major Major Major
@Kyle: Second the High Line. Was just about to comment.
rikyrah
I can’t imagine that NYC doesn’t have a Children’s Museum. If it’s as interactive as the others that I’ve been to in other cities, she’ll love it.
Gin & Tonic
@raven: Nobody plays handball any more.
Mike J
Pierpont Plaza in Brooklyn Heights, corner of Tillary and Clinton. H4A HQ. Stop and buy a t shirt/woman card/etc.
rikyrah
Came back to add…maybe I’m quirky -could be, but the Staten Island ferry is one of my favorite things to do in NYC.
The Statue of Liberty is always a good standby.
JamesRichards
Brooklyn Children’s Museum is always nice.
http://www.brooklynkids.org/
Gin & Tonic
@Mike J: You’d take a seven year old girl to CBGB?
Betsy
The Lefferts House is a historic house in Prospect Park that interprets life on a Dutch homestead in Old New Amsterdam, (well actually Broekelen) — including history of African people living there. It has activities for children (participatory history, children’s museum emphasis) An old favorite not far from the Brooklyn Museum.
By the way, the Brooklyn Museum is the best most overlooked art museum in New York. Has everything the Met has — spectacular and totally comprehensive collections, enormous Beaux-Arts edifice by same architect. It’s the second-largest fine arts museum in New York by a narrow margin to the Met in terms of collections– but it’s on the wrong side of the Brooklyn Bridge, so no crowds.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lefferts_Historic_House
https://www.prospectpark.org/visit-the-park/places-to-go/lefferts-historic-house/
chopper
@rikyrah:
manhattan has a children’s museum. it’s pretty nice. brooklyn too.
chopper
@Gin & Tonic:
lol.
“daddy, i have to use the bathroom”
“good luck with that”
Mike J
@Gin & Tonic: It was really a joke. I didn’t go to my first show until I was 12 or 13.
SP
Bronx zoo.
Central park zoo
High line
Museum of Natural History
Met museum of art (even for kids they have cool things- e.g. mummies)
Staten island ferry- free ferry ride back and forth, gives you a nice view of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty.
Sadly FAO is gone.
Iowa Old Lady
I have no info on Brooklyn, but as someone who’s child is all grown up, I say treasure days like this. They are gems.
Tom Levenson
The Tenement Museum on the lower east side is a must see. Really. You need to book in advance and choose which tour you want to take, but I can’t recommend it too highly.
tom
If you want the view from a tall building I’d suggest 30 rock as it is a wonderful view of Central Park that isn’t really available from the Empire State building. Your daughter can also get a great learning experience going through the tenement Museum. As long as you’re on Manhattan go to Lombardi’s pizza. It’s coal-fired and delicious
Mike J
Any of your fam come in through Ellis Island? Take the ferry over, tell her you’re going to speak your own private language and pretend you don’t know english and see how scary it would be to come to a new place.
PghMike4
Just got back from a visit to Brooklyn. If you and your daughter like food, check out Smorgasburg, a collection of something like 60 food stations each serving something different, and usually very good. Saturday and Sundays; Sunday at least in Prospect Park.
randy khan
I would 2nd, 3rd, and 4th the suggestions of the Brooklyn Museum. If it were in nearly any other city, it would be a point of great civic pride, and there is great stuff for kids.
One note on the Mermaid Parade – it occasionally is NSFW, if that matters.
JMG
If you don’t want pizza (why wouldn’t you?) go to Bamonte’s in Williamsburg. It’s the all time Italian-American restaurant. It’s where Michael SHOULD have shot Sterling Hayden in the Godfather.
? Martin
MTA museum in Brooklyn used to be pretty good: http://www.nytransitmuseum.org
SFAW
@Mike J:
Must you politicize EVERYTHING?
Gin & Tonic
Not singling out anyone in particular, but Richard asked for something “awesome and fun to do in Brooklyn.” Last I checked, the High Line, the Met, the Staten Island Ferry, Ellis Island, the Bronx Zoo, etc., etc., are not in Brooklyn. Fewer than half the responses actually are responsive to his request. I’m sure he’s too polite to say so.
SFAW
Whatever you do, DO NOT go see Hamilton. Mnemosyne told me it sucks.
dr. bloor
Always worth taking a stroll down the promenade in Brooklyn Heights.
SFAW
@Gin & Tonic:
Semi-reasonable point.
How about the Aquarium?
Van Buren
Prospect Park Zoo.
As others have noted, pizza.
Go to Bushwick and watch hipsters.
lamh36
So..today is my mama’s birthday. She said all she wanted was some hot wings from Buffalo Wild Wings and to spend time with Zoe.
So me, sis, Zoe and my cousin are getting ready to take her to get those hot wings.
My mama’s easy to please sometimes :-)
Honoré De Ballsack
@SFAW: How about the Aquarium?
Make sure it’s fully open–last time I went (a year ago?) about half the exhibits were closed for maintenance.
Anne Laurie
You could spend a week at the Museum of Natural History and never see the same exhibit twice. But it should be a perfect time to walk through Central Park and visit the Metropolitian as well — everything from covetable Egyptian artifacts, to amazing musical instruments (African lyres made from skulls, life-size Japanese demons holding temple drums), to knights in armor, all the way up the timeline to vintage baseball cards, depending on your & her definition of what’s cool to imagine owning. (Do kids still read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler?) But as others have said, the Brooklyn Museum is also amazing, no matter your age or interests. Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party is one of those great works that really needs to be seen to be fully appreciated…
Bobby Thomson
Peter Luger’s. It’s overrated but it’s an institution.
sam
I love the High Line, but echoing G&T, not in brooklyn, and also not really that exciting for a *7 year old*. I second (or third) Coney Island, with or without the Mermaid parade – I was out there a few weeks ago, and they have both grown-up and children’s level rides, and the New York State Aquarium (which I’ve never been to myself, but keep promising myself that I’m going to go one of these days).
I also love Governor’s island, which you can get to from Brooklyn now – no cars and it’s different every year, but it might be a fun picnic spot if the weather is cooperating.
I concur with your choice of the AMNH, which is practically in my backyard. It also might be fun to try to find a street fair – she’s not yet old enough to be jaded by the fact that it’s often the same booths weekend after weekend – they’re fun the first 20 or so times you go :)
Lastly – check out Gothamist and DNAinfo on Thursday or Friday – they typically publish a good “Things to do in NYC this weekend” guide each week.
Punchy
@CONGRATULATIONS!: He said he’s going to NYC, not Chicago.
joel hanes
There’s a kids book from the ’50s, named Big Bridge To Brooklyn, told from the viewpoint of a workman who does first caisson work at the bottom of the river, and then spins cables between the towers. It more or less paints Roebling as a demigod, but it sure taught me a lot about Victorian civil engineering on the grand scale, and about working-class life in the city. If you can find a library copy, it might be a read-aloud during travel.
LAO
@sam: Hi Sam!
jim parente
@CONGRATULATIONS!: Cony Island . In addition to refurbished rides, Cony is the glorious, amazing, belly busting Junk Food Capital of the World! I suggest, IMHO, the greatest Pizza in NYC, Totono’s. For desert I suggest a Nathan’s Hotdog and fries, topped off by a soft icecream from any # of vendors. Follow all this up with a ride on the Cyclone and then a Brooklyn Cyclone’s Baseball game.
Have a ball!
Mingobat f/k/a Karen in GA
For a seven-year-old, definitely Coney Island. All the fun stuff is within walking distance of the subway, along with Nathan’s. Say hi to my hometown for me.
Jeffro
OT but man, Jennifer Rubin is SHRILL and dead-right today…calling for the dissolution of the Republican Party (!)
Strange times…
Oh and btw, Trump just revoked the Washington Post’s press credentials
He’s not gonna make it through their convention folks
Adrian Lesher
The Transit Museum in downtown Brooklyn is great fun, as previously noted. Downtown Brooklyn has Brooklyn Bridge Park, with decent family dining in nearby DUMBO. The Brooklyn Museum (which includes excellent Egyptian,African, early American Art and design collections), Brooklyn Botanical Garden and Prospect Park (including its young child-oriented zoo and carousel) are adjacent to each other and could easily fill up a day. Coney Island followed by a meal at one of the Brighton Beach boardwalk restaurants could be fun. Another restaurant alternative near Coney Island would be Totonno’s Pizza on Neptune Avenue.
Brachiator
OT
Janet Waldo, who voiced cartoon characters including Penelope Pitstop and Judy Jetson has died aged 96.
Her daughter confirmed to ABC News that she died on Sunday morning, having been diagnosed with a benign but inoperable brain tumour five years ago.
As well as starring in The Perils of Penlope Pitstop and The Jetsons, Waldo also appeared in hit US TV series I Love Lucy in 1952.
She had a variety of roles in The Flintstones including Pearl Slaghoople.
the Conster, la Citoyenne
@Jeffro:
I hope the press refuses to cover him. They need to understand that he’ll put them all in jail the first chance he gets.
Jeffro
@the Conster, la Citoyenne: Carlos Lozada of the Post gets it…
Trollhattan
@Gin & Tonic:
Gabba-gabba hey, gobba gobba STOP!
ruemara
Take her to the NY Experience! That traumatized me each time! *googles NYE* aww, darn. The Bronx Zoo, the National Museum of the American Indian, Accomplice the show.com (live street interactive performances). And try all the Ray’s but leave the Sbarro’s. Go to Little Italy for some real cannolis, Caffe Palermo or DeRobertis Pasticceria. I’m seriously considering attending NYC Comic-Con in October.
bemused senior
I advise against the Natural History Museum. I spent a week in NYC a year ago when my husband went there on business. I’d been to NY many times (in-laws live there and daughter went to Barnard and lives there) but never made it to the Natural History Museum. I was so disappointed. Maybe I have been spoiled by the great science/nature museums in Northern California, but that museum seemed like something out of the musty past. There were a few interesting exhibits … the butterflies, a temporary exhibit for which you paid extra, for example. But the vast exhibit halls had a grab-bag of objects with practically unreadable explanatory signs, aging dioramas, and were really a disgrace. It would have been even worse for a young child.
Suzan
My 6 year old grandson liked MOMA much better than natural history museum. I’ve forgotten the ages of yours so YMMD. (We also let him use a camera at MOMA and he thought taking (bad) pics of the Picasso sculptures was hysterical. He also LOVED Central Park. Been there a couple of dozen times and didn’t know there was a small amusement park with rides for smaller kids. And a Zoo. He had a blast.
Sorry, don’t know Brooklyn at all.
Omnes Omnibus
@Gin & Tonic: I would. I wouldn’t let her use the bathroom though.
Felonius Monk
Lower East Side Tenement Museum — 103 Orchard St.
What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?
I’ve only been to Brooklyn once but a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is definitely worthwhile – just beware of a certain orange tinged, strangely coiffed huckster who may try to sell it to you if he’s in town. Also exploring Prospect Park if the weather is nice. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux – the same team that designed Central Park. Olmstead also designed the U.S. Capital Grounds and the grounds at the Biltmore Estate, Boston’s Emerald Necklass, and large parts of Buffalo NY’s park system. She won’t probably care about who, but kids generally like parks and these work well for adults too.
bystander
I agree the Mermaid Parade would be a great outing. You can probably get one of NY’s best pizzas before at the nearby Totonno before the parade. The only drawback is how it will ruin you for any other pizza.
bystander
@Betsy: If young Mayhew is a budding feminist, the Brooklyn Museum has Judy Chicago’s Dinner Party on permanent display. It would definitely spark a discussion.
mikefromArlington
Obama’s eerily chilling response from a townhall on such a similar situation to the Orlando shooting
Fake Irishman
@Tom Levenson:
I would second Tom’s point on the Tenement Museum. It’s in the lower east side, very close to the river and the Williamsburg Bridge so reasonably good access to Brooklyn. (see here) The house tour is very small and manageable, so I suspect a seven-year-old should handle it OK, especially a sharp one like yours. It’s full of everyday artifacts from cooking implements to toys and games (a considerable portion of which belonged to an actual tenet from the 1920s!) that both kids and adults will grasp the importance and changes. Afterward you can explore the loud, noisy and very NYC neighborhood around it. Plenty of sights, as well as options for ice cream, bubble tea etc.
Omnes Omnibus
@Fake Irishman: Plus, it’s close to CBGB.
sam
@LAO: hi LAO! I had to delurk for this one :)
randy khan
@bystander: Excellent point. It was a real coup for the Brooklyn Museum to get that piece. A lot of other museums wanted it.
Schlemazel Khan
If you insist on Brooklyn the aquarium was a nice visit. Coney Island might be up there depending on the type of fun you are looking for.
Check the schedules for the aquarium though, While in NYC we wanted one day at the Bronx Zoo & one day at the Museum on Natural History. When we woke up it was raining so we decided MoNH & it turned out to be free that day which meant it was a total madhouse. The next day was sunny so it was up to the zoo on what turned out to be ‘pay what you feel like day’. In addition to them arguing with me when I wanted to pay full price the place was so crowded it really wasn’t fun.
amygdala
You’ve mentioned your daughter is a geek girl, which brings a couple of places to my mind:
1) New York Hall of Science: the science covered is usually pretty broad, from bio to astro. And there’s often a bit of squirt, too.
2) Morbid Anatomy Museum: spend some time on the website before you decide to go, since this one is, as the name suggests, morbid. It would have been too much for me as a somewhat squeamish kid, but I can think of a few 7-8 year olds who would find it interesting.
More generally, if the weather is nice, a trip on the Staten Island Ferry can be fun.
Schlemazel Khan
@Tom Levenson:
I have never heard of that! Will have to go on our list for next visit.
HinTN
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
HinTN
@MomSense: Maya Angelou narrating the Big Bang followed by the walk of time since. Also all the sizes relative to the planetarium sphere around the balcony. Way cool!!!
Loviatar
Coney Island – as said up thread kind of hokey but a 7 year old should love it. Also, you’re on the beach.
Prospect Park Zoo – not as large or as well known as the Bronx Zoo, just a nice local zoo. Also, you’re in a great city park.
Omnes Omnibus
@Schlemazel Khan: I first heard of it this year on a PBS show called “10 Houses That Changed America.” The show is worth watching if you can find it.
Peale
O.K.
I won’t add anything to do, per se, but add to eat:
If you go to the Natural History Museum, there’s Levain Bakery or Emack and Bolio’s Ice Cream. To actually sit down somewhere, there’s Sugar and Plumm, which is popular with the kiddies. Beard Papa’s Cream Puffs also a treat and sufficiently messy. These are all basically on your walk back to the subway from the Museum. Kids seem to like Big Daddy’s Restaurant, although that might be a few blocks too many to walk.
MikefromArlington
Walk across Brooklyn bridge and Katzs Deli for lunch for the best pastrami on the planet!
bmoak
For the American Museum of Natural History:
-Buy your tickets in advance, or from the automated vending machines in the lobby. AMNH is a “suggested donation” venue, so people who want to to pay less than full price have to wait in the very long lines.
– I would also suggest using another entrance to avoid crowds. The back entrance on Columbus Ave is not crowded unless there a bunch of school trip kids coming in,
-Make a beeline to the 4th floor and work your way down. Too many people mill around the galleries surrounding the main entrance, some of which probably haven’t been updated since TR’s day.
-The 4th Floor is where all the fossils are and the galleries are chronologically ordered, starting with Origins of Vertebrate Life. It’s best to start at the beginning and progress.
-You’ll never see all of it, even in a whole day.
Renie
OT Is anyone missing the back and forth tabs you use to go from one thread to another? It’s missing for me.
JGabriel
I lived in Brooklyn from the time I was 3-8 years old. Here are the places I remember fondly:
• Prospect Park, particularly the zoo and carousel
• New York Aquarium
• Brooklyn Museum
• Coney Island, the Boardwalk, and the Mermaid Parade
— Seriously, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade is a once a year event, and if you happen to be visiting Brooklyn at the same time, then it’s pretty close to being a *must-see*.
Here’s what I don’t recommend:
• The Statue of Liberty – Ridiculously long lines and wait times
• Empire State Building – Ditto
• Walking the Brooklyn Bridge
— It’s a lovely view and walk, but I imagine a 7 year old would find the walk tiring, and FSM help you if she needs to use the bathroom while you’re in the middle of the bridge.
If you’re in Manhattan, Rockefeller Center may be a more enjoyable visit than the Empire State Building. I’d also recommend:
• Central Park
• The Metropolitan Museum
• Guggenheim Museum
• American Museum of Natural History
• Tenement Museum
• Museum of Modern Art
• Morgan Library
Finally, yes to pizza, but don’t get it from anyplace calling itself *Ray’s*.
bmoak
Also AMNH-related:
-The New York Historical Society is right next to the AMNH. They have a good collection of old toys and games and most of the basement level is dedicated to their interactive Children’s History Museum & Library.
-Then again, if it’s a nice day, she might just prefer clambering over the huge boulders across the street in Central Park.
I’d choose 30 Rock over the Empire State Building (nightmare long lines) in the tall building category.
–
PurpleGirl
@rikyrah: There’s a children’s museum in Brooklyn and one in Manhattan.
Gin & Tonic
@MikefromArlington: Don’t mean to be disagreeable, but walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and then all the way up to Houston St. is beyond the endurance of most any 7-year-old I’ve ever known.
SFAW
@HinTN:
Fixed
ETA: And if someone tries to sell it to you, he’s trying to scam you. I know this because I bought it many years ago, and I have the Bill of Sale to prove it.
And, for you and your daughter, I’ll waive the tolls — just this once.
Matt McIrvin
The Museum of Mathematics at Madison Square is cool–it’s a smaller museum, very new and full of hands-on exhibits designed to be fun for older kids; my daughter was engrossed enough to spend a whole day there, though it might be a half-day visit for some.
SFAW
@joel hanes:
As well it should.
jim parente
@bystander: So much love for Totono’s! I also concur that the Brooklyn Museum would be a wonderful stop along with Prospect Park and its Japanese Garden and Koi Pond.
sunny raines
The High Line (free)
Hudson River Park (free). Also a bike ride along the Hudson is great – costs a little but worth it.
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and back (free)
Bryant Park (free)
Look up Hudson River Park on the internet – frequent free activities on the piers along the river, many geared towards kids
Circle Line. Also “The Beast” is a must for kids – speed boat ride – takes 45 min – incredible views of the harbor. You get it at the Circle Line.
World Trade Center – The WTC/911 memorial (free for the memorial, museum costs something)
Grand Central Terminal (free)
The Intrepid Air, Space museum The have a space shuttle, a Concord, and lots of planes and an air craft carrier – also a submarine.
Carriage ride in Central Park
Central Park. The Zoo in the park is nice
Yankee Stadium tour (only when Yankees on the road)
The Transit Museum in Brooklyn
Staten Island ferry ride
Flushing Meadows Park is the site of 1964 Worlds Fair. Has Apollo and Gemini rockets.
Betsy
I can’t believe how many people suggested walking with a seven-year-old across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Far far far better is to take the TRAIN (that is one of the subways ) that goes across the *Manhattan* Bridge. Whether to Brooklyn or in the reverse direction, it shoots you totally unexpectedly out of the underground tunnel and into the aIr, where you’ll get about one full minute of the most spectacular moving vistas of both islands, AND a damned close up view of the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge itself.
On the “leave them wanting more” principle this will have your daughter craving Brooklyn and New York for an entire lifetime.
Added bonus: there is a secret still visible zoetrope in an abandoned subway station just before or after the bridge crossing. Keep an eye out for it it — look out the side windows of the train car steadily into the dark, and you’ll see the animation as you pass by — amazing — no one knows about it — if your daughter spots it with you, she’ll be thrilled.
Betsy
I found the correct train for seeing the zoetrope animation (it’s been a while) :
“Manhattan bound B/Q look out the right side of the train just after pulling out of Dekalb Ave in Bklyn.”
Bill Arnold
Just adding another recommendation for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which is pretty right around now. (The roses are maybe a week past peak), plus it involves walking.
Omnes Omnibus
@Bill Arnold: When I was a kid, the arboretum was my least favorite site to visit in the Chicago area. Just saying.
PurpleGirl
We are into the Spring/Summer period. I recommend checking some things out on a computer so as not to be surprised and getting stuck. Check http://www.MTA.info for changes to trains you need. Also check out bus routes (same web site).
PurpleGirl
Also trains and buses cost $2.75, children are free if they are shorter than the turnstile or the fare machine on buses. You get one free transfer with fare. You have to have a fare card to use the train, buses also take exact change (no dollar bills).On the train you need to use a fare card but on the buses you can use the regular fare card or a paper card that you need ask for of the bus driver. They no longer have the daily unlimited fare card. But they have unlimited weekly or monthly fare cards. Fare transfer can only be used on a different route and not for the same bus you got it from. The transfer is good for two hours.
You’d be surprised that many bus drivers don’t know about these rules or conditions.
Richard Mayhew
Brooklyn children’s museum sounds good on Saturday.
AMNH through the backdoor and then 30 Rock would be good on Friday. We did the Met, FAO and Staten Island Ferry last year.
Prospect Park Zoo could work if it is gorgeous out
SFAW
@Omnes Omnibus:
Not Wrigley Field? What kind of Cheesehead are you?
JerryN
Another vote for Coney Island (although as mentioned above the Mermaid parade can be a bit risqué) and the Prospect Park zoo & carousel. At the AMNH, make sure to head upstairs to the dinosaurs first, since you never know how much stamina a young ‘un will have.
Omnes Omnibus
@SFAW: At Wrigley, one could watch the Cubs lose. At the arboretum, you were hot, sticky, and looking at random trees.
JGabriel
@Bill Arnold:
Thirded. Can’t believe I forgot to put it in my list above. That’s another place we used to visit a lot when I was a kid in Brooklyn.
NotMax
Checked in to make sure Coney Island and a stroll along the boardwalk (with maybe a detour to build a sand castle on the beach) was mentioned.
7-year-olds see right past the garishness and cheesiness, they see the wonder.
scottinnj
I third/fourth the Tenament Museum it is a wonderful experience of history and there kind of was only one lower east side. There are also a couple of walking tours of the neighborhood – it is always fascinating to walk by an old building and hear the history.
A few blocks from there is one of my favorite NYC foodie place ‘rice to riches’ – a place with about 40 kinds of rice pudding. Right across from Lombardi’s which is one of the better pizza places you can find.
I’d also second the ride to the top of 30 rock vs the Empire state building – you do get a good view of the Empire State building and Central park.
Last – speaking of pizza in NY – one of the best days we had was when a friend of ours bought us tickets to take a pizza tour of new york with Scott’s Pizza – this is a guy who was a fanatic about his pizza. We got in a bus and had I think 5 slices at 5 very different types of places and at each of them we had a wonderful description of the pizza we were eating and how it is made. If you like to eat pizza, spend half a day with Scott.
KS in MA
@rikyrah: It’s in Staten Island!
JosieJ (not Josie)
It’s supposed to be a bit rainy on Friday, so plan indoor stuff for that day.
Saturday is supposed to be nice, so that might be a good day to take in the Mermaid Parade and Coney Island (and I second the recommendation to try Totonno’s while you’re there). The Aquarium is not far, either–if you can’t walk it, you can hop on the bus!
If you’re not into Coney Island, you could try hitting up either the Brooklyn Museum, Botanical Garden, Library, or Prospect Park (or a combination of any of them); as mentioned upthread, they are in close proximity.
Upthread you got a recommendation for the Hall of Science. While it is awesome, and has a really great LEGO exhibit going on right now, it’s in Queens, not Brooklyn. It’s in Corona: quite a long trip, especially if you have nothing else planned to do in the area. Maybe on a future visit you could rent a Zip car and hit it up, along with the Tennis Center, the Queens Museum, the rest of Flushing Meadows Park (both museums and the tennis center are technically in that park), and Mama’s Empanadas (the one in Corona) for some of the best empanadas in New York!
/Queens native
dp
Richard, I have an interesting (at least to me), and ongoing in-and-out of network situation happening personally. If I can remember to do it (and see it in a timely fashion, which is always an issue since I usually catch up at night), I’ll post it in the comments the next time you post on that. If you want to get it directly, e-mail me (I assume that is within the powers of a front pager!), and I’ll be happy to send you the details directly, which you can use or ignore as you wish.
I'm in Queens but still
If you’re around North Brooklyn on Sunday, go to the Eagle Street Rooftop Farm. That the kid will remember. For food & coffee nearby, go to Bakeri.
Gowanus is a really interesting area to wander around. Big Reuse is pretty amazing. Be sure to go out back and sneak a peek into the metal shop next door. It’s a soaring space filled with sculpture and cool machines, it used to a cannonball factory. The Carroll Street Bridge is very cool, and so is 543 Union (and Ample Hills ice cream is right there). The Museum of Morbid Anatomy is also right nearby, with all kinds of crazy shit.
When you’re in Manhattan the single most important thing is to see the main concourse of Grand Central. Nothing else comes close. There’s varied and reasonable dining on the lower level. And you’re a block away from the main library, where the lobby and periodical room are gorgeous, as is Bryant Park in back, where you can admire the freakish figurines on the front of the American Radiator building.
You’re not far from the Empire State Building, but don’t go upstairs, just wander around the amazing lobby. And you’re near JJ’s Hat center, where the hat maker will talk your ear off about using the hundred-year old forms in the workshop in back. Buy a damn hat from the man, already.
If you’re staying South of the park, DiFara’s is the godhead of New York Pizza, but it’s best to go after 9:30, or you can wait an hour. The backyard of Roberta’s pizza in Bushwick during the afternoon lull would be the place to introduce the kid to bohemia; it’s got to happen sooner or later. If the wait’s still insane, go four more stops to Houdini’s, and maybe stop in at Bridge & Tunnel brewery.
NotMax
Brooklyn?
Cheesecake from Junior’s.
’nuff said.
I'm in Queens but still
@NotMax:
Nah. Fortunato’s.
NotMax
One other possibility I don’t believe was mentioned is walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and then to and through the South Street Seaport.
Or if the weather is iffy, perhaps a short trip to Sheepshead Bay to see the fishing boats come and go. Maybe even rent some poles and do a little fishing off the docks.
@I’m in Queens but still
Cheesecake wars, a staple of Noo Yawk. :)
sam
@NotMax: Isn’t the Seaport kind of a massive construction zone at the moment? or am I behind the the times? I will say that *was* one of my favorite places when I was a kid.