Need advice/suggestion: visiting NYC w/ 2yr and 5mth olds

[huango]

Hi there,
Not sure where to post this...

I would love any advice/suggestions from moms on where to go and what to do while visiting NYC 6/6Tues-6/9Friday with a 2yr-old and a 5month-old while Daddy is working all day/some nights. We're staying near the financial district towards the water on the West side (I don't have the address at this minute).
All I have on my list right now are the zoo and Central Park.
Also, any advice on traveling/subways w/ stroller, where to eat, family-friendly restaurants (not McDonald-type), etc.

Really appreciate your help,
huango/amanda

[KRL626]

Hey, I live in NYC so here are a few suggestions. If you are staying near the water on the West Side there is a walking/jogging path that goes right up the water. I know there are some neat playgrounds in Battery Park City which is where the path starts and also a little further up near the West Village. Not sure about restaurants that are family friendly but they should be easy to find. There's also this place in Tribeca called Sydney's Playground which is this awesome indoor playspace for small children (geared towards baby-age 3 or so) I think it's on White St. between Church and Broadway. As for subways, when you get a subway map there will be wheel chair symbols for the stations that have elavators. Otherwhise try and bring a very lightweight stroller because you'll need to carry it down into the station. There are special entrances for strollers/bikes. You just have to notify the attendant that you are going through, swipe your card in a regular turnstile, flip the turnstile thingy as though you are walking through and then walk over to the gate entrance and the attendant will buzz you through. I hope all of this helps. You can PM me if you have any more questions.

[e&d]

I second the Battery Park City recommendation. (Walk west on Chambers St. all the way to the water.) There is a fantastic park that runs all along the water there. There are several different playgrounds and you are likely to see many other children there. If the weather is bad, go inside the World Financial Center -- there is an enclosed atrium where you could hang out for a bit. There are lots of boats and barges that go by on the Hudson that you'll be able to see from the parks, which might interest the 2 year old.

There are many family-friendly restaurants; Petite Abielle (sp?) is one, I believe it's on W. Broadway. Great for breakfast or lunch and reasonably close to the Battery Park playgrounds.

There are many good books on NYC w/kids...you could go to a Barnes & Noble or other bookstore when you get there and just look at one there to let the kids get some book time in, and you wouldn't even have to buy it that way. :)

Hope that helps -- have fun!

[kimthebride]

Commuting
Subways may be easiest for you, though it would help to have a lightweight, easy-to-fold travel stroller for non-stroller-accessible stations. Here's the link to the NYC transit website for Subways maps: http://www.mta.info/index.html

To Do
The South Street Seaport is having a bumper car derby on 6/6 & 6/7: http://www.southstreetseaport.com/html/Events.asp

I did a quick search for Children's Musical Activities when you are in and got lots of results:
http://cityguide.aol.com/newyork/search/search.adp?page=listingsLong&layer=events&cat=109&ebdate=20060606&efdate=20060609&town=1869

Also, check out www.CitySearch.com to find restaurants rated kid-friendly in the areas you want to go.

Enjoy your trip!