NYC: kid-stuff and eating

JonasYip

JonasYip

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So, I'm going to be in NYC next week, all week. However, I'm not going to ask what film to bring, what cameras/lenses to bring, where to buy cameras, or where to shoot...*

Instead, I'm hoping for local, beyond-the-guidebook suggestions for

(a) eating. Specifically non-fancy, casual, good eats. Your favorite hot dog vendor, best hole-in-the-wall ramen, tastiest pierogi and whatnot.

(b) kid-stuff. My daughter just turned 5. Any suggestions for things like little playgrounds, bookstores with interesting kids selection, museums with kids activity, kid-friendly musical theater...

thanks,
Jonas


* for the record: no film; m9:50lux/90Hexar/28cron+EP1:45Tilt/20;not (actively) buying;shoot whatever/wherever I am
 
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge -- killer views. Then have pizza at Grimaldi's under the bridge on the Brooklyn side. or if you prefer, eat in Chinatown on the Manhattan side [Vietnamese Pho at Pho Bang on Mott Street @ Grand, or Chinese noodle soup at Big Wong], then walk the bridge.

Take your daughter to American Girl Place (5th Ave/45th Street)

Agree with monochromejrnl's reco of menchankotei for great ramen

Jean-Marc
 
Specifically non-fancy, casual, good eats.
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Juniors is a classic! Cheesecake 2die4! 🙂

The original is at Flatbush and DeKalb, but they tell me (the ubiquitous "they") that there's now a branch on Shubert Alley off Times Square, right by where the amateur mad car bomber tried to make a name for himself.

Your daughter might like Nathan's (or Big Daddy's) as a change from McRonalds and the like. They are all over the place. 🙂
 
It's been a number of years but let's see. Brooklyn Bridge would be a great walk. Don't forget tram over to Governors Island. St. Patrick's is beautiful no matter what your beliefs. Rockefeller center is fun to see. Grand Central Station and the trains, top of the Empire State Building and show her Sleepless in Seattle.

While not as much fun as Coney Island and Nathans, there is one (or was out on near 45 and 7th-ish). Coney Island, the board walk and all is great.

B2 (;->
 
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There's a nice small hidden playground in the shared courtyard space between a few buildings in the West Village. The entrance is at 36 Carmine. Not sure what hours the gate is open, but it's hidden from the street, so it's a peaceful hideaway.

A block up on Carmine you've got Joe's pizza, possibly the best slice in Manhattan.

Then you can head north-west on Bleecker and stop in Murray's cheese, Faicco's Pork, Cones Ice Cream, Magnolia Bakery (skip the cupcakes and get the banana pudding) and Corner Bistro for one of NYC's best cheeseburgers.

Then you can walk it all off on the High Line.

And once the appetite is back, go to Chelsea Market for oysters (from the fish market) and wine.

The Brooklyn Bridge walk is a must.

Going to the top of 30 Rock is pretty neat.

The Museum of Natural History and the Rose planetarium are both awesome.

There's a place on the upper east side where kids can make/paint their own cups and bowls and stuff.
 
There is this store called "American Girl" that sells luxury dolls. They have tea partys for little girls. If I had a five year old I'd take her there and spoil her rotten. Location is mid-town, and I think Madison Ave. Kind of a high end doll boutique. Like the neighborhood--upscale, ritzy, and exclusive.

Although in Brooklyn, take your daughter to the subway museum. This place was engineered and made for kids. Wish I had a camera , when I brought my nephew there so I couda taken a picture of Kevin (a five year old) driving a NYC bus.

The best burgers in Manhattan are at this place across from FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology, 7th Ave and 26th Street) made from grass feed beef. Very differant than a corn fed beef burger. Yumm and probably the healthiest burgers you can eat. There are also these things called "Triple Fries:" that is a mixed combo of regular fries, sweet potatoe fries, and fried onions. A great cure for dry skin. LOL

Chinatown has a lot to offer, but avoid the bad places that are tourest traps by looking for the ones that are full of Asian customers. Load up on Chinese pastry that is inexpensive and good to take back to the hotel room for snacking.

Damaso took me to this place on Houston Street (just east of the Bowelry I believe) that only sells knishes. The sweet potatoe knishes are wonderful and who knew that there could be exotic kinishes and huge selection.

Cal
 
snausages said:
The tram is to Roosevelt Island. Governors Island is reachable by ferry. Both are great ideas! (I'd go for Governors because you get the boat ride and it's so different from anywhere else in the city)
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The tram to Roosevelt Island has been out of service for the past few weeks. Could be a while. Sorry.

Check out the Met. Every spring they have a butterfly room where live Monach X butterflies are incubated and let loose to fly around. One landed on my niece for a great shot. Pretty magical.

Cal
 
snausages said:
The tram is to Roosevelt Island. Governors Island is reachable by ferry. Both are great ideas! (I'd go for Governors because you get the boat ride and it's so different from anywhere else in the city)
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That what happens when you're away from home too long and growing old:bang::bang::bang:😱

Governors Island used to be run by the Coast Guard and is a fun place but not sure about access these days, check.
 
My own daughters loved the Natural History Museum, ToysRus (far more than FAO), the American Girl store, and pizza everywhere. And my then-6-YO actually cried over the ending of Phantom of the Opera- she enjoyed it that much.
 
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