How to do kids' New York
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Your support makes all the difference.Getting around
Riding the subway only costs $2 (£1), however far you travel (you can make further savings with a MetroCard). But make sure you take a ride in an iconic yellow cab too. For more details about transport go to nycvisit.com.
Bicycle rickshaws can be hailed around Central Park, they're pricey, the experience is variable, but it's fun.
Check out the CityPass (citypass.com), a booklet that could save you up to 50 per cent on admission fees to six attractions over nine days. Price $53 adults, $41 children aged six-17 years.
Where to eat
The Europa Café (europacafe. com) at 205 West 57th and other outlets, is great for big breakfasts, from pastries to fry-ups. Amy Ruth's (amy ruthsrestaurant.com) at 113 West 116th Street in Harlem, serves Southern "soul food" (fried or smothered). At Brooklyn Diner (brooklyndiner.com) at 212 West 57th, tuck into traditional American staples. Another Brooklyn favourite now in Manhattan is Junior's (juniors cheesecake.com), at West 45th between Broadway and 8th. And for terrific shakes and sodas try the Ice Cream Parlor at FAO Schwarz (fao.com) at 767 Fifth Ave, or for sundaes go to Serendipity 3 (serendipity3.com) at 225 East 60th.
What to do
If your kids have a head for heights take them up the Empire State Building (esbnyc.com) and Top of the Rock (topoftherocknyc.com), the observation deck of the Rockefeller Center. More great views can be gained by walking over the Brooklyn Bridge in the direction of Manhattan (the entrance is by the Federal Court Building). Informative plaques tell the history of the bridge and identify sights. To see the Statue of Liberty, join the commuters on the Staten Island Ferry (nyc.gov /html/dot/html/masstran/ ferries/statfery.html) or take a New York Water Taxi (nywatertaxi.com) to get closer.
As well as space to run around and 21 playgrounds, Central Park offers activities for kids (central parknyc.org) from boating on the lake to special events at the Dana Discovery Centre. The Children's Museum of Manhattan (cmom.org) on the Upper West Side, puts the fun into learning with great interactive displays. Gods, Myths & Mortals: Discover Ancient Greece is the museum's upcoming big exhibition, opening on 25 May and aimed at children aged over six. This autumn you can join in a sleepover at The American Museum of Natural History (amnh.org), though booking is essential.
And if they like shopping, don't miss FAO Schwarz (as before), The Disney Store (disney.com) at 711 Fifth Avenue, and American Girl Place (americangirlplace. com), at 609 Fifth Avenue.
For more ideas on what to do with children in New York get hold of a copy of the excellent Time Out New York For Kids (tonykids.com).
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