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How about the zoo? The zoo in Central Park is small and just perfect for a 2 year old. There is a small children's zoo within that zoo. Otherwise go to the Bronx Zoo, the largest zoo in the US. Yes, it is bigger than the one in Balboa Park in San Diego. If that is too much for your child, then just go to the Bronz Zoo's children's zoo.
There are also short children's shows, puppet shows, etc. Some are free. Some require tickets. Then there is a wonderful children's museum in Manhattan that is all hands-on and has a theater for live events. Also the Hall of Science has toddler activities and an outdoor science playground in Flushing Meadows Park. When you are in Central Park, don't forget to take your child on the historic and beautiful carousel. And watch the model boats. Conservatory Water - The Official Website of Central Park NYC
There is a marvelous exhibit right now at the main library on children's literature from old classics like Alice and Wonderland to modern classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Times Square has the big Toys R Store and there is also FAO Schwartz.
I'll admit that vacationing with a toddler is not a vacation. I think people who bring their toddlers to Disney are crazy unless they are going there because they also have older children as well.
If you are staying in Brooklyn, other suggestions would be the Prospect Park Zoo which is also small and perfect size for a toddler. Not too tiring to finish in a couple of hours and nearby is the beautiful Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and Prospect Park.
Take a 20 minute free boatride on the Staten Island Ferry
All else fails, there is the beach.
I would add to this great list the American Museum of Natural History which has a suggested contribution rather than a fixed admission (meaning pay what you wish or can afford) and is a great place to take a toddler especially if it happens to be rainy day (which can happen in a NYC summer). American Museum of Natural History
Another place that might be okay for a toddler is the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum which I believe has interactive exhibits that even toddlers can enjoy. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
My husband is working for a few months in NYC. He is soon getting 5 days off and want me and our two year old to come up and see him as a vacation. I feel like he should come home to Orlando. There is so much to do and it's so easy to access. Plus, now that our son is a toddler, there are so many places that he can appreciate. My husband wants it to feel like a vacation so he thinks us going away from home is better but I am not looking forward to it. I hate how long it takes to go anywhere and do anything there. Then once you're out, you feel obligated to stay out because getting back is such a pain in the butt. You can't just hop in the car and be back in 10-20 minutes. I hate the subway. So then you just sit somewhere in the city to recharge, instead of just heading back to relax a bit before the next thing. Plus, there is nothing there to do that you can't do here. Our son is to young for shows, and I honestly I'm not interested in them anyway. My husband says we can go to Central Park, and then WHAT? Watch the dogs or let him play on the concrete playgrounds (why all the playgrounds are concrete is beyond me, ours have rubber chips)... We can do that here, a lot easier and safer. I feel like he likes the idea of NYC, but once you're there, it's boring. Sorry for ranting, but I miss him and he isn't budging.
I know I will end up going, so I am asking you guys for some ideas. What are some things we can do with a two year old? We'll be staying in Brooklyn.
I understand that there are many people who love living there. I have lived there, I get that there is a certain lifestyle and hipster thing that people enjoy. I'm not trampling on that. I just don't see the point in vacationing there.
I understand that there are many people who love living there. I have lived there, I get that there is a certain lifestyle and hipster thing that people enjoy. I'm not trampling on that. I just don't see the point in vacationing there.
New York City is actually great for a family vacation. I have a son and a daughter who are 3 and 1. My wife and I took them to visit New York City twice this year. My children enjoyed it each time. There is no lack of things to see and do there. Even just walking around midtown Manhattan through all the people and images is fascinating for them.
I figure it's good to introduce them to such a city from an early age.
My husband is working for a few months in NYC. He is soon getting 5 days off and want me and our two year old to come up and see him as a vacation. I feel like he should come home to Orlando. There is so much to do and it's so easy to access. Plus, now that our son is a toddler, there are so many places that he can appreciate. My husband wants it to feel like a vacation so he thinks us going away from home is better but I am not looking forward to it. I hate how long it takes to go anywhere and do anything there. Then once you're out, you feel obligated to stay out because getting back is such a pain in the butt. You can't just hop in the car and be back in 10-20 minutes. I hate the subway. So then you just sit somewhere in the city to recharge, instead of just heading back to relax a bit before the next thing. Plus, there is nothing there to do that you can't do here. Our son is to young for shows, and I honestly I'm not interested in them anyway. My husband says we can go to Central Park, and then WHAT? Watch the dogs or let him play on the concrete playgrounds (why all the playgrounds are concrete is beyond me, ours have rubber chips)... We can do that here, a lot easier and safer. I feel like he likes the idea of NYC, but once you're there, it's boring. Sorry for ranting, but I miss him and he isn't budging.
I know I will end up going, so I am asking you guys for some ideas. What are some things we can do with a two year old? We'll be staying in Brooklyn.
I understand that there are many people who love living there. I have lived there, I get that there is a certain lifestyle and hipster thing that people enjoy. I'm not trampling on that. I just don't see the point in vacationing there.
I am totally and utterly gobsmacked that anyone thinks NYC is "boring."
I made my mom wait into my son was 4 before I'd agree to a family trip to Disney. It's too much money to spend until they are old enough to enjoy it and remember it.
NYC kid stuff:
The Times Square toys r us has an amazing indoor Ferris wheel with characters on each cart. $4.50 a ride. The whole store has a lot if cool interactive things like the huge T. Rex and "candy land" ect. For a 2 year old, I'd plan for an hour in there.
Fao Swartz as well. An hour or so.
Yes to the Central Park zoo.
Yes to Coney Island. It's a nice beach and the aquarium is decent, and there are plenty of kid rides. Also, if you take D train out there a lot of it is above ground so you can see a great deal of Brooklyn.
The museum of natural history is suggested donation. You can literally donate $1 per person. They have a younger kid section that he'd probably
Many of the parks have sprinklers and spray fountains that shoot up into the air randomly which is fun for kids.
Also, there are a lot of kid friendly shows that I think a 2yo would appreciate. Mary Poppins, Matilda, I don't know if the lion king is still there....
Or you can just take him to a children's movie for some down time.
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