NYC Mom's

jasminelorraine20

We're going home to NY for Thanksgiving. LO is 1 1/2 and I was curious if it's worth taking him to the Thanksgiving parade this year. We plan to go to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree, 5th Ave, and FAO Schwarz. What other things could we do? Thanks in advance for the ideas!

lana22

i wouldn't want to go to the parade alone, much less with a 1.5 yo, though i imagine he'd love looking up at the floats. a friend just recommended this site to check out for stuff to do in the city with kids: https://mommypoppins.com/

i have a two yo and 8 month old, and i'm trying to figure out stuff to do that's not crazy touristy (like tree at rockefeller center). wish i had some suggestions but i usually just take the kids to parks, and it's too cold for that now. not sure if he's too young for museum of natural history, but i have a feeling my 2 yo will love it. 

jasminelorraine20

lana22 said:

i wouldn't want to go to the parade alone, much less with a 1.5 yo, though i imagine he'd love looking up at the floats. a friend just recommended this site to check out for stuff to do in the city with kids: https://mommypoppins.com/

i have a two yo and 8 month old, and i'm trying to figure out stuff to do that's not crazy touristy (like tree at rockefeller center). wish i had some suggestions but i usually just take the kids to parks, and it's too cold for that now. not sure if he's too young for museum of natural history, but i have a feeling my 2 yo will love it. 

I wouldn't be alone, my SO and I would take DS if we decide to do the parade. He loved the Brooklyn Children's Museum, so he may like the Museum of Natural History.

mb314

I no longer live in NYC, and moved before I had DS, but I've been back several times.  Know that the parade will be crowded, cold, and likely a nightmare with a kid.  You may not be able to see much, if anything.  You'll likely need to get there hours before to get a spot.  My friend had tickets one year to sit in the stands along the route, and it was so crowded, they didn't even make it to the stands. 

The Rockefeller Center tree won't be lit yet (it's not lit until December 4th), but nonetheless, the area will be super crowded.  Just be prepared if you want to go check it out.  I used to work near Rockefeller Plaza, and it was a nightmare during the holidays. 

I second pp suggestion to check out kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History.  There's a small children's museum on the Upper West Side and a larger one in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.  If the weather is decent, there are some great playgrounds in Central Park and in the smaller neighborhood parks like Washington Square Park and Tompkins Square Park. 

jasminelorraine20

mb314 said:

I no longer live in NYC, and moved before I had DS, but I've been back several times.  Know that the parade will be crowded, cold, and likely a nightmare with a kid.  You may not be able to see much, if anything.  You'll likely need to get there hours before to get a spot.  My friend had tickets one year to sit in the stands along the route, and it was so crowded, they didn't even make it to the stands. 

The Rockefeller Center tree won't be lit yet (it's not lit until December 4th), but nonetheless, the area will be super crowded.  Just be prepared if you want to go check it out.  I used to work near Rockefeller Plaza, and it was a nightmare during the holidays. 

I second pp suggestion to check out kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History.  There's a small children's museum on the Upper West Side and a larger one in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.  If the weather is decent, there are some great playgrounds in Central Park and in the smaller neighborhood parks like Washington Square Park and Tompkins Square Park. 

The weather is going to be crazy cold, as I would expect so I like the idea to stay indoors. I'm thinking we'll skip the parade and tree and stay indoors like you both suggested. The museum sounds like a great idea, maybe we'll catch a Broadway show too- DS will love that! Thanks!

mommymegan831

I took DD to the Museum of Natural History right when she turned 2.  We ran through the whole place in probably less than an hour, nothing held her interest other than running down the large halls.  Time Square is fun.  The Toys R Us has a ferris wheel and the M&M store is nice

janinekrause

There is a childrens museum that is a lot of fun. The parade, etc  personally I would think would be a total nightmare. And the tree, as PP said, isn't lit yet. The crowds are insane and strollers don't fare so well.  FAO Schwartz is definitely fun too.

Are you staying in the city?

jasminelorraine20

mommymegan831 said:

I took DD to the Museum of Natural History right when she turned 2.  We ran through the whole place in probably less than an hour, nothing held her interest other than running down the large halls.  Time Square is fun.  The Toys R Us has a ferris wheel and the M&M store is nice

Yes, I grew up going to that Toys R Us. We went last year after Thanksgiving and the store was bananas!! I think that's more of a tourist attraction during Thanksgiving weekend- way too many kids, we couldn't even enjoy it.

jasminelorraine20

janinekrause said:

There is a childrens museum that is a lot of fun. The parade, etc  personally I would think would be a total nightmare. And the tree, as PP said, isn't lit yet. The crowds are insane and strollers don't fare so well.  FAO Schwartz is definitely fun too.

Are you staying in the city?

We'll be staying in Brooklyn. I agree with the PP's about the parade and the tree, so we'll skip that and just stick with FAO Schwarz, maybe the museum and I am trying to book tickets to take LO to see The Lion King on broadway.

myjohnsonboys

Maybe check out Santaland at Macy's Herals Square. Just be prepared for a very long line if you go later in the day.

jasminelorraine20

LalaMama81 said:

Oh, gosh please don't take a toddler to a broadway play. He is not ready for that and likely the theater won't allow him in anyway. DD saw her first show last spring - at 4.5 and pretty mature she did well but couldn't have done it much earlier. The theater wouldn't allow any kids under 4 in. 

My Mom brought me to see Sesame Street on Broadway when I was 1 1/2 and she said I loved it and she didn't have to pay for me. I don't see why not give it a shot considering I love Broadway anyway.

jasminelorraine20

LalaMama81 said:

jasminelorraine20 said:

LalaMama81 said:

Oh, gosh please don't take a toddler to a broadway play. He is not ready for that and likely the theater won't allow him in anyway. DD saw her first show last spring - at 4.5 and pretty mature she did well but couldn't have done it much earlier. The theater wouldn't allow any kids under 4 in. 

My Mom brought me to see Sesame Street on Broadway when I was 1 1/2 and she said I loved it and she didn't have to pay for me. I don't see why not give it a shot considering I love Broadway anyway.

Sesame Street =/= The Lion King. The Lion King isn't a kiddie show, it's a full broadway show. Before you buy tickets you should at least call to see if he's allowed in the theater. 

I love broadway and the theater, too, I'd never take my 2 year old. She would likely ruin the show for other people. 

Ahh got ya! I will call ahead. Thanks.