Rainy weekend in NYC with toddlers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We'll be in NYC with small kids (4, 1.5) this weekend, staying on the upper east side (92nd and 2nd ave). Our plans of spending time in Central Park and visiting playgrounds are upended by the weather. What are your recommendations for toddler friendly activities given the forecast?

See: https://mommypoppins.com/ny-kids/drop-in-indoor-play-spaces-for-toddlers-and-kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Put on raincoats, people. Not ideal but not awful. The Intrepid Museum has indoor and outdoor stuff. The Bronx Zoo s awesome but a big day. Go to natural history but arrive before it opens. And enjoy the hotel downtime.

You obviously do not have very young children. What a ridiculous snarky response.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the city museum would be ok. They had a kids section when we went there and it won't mobbed like the history museum. I think it is on the east side of the park. It also had a 45 minute nature movie my 5 year old liked but not sure a 1.5 year old would like it too. Also check out mommy poppi s website for ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put on raincoats, people. Not ideal but not awful. The Intrepid Museum has indoor and outdoor stuff. The Bronx Zoo s awesome but a big day. Go to natural history but arrive before it opens. And enjoy the hotel downtime.

You obviously do not have very young children. What a ridiculous snarky response.

Actually, I have a five year old who has been to NYC about twice a year since birth. If you bring some toys or crayons and don't mind a couple shows for kids, the hotel can work. We had a pool and a big bathtub last time, which were big hits. Not being snarky - people freak out about rain.

[Anonymous]

Dress your kids like this and you'll have all the usually packed playgrounds to yourselves!

[Anonymous]

We really enjoyed the mini-world at Gulliver’s Gate in Times Square. All ages were there. 0-3 free!

https://gulliversgate.com/

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just want to report back and close the loop. So Saturday we arrived at Penn Station and took a cab from there to the UES (even though we had only backpacks, the strollers were a major pain to navigate the subway system since it involved transfers). It took almost an hour b/c of the rain and the eastside highway was closed in parts due to flooding. It was the most miserable part of our trip.

We walked over to the Met after checking into the hotel. Strollers had rain covers, we had rain jackets, so it was fine. Got to the Met around 6, when the crowd is thinning out (wouldn't dream of going there during the day). Spent 2 hours there, including getting dinner from the overpriced café. Food was good though and it was dry and warm, plus it's within walking distance, so a win. I think taking public transportation or taxi on a rainy day in NY while wrangling toddlers is a special circuit of hell.

Sunday was much better. We took a ferry from East 90th street to Wall street, walked around and the kids hit a couple of playgrounds. Also walked over to the Oculus and from there took the A train back to Penn Station. A whirlwind 24 hours.

The kids loved it. We survived. lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Just want to report back and close the loop. So Saturday we arrived at Penn Station and took a cab from there to the UES (even though we had only backpacks, the strollers were a major pain to navigate the subway system since it involved transfers). It took almost an hour b/c of the rain and the eastside highway was closed in parts due to flooding. It was the most miserable part of our trip.

We walked over to the Met after checking into the hotel. Strollers had rain covers, we had rain jackets, so it was fine. Got to the Met around 6, when the crowd is thinning out (wouldn't dream of going there during the day). Spent 2 hours there, including getting dinner from the overpriced café. Food was good though and it was dry and warm, plus it's within walking distance, so a win. I think taking public transportation or taxi on a rainy day in NY while wrangling toddlers is a special circuit of hell.

Sunday was much better. We took a ferry from East 90th street to Wall street, walked around and the kids hit a couple of playgrounds. Also walked over to the Oculus and from there took the A train back to Penn Station. A whirlwind 24 hours.

The kids loved it. We survived. lol.

I'm glad that you reported back, and that things worked out.

After you posted, I saw forecasts that made it sound as if New York was going to get a mini hurricane. Thank goodness it was just an awful rainy day.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad to hear the report and that you still had a good time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Just want to report back and close the loop. So Saturday we arrived at Penn Station and took a cab from there to the UES (even though we had only backpacks, the strollers were a major pain to navigate the subway system since it involved transfers). It took almost an hour b/c of the rain and the eastside highway was closed in parts due to flooding. It was the most miserable part of our trip.

We walked over to the Met after checking into the hotel. Strollers had rain covers, we had rain jackets, so it was fine. Got to the Met around 6, when the crowd is thinning out (wouldn't dream of going there during the day). Spent 2 hours there, including getting dinner from the overpriced café. Food was good though and it was dry and warm, plus it's within walking distance, so a win. I think taking public transportation or taxi on a rainy day in NY while wrangling toddlers is a special circuit of hell.

Sunday was much better. We took a ferry from East 90th street to Wall street, walked around and the kids hit a couple of playgrounds. Also walked over to the Oculus and from there took the A train back to Penn Station. A whirlwind 24 hours.

The kids loved it. We survived. lol.

OP, we also walked to the Met this weekend—didn’t stay long given other commitments, but the Egypt wing was cool. Saw a Broadway show, ate out a couple times, and not much else since left early Sunday. Also a whirlwind trip.