I took my then 5 year old years ago, but some things he enjoyed were:

The lake in central park with the little sailboats (familiar from Stuart Little).

The Egypt exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Egypt playground next door.

Going to a kid friendly Broadway Show (we did a matinee of Beauty and the Beast).

We went to NYC with a 5 year old last fall. We thought the Children's Art Museum was overpriced. The Natural History Museum was fun, as was playing in Central Park. The highlight was the Math Museum. http://momath.org

At least how we did it, there really wasn't that much walking. We stayed near the Natural History Museum. We took the subway a lot, and our destination was never that far from the subway. We never considered using a stroller.

Anonymous wrote:Take or buy an umbrella stroller. He will need to sit at pints and possibly even konk out if he's not used to all that hussle. You abs want a flimsy umbrella stroller so you can easily get it up and down the stairs of the subway and on buses.

Signed, born and raised NYer

Wouldn't a 5 year old break a flimsy umbrella stroller? My kid would never sit in one b/f they reached 2 years. Personally, I'd skip it, b/c if your kid needs to conk out--you've probably done too much.

I agree with PP, the Intrepid is very cool.

I would also do Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on a different day.

Anonymous wrote:We went last month with a 4.5 year old and he walked everywhere like a champ. There's so much to see he didn't seem bothered by the walk. We walked to the midtown Hilton from penn station Friday and back to penn station Sunday! And much walking Saturday as well though we did throw in a cab and a subway. I had like 17k steps a day on my fitbit and he walked it all. He did take big naps both afternoons we were there.

He loved the high line, Staten Island ferry, and Central Park.

We had considered bringing a stroller and didn't need it. But all kids are different.

that is funny - I love the high line but my 4.5 year old hated it. When we got there he asked what we were supposed to do there and I say "walk around, sit, think" and he said "walk, sit, think -- but I HATE all those things!" Glad you had a more successful trip!

We went last month with a 4.5 year old and he walked everywhere like a champ. There's so much to see he didn't seem bothered by the walk. We walked to the midtown Hilton from penn station Friday and back to penn station Sunday! And much walking Saturday as well though we did throw in a cab and a subway. I had like 17k steps a day on my fitbit and he walked it all. He did take big naps both afternoons we were there.

He loved the high line, Staten Island ferry, and Central Park.

We had considered bringing a stroller and didn't need it. But all kids are different.

Dylan's Candy Bar
10 Below Ice Cream in Chinatown

As for activities - CMOM, walk Central Park with no plan!, intrepid, museum of natural history, high line, Chelsea piers, science museum in queens, etc. I could go on. Don't waste your time in midtown.

Take or buy an umbrella stroller. He will need to sit at pints and possibly even konk out if he's not used to all that hussle. You abs want a flimsy umbrella stroller so you can easily get it up and down the stairs of the subway and on buses.

Signed, born and raised NYer

First PP here - I also highly recommend the Intrepid! personally I would do that over any other museum if the weather is nice, but obviously it depends on your (and your kid's) interests.

Hotel Lucerne on Upper West side - a couple blocks from the Nat History Museum, the kid museum and the park - also a few blocks walk ffrom a public playground which is fabulous.
That's all you need - probably within a 5 block radius. Very little walking required.

Top of the rock

I have a five year old and have family in NYC so we visit a few times a year. here are my thoughts:

- do not be overly ambitious! in a given day, we usually pick one museum or other destination and then in advance we research nearby playgrounds and pizza places

- Roosevelt island tram is fun in you are nearby

- knights at the Met are great (remember you don't have to pay the admission fee, it is suggested)

- transit museum in brooklyn is great. you can combine with brooklyn bridge park

- natural history museum is always crazy crowded and expensive. may or may not be worth it to you

- if your kid wakes up early, head to grand central if you want a destination (we learned that the hard way, but had fun there at 6am)

- there is often good children's theater in NYC, including a theater in central park

I want to take my son to NYC for the first time this fall. Husband is worried that it will be too much walking for the kid. For those who have done it with similarly aged kids, what do you think? Also, what are your NYC "must do"s for a kid that age? TIA!