By Isabel Prontes
New York City, also known as the "Big Apple," is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. From museums and cultural centers to entertainment venues and national landmarks, there is no shortage of fun things to do and see while in New York City. If you are planning on traveling with a toddler, there are also a lot of great things to do.
Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is a large zoo in New York City's borough, the Bronx. This zoo is full of fun attractions for toddlers, including the camel rides, Bug Carousel and children's zoo. There are also over four thousand animals on display at the Bronx Zoo, with a wide variety of exhibits such as the African Plains, Tiger Mountain, Congo Gorilla Forest, JungleWorld, the Baboon Reserve, Madagascar, World of Reptiles and so much more.
The Bronx Zoo - The Wildlife Conservation Society
2300 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, NY 10460
Tel: (718-220-5100)
Children's Museum of Manhattan
The Children's Museum of Manhattan is a great place to take toddlers, as it is a museum with a large amount of permanent and temporary exhibitions. The displays are often interactive and encourage children with learning and using their imaginations. Many of the exhibits have literary themes. In the summertime, there is a "City Splash" area that toddlers will particularly enjoy, as it is an outdoors water playground with slides and mini pools.
Children's Museum of Manhattan
212 W 83rd St
New York, NY 10024
Tel: (212-721-1234)
Central Park
Central Park is one of New York City's most celebrated landmarks, and is definitely a must-see for toddlers. Spanning over eight-hundred acres in Manhattan's Upper East Side, this park has various attractions and rides for children, such as the Loeb Boathouse boat rides, massive carousel, Central Park Zoo and the several exhibits at Belvedere Castle (particularly the Woods and Water display).
Central Park
59th St. up to 110th St., between Fifth Avenue and Central Park W
New York Aquarium
The New York Aquarium is located all the way down in Brooklyn's Coney Island, but is absolutely worth the trek. There are over ten thousand different species of aquatic life on display at this aquarium, with fun exhibits including the Sea Lion Celebration (taking place at the aquarium's Aquatheater), Alien Stingers, Sharks, Sea Cliffs, Explore the Shore and much more. From loggerhead sea turtles to penguins, toddlers will be fascinated by all the creatures that they can see.
New York Aquarium
502 Surf Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Tel: (718-265-3400)
Children's Museum of the Arts
The Children's Museum of the Arts is full of interactive, creative and imaginative activities for young toddlers to partake in. Whether kids want to make collages or construct objects out of clay, they will have an educational and artistic experience at the Children's Museum of the Arts. There are over two thousand artwork pieces by young artists housed at the museum, dating all the way back to the 1930s. The artwork is done by artists from over fifty nations.
Children's Museum of the Arts
182 Lafayette St
New York, NY 10013
Tel: (212-941-9198)
About the Author:
Isabel Prontes is a freelance writer and traveler residing in Manhattan, NY. She has traveled to five continents and counting. Her work has appeared on a number of websites, such as Travels, eHow.com and "Happy Living Magazine." Prontes has a professional background in public relations; she received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Pace University.
