The popular place to take the children is Central Park, especially in the
summer. Every activity imaginable is available here, guaranteed to keep the
kids amused for many hours. There are skating rinks and boating lakes,
miniature golf and cycle paths.
In summer the park is alive with activity and there is a definite buzz about
the place. There is plenty of free entertainment on offer too – guided walks
by park rangers on Saturdays, summer storytelling and toy sailboat races.
Other attractions include the Tisch Children’s Zoo and the Central Park
Wildlife Center.
The Bronx Zoo and Wildlife Conservation Park is a very popular attraction
amongst the youngsters and is home to over 700 different species of animals
and wildlife. This zoo was opened in 1899 and is the largest urban zoo in
the US, with over 7,166 animals and 531 different species. There is a
Skyfari cable car for the best aerial view of the park areas and kids will
enjoy travelling on the shuttle train that runs around the 265 acres of
sprawling parkland. Camel rides are also very popular with children of all
ages and the children’s zoo allows them to get up close and personal to some
of the animals and even feed them.
In winter Central Park is transformed into a fairytale scene and becomes a
winter wonderland for the children. There is a skating rink in the park with
views of vast skyscrapers in the background. Skating is also popular at the
Rockefeller Center and at Christmas there is even an opportunity for the
kids to skate with Santa Claus!
Coney Island is a great place to visit especially with children and is only
a short subway ride away. There are three huge fairgrounds, Luna Park,
Steeplechase Park and Dreamland providing endless amounts of fun and
excitement for children of all ages. Also nearby are beaches, including
Rockaway Beach, for relaxing after all those thrilling rides at the
fairgrounds. One of the places you must visit while on Coney Island is the
New York Aquarium, a vast exhibition set on 14 acres displaying over 350
different species.
Bronx Zoo:
Fordham Road / Bronx River Parkway
New York
Tel: (718) 367-1010
Open: November to March 10am to 4.30pm daily
April to October 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday
10am to 5.30pm Saturday and Sunday
Free Admission on Wednesdays
