Guidebook for Portland
Sightseeing
Thousands of people take the ferry out to stand at the base of Lady Liberty every day, but only those who book months in advance can get tickets to actually climb the winding staircase to the top to peer out of the crown’s tiny windows. Ask for the Junior Ranger booklet, which allows kids to collect badges as they explore. It’s a great motivator!
Make the climb to the crown easier on you and your kids by stashing snacks, jackets, and backpacks in the lockers at the crown/pedestal check-in before you begin the 20-story climb!
1303 helybéli ajánlásával
Statue of Liberty Museum Shop
1 Liberty Island - Ellis IslandThousands of people take the ferry out to stand at the base of Lady Liberty every day, but only those who book months in advance can get tickets to actually climb the winding staircase to the top to peer out of the crown’s tiny windows. Ask for the Junior Ranger booklet, which allows kids to collect badges as they explore. It’s a great motivator!
Make the climb to the crown easier on you and your kids by stashing snacks, jackets, and backpacks in the lockers at the crown/pedestal check-in before you begin the 20-story climb!
A trip to Ellis Island is a series of powerful moments—looping around the Statue of Liberty and approaching the island by boat, disembarking at the dock, and listening to the memories of our nation’s early immigrants on headphones as you walk through the same spaces they navigated after their long journey. Check out the interactive Ellis Kid exhibit, too.
Many people don’t realize that the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are both accessed by the same ferry circuit. You can definitely do these landmarks in one day with one ticket, but it might be worth splitting them up to really make the most of both.
178 helybéli ajánlásával
Ellis Island
A trip to Ellis Island is a series of powerful moments—looping around the Statue of Liberty and approaching the island by boat, disembarking at the dock, and listening to the memories of our nation’s early immigrants on headphones as you walk through the same spaces they navigated after their long journey. Check out the interactive Ellis Kid exhibit, too.
Many people don’t realize that the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are both accessed by the same ferry circuit. You can definitely do these landmarks in one day with one ticket, but it might be worth splitting them up to really make the most of both.
Crossing this iconic bridge is a free outdoor activity with great views of the Manhattan skyline! Along the way, historical plaques will share the story of how the bridge was completed in 1883. Keep an eye out for the padlocks, too—these are locks of love that couples lock to the bridge to symbolize their connection.
Start in Manhattan and finish with a ramble through Brooklyn Bridge Park, where you can enjoy pizza at on the roof deck of Fornino on Pier 6 followed by an ice cream cone at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.
1505 helybéli ajánlásával
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge PromenadeCrossing this iconic bridge is a free outdoor activity with great views of the Manhattan skyline! Along the way, historical plaques will share the story of how the bridge was completed in 1883. Keep an eye out for the padlocks, too—these are locks of love that couples lock to the bridge to symbolize their connection.
Start in Manhattan and finish with a ramble through Brooklyn Bridge Park, where you can enjoy pizza at on the roof deck of Fornino on Pier 6 followed by an ice cream cone at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.
Entertainment & Activities
Yes, there’s great wildlife in New York City! I really recommend the Congo Gorilla Forest, the Monorail, and the excellent bird collection. My son and I never miss the camel ride. If it’s crowded on the day you’re there, head over to the exhibit side of the park, which tends to be less congested.
The zoo is easily accessible by the #2 train. Try to ride in the front car—once the subway heads above ground on its way to the Bronx, you can stand at the doorway at the front for a terrific view down the tracks and of the passing neighborhoods.
572 helybéli ajánlásával
Bronxi állatkert
2300 Southern BlvdYes, there’s great wildlife in New York City! I really recommend the Congo Gorilla Forest, the Monorail, and the excellent bird collection. My son and I never miss the camel ride. If it’s crowded on the day you’re there, head over to the exhibit side of the park, which tends to be less congested.
The zoo is easily accessible by the #2 train. Try to ride in the front car—once the subway heads above ground on its way to the Bronx, you can stand at the doorway at the front for a terrific view down the tracks and of the passing neighborhoods.
Arts & Culture
Head straight to the interactive children’s exhibits in the basement. My son loves the exhibit that teaches what it was like to be a 19th-century newsboy, using historical photographs and a game that lets you try out what it was like to sell papers as a “newsie." Another room downstairs is well stocked with kids’ picture books about NYC history.
If your kids are into Hamilton, the musical, they’ll love the hands-on and digital exhibits on Alexander Hamilton. The museum even has the actual pistols used in his duel with Aaron Burr.
75 helybéli ajánlásával
New-York Historical Society Museum & Library
170 Central Park WestHead straight to the interactive children’s exhibits in the basement. My son loves the exhibit that teaches what it was like to be a 19th-century newsboy, using historical photographs and a game that lets you try out what it was like to sell papers as a “newsie." Another room downstairs is well stocked with kids’ picture books about NYC history.
If your kids are into Hamilton, the musical, they’ll love the hands-on and digital exhibits on Alexander Hamilton. The museum even has the actual pistols used in his duel with Aaron Burr.
It’s as much performance here as it is museum. Following a guide, you’ll walk into restored apartments set up to look just as they did when they housed recent immigrants to the city a century or more ago. The building dates to 1863, and existed as a time capsule shuttered for over 50 years! My son was enthralled, and I loved seeing it from his perspective.
Very young children may find this experience confusing or dull, but kids who are eight or older should find it interesting.
15 helybéli ajánlásával
Alsó Keleti Tenement Múzeum Könyvesboltja
103 Orchard StIt’s as much performance here as it is museum. Following a guide, you’ll walk into restored apartments set up to look just as they did when they housed recent immigrants to the city a century or more ago. The building dates to 1863, and existed as a time capsule shuttered for over 50 years! My son was enthralled, and I loved seeing it from his perspective.
Very young children may find this experience confusing or dull, but kids who are eight or older should find it interesting.
My son can spend an entire day in the dinosaur rooms alone, but he also loves the Hall of Human Origins. Beyond the famous exhibits, the Discovery Center holds all kinds of hands-on stuff for kids—dinosaur bones, microscopes, archaeology. It’s all designed just for kids ages 5-10.
Controlled, timed-entry keeps the Discovery Center from getting crowded. So as soon as you get to the museum, get your timed entry ticket from admissions. That way you can enjoy other exhibits while you wait.
1623 helybéli ajánlásával
Amerikai Természettudományi Múzeum
200 Central Park WestMy son can spend an entire day in the dinosaur rooms alone, but he also loves the Hall of Human Origins. Beyond the famous exhibits, the Discovery Center holds all kinds of hands-on stuff for kids—dinosaur bones, microscopes, archaeology. It’s all designed just for kids ages 5-10.
Controlled, timed-entry keeps the Discovery Center from getting crowded. So as soon as you get to the museum, get your timed entry ticket from admissions. That way you can enjoy other exhibits while you wait.
Living up to its motto “Get Creative, Make a Mess," the museum is big on hands-on activity. There’s a large cultural education center where kids can play inside storefronts and houses set up in the style of various neighborhoods and time periods in the city’s history. Children under 12 visit free!
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is one of three kids’ museums in New York—the others are in Manhattan and Staten Island. In 1889, this was the first museum created just for kids, and it has been the model for over 300 others all over the world.
489 helybéli ajánlásával
Brooklyn Gyermekmúzeum
145 Brooklyn AveLiving up to its motto “Get Creative, Make a Mess," the museum is big on hands-on activity. There’s a large cultural education center where kids can play inside storefronts and houses set up in the style of various neighborhoods and time periods in the city’s history. Children under 12 visit free!
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is one of three kids’ museums in New York—the others are in Manhattan and Staten Island. In 1889, this was the first museum created just for kids, and it has been the model for over 300 others all over the world.
Parks & Nature
This little island in the East River is a warm weather wonderland, with seasonal art exhibits, a fort to explore, and an adventure playground with real tools. To get there, take a cool—and free—boat ride from downtown Manhattan or Brooklyn. More highlights: quad bikes for rent and fabulous views of the Manhattan skyline. It’s closed in winter, so check online before you go.
There’s not much food for sale, so pack a picnic so you can plan to spend at least half a day exploring. Your kids will not want to rush back.
249 helybéli ajánlásával
Governors Island
This little island in the East River is a warm weather wonderland, with seasonal art exhibits, a fort to explore, and an adventure playground with real tools. To get there, take a cool—and free—boat ride from downtown Manhattan or Brooklyn. More highlights: quad bikes for rent and fabulous views of the Manhattan skyline. It’s closed in winter, so check online before you go.
There’s not much food for sale, so pack a picnic so you can plan to spend at least half a day exploring. Your kids will not want to rush back.
What was once part of the New York Central Railroad is now an elevated park landscaped with grasses and flowers that threads neatly between the high rises of Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea. Best of all, kids can act like kids here, because you don’t have to worry about traffic, and everything is designed to be climbed on!
Have your kids try to spot signs in the windows of surrounding apartment buildings that say things like “Hi, Highline!” Bonus points to whoever first finds the cool metal birdhouse sculpture.
2323 helybéli ajánlásával
High Line Park
What was once part of the New York Central Railroad is now an elevated park landscaped with grasses and flowers that threads neatly between the high rises of Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea. Best of all, kids can act like kids here, because you don’t have to worry about traffic, and everything is designed to be climbed on!
Have your kids try to spot signs in the windows of surrounding apartment buildings that say things like “Hi, Highline!” Bonus points to whoever first finds the cool metal birdhouse sculpture.