re: Spur of the moment NYC trip w wife and kids

There’s plenty to do with a two year old. There’s a Children’s museum in the Upper West about four blocks from the Natural History Museum and Central Park. Just inside Central Park from the Natural History Museum is a marionette theatre. The Central Park Zoo is small but has a sea lion show and petting zoo.

There are playgrounds and carousels all over the city. If you’re here during the summer, most playgrounds have splash pads. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and water safe shoes and your kid will have a blast. Some of our favorites are Waterside near Chelsea Piers (a block from the Highline), Ancient Playground by the Met, Waterlab on the Brooklyn Waterfront, and the two near Battery Park—one is in Battery Park city not far from WTC and the new one by the Statue of Liberty and Staten Island Ferry terminal. If you’re going to the Statue of Liberty, then do the Seaglass Carousel. My kids love it. Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn and the old one in Bryant Park are favorites too.

Throw in other things like the ice cream museum, toy stores, candy stores, children’s libraries, and the ferry (kids love cruising on the top deck and there are great views).

You can check of some sites like Mommy Poppins that will tell you what kid activities are going on around the city each day.