The playground at Madison Square Park is widely considered the best in the city. During the summer, it even features a 15-foot tall water sprinkler, the sort of thing usually only seen in private parks. The playground itself has large wooden climbing structures, although those can get a bit crowded during the summer. A swing set and tire swing seal the deal.
Contact no: (212) 538-6667
Location: Fifth Avenue & Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010
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A marvel of civil engineering, the Brooklyn Bridge is a powerful symbol of not only New York’s modern age, but of the optimism that pervaded the whole country at the time. Unlike other monuments of its age, (it shares a birth year with Edison’s “Electric Lighting System,” and national time zones) the Brooklyn Bridge is still in actual, practical use every day. Taking your children for a trip across the great structure will be part adventure in heights and part history lesson. If you’re in a hurry, drive across and admire the view from the window of your car. If you have a bit of time, take the kids on a stroll across the bridge and into Brooklyn. On the way, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of lower Manhattan and the East River. Grab a slice of pizza in Brooklyn, and then take the subway from High Street back into the city.
Location: Brooklyn Bridge, NY, NY 10038
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Take your children on a ferry ride from New York City’s Battery Park to Ellis Island to visit the Statue of Liberty. Built in 1886 as a joint effort by the United States and France to commemorate the American Declaration of Independence, Lady Liberty is a monument to freedom — and one of the first many immigrants saw when they arrived on the Nation’s shores. Tell your children about your ancestors’ arrival in the States. Then from the statue’s observation deck, view the spectacle that is New York City. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum is now open; visit after you tour the monument and continue America’s history lesson. Remember, the lines are quite long and the ascent on the inner staircase is quite steep, so wear your best walking shoes. Reserve tickets ahead of time for both the monument and the ferry – America’s favorite lady is very popular.
Contact no: (877) 523-9849
Location: Battery Park, New York, NY 10004
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