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Sometime during the 20th
of June, my article on our tour of New York City with two (8- and
10-year old) great grandchildren. I have already received several
e-mails asking what we visited and a host of other questions. Being
limited to about 1000 words, I will start with the most spectacular
of exhibits (and the kids' favorite, the American Museum of
Natural History.
American Museum of Natural History
The first stop just had to be the American Museum of Natural
History. Many, if not most, of its displays are permanent and
they are enough to keep kids (and most adults, too) enchanted all
day. If you're staying in New Jersey, you will probably get to the
museum about the time the doors open at 10a.
Fossils and Dinosaurs
The first thing you see when you enter the Museum from Central Park
West is the giant Barosaurus -- the tallest, freestanding mounted
dinosaur in the world. There are many other exhibits on this floor
but we wanted to start our tour on the 4th Level at the Orientation
Center. There we watched the film introducing us to the fossil
galleries. Kids always want to see fossils but they tire quickly of
them. Learning more about them before they get to view them not only
educates them but allows them to enjoy the exhibits. We then toured
the dinosaurs and other primitive animals.
Today's Animals Exhibits and Dioramas
Next, it was down to the 3rd Level where all the birds exhibits
are. The displays (actually stuffed birds realistically displayed in
dioramas to show their native environments, all behind huge plate
glass windows) are so realistic you really expect them to take
flight when you approach. Then we walked, so very slowly, through
the African Hall where the African animals are displayed (also on
those super realistic dioramas, gazed at the giant elephant
centerpiece, and entered the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater.
This was a surprise for the kids; we hadn't told them about it or we
would have had no peace until they got to see it.
Rose Center Space Show
The Rose Center Space Show makes Disney's look primitive in
comparison. Spectators travel to the outer edges of our universe,
examining each of the planets on the way. The show is made possible
by the world's largest virtual reality simulator. When the show is
over, it is time for lunch so it is all the way down to the basement
(where the entrance from the subways is located) and the Museum's
Food Court (like many of our larger shopping malls). There is a
welcome surprise after lunch; over by the subway entrance is a
special ice cream cafe. They have to finish their Sundaes before we
can go upstairs, -- no food or drinks allowed in the exhibition
halls.
The Earth's Ocean Life
We resisted the urge to return to the RV park so the kids could
take naps. If they were tired (and all this took a lot of walking
though the Planetarium and lunch did provide some welcome respites)
they were not willing to let on. So we went up the the 1st Level,
toured the Ocean Life with its almost 100 foot long whale dangling
from the ceiling. When I was a teenager living in New York in the
early Forties, I practically lived in the Museum (we were members).
While it was a thrill back then, modern technology has elevated the
old thrills to stunning, real-life simulations. In the Hall of
Ocean Life, for example, video projections seem to completely
immerse the kids into the marine environment. The 1st Level has a
wide variety of these presentations which could take several days
but we only had one, this time.
IMAX®
Theater Sea Monsters Show
Out final stop was the IMAX Theater. Maybe you have been to
one of these IMAX Theaters -- they're all over the country --
and viewed these spectacular 360 degree presentations. You might be
able to imagine the effect on an 8-year-old and a 10-year old.
On the way out we stopped by the Museum's tourist shop on the 1st
Level and bought two DVDs. These would keep the kids busy in the RV
when they might otherwise be suffering from boredom.
DVD Players: Blessing in Disguise
Note on the ceiling mounted DVD player. We do not like to allow the
children to ride in the 5th wheel when moving unless my wife is in
there with them. Kids get bored quickly when riding in the back seat
of the Ford 250 quad cab so we had a 10 inch DVD player installed in
the center of the ceiling so it could be viewed from the rear seat.
The sound is directed to the rear and we keep the level low so it
isn't too disturbing for us in the front seat. The player cost us
less the $400 installed and we have found it to be an excellent
investment. It almost eliminates the, "... are we there yet?"
choruses from the back seat.
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