|
My article on our tour
to New York City with two of our great grandchildren, published 20
June as 5 per Gallon Doesn't Have to Kill RVing, has
precipitated a lot of e-mails. Most have asked where we went and
what we saw that was of interest -- or safe -- for kids. The answers
will come in installments, the first, A Kids' Tour of the
American Museum of Natural History was published 26 June.
Tourists'
Safety in New York City
Safety considerations when in New York City
There seems to be a prevailing perception that New York City isn't a
safe place (especially for young children). Unfortunately, that is a
gross miss-perception. But touring with children, touring ANYWHERE
with children requires the constant and close supervision of at
least one adult and two are really recommended (required with two
children). (Like in any large city, there are areas that are not
safe but these areas are rarely frequented by tourists and have no
tourist attractions.) Most New Yorkers, when given the opportunity,
are truly helpful, especially the police. Don't hesitate to ask.
New York Subways are Exciting
People who live in New York tend to take what they have for
granted. The subway system, for instance, is the largest in the
world and runs with uncanny efficiency. When I lived in New York
City, the subways were owned by private, for profit, companies and
they did make money. I won't go into the history but when the City
government took them over things changed. Recent years have brought
a lot of improvements and they are probably better operated today
than ever before (though still at a financial loss). But who would
ever think of a New York subway as an attraction for an 8- or
10-year old.
Riding in the front car you will almost always see some kids
standing in the very front of the car gazing our the window of the
front door. Have you ever done that? No; you are an adult. Watching
the traffic control lights flash by as the train moves between
stations makes it seem like the train is going 60 miles per hour
rather than 35. A passing oncoming train, viewed through the
separating support posts of the tunnel, is almost strobe-like. Kids
are truly fascinated by a simple subway ride. To add another thrill,
take the old IRT (now the #1 Train) to Van Cortland Park (247th
Street) in the Bronx. When it is approaching Dyckman from 191st
Street the train emerges from the tunnel* in a blast of sunlight.
Two stops later, it crosses the East River and the scenery is quite
a transformation. Yes, you are still in New York City.
Window Shopping on 34th Street
Although eye-popping any time of the year, New York City during the
Christmas Season really knows how to dress. Take most any subway
line to 34th Street (Lines 1, 2, 3, A, B, C, D, E, F, N or R).
Within the area of just 3 blocks is a super busy area packed with
stores plus a colossal indoor shopping mall. While always a
fascinating stroll, a visit here during the Christmas season should
not be missed.
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall on 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas)
and 50th Street is also an eye popper. This is one of the more
expensive stops on your tour list (as senior citizens we were
charged $14 each and the kids $10 each) but we do think it is worth
the cost. Once upon a time we made a special effort to take two
grandchildren on tour with us to Carlsbad Cavern in New
Mexico. Rarely were we not disappointed in their reactions to this
National Treasure. Not so with Radio City! When they saw that huge
auditorium with the rainbow of lights arching over the stage they
were overwhelmed. (So will you be.)
Woolworth Building: 'Cathedral of Commerce'
From Times Square, take the #7 line to 42nd and Grand Central. Let
them view the lobby of Grand Central Station. Then take the #4, 5 or
6 Line to the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall stop in lower Manhattan.
Walk west across City Hall Park to Broadway, turn left and you'll
see the entrance to the Woolworth Building, once the tallest
building in the world. Its lobby is another sight that steals the
glory from Carlsbad Cavern. A ride in one of the glass-enclosed
high-speed elevators might be a little too much but if you prepare
the kids they will enjoy the thrill (and that special feeling in
their little stomachs).
Panorama of the City of New York
There is only space in this article for one more so I will choose
the Panorama of the City of New York in the Queens Museum
of Art. (Take the #7 Subway Line to 11th Street, walk south on
111th to the Park entrance at 49th Ave and follow the yellow signs
in the park to the Queens Museum of Art. The Panorama of the
City of New York is a 9,335 square foot scale model of the entire
320 square miles occupied by the five boroughs of New York City.
With over 800,000 true-to-scale buildings, it is the largest scale
model of any city in the world. The buildings even light up as
'night' approaches (each tour gets to see the day-night cycle). It
is impossible to adequately describe the sight but the kids -- and
you -- will be enchanted.
Don't Forget the Hudson River Ferry
Oh, there is so much more but it's time to stop. But, finally, if
you are RVing and if you stay in Jersey City, you will get to ride
the ferry across the Hudson River (which is very wide, there). You
can see that unique skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and, of course,
all the ships. Yes, your kids will love New York City and we are
sure you will, too.
*Note:
The #1 Line emerges from the underground briefly for 125th Street
but the effect is not as impacting. |