A trip to the Big Apple may be in order this holiday season but a fun and exciting jaunt to New York can quickly become larger than life with kids in tow – especially if you don’t have a plan. By taking a few minutes to plan a kid friendly itinerary before you leave for NYC you can be assured those little feet won’t get too tired, or grumpy, throughout the day. So where are some of the best places to take the kids?

10. Children’s Museum of Manhattan

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan offers families an incredibly fun an interactive way to spend a day – especially if it’s raining or freezing cold and you can’t visit some of the other outdoor sights. Kids can run their own post office, learn about water, and participate in a wide variety of hands-on activities. The museum, with five floors of exhibits, is perfect for even the youngest of NYC tourists.

9. Rockefeller Center

If you’re visiting NYC during the holiday season you’ll want to make it a point to stop by Rockefeller Center so the kids can catch a glimpse of one of the largest Christmas trees in the area. They’ll absolutely love staring up at its glimmering lights before walking over to watch some of the area’s finest ice skaters (alright – amateurs, too) gliding along the city’s most popular ice skating rink.

8. Brooklyn Children’s Museum

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is another fun place for the kids. This one stands out from the rest because it was the very first museum ever opened with the idea of catering specifically to kids in mind. Opened in 1899, the museum has grown by leaps and bounds. It now features live python exhibits, musical instruments, and archaeological explorations – amongst many other fun and exciting interactive displays.

7. New York City Fire Museum

The New York City Fire Museum is an awesome destination for little ones enamored with firemen and fire trucks. Inside they’ll get to see some of the first fire alarms, old trucks and machinery, and learn about fire safety. It’s a fun and educational experience all rolled into one.

6. Children’s Museum of the Arts

The Children’s Museum of the Arts isn’t your average art museum. Inside the kids will be encouraged to learn about different art forms while creating pieces of their own. Check the museum schedule before you arrive to find out what’s on tap for the day – clay, collage, painting, or some other incredible art form.

5. World of Disney

While you may be hesitant to take your children into yet another store, this Times Square attraction is just that – an attraction. Inside this gigantic Disney store you’ll find tons of exhibits and activities for the kids to enjoy, including a chance to meet some real live Disney characters. A trip into this store is worth the effort, anyway. Many of the treasures here are exclusive to the New York City location.

4. New York Aquarium

If you head towards Coney Island you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find the New York Aquarium. With more than 10,000 marine species on display, you and your children could easily spend the entire day exploring all that the aquarium has to offer. Don’t forget to check out the Planet Earth: Shallow Seas 4-D show while you’re there!

3. Economy Candy Store

As long as you enter with a strict budget in mind (or make sure the kids know they can only spend their own money), a trip to the Economy Candy store is bound to bring smiles to every face in your group. The store has been in existence since 1937 and features not only today’s newest candy treats but some old favorites as well, including Hot Tamales, Kosher rock Candy, and those bland yet exciting Necco Wafers. Yum!

2. A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour

Do your kids love pizza? If so, the Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour will kill two birds with one stone. While visiting two different pizzerias, the kids will have a chance to eat while learning about the history of pizza, in general and in NYC. While on tour, you’ll get to sample thin-crust and Sicilian pizza while visiting some of the most notable sites in the city, including Coney Island and the Brooklyn Bridge.

1. The Bronx Zoo

No trip to NYC is complete without a visit to the Bronx Zoo. Opened in 1899, the zoo today houses more than 6,000 animals throughout its 265 acre grounds. The kids, however, will absolutely love the Children’s Zoo where they’ll have the opportunity to crawl in turtle shells, wiggle through prairie dog tunnels, and race their way up spider webs. Get to the zoo early and try to visit the most popular animals, like the Congo Gorillas, before the crowds arrive.

You can, of course, hire a babysitter, leave the kids in your New York City hotel, and head out for an adult evening on the town as well – but by day, all you need to do is hit a few of these attractions and your kids will have a vacation experience they’ll always remember!

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