Vacation In New York City

There are hundreds of things to do in New York City. The Big Apple is perfect for families looking for fun, exciting and energy-filled activities for a vacation.

One thing you can do to start your summer vacation is to get a 360-degree bird's eye view of the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island), its surrounding waters and the Statue of Liberty from the Empire State Building's Observatory. In addition, within the Empire State Building is an interesting ride that will definitely be a hit to kids of all ages - the New York Skyride, which provides a three dimensional virtual tour of the entire city.

Tours and cruises are best to join at the beginning part of your trip to New York City. They provide an overview of all the things to see and do that the city has to offer. The Liberty Cruise provides an interesting introduction of New York City with amazing views of the Manhattan skyline and Ellis Island. The cruise, of course, includes an up close look at the great American icon, the Statue of Liberty, that will sure give you a renewed sense of freedom.

If you are looking for something educational and interactive for your kids to do this summer, New York City has the world's best museums that you can take them to. The Children's Museum of Manhattan caters to the inquisitive minds of young children which houses exhibits that will challenge their creativity. The museum features themed displays, such as Nickelodeon's Dora The Explorer and Go Diego Go, to catch the little kids' attention and to entice them to participate in the activities. Older kids, however, will definitely enjoy roaming around old aircrafts, particularly those used in the second World War in the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum.

Summer means lots of outdoor activities. Hit any of the New York City beaches and join all sorts of fun things to do. You can take this opportunity to teach the little ones how to swim, build sandcastles with them and look for shells that you can add to your collection. The older kids can learn how to surf and join beach games such as frisbee, volleyball and tennis. Some of the beaches hold events and festivals that you can also check out with your family to feel the New York City vibe.

One of the best things to do to enjoy the nice summer weather is spend an afternoon in Central Park. It is a great opportunity to be close to nature in the middle of a busy city. You can have a quiet family time with a little picnic. Kids (and parents) can have fun with a carousel ride and inline skating. You can also visit the Central Park Zoo for some wildlife encounter - lions, zebras, penguins, polar bears and over a hundred more different species of animals.

New York City is a shopping mecca. Whether you are looking for clothes, shoes, accessories or toys, New York City has a store waiting for you. Your kids can express their creativity by making their personal stuffed animal at the Build-A-Bear Workshop. A visit at the FAO Schwartz will definitely make your kids go wild. It is the ultimate toy store any kid could ask for. You can find everything at FAO Schwartz - from the regular Barbie dolls and Transformers collectibles to kid-sized Mercedes 500SL.

Hotel accommodations are aplenty in New York City. There are even those that are particularly family-friendly. Among the best places for your family to stay is at the Hilton Times Square. Hiton Times Square's lobby has an entertainment complex that houses restaurants, retail stores, a movie theater and even a wax museum. Hilton Times Square prepares programs for children and also offers babysitting services. The best thing about the hotel is that it is located right in the middle of Times Square, giving you an easy access to all the fascinating summer things to do in New York City.

About the Author:

To learn about all the things to do in New York City and plan your summer vacation, please use our road trip planner. It leverages the collective wisdom of thousands of users worldwide, and makes road trip planning interactive and enjoyable.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Family Summer: Things to Do in New York City

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Weather New York

From The Bronx to Manhattan, New York's City's diverse neighbourhoods and eclectic cultural scene has made it one of the most desirable holiday locations in the world. A vacation in New York City can incorporate a variety of attractions: from the iconic Statue of Liberty to the uptown galleries of SoHo. However, in the summer, holidays in New York in can involve much more as the city's vast green space and open parks really come to life.

Take a summer break in New York City and you'll find that the city's main landmarks glisten in the sunshine. For instance, the ferry trip to Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty is much more pleasant in the summer and the view from the landmark's summit seems all the more stunning. Additionally, explore the delights of Times Square and before heading down Fifth Avenue to discover the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Plaza.

New York's fine summer weather also allows tourists to appreciate some of its most beautiful architecture in style - including the New York Public Library, seen by many as one of the best examples of Beaux Arts architecture, and the Grand Central Terminal, whose vaulted ceiling adorned with a medieval zodiac design continues to astound both travellers and New York residents alike.

If you want to spend some of your summer holiday in New York indoors, make sure you spend them in the city's most celebrated art galleries and museums. Manhattan is replete with some of the world's finest art collections and America's most prestigious historical artefacts. Among New York's finest museums are the Guggenheim Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Jewish Museum - all of which can be found in the environs of Manhattan.

But if you really want to make use of the spectacular summer weather in New York, make sure you spend time in some of New York's best parks. Each borough of New York boasts its own unique park spaces, the most popular including the Pelham Bay Park in The Bronx and Flushing Meadow Park in Queens. However, the crowning glory of New York City's parks is surely Central Park, which offers all who pass through a chance to escape the city's dense array of skyscrapers and crowded streets. While in Central Park, enjoy the serenity of the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain or take in the tranquillity of Strawberry Fields - a section of the park that's dedicated to the memory of former Beatle John Lennon.

Central Park forms a fabulous intersection between three of New York's most famous neighbourhoods: the ritzy Upper East Side, the charming Upper West Side and the bustling area of Harlem. As a result, Central Park acts as a fantastic point from which to navigate the complex streets of New York, and tourists in New York City will be able to find an array of hotels in Central Park, Manhattan to suit their purposes. So whether you plan to spend your summer break in New York taking horse-drawn carriage rides in the sun or exploring Central Park Zoo, make sure you make the most of the sunshine in this dazzling cosmopolitan city.

About the Author:

Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer. His portfolio, called Capquest Photography is available to view online.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Take a Summer Break in New York City

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