I'm thinking of taking the kids up to New York in April food one of the last Ringling bros shows. The show is in Uniondale. On the map, it's pretty close to Manhattan, but I know in NYC, geographic distance is irrelevant. We will provably do the circus Saturday night. Since they've never been to New York, is also like to take them to some of the places I liked as a kid. That includes my grandparents neighborhood in Brooklyn, central park, times square, Chinatown, statue of liberty.

I'm looking for suggestions of where to stay and possible itineraries. I know getting around to all of that stuff may not be possible, even on a weekend. I'm not planning to rent a car, but not shy about taking the subway.

There was recent thread you may glean some ideas from.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...935/m/3900051024/p/1

City pass if you plan to do many sights. Usually includes statue of liberty, empire state building, museums, and the like.

For planning purposes, figure on about 2 hrs from midtown Manhattan to Uniondale (Nassau Coliseum) each way. Includes a couple of transfers, so your kids could get to experience the subway, the Long Island Rail Road, and a city bus all in one journey.

One of the places I loved as a kid in the 60's, and my kids loved 40 years later, was the Hall of Science in Flushing. Tons of interactive exhibits; very hands-on.

That was my thread referenced above. Just a heads up for May the crown access is completely sold out for the Statue of Liberty. If anyone knows where to get this in the black market, let me know or if someone knows a guy who knows a guy...

To get from the the city back and forth to the Nassau Colosseum will require some sort of car. This might be a good job for Uber/Lyft. I have no idea how much that would cost. You could rent a car, but then you have the issue that the car is a major liability in Manhattan.

While NYC is transit friendly Long Island is very car centric. Getting to venue without taking a car all the way from the city would require taking the Long Island Rail Road to probably Carle Place, and taking a cab from there. I wouldn't recommend that.

If you don't do the Statue of Liberty, at least take the Staten Island ferry to Jersey and back.
Great views of the Statue as well as the NYC skyline.
Best thing, it is free..

I'd also walk around ground zero.
Your kids might not get it, but you will.
It is something everyone should do..IMHO
It's walking distance from the ferry..

My wife didn't want to take the subway, but I had to.
I had to ride an NYC subway just to do it.
We took it from Times Square to Yankee stadium.
Took an Uber back to the hotel.

Times Square would be cool for the kids.
Something they won't forget..

Many great suggestions here and in the other referenced thread!

Look into the J.P. Morgan / Pierpont Library and Museum, for a fascinating look into his NYC home and personal library.

Grand Central Station is always an eye-opener. For as many times as I have been in it, it never gets 'old' being there.

Before you go to GCS, search the net for 'grand central station acoustics', to find the "whispering gallery". It's REALLY cool!!
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quote:

For as many times as I have been in it, it never gets 'old' being there.

Most everyday for the last 25 years-yeah it gets old.