A big, bright playground for a lively toddler
New York City wasn’t what I envisioned as a fun vacation destination with a toddler in tow. Just the thought of lugging my wiggly half-pint to a city filled with persnickety urbanites sparked anxiety dreams before our departure.
I happily discovered I’d worried needlessly. With a little bit of planning, our 17-month-old daughter and her parents found the Big Apple to be a big, fun playground with accommodating natives.
Simply strolling down the streets during rush hour and watching New Yorkers hustle home is amusing enough for a babe. But here are some suggestions to keep the little ones further entertained.
Central Park: Manhattan’s green oasis is a definite kid-pleaser. Initially, we aimed for Billy Johnson Playground at the southern end of the park to check out its popular granite slide set into a hill. It’s touted as one of Central Park’s best play areas, with its stone bridge, generous shade, swings and a small amphitheater.
We also hoped to picnic with the baby, but she had other ideas: She was so fascinated by the blinding green landscape on our way to the playground that she insisted on getting out of her stroller.
She spent a good hour running around a meadowlike expanse of lawn, exploring the trees and rocks while tourists and New Yorkers sunbathed on the grass.
The activity tuckered her out, and she fell asleep before we could get to the playground. But it’s a good lesson to remember: Sometimes you need to let your child set the schedule.
The park is so ginormous — 840 acres, about 10 times the size of Disneyland — and child-centric that families could take several trips and still not see it all.
Some fun offerings include the Central Park Zoo, where kids can spend time with an estimated 130 species that call the 61⁄2-acre corner of the park home.
About a 10-minute walk northwest, kids can choose from 57 vintage horses on the popular Friedsam Memorial Carousel, one of the largest in the nation.
Farther north, children can peer into microscopes and telescopes and take in the panoramic views of Turtle Pond at Belvedere Castle, which is set on one of the highest points in the park.
Info: Central Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.. Free entry. Ticket prices vary for the carousel and zoo. www.centralparknyc.org
Brooklyn: The Greenpoint neighborhood, a longtime Polish enclave with homey restaurants and green spaces to spare, is incredibly kid-friendly. My family stayed in the neighborhood a few nights and found that children were the norm at sidewalk eateries.
My daughter and I developed something of a routine during our stay. We started our day at the Brooklyn Label, where we gorged on a fluffy, cheesy omelet, country-style potatoes and kale salad.
The waitress was so accommodating that she brought over a high chair immediately and didn’t seem annoyed when my toddler — at the stage of saying “hi” to everyone, repeatedly — smiled and waved at her.
Next, we strolled to McCarren Park, a 35-acre stretch of greenery. On a weekday morning, the park’s Vincent V. Abate Playground buzzed with children climbing up and down slides, zipping through the air on swings and chasing one another in circles.
The equipment is a bit worn but functional. We soon ventured across the street, where my daughter could run around in grassy fields.
For dinner, we chose a slice of pie at Franklin Pizza. The manager waved at my babe and invited us in, and made sure I had enough napkins for the messy pizza.
Info: Brooklyn Label, 180 Franklin St., Brooklyn; (718) 609-1901, brooklynlabelnyc.com. McCarren Park’s Vincent V. Abate Playground, corner of Lorimer Street and Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn; www.lat.ms/playground. Franklin Pizza, 109 Franklin St., Brooklyn; (718) 349-2472, www.franklinpizzamenu.com.
Times Square: There was a time when setting foot in Times Square with a child was scary, but not anymore. The area has undergone major changes, and it’s now relatively safe and familyfriendly.
But make sure your child is ready for a high-sensory experience. The giant screens, neon lights and throngs of humanity can quickly become overwhelming.
Still, for those with tykes who thrive on intense visual stimulation, this is the place to be. M&M’s World, where you can find every kind and color of the candy, and the Disney Store, with its magical mirrors and vast selection of products, are fun, particularly for the older set.
Younger kids may be pleased with all the highwattage marquees and Elmo, Elsa and superhero impersonaters. Look for them in designated activity zones. (The recent move is intended to curb aggressive tip solicitation.) Still, if the kiddo insists on taking a photo with a character, a tip is expected.
The lights and crowds enthralled my toddler for about an hour. She waved and yelled “Hi” at everyone. We knew it was time to go when she put her hands over her ears.
You can also skip the chaos and duck into a show. The New Victory Theater on West 42nd Street connects children and theater through dance, music and even puppetry. Some shows are suitable for children as young as 2. Info: Times Square, www.timessquarenyc.org. New Victory Theater; 209 W. 42nd St., New York, www. newvictory.org
Tip for visiting: Stay in an Airbnb in Brooklyn. If not, try a family-friendly hotel, such as the Franklin Guesthouse (www.franklinguesthouse.com) in Greenpoint. It’s cheaper than Manhattan and you get more space. It’s also an easy subway ride to most places in Manhattan.