1. American Museum of Natural History
You haven’t experienced a family outing until you go visit the Barosaurus skeleton replica. The best part is the fourth-floor dinosaur halls where you’ll see all these astonishing fossil specimens. Then once you get tired of the dinos head over to the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life to stare in awe at the famed 94-foot-long blue whale model.
Location: Central Park West at 79th St (212-769-5100)
2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden
This hidden gem in Brooklyn is great for a day outdoors with the family in the Spring. If you’ve never been, grab the kids, hop in the car and head to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden mid spring for their Cherry Blossom festival By far the only place in NYC that manages to make you feel like you are no longer in NYC. And if nature alone doesn’t do it for you, the BBG also puts on some of the most kid-friendly fests in the city, from the Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom) celebration to fall’s Chile Pepper Fiesta and Ghouls & Gourds festival. Plus, admission is free till noon on Saturdays, except on special event weekends.
Location: 900 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225 (718-623-7200)
3. Citi Field
Not only is Citi Field home to the Mets and family it’s also the hot spot. The stadium also includes a dunk tank and kids are also able to get their photos taken with Mr. Met. Tons of fans gravitate to the Mets Hall of Fame & Museum to take a peek at the World Series Championship trophies and the wall of team jerseys.
Location: Roosevelt Ave at 126th St, Flushing, Queens (718-507-6387)
4. The Cloisters
Somewhere between Central Park and the Met Set overlooking the Hudson River, the Cloisters lay housing medieval art and architecture collections. One of the most peaceful places in the city you can walk the grounds to a castle that seems to have survived from the Middle Ages. (It was built less than 100 years ago, using material from five medieval French cloisters.)
Location: 99 Margaret Corbin Dr (212-923-3700)
5. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
An aircraft carrier turned into a science museum?? YES! Upon arrival the first place for visitors would be the Exploreum, an indoor activity zone divided into areas with nautical, aviation, cosmos and life themes. in 2012 The Intrepid gave families another reason to visit in 2012 with the opening of its Space Shuttle Pavilion.
Location: Pier 86, Twelfth Ave at 46th St (877-957-7447)
Here’s a list of attractions to visit in NYC: http://www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/museums-attractions/family-attractions
