Yes, Single Parents Can Head To The Big Apple Too. Here’s How
While New York City is a fun and exciting place to visit any time of the year, it’s more enjoyable to experience outdoor activities, like sightseeing, when the weather is warm. If you’re planning a summer vacation to The Big Apple, you’ll quickly discover it’s a great place for a single parent to spend quality time bonding with their kids.
TOP FIVE FAMILY-FRIENDLY SUMMER ACTIVITIES
If you’re looking for fun things to do, the following is just a sampling of five popular activities and attractions worth experiencing:
1. CENTRAL PARK ZOO
Central Park is located in the heart of Manhattan and covers more than 843 acres (which is equal to six percent of the city). Within the park are a handful of attractions and activities which are fee-based, including the famous carousel, the zoo and ice skating.
The Central Park Zoo features more than 130 different species of animals, from polar bears and harbor seals to exotic birds, monkeys, and lizards. The Tisch Children’s Zoo is a petting zoo and allows young people to interact with some of the animals. The zoo has been open since 1934 and currently welcomes more than one million visitors every year. No matter what time of the year you visit, it’s easy to spend several hours exploring the park. One memorable way to tour the park is by riding a horse-drawn carriage, which is another activity that’s offered.
2. CIRCLE LINE TOUR
Circle Line is famous for its boat tours around Manhattan island, and for transporting visitors between Manhattan and The Statue of Liberty (as well as Ellis Island). Currently, Circle Line offers a two-hour and three-hour tour, which allows you to see New York’s magnificent skyline from a variety of perspectives, plus get awesome views of popular landmarks. Kids and teens especially will love the Circle Line’s Beast speedboat tour, which is an exhilarating 30-minute ride aboard a speed boat that travels upwards of 45 mph. Yes, you will get wet, so plan accordingly.
3. BRONX ZOO / NEW YORK AQUARIUM
This award-winning zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals and some of the most exciting attractions you’ll find at any zoo in the country. The zoo is famous for its Congo gorilla exhibit, as well as its Himalayan Highlands habitat and indoor Asian rainforest. Plan on spending at least three to five hours here. The zoo is easily accessible using NYC’s public transportation.
New York City’s only aquarium offers more than 8,000 animals, from exotic tropical fish to California sea lions. Plan on spending at least three hours here. The Deep Sea 3D movie ride, which is suitable for kids over the age of 8, takes you on an expedition to the ocean’s deepest and darkest depths.
4. STATUE OF LIBERTY
This is one of America’s most famous monuments and it’s considered a true engineering marvel. Within the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty is a museum, as well as an observation deck. Only a limited number of monument passes are issued each day. Walking tours of Liberty Island (which encompasses 12 acres) are also offered. Allow approximately three hours to experience the Statue of Liberty (including transportation to and from Liberty Island).
5. TOP OF THE ROCK / ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
Aside from the view offered at the top of the Empire State Building, one of the most breathtaking views of Manhattan can be seen from the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. In addition to a museum area (which offers a brief history of the city and Rockefeller Center), guests have the opportunity to visit the observation deck which is located 70 stories above street level. Here, a panoramic view of Manhattan is offered. Plan on spending about one hour visiting this attraction. You can, however, spend several hours exploring all of Rockefeller Center. Within Rockefeller Plaza, there’s also the NBC Studio Store and the set of The Today Show. Just one block away is Radio City Music Hall, home of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show featuring the Rockettes (which is presented annually throughout November and December). Other shows and concerts are held within this historic venue throughout the year.
More Travel Info Is A Mouse Click Away
To explore Manhattan, a variety of narrated, hop-on, hop off bus tours are offered throughout each day and evening. Some of these tours are operated using double-decker buses. For more information, visit Gray Line New York. For more information about what to see and do while visiting The Big Apple, visit the NYC Visit Website. You can learn about special events happening in New York City by visiting Where magazine’s Web site.
Jason R. Rich is the series editor and author of the Entrepreneur Magazine’s Business Traveler series of city-specific travel guides for business people. Guides are currently available for New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Orlando.
