Your Favorite Places to take Tourists You Like

For Kids-

The Cloisters

FAO Schwartz

Serendipity

Brooklyn Children's Museum

The Shark (if it's warm out)

Pier 25 (mini golf, park, playground, etc) in fact, all of Hudson River Park from Chelsea Piers south

Junior's (cheesecake and desert)

For the adults, I'd suggest either a real iconic NY experience like Top of the Rock or else something that is an only in NY experience like a NY speakeasy for drinks and a dinner at a top NYC restaurant

We've had guests here with kids that age a couple of times so I've probably got more advice than you'd like

Consider a fair amount of meals at home or at obviously kid-friendly places (close to home is always good, pizza joints, Two Boots). It can be stressful for the parents if you try to go anywhere not obviously family-oriented because they will be worrying about the kids (making messes, noise, not finding food they like). Even if they say it's not a problem, they are probably being nice so keep that in mind.

I'd vote Top of the Rock over the Empire State. If they really want to do something different and have a long night, I think Sleep No More is a fun show (not for the faint of heart).

On their last visit, the kids most liked the 9th St playground. We took them to the Bronx Zoo, Propsect Park Zoo (this is best for kids because it is designed for kids with many interactive parts), and the aquarium and the playground was always their favorite. The adults weren't super adventurous so they liked quiet things like the BBG and places where the kids were entertained. The carousel by the Prospect Park Zoo was also a hit. I love the CP Zoo, but if you're doing it for the kids PP zoo or the aquarium are better.

A boat ride can also be fun--the Staten Island Ferry is good because it's free or for a longer, better ride, Circle Line boats have been a hit with our family. I've not done the Shark but it's similar and is good if the kids like fast things.

You should ask them if there are any types of food they really want to try or maybe send them links to menus of some of your favorite places to get an idea of where they might want to go sans kids. Some of family members really loved or favorite neighborhood places, it didn't have to be somewhere fancy.

Also, if they are staying with you, get snacks for the kids. Ask the parents for suggestions but having some juice/milk that they like, fruit, easy mac, and cereal can make life much easier. Buy some little wet naps and packages of peanut butter crackers to stick in your bag when y'all go out to places--you are unlikely to regret having these things. You never know when a hungry meltdown might come and you can save the moment.

Everyone has great suggestions. Snacks are a must if you out all day.

The Transit Museum is a great place and child friendly if you have a rainy day.

Prospect Park Zoo is great for younger ones, but if you are planning to go to all the zoos you may want to look into a family membership, which covers Bronx, Central Park, Prospect Park and Aquarium if it is open when they are here.

If you are going to the Met, the parents may want to stay and have drinks and listen to Chamber Music on Friday/Saturday nites when they are open late, you can take the kids home and let them have a NYC date night.

Remember that the Met, Brooklyn, and Natural History

are pay what you wish, you are not obligated to pay the

admission charge they have posted.

The Staten Island Ferry is great especially since it is free, when my neice came in with her kids and they were

frazzled by all the activity we rode it back and forth a few times to chill them out, then went to Chinatown for dinner.

Your seriously going to take 3 little kids to museums and the Met? Are you suicidal?

Just take them to the big Toys r Us so they can ride on the ferris wheel, thats all they will want to do. Maybe the Natural History Museum but they will be too little for most of the stuff you are thinking of. Maybe you can take the older ones out bowling or to McCarren and give the parents a break for a couple of hours, that will probably make it a great vacation for them!

As far as kid friendly restaurants look for places with backyards or rooftop decks so the kids can run around and play while you wait for the meal. Roberta's is okay if you go early in the evening and sit outside. Brooklyn Mac may be worth a visit too.

Little kids need naps so dont expect to be able to hit several places in a day, plan for 1 or 2 and keep it with minimal travel time. Forget Bronx Zoo unless you live near there as the travel time to get to it is murder and its packed.

Impressive planning! You're a good host.

Toy stores can be tricky because they might then get obsessed with getting things (that the parents don't want to spend money on or lug around). I'd leave that decision up to parents. There are tons of playground around the city, so when you need time for maybe one person to watch the kids, finding a nearby playground might be a good option.

You might have to wait a little longer, but you can probably get a van taxi at the airport (will they have lots of luggage and strollers or carseats that might require more space?) When we've needed a bigger van, the guy running the line would make some calls on his walkie talkie and a van would appear. You could also just split into two cabs.

If you grew up here, you were probably more used to city activities. Suburban and country kids might wear out much faster here (or anywhere on new and exciting) much faster than they do at home. I can't believe a 3 year old isn't going to need a nap or two. I think even our 6 year old needed a nap after all the excitement (train rides, strangers, animals) and she's used to tons of romping and stomping at home with no naps but this was all different stuff. Train rides were a good time for some naps.

It sounds like you're pretty well prepared, but remember, kids usually slow plans down quite a bit.

I don't think it's the walking that tires them, but the excitement of new things. Like I said, our last batch lives in the country and is constantly running (they play chase endlessly) and biking there, but they were worn out here from all of the cool things.

The shoe advice is good. We had a guest show up with a new pair of heels to wear everywhere because she wanted to be like Sex and the City. After the first outing of miles of walking she borrowed some sneakers and took some bandaids for her blisters.

Tateinbk, if you are going to do the Met, I suggest you have the parents read the book (or show the movie) From the Mixed-up Files of Ms.Basil E. Frankweiler to the oldest. It was the only thing that made the Met bearable to us when we were little.

Tateinbk,

The Discovery Garden (within the Brooklyn Botanic Garden).

The Staten Island ferry to and from (it's free!)

Russell