If you're planning a day out with kids in Manhattan, girls will enjoy many of the same activities boys do: seeing a Yankees game, visiting the Battleship Intrepid, or looking at dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History. But what if you want to have a “girlie” day in the big city, filled with horses, dolls and tea parties? Here is one way to spend a great girls' day out in New York – no subway riding required.
Breakfast at Sarabeth's
Start your morning a Sarabeth's (40 Central Park South), a breakfast/brunch spot where the wonderful house-made jams have been featured on Oprah. Your girls can order meals like the “Goldie Lox” (eggs and smoked salmon) or the “Baby Bear” (hot porridge with milk and honey).
Central Park Zoo and Carousel
Across the street from Sarabeth's, catch a ride on one of the horse and carriages waiting along Central Park ($34/half hour). Your driver may be willing to drop you off at the nearby Central Park Zoo (65th Street and 5th Avenue), or you can walk there through the park. The zoo has red pandas, penguins, and polar bears, and even a small petting zoo area. From there, you can enter Central Park itself for a ride on the nearby carousel.
Lunch at Alice's Tea Cup
For lunch, exit the park and walk three blocks west to Alice's Tea Cup (165 E. 64th Street), which specializes in delicious tea and scones. Your girls can even get some fairy wings to wear during their meal. Lunch reservations are a good idea, as waits can be as long as an hour for a table.
Shopping on 5th Avenue
When you're done with tea, head west toward the park, then turn south along 5th Avenue to find world-famous shopping, including the enormous toy store F.A.O. Schwarz (767 5th Avenue at 58th Street). Further south, American Girl Place (609 5th Avenue at 49th Street) has its own restaurant and even a hair salon for dolls.
Kids' Shows on Broadway
Complete your day out with a Broadway show. The best new shows for kids include “Shrek: The Musical,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Mary Poppins.” Older girls might like “Wicked,” “Guys and Dolls,” or “South Pacific.”
Your day out can give your girls a great introduction to the flavors of the big city. For further ideas of what to explore, look into museums and sightseeing tours, or check for upcoming events for kids at websites like Time Out New York.
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