Indiana jones in new york city

American Museum of Natural History

ADDRERSS:
PH: 212. 769.5100
website

Manhattan families owe their survival to three people. Jane Jacobs (who protected the city's energy), Frederick Law Olmstead (who gave the city it's lungs in the form of Central Park) and Theodore Roosevelt, who brought the world outdoors inside to this massive, gorgeous, shrine to Mother Nature.

Like the Louvre, if you took 5 seconds to look at each item in the collection, you'd probably still be there a year from now.

Before you go, check out the floor plan. Even us regulars, regularly get lost.

First-timers, go straight to the 4th floor for the Dinosaur Halls. The crowds get so intense it's a more pleasant and enriching experience if kids can do it with fewer people. From there, go to the 3rd floor for the Reptiles and Amphibians, Primates and the second story view of the Akeley Hall of African Mammals where you'll overlook massive elephants. Then, down to the 2nd floor still in the African Mammals, to see if you'd want to be on ground level with stampeding elephants.

This would be a good time to have lunch in the Cafe if your kids get a little low on energy.

We generally leave the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life (aka Whale Room as it is affectionately known) to last because there is plenty of room for kids to burn off energy and the guards rarely stop them (as long as they are not running; dancing, jumping, playing, sitting all is ok as long as no-one is running).

If they aren't aching to leave, head over to the Rose Space Center. They can touch a real meteor, see a space probe, and discover their weight on different planets.

Photos by Wallyg and by Wenzday01.

HINTS:

• Avoid the crowds at the Dinosaur Halls by getting to the museum early and making that floor your first stop.
• If you are going on a weekend or holiday, pick up a pass for the Discovery Center early or you won't get in.

Maxilla & Mandible

ADDRESS: 451 Columbus Avenue
PH: 212-724-6173
website

Claiming to be the world's first and only "Osteological" Store, it's the world's best specimen souvenir shop. Little lovers of all things bone are amazed when they discover they can take home many of the things they just saw minutes before in the museum. Everything from the rat skulls, to the lucite beetle bracelets, to the fish fossils, to the ostrich eggs, to the shells are real, authentic, legally and ethically sourced (except the human skeletons which are cast reproductions).

If I had the kind of child who wanted a coyote skull, I'd certainly rather bet $70 on the educational benefit of owning that than the fleeting novelty of a few tubes of replica dart frogs.

Evolution

ADDRESS: 120 Spring Street
PH: 1-800-952-3195
website

Evolution is a similar store, but with a wider range of affordable items. There are hundreds of items under $10, making it well worth the subway ride for true Indy Jones aspirants.

Popover Cafe

ADDRESS: 551 Amsterdam Avenue (87th St)
PH: 212-595-8555
website

If you haven't eaten at the American Museum of Natural History, this is our favorite alternate restaurant for kids.

Although it's got the typical Manhattan food problems (crowded, cramped, lines at times) it has a very reasonably priced menu with family friendly foods that diverge from the typical tired options. Lemon Ricotta pancakes and giant popovers seem to be the kid favorite every time.