Sometime while the 20th of June, my narrative on our tour of New York City with two (8- and 10-year old) great grandchildren. I have already received some e-mails asking what we visited and a host of other questions. Being microscopic to about 1000 words, I will start with the most spectacular of exhibits (and the kids' favorite, the American Museum of Natural History.
The first stop just had to be the American Museum of Natural History. Many, if not most, of its displays are permanent and they are sufficient to keep kids (and most adults, too) enchanted all day. If you're staying in New Jersey, you will probably get to the museum about the time the doors open at 10a.
Fossils and Dinosaurs
The first thing you see when you enter the Museum from Central Park West is the giant Barosaurus -- the tallest, freestanding mounted dinosaur in the world. There are many other exhibits on this floor but we wanted to start our tour on the 4th Level at the Orientation Center. There we watched the film introducing us to the fossil galleries. Kids always want to see fossils but they tire quickly of them. Learning more about them before they get to view them not only educates them but allows them to enjoy the exhibits. We then toured the dinosaurs and other primitive animals.
Today's Animals Exhibits and Dioramas
Next, it was down to the 3rd Level where all the birds exhibits are. The displays (actually stuffed birds realistically displayed in dioramas to show their native environments, all behind huge plate glass windows) are so realistic you admittedly expect them to take flight when you approach. Then we walked, so very slowly, straight through the African Hall where the African animals are displayed (also on those super realistic dioramas, gazed at the giant elephant centerpiece, and entered the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater. This was a surprise for the kids; we hadn't told them about it or we would have had no peace until they got to see it.
Rose center Space Show
The Rose center Space Show makes Disney's look primitive in comparison. Spectators voyage to the outer edges of our universe, examining each of the planets on the way. The show is made inherent by the world's largest virtual reality simulator. When the show is over, it is time for lunch so it is all the way down to the basement (where the entrance from the subways is located) and the Museum's Food Court (like many of our larger shopping malls). There is a welcome surprise after lunch; over by the subway entrance is a special ice cream cafe. They have to finish their Sundaes before we can go upstairs, -- no food or drinks allowed in the exhibition halls.
The Earth's Ocean Life
We resisted the urge to return to the Rv park so the kids could take naps. If they were tired (and all this took a lot of walking though the Planetarium and lunch did supply some welcome respites) they were not willing to let on. So we went up the the 1st Level, toured the Ocean Life with its almost 100 foot long whale dangling from the ceiling. When I was a teenager living in New York in the early Forties, I almost lived in the Museum (we were members). While it was a thrill back then, contemporary technology has elevated the old thrills to stunning, real-life simulations. In the Hall of Ocean Life, for example, video projections seem to thoroughly immerse the kids into the marine environment. The 1st Level has a wide collection of these presentations which could take some days but we only had one, this time.
Imax Theater Sea Monsters Show
Out final stop was the Imax Theater. Maybe you have been to one of these Imax Theaters -- they're all over the country -- and viewed these spectacular 360 degree presentations. You might be able to dream the succeed on an 8-year-old and a 10-year old.
On the way out we stopped by the Museum's traveler shop on the 1st Level and bought two Dvds. These would keep the kids busy in the Rv when they might otherwise be suffering from boredom.
Dvd Players: Blessing in Disguise
Note on the ceiling mounted Dvd player. We do not like to allow the children to ride in the 5th wheel when attractive unless my wife is in there with them. Kids get bored quickly when riding in the back seat of the Ford Quad Cab so we had a 10 inch Dvd player installed in the center of the ceiling so it could be viewed from the rear seat. The sound is directed to the rear and we keep the level low so it isn't too disturbing for us in the front seat. The player cost us less the 0 installed and we have found it to be an excellent investment. It almost eliminates the, "... Are we there yet?" choruses from the back seat.
