Trip to NYC

Our family got a chance to spend a day in NYC.  It was so much fun!  This was our first real visit there as a family and we can't wait to plan a trip back!

We started our day in Grand Central Station.  It's amazing to see so many people hustling and bustling around.  We made sure to take a moment to let the kids know that they needed to hold our hands and stay close by.  We did not want to take any chances with them getting lost or stolen.  The atmosphere was contained chaos, to say the least.  I was very proud of us though.  We went down to the subway and a very nice MTA employee helped us figure out what we needed to do to get where we wanted to go.  She was helping everyone who had questions.  I was very thankful that she was their because without her we would've been lost.

We walked decided to walk from Grand Central to a nearby subway stop that would take us directly to the American Museum of Natural History which is located at Central Park West and 79th street.   On the way we saw the Empire State Building and Madision Square Garden.  How excited and awe inspiring they both are (remember, we're a hockey family)!  The subway line we took arrived right at the museum.  We couldn't ask for it to have been better.  The train was a little overcrowded when we got on because people were smashed up together close to the doors rather than spreading out in the car, but after a stop it cleared up.

At the musuem the lady at the desk was most helpful.  She gave us a map of the four floor museum and circled all the halls/exhibits that are popular wiht children.  We also chose to add on one special exhibit.  That was the "Journey to the Stars Space Show."   We started our museum trip there.  The kids loved hearing all about the sun and how stars are made.  It was one of the highlights. 

After that we went to the children's Discovery room on the first floor.  There was a dinosaur dig there and a dinosaur skeloton that the kids could help put together.  This was a hit because it was hands on.  I loved watching them take "bones" and with the help of the museum employee find where it.  Truly, a learning experience.

The best part of the museum for my kids were visiting the various fossil halls.  That is where we spent the better part of our day.  My son just finished learning about fossils in his science curriculum and couldn't wait to check out the dinosaur displays.  The kids were fascinated by the massive size of many fossils and the tininess of others.  They spent the day running from one fossil to another asking numerous questions about each.

After the museum we took the subway to Time Square.  Of course it was crowded.  The kids were amazed at the giant televisions plastered to the sides of buildings and huge billboards advertising various producs.  We played tourist and took pictures before heading off to locate the NHL store not far away.  The guys enjoyed going there.  Our final stop of the day was at the HUGE Toys R Us in Times Square.  The kids never wanted to leave...well that's a lie, they were getting tired around 8:30 and were willing to pack it in for the day.  But before we left they got to experience the gigantic T-Rex from the movie Jurassic Park and Barbie's lifesize doll house.

This trip created many memories that we will cherish.  We are already talking about planning another trip with friends soon.  Can't wait!