10 New York Spots to Take Your Kids Before They’re Teenagers

6. Chelsea Screamer/The Beast/The Shark

We stumbled upon the Screamer at Chelsea Piers after noticing a giggling crowd who’d just disembarked the high-speed boat ride around the southern tip of Manhattan. The next ride left in 15 minutes so we hopped aboard and had a blast, zipping along the salty river at 35 mph past the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Now that we’ve whetted your whistle, here’s the thing: Due to construction on the Pier, the Screamer is operating only for private parties/charters at the moment. However, Circle Line’s Beast and Circle Line Downtown’s Shark are similarly thrilling rides that buzz around New York Harbor with a pit stop in front of the Statue of Liberty for photos. Note: If you or your kids take Dramamine for canoe rides, skip it. (Read our See New York From the Water article for more boat-touring ideas.)

Circle Line Beast, Pier 83 (W. 42nd St. and 12th Ave.); tel. 212-563-3200; www.circleline42.com; Circle Line Downtown Shark, Pier 16 (South Street Seaport); tel. 866-925-4631, www.circlelinedowntown.com.

7. United Nations

If you think your elementary school-age child is too young to appreciate the 45-minute tour at the United Nations, with visits to the General Assembly Hall, the Security Council and Social Council chambers, and international art exhibits (including a Marc Chagall stained-glass window and Norman Rockwell mosaic), think again. One guide poignantly recalls a group tour she led on which there were 8- and 9-year-olds with their parents. She asked the group if they knew what an anti-personnel land mine was and how much did they think one would cost. The adults didn't volunteer an answer but one of the kids finally said, “It costs you your life.” If you’re lucky, you might stumble across a meeting in progress (about 5,000 meetings are held annually; some closed to the public).

First Ave. between 42nd and 48th St., tel. 212-963-TOUR (212-963-8687), www.un.org/tours.

• The United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
• hibino

8. Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

The holidays seem Grinch-like without a visit to the decked-out Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Ooh and ahh at the glistening tree, then lace up your skates and spin figure eights at The Rink. We like to warm up with cups of steamy cocoa at Dean & DeLuca, a snowball’s throw away, which overlooks the Today Show studios.

Fifth Ave. at 49th and 50th Sts. The rink opens for the season Oct. 11, 2008 at 8:30 a.m., tel. 212-332-7654. www.therinkatrockcenter.com.

9. Empire State Building

This midtown Art Deco building has been featured in many movie scenes (Sleepless in Seattle, King Kong and more), as well as our family videos. I will always be grateful for the Empire State Building. One day, when 7-year-old Alex was at school, his rabbit died suddenly at home. When I picked Alex up at school that afternoon I didn’t have the heart to tell him the sad news and certainly didn’t want to go home just yet. So, I declared that we were going somewhere special—although I had no idea where. We jumped on a train, Alex begging me to tell him the big surprise of where we were headed. I thought quickly, and next thing I knew we were at the top of the Empire State Building. Alex had never been, and he was mesmerized by the views from the 86th floor observatory (1,050 feet above Manhattan’s busy streets). He bought a King Kong key chain at the gift shop, we watched the sun go down, and then ventured home. He was sad when I finally told him about his rabbit, but the trip to the Empire State Building had helped buffer the blow.

• Manhattan's Empire State Building.
• Bob Jagendorf

350 Fifth Ave., tel. 212-736-3100, www.esbnyc.com.

10. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

She’s back! Following extensive renovations in Staten Island, the aircraft carrier Intrepid has returned to Manhattan in anticipation of its grand reopening, Nov. 8. In the new and improved attraction, visitors can ride in an A-6 cockpit simulator, check out the guided missile submarine the Growler, step into British Airways’ fast-flying Concorde, visit areas of the Intrepid that were previously off-limits and enjoy a new public pier. Bonus: Plan your visit during the Intrepid Museum’s annual Kid’s Week (next one starts Feb. 14, 2009) for lots of interactive events and fun.

Pier 86–12 Avenue at W. 46th Street, tel. 877-957-SHIP (7447), www.intrepidmuseum.org.