Babies to the Max: NYC: All Around the Town

So many attractions to see in NYC...let the exploring begin!

Rockefeller Center

Top of the Rock

Max assumed we were in the Empire State Building because that is the only tall building in New York, right? We did not correct him. Yep, we lie to our child in order to avoid extra walking.

American Museum of Natural History

Future Paleontologist, reporting for duty

Dinosaurs, at last!

Max went on a scavenger hunt through the dinosaur exhibits matching fossils to pictures on an app the museum offered.

Ferocious creatures!

Fossils everywhere, even underfoot!

Max's favorite part of the museum was the interactive Discovery Room. It had hands-on activities which mimicked the real exhibits in the museum.

Excavating in a cast of actual fossils

and assembling a dinosaur model.

Each piece was numbered and had to be matched to the correct spot, then attached by magnets.

Many other children came and went, but the Max remained focused until he finished the entire model!

"Is that the real Statue of Liberty? I thought it was bigger."

Central Park

Conquering the big rocks!

Bubble Mania!

Familiar Friends

Statue of Liberty

Max was very eager to see the Statue of Liberty and discuss its construction. Lady Liberty was still closed to tourists during our trip, so we just cruised by on the ferry. Luckily for the passengers next to us, Max provided a history lesson about the "great friendship" between the United States and France.

9/11 Memorial and new World Trade Center

We were already in lower Manhattan and I really wanted to visit the 9/11 Memorial; I did not realize how difficult it was to do so. The area is still a construction site and only a certain number of visitors are allowed in at a time. Waiting in line, going through stringent security, and winding our way to the Memorial took an hour. Even though I had not prepared Max about the site, he was very respectful and patient during our wait. Inside the park area felt like a place of peace.

The Lion King

The touring version of The Lion King came to Greenville last summer, but we decided Max wasn't old enough to attend. This year, Broadway beckoned! Having seen the production, I knew to request aisle seats so we could watch the characters walk through the theatre. Max's face was ecstatic when they walked by his seat and stopped to sing right beside him! He was bouncing in his seat and eager to join the cast! Later, he whispered to me, "Sarah would love the giraffes, Mommy!" I think I watched his face more than the show - both were delightful!