By Sree Sreenivasan
DNAinfo Contributing Editor
How do you keep your 6-year-old daughter entertained when you’re left alone for a weekend in Manhattan? Turn to Facebook.
I tell my students at Columbia’s Journalism School that they should use Facebook as a tool to search for new ideas, rather than simply broadcast their own, and I recently put that dictum to the test when my wife and one of our twins was away visiting relatives.
I posted on my wall: "IDEAS? A daddy & 6yo daughter weekend in Manhattan. Any and all tips/ideas/leads welcome."
Within minutes, the greatest time-sink in human history — who hasn’t gone on Facebook for two minutes only to emerge two hours later? — provided ideas for all kinds of interesting things to do, including places to go that I hadn’t thought of.
Not only did friends post to my wall, but I also received e-mails, texts and even a phone call. I posted a query on Twitter, too, but Facebook got me better results.
And some of the best ideas came from people who don’t live anywhere near Manhattan.
Here’s a guide to weekend and holiday fun aimed at little girls and their dazed dads, created through social media:
Museums:
Children's Museum of the Arts, 182 Lafayette St., between Grand and Broome streets: Eddie wrote, "It's mostly hands-on activities--painting, playing drums, building things. They even have a media lab where the kids can create films and a studio where they can see themselves on television or make themselves disappear by wrapping themselves with a green blanket (because of the green screen effect). It is Tre Cool. [sic] It's also near Chinatown so they can go for an educational two-fer." [cmany.org]
Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue: A perennial favorite in the 6-and-under set, the museum has several floors of kid-sized entertainment and education. [cmom.org]
The Tenement Museum, 108 Orchard St. at Delancey Street: Gwen wrote, "It's fantastic. I took my 7-year-old daughter and she loved it. And then hit Economy Candy around the corner from it." [tenement.org]
American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street and Central Park West: Aviva wrote, "I always loved The Museum of Natural History - what kid DOESN'T love dinosaurs." [amnh.org]
Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street: Multiple nominations came in for this Manhattan icon. Check out the various "MuseumKids" activities. [metmuseum.org]
Stores:
Books of Wonder, 18 W. 18th St.: Angela said, "Great bookstore for kids and it's right next to the Cupcake Cafe." [booksofwonder.com]
American Girl Place Store, 609 Fifth Ave. at 49th Street: A great place to spend the day, if you can afford to spend a lot of money. [americangirl.com]
Make, three stores in Manhattan: All kinds of paint-your-own pottery. [makemeaning.com]
Build-A-Bear Workshop, 565 Fifth Ave. at 46th Street: Kids - and adults - can make customized stuffed animals. [buildabear.com]
Places to eat:
Cupcake Cafe, stores on 18 W. 18th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues; and on 545 Ninth Ave., between 40th and 41st streets: Cupcake mecca famous for the floral icing on its cupcakes. [cupcakecafe-nyc.com]
Alice's Tea Cup, two stores on the East Side, one on the West Side: A fun place for cakes, snacks and, of course, all kinds of tea. [alicesteacup.com]
Economy Candy, 109 Rivington St. at Essex Street: "An old-fashioned, family-owned candy store," the Web site says. [economycandy.com]
Things to do:
Monique wrote, "Ice skating in Central Park, hot chocolate at the Plaza & then toys at FAO Schwarz, always loved that trifecta."
Lynne suggested NYC Ballet's "The Nutcracker" or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular - "lots of girlie costumes and amazing sets."
Beth wrote, "Alvin Ailey at City Center, hot chocolate to follow overlooking the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center."
Laura's suggestions: "Ice skating at either Bryant Park or Rockefeller Center and hot chocolate afterward. Or, if you want something indoors, head to the Titanic Exhibit at the Discovery Channel (if she's into the Titanic yet) or to the MOMA."
Aviva's ideas: "Did she read 'Eloise at the Plaza?' You could go there and treat her to tea and cakes (and escapades, if you're up for it). And I also adored the Empire State Building as a kid... the elevators, and it was scary and fun to go up so high. But most of all, she'll love anything you two choose because kids treasure special time with you."
Krupali wrote, "Ice skate in central park, frozen hot choco at serendipity, and candy fun at dylans candy bar. perfect day :)"[sic]
Vladimir was clearly intent on tiring me out: "Belvedere Castle, Hayden Planetarium, Central Park Conservatory Garden (in the summer), M&M World, Radio City Music Hall."
Lavina had the most imaginative suggestion of all: "The best and most fun thing is to promise her a ride in a flying car to a fantasy island - and then take her on the Roosevelt Island aerial tramway (cost $2.25) to Roosevelt Island. The view of Manhattan is fantastic as you rise above the cars and buses and over the water. Once there, you get on to a red bus for a ride around the island (25 cents), check out glittering Manhattan across the water and enjoy some ices! Even grown-ups hardly know about this adventure, which is right under their noses."
Valerie came a little late to the discussion: "What great ideas! But know that just spending special daddy and daughter time together is a winner! Talk to her, listen, and make sure to take a few pictures, too."
My friend Julia summed it up best: "I always enjoyed shopping, going to the museum or the movies with my dad. The memories are so precious and they last a lifetime."
What we actually did:
These were all great ideas. But it was a rainy, miserable day, so we ended up hanging out on the Upper West Side all day on Saturday.
- Breakfast at Key West Diner [yelp.com], 2532 Broadway between 93rd and 94th Streets: $18.50
- Lunch at home, Mamma's leftovers: $0
- "The Nutcracker" by a terrific ballet company at Symphony Space [symphonyspace.org], 2537 Broadway between 94th and 95th streets: $50.00 for tickets and $5 in intermission snacks
- A manicure at Jade Beauty and Day Spa [jadebeautyspanyc.com], 2573 Broadway between 96th and 97th streets: $7.50 + tip
- Dinner at Texas Rotisserie and Grill [ordertexasrotisseries.com], 2581 Broadway between 97th and 98th streets: $29.07, including tips and lots of leftovers
Total cost: about $110. A day with my daughter, to borrow a phrase: priceless.
What ideas did my friends miss? Email me at sree.sreenivasan@dnainfo.com, reach me on Twitter @sreenet, or leave a comment below.
