East Side Central Park Playgrounds

There are over 20 playgrounds within Central Park and thay are all imaginative, intriguing, and well-maintained.  What a wonderful way to spend an hour or so at any time of the year.  This entry will deal with 3 playgrounds within close proximity in the middle section of Central Park along the East Side. Each of the playgroun have nearby, accessible, and convenient bathroom facilities.

The Billy Johnson Playground

Located on the East side of the park at 67th Street, the Billy Johnson Playground  was inspired by the landscapes of Central Park, making it one of the Park's most distinctive play spaces. Constructed primarily from natural materials, the playground includes a stone bridge, luchs plantings and planty of shade creating small play "rooms."  Additional features include bucket swings and a small amphitheater, ideal for picnics and other gatherings. The playground's most popular feature is a granite slide set into a hill, scattered with plantings and rocks.  There is also a sprinkler during the warmer months.  

The Ever Popular Granite Slide

The East 72nd St. Playground

If you walk norh in Central Park along the eastern edge, you will soon come upon the 72nd St. Playground.  This playground's low concrete walls and numerous steps and seats define the play space, as well as providing a variety of levels and surfaces to climb and explore. Play features include bucket swings, a wooden tree house and a granite-faced climbing pyramid with slides and tunnels. A net climber and tire swings are set in a large sand area at the center of the playground. A wall-mounted water feature sprays into a sunken area surrounded by steps and round concrete seats.

                                The Ancient Playground

Just north of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the East side at 85th St., is the Ancient Playground, also referred to as "The Pyramid Playground."  Despite its name, Ancient Playground is one of the Park's most recently reconstructed playgrounds. The ground material is particularly soft and spongy.  They playground, inspired by the collections at Metropolitan Museum of Art, includes pyramids, obelisk and a sundial.  In the main play area, pyramid-shaped climbers with slides and tunnels are linked by concrete bridges. Additional wooden climbers are ideal for older children who love to climb and explore. For younger children, the playground has an obelisk-shaped structure set in a sandbox. Bucket, tire and strap swings accommodate children of all ages.  The Ancient Playground has two user-activated water features. One is integrated into the main climbing structure: water runs from a central obelisk across two bridges and cascades like a mini-waterfall into an open area with water jets. The other is a small semi-circular area for younger children with spray nozzles set into a wall.  My grandchildren just love to play hide n' seek at the playground due to the numerous tunnels, levels, and low walls.

New York City Fire Museum

An interesting little museum in lowerr Manhattan is located in a former firehouse!  It is the New York City Fire Museum.  It makes for a nice, brief visit than can be accomplished in an hour.  Located at 278 Spring Street, the museum is located in the former quarters of NYFD Engine Company No. 30.  On display are there are vintage fire trucks, some of which kids can climb upon, as well as sorts of fire equipment and paraphernalia.  It is open 7 days a week from 10:00 Am to 5:00 PM.  Admission is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children, students, and seniors.

The NYS Fire Museum

An Old Fire Engine

An "Older" Fire Engine

Via Public Transportation:

To reach the Museum by subway, take the "C" or "E" train (8th Avenue Local) to Spring Street. Walk west 1 ½ blocks. Alternately, take the "1" train (IRT) to Houston Street. Walk south along Varick Street for 4 blocks to Spring Street. Walk west ½ block.

To reach the Museum via bus, take the M10 or M21 to Spring Street.

The website for the museum is:

http://www.nycfiremuseum.org

Address
New York City Fire Museum
278 Spring Street
New York, NY, 10013
Main Telephone: 212.691.1303
Fax: 212.352.3117

Open 7 days a week: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Closed major holidays

Admission
$8.00: Adults
$5.00: Children (12 and under),
 seniors and students with
 college ID

Directions

The New York City Fire Museum is located in the former quarters of FDNY Engine Company No. 30, a 1904 firehouse in the Hudson Square district of Manhattan.

View map on Google

The Eloise Shop at The Plaza (and More in the Area)

What could be more exciting for a 5 or 6 year old girl (and her little brother) than a trip to the Eloise Shop located in the basement of New York's iconic Plaza Hotel at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue!  The shop has several rooms (and of course lots of items for sale) that appeal to toddlers to pre-tweens. There is even a toy piano with a 3-sided mirror on which to practice scales.  Eloise's "playroom" has huge round pink sofas where kids can lounge and watch the Eloise movies that are continuously looped on a big screen. There is a party room as well where sometimes visitors can peek in on a celebration in action.  Of course, it makes sense to read books from Eloise series or watch the videos (available at most children's libraries) prior to a visit.  This adds meaning and context!

The Plaza

Eloise's Apartment

The Party Room

Playing the Piano

Eloise's Bedroom

Eloise's Playroom

 While at The Plaza, make sure to stop for a snack in the huge, magnificent food court right outside of Eloise's apartment.  You can get anything from a small cookie to a full meal at any number of restaurants and shops.  We found that a cookie and a juice pack was just fine and it didn't "break the bank!"

The Food Court at the Plaza

Just across Fifth Avenue is New York's landmark Apple Store.  Entering the huge glass cube is an event in itself and then taking the glass elevator downstairs is another adventure.  Once inside, head for the iPad tables where several tablets are loaded with games while kids sit on sturdy balls on low-lying tables.  We had to pry the kids away after more than one "five-minute warning."

The Apple Store on Fifth Avenue

Playing with iPads at the Apple Store

Now if you really want to splurge, just behind the Apple Store is the internationally-known toy store, F.A.O. Schwarz.  Of course, browsing all of the toys is just too tempting for some kids, but one time when we visited, we simply said that it was for looking and exploring, but not for buying. (On another occasion, we tried to teach an "economics lesson" and limited each child to an $8 purchase. It was somewhat challenging to find an item at that price point, but we were successful.  (Our grandchildren were prompted to make the purchase themselves, to approach the counter money in hand, and check on the change received.)  Of course.there is plenty to explore without a purchase-- magnificent Lego structures, giant stuffed animals to sit on or hold, demonstrations, and the famous "Big Piano."  Kids remove their shoes and after waiting a turn, they can walk, slide or jump onto a giant keyboard and their motions make piano sounds.  It is great fun.

The Big Piano at F.A.O. Schwarz

 As you leave the store, make sure to say goodbye to the costumed "toy soldier" who is stationed at the door.

The American Museum of Natural History

You cannot say too much about this New York City gem!  Located on Central Park West between W. 77th and W. 81st Streets, the very imposing facade is a joy to behold and provides a lot to point to young children.  Older sections have fascinating turrets and of course there is the famous statue of Teddy Roosevelt on a horse at the main entrance.  Once inside, most kids want to head straight to the dinosaurs and they are wonderful, but there is so much more to explore.  In addition to the special exhibits, my own grandkids love wandering through the maze of fascinating objects in the Hall of Minerals.  The Museum usually has an IMAX film production (extra fee) and of course the Rose Planetarium is worthy of a separate visit.  If the time spent at the museum gets to be too much for some, you can always walk out of the front door, cross the street, and enjoy some relaxing strolls (and great playgrounds -- topic for another post) in Central Park.

The Front of the American Museum of Natural History

The Hall of Dinosaurs

The Hall of Minerals

The Rose Planetarium

The HIPPO Playground

In Riverside Park, near Riverside Drive and 91st St., there is the "Hippo" playground, so named because of the ground level statues of hippos that occupy the park.  It is great fun!  During the summer months, they even spout water.  There are swings, climbing equipment, a sand area, and lots of other activities that can occupy kids for hours any season of the year.

Here are some photos:

There is even one large hippo that kids can climb into.  They enter from a passageway on the ground, climb though, and emerge from the large hippo's mouth!

In the background, you can see the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument which is just south of the Hippo Playground on 89th Street.  Dedicated in 1902 and desingated a municipal landmark in 1976, the Monument commemorates the soldiers and sailors who served the Union during the Civil War.  The architecture is very interesting and many details can be pointed out to grandchildren -- the pillars, the surrounding walkways, and steel door entrance, etc.  

My own grnadkids like to sit atop the canons, but be careful during hot summer days as the surface of the canons can get quite hot!

  

A visit to the Soldiers' and Sailors' monument offers a good opportunity to introduce young children to the sacrifice that servicemen and woman have made to their country.

In the summer, Shakespeare performances on the back steps of the monument. 

Remote Control Boats in Central Park

Have you seen those those idyllic wooden boats that kids push along with a bamboo stick at Jardin de Luxembourg in Paris?  Well you don't have to go to Paris (although that might make for a great excursion with the grandkids!) but you can accomplish a similar activity, albeit high-tech version, at New York's Central Park!  

Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris

Kerb's Boathouse (on the East side of Central Park near 74th St.) is on "Conservatory Water," a small lake where small boats of all kinds can be watched and sailed.  From April through October, remote control boats can be rented (at not too steep a costl; about $11/half hour in 2014) that provide great fun for children of all ages.  Younger children may need some help using the remote control, but most kids these days are "digital natives" and figure it more ably than their grandparents.

Remote Control Boats in Central Park

Lovely View of the City from Conservatory Water

Here are some relevant websites:

http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/conservatory-water.html

http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/kerbs-boathouse.html

Very close by are some wonderful scultures, statues, and features of the Park.  Children can climb on the sculptures of Alice in Wonderland and Hans Christian Andersen and identify many of the familiar aspects.

Alice in Wonderland

Hans Christian Andersen

Bryant Park -- A Little Gem in the Center of Manhattan

Bryant Park is a really attractive 8 acre space, kind of like a Parisian urban park, that has scheduled events nearly every day.  It is right behind the New York Public Library and occupies two blocks between 40th and 42nd Streets between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue).  There is a great lawn, cafes, an ice cream stand, a carousel, and even an outdoor library with a children's section! There are statues of famous Americans to look at and discuss as well as wonderful views of the mid-town skyline.  In the symmer there are afternoon concerts and evening movies.  In the winter, there is an ice-skating rink and holiday shops and stalls.  There is so much to do at Bryant Park and you can easily spend an afternoon exploring all that the park has to offer.

One of the Many Promenades

Ice Skating in Winter Months

The Great Lawn at Bryant Park

One of the Holiday Shops

The Carousel

You can check out daily events at:   http://www.bryantpark.org/

Because Bryant Park is so centrally located, it is accessible from many subway and bus lines, particularly those with stops at Grand Central Terminal and Times Square. Also, the 42nd St. stop of the B and D trains stop just at the park corner. 

The Staten Island Ferry -- A Great Way to Begin

Nothing is as captivating as a ride on the Staten Island Ferry!  The 5 mile, 25 minute "voyage" leaves from Battery Park (Whitehall Terminal) at the southern tip of Manhattan.  The schedule varies, but at the busiest times, you can catch a ferry every 15-20 minutes.  The ride also provides a majestic view of New York Harbor and it is free!  One guide book calls it "One of the world's greatest (and shortest) water voyages." From the deck of the ferry you will have a perfect view of The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You'll see the skyscrapers and bridges of Lower Manhattan receding as you pull away and coming into focus again as you return. There is so much harbor activity to witness, to point out to the kids and many opportunities to ask inquiry questions.  Once on the Staten Island side, you have to exit the boat and if you want to return immediately, you have to re-board to same or the next boat.  

If you want to explore a bit of Staten Island, you can easily walk to the 9/11 Memorial on Staten Island.  The short walk from the ferry terminal along the harborfront offers spectacular views of the lower Manhattan skyline and there is a playground nearby.

To get to the ferry terminal on the Manhattan side, use any of the folowing subway or bus routes:

•  to South Ferry
•   to Bowling Green or Wall St
•         ot Broadway-Nassau/Fulton St
•   to Wall St
•   to Broad St
•   to Whitehall St or Rector St
• M5, M20 and M15 SBS buses.