Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island (actually a part of Manhattan) is a great place to visit with kids.  Perhaps the most exciting part is the trip by aerial tramway, but there is a lot of exciting things to do on the island.  From Manhattan, take the tramway car at 59th Street and Second Avenue.  (There are elevators there if necessary.)  The travel time is about 5 minutes and offers glorious views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. Exit at the Tramway station on Roosevelt Island.  Walk down to the Visitor Center.

Roosevelt Island Visit Center

At the Visitor Center, collect brochures for some of the island activities.  Then ask where the bus stop is for the Red Bus (very near the Visitor Center) and take a bus tour of the Island.  

There are so many wonderful things to do there with kids -- the playgrounds, the children's library, the lighthouse on the northern end and the Four Freedoms Park on the south side of the Island.  There are restaurants, supermarkets, snack stands, and more.  It makes for a very nice day.  Here is a link to a Lonely Planet guide to the Island.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/travel-tips-and-articles/76780