New York: NYC, CityPass Family Vacation Ideas - Empire State Building, Shopping, and Amazing Museums. 
If you are looking for an urban family adventure what could be better than NYC. The buildings are amazing and tall, the city sounds to be believed; the chaos is grand. Introducing your city to a city can be very rewarding if you have a plan. Buy a
CityPass New York City and do the city, it’s as easy as that. The pocket-sized NYC coupon book makes the deciding effortless and provides a productive starting point for a family vacation in NYC.
What’s included? The American Museum of Natural History, The Empire State Building Observatory, the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, Guggenheim Museum, the newly expanded Museum of Modern Art, a Circle Line Harbor Cruise and a discount coupon for Bloomingdale’s. This is the fun stuff.
Dinosaurs, fossils and star time. The American Museum of Natural History is filled with “wows!” at every turn, from the famous fossil halls and the exceptional dinosaur exhibitions to the extensive rock and mineral displays and the gigantic blue whale, the museum is interactive and inspirational. Inventive family programs include story times and encounters with Dr. Nebula's apprentice Scooter. The place is awesome and for all ages.
Bonus points: Created to improve any visit with kids, the new Discovery Room offers families with children ages 5–12, a unique opportunity to enjoy a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at science using puzzles and games, artifacts and specimens, scientific challenges and investigations.
Not to be missed: Combining music, awesome animation and surround sound, SonicVision at the Rose Center is a sensory thrill. Bring a friend free on Fridays and Saturdays just by using the website coupon.
Only for kids: Even before making a visit to the museum kids can access an interactive website created by the museum staff. As the website explains “ology” at the end of any word means "the study of" and the website provides endless possibilities.
Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Georges-Pierre Seurat, and Evard Munch. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is all new, awesome, elegant and innovative; yet family friendly and engaging, the museum showcases great masterpieces combining state-of the-art technology, dramatic textures and natural light. With exhibition space spanning 125,000 square feet, the new facility must be seen to be believed. Permanent gallery collections include significant works by Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Georges-Pierre Seurat, and Evard Munch. The new MoMA features a gallery devoted to contemporary art and another for new media. The museum’s massive inventory includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, architectural models and drawings, and design objects in addition to some 22,000 films, videos, and media works.
Bonus points: Film tickets may be obtained for same-day screenings at no charge by visiting the Film Desk. Unique audio tapes scripted for young ears make gallery visits fun for kids.
Not to be missed: The perfect meeting place, The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden showcases art and is framed by the dynamics of NYC Midtown.
Only for teens: Created in collaboration with high school students, Red Studio is a website with menu of modern art topics and activities relevant to teens. A seasonal program, “Friday Night at the Movies” encourages teens to watch and discuss classic, foreign, documentary, and contemporary films with MoMA Educators and film curators. Free pizza and soda are served at each film.
A spiral, skylights and Vasily Kandinsky. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Guggenheim Museum it is like no other and destined to be timeless. The picture perfect location overlooking Central Park invites, no demands, a second look. The interior is as impressive as its exterior. The cathedral–like main gallery ramps along the perimeter wall spiraling from the ground to the sky. Adjacent galleries interlock creating a rich matrix of viewing spaces. The museum is easy to manage with kids because of the central core which allows young kids to visualize the viewing plan. The mood of the museum is ever-changing relying on filtered light to augment the unique exhibition schedule which showcases only the very best.
Bonus points: Among the more than 150 works within the Guggenheim’s extensive collection is Kandinsky’s Composition 8 (1923), alone worth the trip. Vasily Kandinsky, whose works are currently on display, is the standard bearer for abstract expression on canvas.
Not to be missed: If time only allows a short visit ascend to the top and meander down the spiral; at the conclusion of the short visual adventure turn around with your kids and look up. It is cool!
Only for families: From time to time the museum presents family workshops geared to children ages 7–13 with an adult companion.
An aircraft carrier, Blackbird spy plane and USS Growler. The Intrepid Museum is anchored harbor side at Midtown, massive, gray and intriguing, the USS. Intrepid presents a powerful nautical image. The WWII aircraft carrier, itself an amazing museum, showcases and impressive list of legendary aircraft creating a living timeline of Naval Air history. The impressive aircraft collection includes a TBM Avenger torpedo bomber, an F6F Hellcat fighter, and a SB2C Helldiver dive bomber, a Navy F-14 Tomcat, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, a Marine Corps aV-8C Harrier, and an A-12 Blackbird spy plane in addition to a British F-1 Scimitar, a French Entendard IV-M, and a Polish MiG-21. Helicopters on display include a restored Army AH-1G Cobra gunship, two Vietnam-era UH-1 Hueys, and a Marine Corps AH-1J sea Cobra. The museum provides many ways to play-act with the kids. Test coding skills, navigate NYC harbor at night, or try the knot tying challenge, all with real stuff.
Bonus points: Free with admission, access to the A-6 Intruder landing simulator. The tandem cockpit allows families a mini adventure onboard an aircraft carrier's flight deck.
Not to be missed: The USS Growler, the only intact strategic nuclear missile submarine open to the public provides visitors a chance to see the once "top-secret" missile command center as well as the crew quarters.
Only for kids: The Intrepid’s museum crew frequently conducts special interactive programs for kids. Check the museum’s calendar to match the possibilities with a visit.
Shop, shop, shop. Bloomingdale’s Department Store has a reputation for combining shopping and theatre the 59th and Lexington location always has something happening. It's the third most popular stop for visitors, after the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Browse the floors discovering the latest and most trendy looks in fashion; personalize sweet souvenirs at Martine’s Chocolate Shop; enjoy a mini white tea facial at Origins or savor luscious raspberry cheesecake at 40 Carrots on the Metro level. This is the place where shopping is full of fun. A rich depository for the latest trends, the store provides multi-lingual store directories, translator services, personal shopping assistance, and package check.
Bonus points: They offer hotel package delivery with minimum purchase of $250, making the shopping experience effortless.
Not to be missed: Walk along the sidewalk and check out the window displays, visual invitations to the fashion and glamour that is Bloomingdale’s.
Rise above it all. 
The Empire State Building provides a view from the top not only includes the vastness of Manhattan and surrounding burrows but on a clear day the neighboring states of New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World" the Art Deco edifice is regal and stately, a symbol of the city’s world-class stature. Connecting visitors with the city in a virtual way, New York Skyride, an exciting interactive tour of New York City makes the urban scene inviting by adding a surreal dimension. The 86th floor observatory, reached by high speed, automatic elevators, has both a glass-enclosed area, which is heated in winter and cooled in summer, and spacious outdoor promenade.
Bonus points: Now in addition to informative signage, there is an audio tour scripted in six languages offering answers to what’s that over there?
Not to be missed: Do not leave the city without seeing the dramatic lighting that adorns the ESB at night.
Only for kids: To entice young visitors, trivia questions, quiz games and pages created for coloring may also be found at the website.
Empire State Building Coloring Pages
CityPass New York City Booklet 2009. This pocket sized pass book includes: The American Museum of Natural History, The Empire State Building Observatory, the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art, a Circle Line Harbor Cruise and a discount coupon for Bloomingdale’s. Call toll-free 1-888-330-5008 or
CityPass New York City
Details
The American Museum of Natural History: SonicVision at the Rose Center is 1(212)769-5200.
Only for Kids:
www.ology.amnh.org. Central Park West at 79th Street, 1(212) 769-5100 or
www.amnh.org
The Empire State Building Observatory: CityPass holders may pass by the ticket lines and proceed directly to the high speed elevator line. On the 80th Floor present the coupon at the audio tour kiosk and receive one audio tour per ticket, it’s as easy as that.
FYI: For safety reasons there is a limit to the number of people allowed in the lobby resulting in a line along the street out side of the door. 350 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street, 1-877-NYC VIEW (692-8439) or
www.esbnyc.com
The Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum: For admission plus The Virtual Flight Zone offers “G-Force Encounter” and “4- D Experience” full motion simulators that make everything seem real. Location: On the Hudson River, six blocks west of Times Square at 46th St. and 12th Avenue, 1(212) 245-0072 or
www.intrepidmuseum.org
Guggenheim Museum: By pass the lines and present the coupon at the Membership Desk. For the Family Workshops call 1(212) 423-3587. 1071 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street, 1(212)423-3500 or
www.guggenheim.org
Museum of Modern Art: By pass the ticket lines and present your coupon at the galleries entrance in the lobby.
Only for Teens: Red Studio teen connection is
redstudio.moma.org 1 West 53 Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, 1(212) 708-9400 or
www.moma.org
Circle Line Harbor Cruise: Present the coupon at the express window to expedite your boarding.
Location: Pier 83 Midtown at 42nd Street and 12th Avenue, 1(212) 563-3200 or
www.circleline42.com
Bloomingdale’s Department Store: Redeem special CityPass benefits at the Visitor’s Center on the First Floor Balcony. The benefits include a 15% all-day saving certificate in addition to other goodies. 59th Street and Lexington Avenue, 1(212) 705-2098/2099 or
www.bloomingdales.com
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