Central Park Carousel - Best of NYC Activities with Kids and Baby - Top 30 Things to Do This Summer

Carousel in Central ParkIf you are already in Central Park, a nice coupling while visiting the Children's Zoo, you might want to walk mid-Park via 64th Street to get to the lovely Carousel.  The current carousel is Central Park's 4th and back in the day, the original ride was powered by a horse or mule hidden under the platform.  For $2.50 per ride (per person and cash only) you could take your little one on their first amusement gallop.  What's nice about this Carousel is there is no age minimum and they allow you to being strollers inside to park right next to the ride.  You can sit your baby up on one of the horses right on your lap, or sit comfortably with several kids on the chariot.  They also have a photographer that takes pictures which you could check out after the ride and buy right there on the spot. This ride is perfect for kids of all ages and is definitely a top destination point for kids in the city.  Summer months the carousel is a sure bet, and April through October typical hours are 10am-6pm.  Call before you come if you are thinking about visiting during November through March (212) 439-6900 Extension 12.     

Tisch Children's Zoo - Best of NYC Activities with Kids and Baby - Top 30 Things to Do This Summer

We here at Little Babe and the Big City Guide are super excited to do a hotlist of the very best places you visited with your little ones this summer.  We plan on kicking off an every day feature to capture all the great parks, museums, and festivals appropriate for baby, toddler, preschooler and big kid in this great city.  We have a great list in mind, but we really want to hear from you - so, please let us know your favorite top 5 by dropping us a line at info@littlebabebigcity.com.  At the end of the summer, we'll tally the votes and publish the results.  

To get us started, check out today's focus:  The Central Park Children's Zoo / Petting Zoo

Central Park Children's ZooThe Central Park Zoo is a longtime favorite for New Yorkers, parents and nonparents alike.  But when you have a stroller and a hankering for a leisurely walk, the zoo becomes a key destination point on a mild, preferably noncrowded weekday. The admission to the petting zoo is included in the price of a regular ticket and offers kids a chance to pet and feed some of the animals.  There are goats, sheep, pigs and cows and it's a wonderful chance to get your toddlers up and close since the main zoo might be better for the older kids who have the patience and understanding to observe from a distance.  

Located at 64th and 5th Avenue, be mindful of the entrance from 5th, it has a lot of steps so if you are coming with a stroller, you need to go around to the 59th street entrance to the Park and stroll your way back around.   Also, the Zoo is open year-round which is fabulous, but hours are shortened during the winter so the zoo closes at 4:30 instead of 5:30 in the summer, and starting in September it closes at 5pm. An adult ticket is $12 and kids 3-12 are $7.  The Zoo has a 4D experience theatre that rotates between two family friendly shows - one being Dora and Diego and the other called Ice Worlds.  The 4D experience works best for kids 4 and up though it says 3+, my experience is that 3 year olds are still freaked out by this sort of thing.  

The Central Park Zoo is appropriate for kids of all ages - it's a nice stroll and view for your infant, a fun interactive experience for your toddler and preschooler, and an educational tour for your big kid.  Be mindful of the various locations for restrooms in Central Park on your visit, (but don't worry there is one at the Zoo once you walk through the ticket gate).