2. Animal Experiences
We are continuing our list of kid friendly things to do in NYC this weekend – just because New York City is a concrete jungle, doesn’t mean that its only inhabitants are human. There are a ton of awesome animal experiences to be enjoyed in our city. From domesticated to totally wild, there are a lot of furry friends to get a good look at.
Hit the New York Aquarium for a chance to learn all about everyone’s favorite sea-dwelling creatures, including sharks, otters, fish, sea lions, walruses, and more. There are always new exhibits and shows, so do some research before heading to the aquarium to be sure to find out what the best time is for you to visit.
To get more experience with some land-dwelling animals, there are also multiple amazing zoos within the New York City boroughs. Each is unique, but all have the same goal: to educate the public about the animal residents and raise awareness surrounding the needs of those species in the wild. See which zoo sounds like the best bet for your family.
Queens Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo
Cat Cafes
If you’re looking for more of a hands-on approach to animal encounters, stop by one of New York’s new cat cafes. Here, kids and adults can both enjoy a nice cup of tea and a yummy pastry while snuggling with some pretty kitty residents. A bonus: all of the cats that live in the cat cafes are available for adoption, if you’re in the market for a new pet.
You may not believe it, but there is only one working farm in all of NYC. A visit to the historic Queens County Farm Museum gives you and your little ones a glimpse into the past, with tours of the grounds and lessons on how farming worked in the 17th century. Included in the tour is time for everyone to interact with some awesome farm animal friends, from goats to geese. Kids get to see these animals roaming free, which is a strange sight in NYC!
