During our trip to New York City, we were highly recommended to rent bikes and explore Central Park. This adventure turned out to be one of the highlights of our stay in The Big Apple, alongside a visit to the American Museum of Natural History
Cycling in Central Park
Cycling in Central Park became our main attraction on day three. On weekends, major roads around and through the park are closed to car traffic, transforming it into a spacious, one-way highway for pedestrians and cyclists. We opted to rent bikes directly in Central Park, which may not have been the most economical choice. A couple of blocks away, you could find rentals for less than half the price.
How long should you rent a bike? This was a question we pondered. Initially uncertain about how much time we would need or how many stops we would make, we ultimately decided on three hours. In hindsight, five hours would have been more appropriate. A complete loop around Central Park takes about an hour, but with our desire to stop at various attractions, we had to skip some towards the end. Check offers for bike rental here.
Our First Stop: Conservatory Water
Our first stop was Conservatory Water, where you can rent radio-controlled sailboats for $25 per hour. Think half an hour is possible as well. Since it was a Sunday, the area was bustling with activity, leading to a bit of waiting time. However, sailing these boats was incredibly fun and provided a unique challenge as we had to harness the wind.
Exploring Harlem and Heckscher Playground
We continued cycling northward all the way to Harlem. Here, you can enjoy catch-and-release fishing and find a playground with bathing opportunities. Suddenly, two hours had flown by! We had to rush through the remaining parts of our ride and missed taking many photos along the way.
After returning our bikes, we strolled over to Heckscher Playground, located near the southern end of Central Park. This playground features various games, grassy areas for football, and a relaxing atmosphere—unless it’s crowded. Since it was Sunday, many people were out enjoying the park, but unfortunately, rain soon followed.
Dinner at Big Daddy's Diner
With rain on the horizon, it was time for dinner. We had set our sights on Big Daddy's Diner for an authentic American dining experience. We aimed to visit at least one classic diner during our stay, and after some online research, Big Daddy's was our choice. It did not disappoint! Though dining in Manhattan can be pricey, we enjoyed the quintessential American vibe—think burgers, giant milkshakes, and a touch of 50s and 60s nostalgia. The kids absolutely loved it!
A Must-Visit: American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is truly a sight to behold! It’s an absolute must-see during your visit to New York City. We left feeling awestruck by the exhibits featuring American wildlife that resemble stunning paintings and an entire floor dedicated to skeletons. The temporary exhibition titled Deep Water was particularly noteworthy, along with a 3D film about the Amazon rainforest.
In the Planetarium, we watched a fascinating documentary about "Dark Matter." The visuals were spectacular as they filled the circular ceiling! While the film was quite technical and might have been challenging for kids, it sparked deep conversations among us adults.
Tip: Admission to the museum is actually free if you choose not to attend special exhibitions. We were unaware of this and ended up paying the "suggested admission fee," totaling around $30 for adults. You can opt to pay only for special exhibitions if you prefer.
How to get to New York
To get to New York City, you have several convenient options depending on your starting point. If you're flying in, the three major airports—John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)—offer various transportation methods to Manhattan. From JFK, you can take the AirTrain to connect with the subway or catch a taxi for a direct ride, which typically takes about 45-60 minutes. LaGuardia is the closest airport to Manhattan, located just 8 miles away, making it easily accessible by bus or taxi.
Newark is slightly farther at 16 miles but also offers train services to Penn Station. Once in Manhattan, navigating the city is straightforward thanks to its extensive public transportation system, including subways, buses, and taxis. For a more budget-friendly option, consider using buses like Megabus or FlixBus if you're traveling from nearby cities.
