The BIG guide to NYC

The Natural History Museum.  Where giant dinosaur skeletons and taxidermy antelopes rule.  While visiting the museum, I once overheard a child utter: “It’s like a dead zoo.”  My favorite feature of the museum is Hayden Planetarium, where an amiable Tom Hanks (how appropriate), or a gruff Harrison Ford’s voice narrates your experience. The Museum of Natural History is my favorite museum in the City.

This book store has survived the surge of Barnes & Noble and Borders city-wide, proudly offering rare editions of The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and countless others. I purchased a print from Books of Wonder by my favorite contemporary children’s “author”, Aussie graphic novelist, Shaun Tan. I knew exactly what I was coming in for and this was a gift, but unfortunately none of Shaun Tan’s prints had been priced for sale. I left feeling a bit deflated, but I had left my number with the desk, and just a few minutes later I received a call that they had priced the prints just for me. Luckily, I was still in the neighborhood, so I was able to go right back and choose my print.  Now that’s what I call service! Check out “The Arrival” by Shaun Tan sometime – it’s incredible.

Magnolia Bakery. Better than the Cupcake Cafe in my opinion. I’m not a fan of the heavy shortening in the latter’s mix.  I like my cupcakes soft and the frosting in a variety of colors not found in nature, and that’s the sweet promise that Magnolia delivers daily for those who want to access memories of birthdays at school when someone’s mom really delivered.  Why, a treat like that could even make your post-recess multiplication tables somewhat more tolerable.

Who doesn’t love candy?  Well just ask my dentist (if you find him, let me know), I am well acquainted with the world of sweets. On Halloween as a youth, I set out like a door-to-door salesman with a giant pillowcase, determined to stuff it to the brim with  individually-wrapped cavity-makers. Lollipops, taffies, gum balls, Everlasting Gobstoppers, chocolate of all kinds. You name it, I have indulged in it at least once or twice. And by twilight on October 31st each year, as my green witch makeup began bleeding onto my black dress, my pillow case was usually filled with mostly empty wrappers before I collapsed into my sugar-induced coma.

For those adults who still feel it’s perfectly acceptable to indulge every now and again, Dylan’s Candy Bar is just the place.

FAO Shwarz. Where Tom Hanks famously slid across the piano in “BIG”. The Schwarz has threatened to close its toy soldier-guarded doors more than once in recent years, but luckily for children (and the very young at heart), it has survived to display its giant giraffes, science starter sets, and child-sized 1942 Willys MB Army Jeep. (With the price of gasoline these days, this little vehicle is likely a gift for Dad under the guise of little Madison’s 4th Birthday).  The power of the Schwarz is still very strong indeed in this classic City store.

I love children’s movies. The Disney films back when they were allowed to be dark and had fantastic art; Watership Down, The Secret of NIMH, Davey Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Last Unicorn. What better way to nourish your inner-child than to attend a screening courtesy of the New York International Children’s Film Festival?  With screenings all over the City, from The Cantor Theater on East 8th Street to Symphony Space on the Upper West Side, you should be able to find a location that won’t require you to trek too far.

Central Park for the Young @ Heart

- The Alice in Wonderland Statue
- The Carousel
- The Boat Basin