NEW YORK POST

 

Yes, raising a baby in NYC is impossible — but it’s great for toddlers

 

The other day, I wrote a column on nypost.com suggesting that Manhattan was a less-than-optimal place when you have a baby, and people went nuts…

Wintertime is another story — especially when you’ve got a really young child to entertain…

That’s when Manhattan starts to beckon, with all its delicious, creative indoor options.

And once your child moves into the toddler stage, you might be feeling ready to brave the grid.

I went in search of a few kid-friendly venues in four different neighborhoods, aided by the helpful kid blog Mommy Poppins (mommypoppins.com) for ideas.

Upper West Side

One of the most kid-friendly neighborhoods in Manhattan, the Upper West Side does not lack for options. For one thing, it’s got the mother ship of all kiddie spots: the American Museum of Natural History. But there’s plenty more!

Fauna

265 W. 87th St.; 212-877-2473, faunanyc.com

City kids may be used to cats and dogs, but at Fauna, they can learn to like snakes and other less-common animals.

After chocolate, animals come a close second in the Stuff Every Kid Likes category, and this store is a veritable small zoo of exotic birds, reptiles, small mammals and fish. In addition to weekday programs for small customers, Fauna also offers story-time Sunday at 1 p.m. for $5 (no reservations needed).

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