Having grown up in the New York City area during the 1970s and 1980s, I never cease to be amazed at what a nice place the Big Apple is now. When I was a kid, NYC was practically bankrupt. The subways were covered in graffiti, Times Square was home to a thriving porn industry, and the threat of crime seemed to be everywhere.

But now, instead of holding onto my wallet, I find myself reaching for my camera to capture another terrific moment with my family in Gotham.

1. Trains and Subways

Taking mass transit in New York is economical and a great way to experience the city. Parking garages in New York City charge as much as $30 an hour, so we usually take the train into the city from Long Island.

After we arrive at NYC, we like to take the subway. Besides being the least expensive option, the subway can be entertaining. When we were transferring trains at the 42nd Street subway station we took some time out to watch some break dancers perform.

2. Outlying Areas

When most people refer to New York City, they mean Manhattan. But there are number of towns outside the city’s main borough that are worth visiting. Our favorite is Sea Cliff, which is on Long Island. Home to Granma and D-dad, Sea Cliff is a square-mile village that faces the Hempstead Harbor. The town is mostly comprised of Victorian homes, antique stores, and delis. About 100 years ago it was a prime summer destination for city dwellers.

3. Pizza

They say there’s something in the water in New York that makes for better bread. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but it’s home to the best pizza I’ve ever tasted. The crust is thin and crispy, the sauce is light and tangy, and the cheese has just the right texture.

Stiff competition makes it almost impossible to find legitimately bad pizza within a 30-mile radius of New York City. There is a time and a place for Pizza Hut, and this isn’t it.

4. Walking

New York City is great for walking. There are pedestrians walking up and down the city’s sidewalks at practically every hour of the day.  Join them.

5. Museums and Other Attractions

There are some great museums, zoos, and parks in New York City. One of our favorites is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Don’t be misled by the stuffy sounding name.

MMA is more than a collection of fancy paintings (although it has plenty of those too). It houses an enormous collection of ancient antiquities, including mummies, swords, armor, and some of the first guns. If all of that isn’t enough, you can check out the life-sized replicas of pyramids.

All photos courtesy of Steve Roll.

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Need a family friendly hotel in New York City?  Consider these:

Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square
Embassy Suites Battery Park City
Hotel Metro