Forty-seven million people visit the Big Apple each year and many of them are kids! So, what are the top places to take the kids? Here are top five places from Trekaroo:

Kids in Wonderland (aka Central Park) with Alice. Photo credit: Flickr/luciuskwok

Central Park is the most famous park in the U.S. and guaranteed fun for any family. Park highlights include a stroll through the Central Park Zoo, a competitive game at Chess and Checkers House, a cruise on the lake from the Loeb Boathouse, or performances from NYC’s finest street performers throughout the park. With over 22 playgrounds on-site, there are plenty of places to just relax and play for free. Heckscher Playground has great playground with water features and is located between 61st and 63rd, a bit north of Central Park South.

Best view of NYC from the Top of the Rock. Photo credit:Flickr/lemoncati

Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center that is. Most people head over to the Empire State Building to see the city that never sleeps from the sky. However, most parents who’ve been to both say that the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Plaza is the better view and definitely more kid-friendly, and there are three levels of viewing and two levels with outdoor viewing. Also, if you’re standing in the Empire State Building, your NYC view just isn’t complete because you can’t see one of the top icons of NYC — the Empire State Building!

American Museum of Natural History is an institution that knows kids. There’s something here for every child whether it’s the dinosaur room halls or the life-size blue whale or catching a planetarium show, there’s more than enough here to entertain any member of the family, from young to old. If your kids want to be more hands-on, check out the Discovery Room (ages five-twelve) and let them excavate a dino bone or hunt for little critters with a magnifying glass.

Indoor Ferris wheel in Toys R' US in Times Square. Photo credit: Flickr/maveric2003

Times Square, quintessential “I Love New York,” is usually not my first recommendation for kids, because of the crowds andcraziness. However, you can’t miss the Toys “R” Us in Times Square. It’s got a Barbie House, the T-rex from “Jurassic Park” and an indoor Ferris wheel! Only in New York.

The Statue of Liberty, after being closed for eight years (since 9/11), is now open to the public again. Book at least two months in advance, because everyone wants to see it. Don’t forget your walking shoes for the climb to the top.

Click here for a list of over 100 things to do for kids of all ages in New York City. Also, click here for Homewood Suites locations in New York City.