by | August 12th, 2008
While researching 20 different educational and family-friendly New York attractions for a recent article on Education.com, my toughest challenge was ensuring that I cast a wide net beyond New York City.
Here are three highlights from outside the five boroughs:
- Women’s Rights National Historic Park – In Seneca Falls, Elizabeth Cady Stanton (who also raised seven children) and four other women organized the first women’s rights convention in July 1848, using Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence as a model for their Declaration of Sentiments. Convention Days special events are held each July. The organizers were also abolitionists and one of their houses was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Visit the National Women’s Hall of Fame in downtown Seneca Falls; it celebrates a wide variety of accomplished women throughout history.
- Rochester – Trade, industry and the opening of the Erie Canal put Rochester on the map. Frederick Douglass is buried here; George Eastman of the Eastman Kodak Company and Susan B. Anthony both lived in the city and their homes are National Historic Landmarks. The Eastman House is also a museum of photography and film. The Genesee Country Village and living history museum bring the 19th century to life, and kids love the place that celebrates them: the Strong National Museum of Play, which features interactive games, a massive collection of historic toys and a Butterfly Garden.
- Chautauqua Institution – Long recognized as a wonderful opportunity for adult summer education, renewal, recreation and fine arts in a lakeside setting, the Chautauqua also offers an activity-packed Children’s School (ages 3-5,) Group One for rising first graders, the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs for ages 7-15 and a Youth Activity Center for preteens and teens. Family entertainment and a Young Reader’s book club patterned after the venerable Institution adult book club round out the offerings, so that no one is bored.
Take a look at the rest of the article right here: Family Fun and Learning in New York.
{ 6 comments }
There are good travel tips for using public transportation - buses, trains, subways - in NY and other cities that parents might find helpful when planning a trip to the city. You can save $ that way and then use the rest for out of the city jaunts like Chautauqua, which is pretty cool. Also of use might be the post about eating out with kids in nice restaurants.
http://www.parentzing.net
Hi Cici,
Thanks for visiting Family Travel, and for the helpful link!
Hi,
I love the post. Can you please post more articles on Women’s Rights National Historic Park.
Thanks.
Hey - talk about good timing! I’m in New York for a family vacation right now (end of August is especially humid by the way). You did some great research unearthing points of interest beyond the usual highlights, by the way. I’m also especially fond of Saratoga Springs - the performing arts center there is really terrific.
It is in NYC, but the Tenement Museum is another good option for the age 10 and older crowd.
Hi PatriciaJ,
I did think about including the Tenement Museum, but with limited room for NYC spots, I went with the biggies like the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Oh, those space limitations!
Comments on this entry are closed.