New York City

Challenged only by its counterpart in London, the American Museum of Natural History is the largest and most important museum of its kind in the world. 45 exhibition halls hold more than 30 million artefacts, quite enough to keep anyone busy on a rainy afternoon.The most popular exhibit is a 50ft (15m) tall skeleton of a barosaurus in the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, and there are three more spectacular dinosaur halls on the fourth floor. Other halls include the Hall of Biodiversity, the Hall of Ocean Life, the Hall of Human Biology and Evolution.The fabulous Hayden Planetarium is a 90ft (27m) wide aluminium sphere that seems to float inside a massive glass cube, which in turn is home to the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Those tired of walking can check out the Museum of Television and Radio.

Address : Central Park West, at West 79th Street

Website : www.amnh.org

Opening times : Daily 10am to 5.45pm, except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.

Admission : General admission $23 (adults). Concessions and special ticket options available. Temporary exhibitions charge additional admission fees.

The Brooklyn Children's Museum is a great place to take the little ones while on holiday in New York City. It was founded in 1899 and is said to have been the first museum in the United States. Its collections and exhibits include hands-on activities, role-playing opportunities, and resident animals.Thousands of artefacts are on display to teach children about science, the environment, culture, and the arts. There are no 'Do Not Touch' signs here! There is a cafe and a shop at the museum, and a special 'Totally Tots' section for kids under five. Adults must accompany children.

Address : 145 Brooklyn Avenue

Website : www.brooklynkids.org

Opening times : Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm (open till 6pm on Thursdays). Closed Mondays.

Admission : $11 per person. Children under the age of 12 months get in for free.

Home to some exotic and beautiful animals, the Central Park Zoo is a must for all children and animal lovers visiting the city. Residents at the zoo include the elusive red pandas, polar pears, snow leopards, and snow monkeys to name a few.The Tisch Children's Zoo is a great place for young kids, with children able to pet the goats, sheep, alpacas, potbellied pigs, and other barnyard animals on display. Booking online may result in discounts and also allows visitors to skip the long summer queues.

Address : 64th St. and Fifth Ave, Central Park

Website : www.centralparkzoo.com

Opening times : Open daily 10am - 5pm on weekdays and 10am - 5.30pm on weekends and holidays. Hours are slightly reduced between November and March.

Admission : General Admission is $18 for adults, and $13 for children. Combination deals, concessions, and family specials are available.

The Wollman Rink, located in Central Park and made famous by many movies, is a fantastic place to take the kids for the day during the winter months in New York City. The setting of this ice rink is beautiful, surrounded by trees with the New York City skyline above them.Children can even attend skating school while adults can host a party or event, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience. The rink is not just for children, however, and is a popular spot for dates in New York City, due to the romantic associations and stunning setting.

Address : Central Park

Website : www.wollmanskatingrink.com

Opening times : Public skating hours can vary throughout the year, and the rink is only open seasonally.

Admission : Monday to Thursday: $12 (adults), $6 (children under 11). Friday to Sunday: $19 (adults); $6 (children under 11).