Reader Tips: Water Taxi Bird Watching, Jump and Last Licks

We have been getting lots of great tips from readers in our in box and in the comment section of the site. It's been hard for me to keep up with it all on top of our regular posting. Some of them I've been able to slip into regular posts, but the tips are all too good to let go, so this week and next week I set aside some days that I am going to be posting the great ideas for things to do with kids in New York that you have been sharing.

If you have some tips you'd like to share with us please send them to me.

Thanks to Sharon Kleinhandler, Tricia Gillespie and Neeta Vallab for these tips:

Audubon EcoTours of New York

Wonderful activity to do with your children or grandchildren is introduce them to the wonders of bird watching. During the summer months NY Water Taxi runs Audubon EcoTours of New York every Sunday evening leaving from Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport. They provide binoculars so bring a camera and a bird-watching journal. A fun hobby for all ages.

 

From Audubon EcoCruise website:
See some of the 3,000 gorgeous heron that fly from the South to nest on small islands in New York Harbor. Hosted by Audubon naturalists, this 90 minute cruise will take you "up close and personal" to see these majestic birds. Cruise under famous city bridges and past renowned monuments, take in views of the city's skyline and get to know some of its lesser known aviary residents.

Adults: $25
Kids: $10

Sundays, June 8th - August 16th
Departs South Street Seaport, Pier 17 at 7pm.

Buy tickets here

Jump at Union Square Theater

We just took the kids to see Jump at the Union Square Theater and they had a blast and we actually enjoyed it too. Most times we take the kids to the theater we want to rip our hair out because kids shows can be annoying. Jump is about a Korean family of martial arts experts and it's very acrobatic and funny. Tix are only $20 [Website says $45-Ed.] and, if you buy them at the box office, you don’t have to pay the absurd ticketmaster prices!

 

Find out more and buy tickets here.

Last Licks Ice Cream Parlor
Last licks Ice Cream Parlor has been getting so much reader praise in our comments section since we wrote about it in June. This one is from reader Tricia:

Just wanted to let all of you know that I went and visited the Last Licks ice cream store and it is absolutely adorable. The kids will love it especially now during the summer. There is so much for the kids to do inside I couldn't believe it! There were TVs and video games. The walls are also covered with a bunch of sports memorbilia which is all autographed. My son loved walking aound and looking at the stuff. I highly recommend it to all of you. It would be a great place to throw parties and the ice cream was fantastic! Thank you for posting it and letting me know about it!

Last Licks has locations in the Tri-State area. The manhattan store is at 245 East 93rd St. See the schedule of athlete appearances and autograph signings on their website.

Find more NYC birthday party ideas in our Party Guide.