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Are We There Yet – Family Dog Museum, New York City, NY

Are you a family of dog lovers? If opening weekend line-ups at the New York City American Museum of the Dog are any indication, you’re not alone. The Big Apple is ripe with kid-friendly museums and now there’s one more, this time focused on our fur buddies.

Specifically, the American Museum of the Dog, run by the American Kennel Club (AKC), loves breeds. Understandably, because these are the people bringing us the annual Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Gardens.

Art features predominantly at this sparkling new three-level facility. You’ll see Victorian paintings of treasured terriers, portraits of presidents’ pups and almost life-sized Great Dane and bull dog ceramics. Watch the video installation of all-sized pups running by overhead. An antique carousel Mastif greets visitors near the door.

But it’s the hands-on exhibits that occupy little fingers.

At this museum, you can virtually train a dog, touch a table to learn about dog breeds, and have your photo taken by a large screen that then matches you with your canine twin – the latter’s a crowd pleaser eliciting belly laughs from everyone who tries it.

Half the top floor is a library – that’s right, a library with nothing but canine-related books for all ages. During the summer, the “paws to read” kids’ program runs Tuesday and Friday, free with admission.

Located in a plaza across from Grand Central Station (another iconic experience), the American Museum of the Dog is open Tuesday to Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for kids.

Sherri Telenko is a freelance writer and blogger living in Southern Ontario. Sign up for travel ideas at www.dogtrotting.net or follow her on twitter @SherriTelenko.

 

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