New York with Kids – Attractions and Fun for the Entire Family
New York is the most vibrant and intense city in the world. The city moves at a fast pace and is filled with top museums, attractions, iconic skyscrapers, and more. Despite the rapid pace, New York is a great place to visit with kids, though you might need to slow down a bit. The city has tons of attractions perfect for kids, including parks, professional games, stunning observation decks, and boat rides.
Maybe you thought New York was a wild urban jungle full of top-notch museums, giant skyscrapers, and neon lights glowing all night. But remember! Traveling with kids is an art of balancing between tasting what you want and fulfilling what they demand (but you can also enjoy it ????).
Here are the top 10 attractions we think are most suitable for family fun in New York:
- Fresh air and attractions in Central Park
- The big toy stores in Times Square
- Climbing the Empire State Building or the Freedom Tower
- Sailing to the Statue of Liberty
- The American Museum of Natural History
- Spending time at Pier 17 at The Seaport
- Lunch at Chelsea Market
- A New York Knicks basketball game (or Rangers hockey) at Madison Square Garden
- A Yankees baseball game at Yankee Stadium
- The Bronx Botanical Garden and Zoo
Click here to find centrally located accommodation in New York in a hotel suitable for kids…
Click here for a list of 12 amazing hotels in Manhattan…
Click here for planning a trip in New York with kids and professional advice…
What to do with kids in New York?
1. Fresh air and attractions in Central Park
Central Park in New York City is probably the most famous urban park in the world. It's an essential part of the city, a charming and romantic place filled with attractions, water streams, sculptures, and just a fantastic atmosphere.
8 Things you must see and do with kids in Central Park
- Run freely on the Great Lawn
- The lake view at the terrace and the Bethesda Fountain
- Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater
- Pose with the Alice in Wonderland statue
- Central Park Zoo
- Scenic view from Belvedere Castle
- Reflect with John Lennon at Strawberry Fields
- Ice skate in winter at Wollman Rink
2. The Big Kids' Stores in Times Square
Times Square is the beating heart of Manhattan and one of the most dynamic and stunning places in the world. While the square truly shines with its neon lights in the evening (a must for evening family outings), there's still plenty to do with kids during the day. Near the square, you'll find plenty of shopping options, restaurants, entertainment venues, and theaters. Surrounding the square are iconic skyscrapers, massive hotels, and significant New York landmarks, most notably the city library backed by the charming Bryant Park. Times Square is buzzing 24/7 and is the most glittering symbol of the city that never stops.
The vibrant square is now a hangout spot for the whole family. The flagship stores for kids in the square are:
- Disney Store flagship store, at the address – Broadway, 1540, New York
- M&M'S New York store of the famous chocolate candy brand at the address – Broadway, 1600, New York
- Hershey's Chocolate World store at the address – Times Square, 20, 7th Ave, New York
3. Climb the Empire State Building or the Freedom Tower
New York is always stunning, but it's most spectacular from above. At the top of the city’s most iconic towers, observation decks allow you to first enter the famous buildings, then soar up in speedy elevators to the upper floors hundreds of meters above the street.
The observation deck of the Empire State Building in Midtown is an amazing and especially fun attraction that includes stepping outside at a height of 382 meters above the enormous city. On the way, you stop at the first observation deck on the 86th floor and then take another set of fast elevators to the 102nd floor of the building. From the observation deck, you get the almost ultimate view of Manhattan (excluding, of course, the tower itself).
Click here to purchase online tickets to the iconic Empire State Building observatory…
The Freedom Tower or One World Trade Center in Downtown has an observation deck located on the 100th-102nd floors of the tower, at a height of 387 meters. From the deck, there is a stunning view of the entire metropolis. The tower's height is about 541 meters (1776 feet – the year of American independence), and it is currently considered the tallest building in the USA and the seventh largest (as of now) in the world.
Click here to buy an online entry ticket to the One World observatory…
4. Sail to the Statue of Liberty
Another unforgettable experience in New York for kids is the free ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty. Access to the statue is via the Staten Island Ferry, departing from the Whitehall Terminal at the eastern part of Battery Park. In the past, you could climb the internal stairs of the statue to its top. After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, access is only to Liberty Island to view the statue from below. Occasionally, there is an opportunity to climb the statue, so you might want to check with New York authorities. The main experience, of course, is the ferry ride and the opportunity to see the marvel up close, towering at a height of no less than 92 meters.
5. The American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is nestled in a pleasant green area between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West, and West 77th and 81st Streets. This impressive museum is considered one of the largest natural history museums in the USA. The museum features a stunning and accurate display, including the giant suspended blue whale model and dinosaur reconstructions based on paleontological excavations.
Besides animals, the museum boasts an impressive ethnographic display and loads of information and findings related to fossils, geology, and more. Within the museum complex is also the captivating Hayden Planetarium, where you'll find interactive exhibits about the solar system and space.
Click here to purchase entrance tickets to the American Museum of Natural History…
6. Hang out at Pier 17 in The Seaport
The Seaport is an area at the estuary of the East River to Upper Bay, which was once part of the New York harbor. Nowadays, the area has been revitalized and developed, becoming one of the most attractive entertainment areas in Manhattan. Its major advantage is the skyline view – both north toward the two bridges, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, and west toward the downtown towers. The Seaport is packed with restaurants, entertainment spots, nightlife, cinemas, and various other features that blend stunning urban landscapes with round-the-clock leisure. It's a perfect place for an evening stroll with the kids, watching the ships, giant bridges, and of course, having dinner.
Pier 17 of the harbor has been entirely transformed into a complex of restaurants and entertainment venues and is considered the heart of the tour in the area. The neighboring piers, numbers 15 and 16, have also been converted into dining and entertainment spots. The nearby South Street Seaport Museum holds a massive collection of ships, objects, and details related to maritime transport and the history of the Port of New York.
7. Lunch at Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is a huge complex of restaurants and food vendors that has become a very popular hangout in the neighborhood. The market is made up of an indoor street within the block between 14th and 15th streets. In the indoor street, from morning until evening, more than a hundred restaurants and food vendors operate. It's a cool spot to stroll with hungry kids and, of course, a chance to taste the best of New York City's culinary offerings.
Click here for an especially tasty food tour of Chelsea Market's unique spots…
8. New York Knicks basketball game (or Rangers hockey) at Madison Square Garden
The iconic stadium of New York is located above the vast area of Penn Station, in the block between Seventh and Eighth Avenues and 31st and 33rd Streets. Madison Square Garden is the home arena for Manhattan's two famous teams – the New York Knicks (basketball) and the New York Rangers (hockey). In addition to league and playoff games of the home teams, the stadium hosts various mass events and entertainment events such as concerts, big shows, wrestling, conferences, and major political gatherings.
The professional games are an exciting experience for big kids interested in grandiose American sports and a chance to see mega-stars in action. You can also combine the game with a trip to the nearby giant department store Macy's.
Click here to buy tickets for the Knicks games at Madison Square Garden…
Click here to buy tickets for the Rangers games at Madison Square Garden…
9. A Yankees Baseball Game at Yankee Stadium
The stadium of New York's legendary baseball team is one of the city's icons. It is located on the northern bank of the Harlem River in the southern part of the Bronx and is well connected to Manhattan. The greatest legends of New York have walked this stadium, including Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Sandy Koufax, and more. Nowadays, the stadium hosts numerous games throughout the season. It's a great opportunity to experience American sports culture in a game that's a bit unusual in its pace for non-Americans.
Click here to purchase New York Yankees game tickets online at Yankee Stadium…
10. The Bronx Botanical Gardens and Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is one of the largest and most important in New York. It's much bigger than the Central Park Zoo (although you can't compare in terms of location). The zoo has an impressive lineup of animals that are housed in relatively large and open habitats divided by species and geographic regions.
The Congo space, or the Congo Gorilla Forest, is the place to meet the giant and rare apes. In other spaces, there are African savannas with all the region’s wildlife, including lions, giraffes, zebras, and more. There's also an area with brown bears and many types of monkeys.
Click here to purchase tickets to the Bronx Zoo…
To the north of the Bronx Zoo lie the beautiful botanical gardens, featuring more than 50 dedicated gardens and an expansive central area of forests. The Bronx Botanical Gardens showcase a very comprehensive collection of plants, divided into geographical zones. There are giant greenhouses in the gardens with a vast abundance of plants from around the globe. The gardens also offer activities for children, playgrounds and recreation areas, making it a very popular spot for family outings alongside the zoo.
Click here to purchase online tickets for the botanical gardens…
5 Tips from Guy for a Family Trip in New York
Traveling with kids in New York is different from traveling with couples or adults. The center of the trip with kids is, of course, the kids, and the entire daily schedule revolves around them. Every parent knows their child best and knows what suits them and what doesn't. Some kids love science, some get excited climbing giant towers, and some just want to run around Central Park all day.
You need to combine what you want to do and see in Venice with what the kids want. Therefore, it's important to maintain clear communication with the kids, talk to them, and prepare them in advance for what's planned for the day. It's crucial to try to understand their expectations from the day and frame the day's planning with what you want.
When planning travel itineraries with kids, there are a few basic rules that are highly recommended to follow:
- Flight and Landing Comfort – The flight to New York is tough. Spending 12 hours in the air isn't a picnic, so you'll need to find ways to keep the kids entertained and survive the journey, including getting some sleep. After landing, jet lag kicks in, so it's essential to ease into it with a short day of touring and plenty of time to rest in the hotel.
- Hotel Location – A family vacation in Manhattan should be enjoyable, and the hotel's location is a crucial part of your schedule. If the hotel is in the heart of the city, there's no problem taking a stroll back for a couple of hours of siesta after lunch. This break will refresh both you and the kids for the rest of the afternoon's adventures. There's no choice; you must find accommodation in Manhattan, and you can't skimp by staying in Brooklyn or Queens.
- Don't Overload – Maybe you thought you could climb the Empire State Building and visit the Metropolitan Museum in one day… well, think again. When traveling with kids, whether they're big or small, it's crucial to plan a very relaxed schedule and not try to take on all of Manhattan in one go.
- Children's Daily Schedule – When traveling to New York with kids, it’s wise to have a very clear daily schedule (with plenty of breaks for rest and fun). But within that schedule, keep a lot of room for flexibility. Start each day with a major, planned attraction and then keep the rest of the day light, with ample fresh air, eating options, and lots of time in the open air of Central Park.
- Don’t Improvise Your Travel Route – Traveling abroad is like diving into unknown territory, and even if it’s not your first time in America, surprises are always around the corner. It’s essential to ensure that the main attraction of the day is open and operating, because showing up to closed gates can be frustrating for parents and absolutely patience-wearing for the kids. Know exactly where you're going and more importantly, where you will eat and rest afterward!!
