Visiting NYC with Kids: Best Activities, Food & Getting Around

While the prospect of traveling to New York City with kids can feel daunting, it is completely feasible and can be an amazing memory for kids of all ages!

With the right plans, guiding advice, and attitude, you can have an amazing time in NYC with kids of any age. While we don’t have any kids, we have 20+ nieces and nephews (ranging from newborns to teenagers) and have seen firsthand what does and doesn’t work when they come visit us in the city!

Here’s what we will cover in this article:

• General Tips for Visiting with Kids
• Best Activities for Kids in NYC
• Kid-Friendly Restaurants and Food
• Getting Around NYC with Kids

Let’s get to it. 👇

Note: This article was written by a real human who lives in NYC, not artificial intelligence. 🥸

NYC Travel with Kids Podcast Episode

Want to hear more podcasts like this? Head here.

General Tips & Advice for Visiting NYC with Kids

Before we dive into specific places to eat, activities, and getting around the city, let’s look at some general tips that will help in your travels.

Here are tips for traveling to NYC with kids:

• A fold-up stroller (even a $30 one) is worth bringing, even if just for storing and holding things
• Adjust your expectations for what you can fit into one day.. If you overdo it, expect meltdowns
• If it feels intimidating, remember that if people can live in NYC with kids, you can certainly travel here with yours for a few days
• Build in playground breaks for kids to truly get their wiggles out; NYC has loads of public playgrounds
• Set aside afternoon chill time back at the hotel to decompress when possible

Frankly, many of these tips are good for adults, too.

Now, let’s discuss activities. ⤵️

Related Reading: Where to Stay in NYC

Best Activities for Kids NYC

New York City offers a wealth of activities for kids, including many kid-specific and very kid-friendly options.

Here are some of the best activities in NYC to do with kids:

• Museums
• Central Park
• Broadway Shows (some, not all)
• Observation Decks
• Parks & Playgrounds
• Shopping
• Sporting events, specifically baseball
• And so much more

Let’s look at some of those in detail, but before that…

If you plan on going to multiple activities on this list, the New York City Pass can be a great option. It gets you a discounted rate and access to:

• Empire State Building AM/PM Ticket
• Admission to the American Museum of Natural History
• Plus, your choice of 3 additional attractions from the following:
  • Top of the Rock Observation Deck
  • 9/11 Memorial & Museum
  • Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (although the free Staten Island Ferry is a better option, more on that later)
  • Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
  • Intrepid Museum
  • Guggenheim

It’s a fantastic option if you use it to its fullest advantage. 👍

Best Kid-Friendly Museums in NYC

New York is home to dozens of world-class museums, including some that are quite kid-friendly.

First thought, here are some tips to make your museum experience more enjoyable:

• Make sure everyone is fed before heading to any museum
• Curb your expectations based on your kid(s)’ age, plan for 1-1.5 hours for a museum
• Some museums have kids’ activity booklets; ask when you enter or buy a ticket
• Our sister-in-law recommended each kid pick a “must-see” section.. There is simply too much to see, so that can be a good way to focus your time

No matter the museum, make sure you and your kid(s) have a full belly before heading in. This is the most important advice: no one likes a hangry kid (or adult, for that matter). 😝

Here are some of our top picks for museums in New York City with kids:

• Intrepid Museum
• American Museum of Natural History (this is our #1 pick)
• The Met
• Spyscape Musuem
• MoMA
• NY Public Library (5th Ave location)

Quick notes on each of these museum options. 👇

Intrepid Museum Sea, Air & Space Museum

It took us a few years to finally check out the Intrepid Museum (on the edge of Hell’s Kitchen), but we’re glad we did!

Biggest drawback: The lines for certain attractions are ONLY long because they want to take your picture so they can try to sell it to you. A poor experience, but besides that, an amazing museum.

This former Navy carrier ship has been converted into an insightful museum. It dives into the history of this specific vessel and also the surrounding events related to the Intrepid.

We highly recommend the Intrepid if you have kids, history buffs, or veterans in your group!

Check out & book tickets to the Intrepid Museum here.

American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side is one of the most kid-friendly museums out there. It’s a massive 2,500,000 sq ft museum with thousands of exhibits, experiences, and opportunities to learn.

While many parts are geared toward children, it’s truly a museum for anyone with a curiosity about history, planets, and the world we live in.

Do NOT miss the Hall of Gems and Minerals. It boasts over 5,000 different specimens from 98 different countries!

Tickets are required to get into the museum (around $28 for adults), and you can either buy ahead of time or pay at the door.

Buy tickets here!

The MET

Head to their website beforehand to buy tickets (which will save you some time) and plan out certain exhibits or art pieces you want to see.

It’s a huge museum covering many time periods, art styles, and art mediums. Kids often love the historic weapons, instruments, and sculptures.

You can also check out guided tours (depending on the age of your children) if you want to be sure you’ll hit the best highlights, plus many of the tours have “skip the line” options, which is vital on busy days!

Spyscape Museum

Spyscape Museum is equal parts museum and entertainment.

You can learn about historical and current spy methods, and then play fun interactive spy-esque games in the next room.

Truly worth the money in our experience!

Check out & get tickets for Spyscape Museum here.

PS- See our in-depth review of Spyscape as part of our 10+ Unique Date Ideas article.

Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art boasts 708,000 square feet of total floor area, with 5 floors, and thousands of art pieces. It also averages over 2 million visitors per year, including plenty of kids!

Some of the popular pieces at the MoMA include:

• Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night
• Pablo Picasso’s Boy Leading a Horse
• Henri Matisse’s L’Atelier Rouge
• Henri Rousseau’s The Dream
• Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans (as of October 2023)
• And many, many more

It is also home to my personal favorite art piece, Monet’s Water Lilies. That room at the MoMA is the definition of peaceful.

The MoMA offers a great kids’ booklet that you can pick up when you enter the museum. Get your tickets here.

NY Public Library (5th Ave)

Don’t be confused by the idea of exploring a library…

The NYPL on 5th Avenue is impeccable. It feels like a museum, with elements of Hogwarts and a real library all combined into one. Admission is free, and you can spend ample time exploring the many different floors, exhibitions, and book halls.

Check out the NYPL Public Library on 5th Ave here.

Central Park – A Must-Do with Kids

Central Park is a must-see during your trip to New York City. It’s a massive respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, and is the perfect spot for kids to run and play.

The bottom/southern-most part of Central Park is called the Children’s District, which is home to:

• Chess and Checkers House
• Carousel (paid)
• Heckscher Playground
  • Slides
  • Swings
  • Water features & more
• Wollman Rink
  • Ice skating in the winter
  • Pickleball in the summer (usually)
• Central Park Zoo (paid)
• Hallett Nature Sanctuary
• Gapstow Bridge and more

Beyond that area, there are plenty of other fun activities for kids in Central Park, including:

• Row boat rentals near Loeb Boathouse (paid)
• Conservatory Water with motorized sail boats (like on Stuart Little) & the Alice in Wonderland statue
• Multiple other playgrounds
• And so much more

@bettertogetherhere

On Saturdays, check out the remote-controlled boats in Central Park at the Conservatory Water! #centralpark #conservatorywater #newyork #nyc #thingstodoinnyc #nyctourist #centralparkviews #billionaresrow #stuartlittle

♬ Jolly Boat Trip – Aurasong

If you want to hit some of the most iconic spots like the Balto Statue, the Mall & Literary Walk, and even Bethesda Terrace, check out our narrated walking tour here.

Broadway Shows

While some Broadway shows are not suitable for kids due to their content or the need for quietness during the show, there are also some very kid-friendly options.

Some Broadway shows in NYC that we’ve been to with kids and have enjoyed are:

• Aladdin
• The Lion King
• Wicked
• The Play That Goes Wrong – Our #1 pick for kids
• Little Shop of Horrors (age-dependent)
• Stranger Things (age-dependent)
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
• & Juliet (age-dependent)

While there are many ways to get cheap Broadway tickets, including the TKTS booth, VividSeats, or TodayTix, you can also find excellent options below.

Observation Decks

For many kids traveling to New York City, the view from an observation deck can be the most memorable and awe-inspiring experience.

Overall, all of the observation decks in NYC offer a similar experience. While the views at One World Trade Center are the most unique, we prefer choosing a deck with indoor and outdoor options.

Our go-to pick for an observation deck with kids is the Edge in Hudson Yards.

You get the most unique views, the ability to be inside or outside, AND the glass floor on the deck is an enthralling experience.

Another reason we love the Edge with kids is that the glass walls make it easiest for kids to see without having to be on shoulders or held.

Parks & Playgrounds

New York City has a plethora of parks and playgrounds throughout all of the boroughs. A few that we love and also often offer free activities include:

• Riverside Park
• Bryant Park
• Brooklyn Bridge Park
• The High Line
• Hudson River Park & more

As mentioned previously, factor in some free time to run and play at playgrounds. Just search ‘platyground’ in Google Maps and you’ll find one. 👍

Shopping

Some kids dislike shopping, and that’s okay, but if your kid loves to shop then NYC has you covered.

While there are loads of standard options at places like Rockefeller Center, 5th Ave, and Soho, we’ve taken kids to these shops that they loved:

• M&M store
• Nintendo Store
• Lego Store
• Nike Store on 5th Ave

There are loads more options. Watch the shopping section in the video below to learn more.

Sports, Specifically Baseball

Some of my greatest memories as a kid were going to baseball games with my Dad. If your kid is into sports, treat them to the unforgettable experience of NYC sporting events.

While places like Madison Square Garden for a Rangers or Knicks game are an iconic experience, they’re also expensive.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, consider heading to either a Yankees or Mets game! We love both of their stadiums, all accessible via public transit.

Additional Activities for Kids

While we covered the main categories in-depth, here are a few other notable mentions for NYC activites with kids:

• Color Factory
• Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge into Dumbo
• New York Transit Museum
• Times Square (it’s busy & crowded, so you may not want to be here for long)

This Episode’s You’ll Have to Check It Out Segment – FAO Schwartz

Originally opened in 1862, FAO Schwartz claims to be the oldest toy retailer in the USA. It has been in New York since 1870.

It closed in 2015 and reopened under new management, the same parent company that owns Sharper Image, Vornado, and others.

This iconic toy store boasts multiple floors with thousands of toys, gadgets, and interactive demos. A truly fun experience for kids!

You may have seen it in movie scenes filmed/set/inspired by FAO Schwarz:

• Big
• The Smurfs
• Home Alone 2
• Toy Story 3

Check out FAO Schwarz in Rockefeller Center here.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants & Food in New York City

There are thousands of restaurants in New York City, but some are more kid-friendly than others.

If you want to dive into our restaurant reviews, head here.

Here are a couple of thoughts for when you choose restaurants with kids:

• Food halls work best so they can have multiple options and more space – check out options like:
  • Chelsea Market
  • Pier 57
  • Urban Hawker
  • Time Out Market & more
• Find types of food that you and your kids won’t be able to try back at home, and let it be an exploration
• Opt for “off times” when the restaurants are less crowded, and seating will be less challenging

Getting Around NYC with Kids

Realistically, getting around NYC with kids in tow may be the most challenging part of traveling here. Sidewalks are often not stroller-friendly, and only some subway stations have elevators or escalators. Additionally, bikes can be reckless.

With that being said, you can make it work! Here are some tips and things to know for getting around New York with children:

• Uber has an option for car seats, if needed.
• You can filter on Google Maps using ‘Wheelchair accessible’ for subway stations that have elevators
  • It’s not perfect, but it’s worth trying
  • If there are lots of stairs, just ask for help.. New Yorkers are quite nice if you need a hand
• Take extra care on the subway with kids; it is generally safe, but stay away from platform edges and stay alert to your surroundings
• Be aware of bike lanes and bikes in general, just because you have the “walk” sign at a crosswalk doesn’t mean you should blindly start crossing

@bettertogetherhere

Direct ≠ mean.. just to clear the record. #nyc #newyorkers

♬ original sound – Better Together Here

Traveling to NYC with Kids Recap + Next Steps

Visiting New York City can be a memorable experience for the entire family with the right preparation and tips. While it can have its stressful moments and logistics, the memories will last a lifetime!

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