The Best of New York City with Kids
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We love nyc!
If you’re looking for things to do in New York City with Kids, look no further. We have traveled to New York City with kids several times and have accumulated many favorites across the city. New York City has stolen a piece of my heart. I have taken the kids 4 times - 3 times we visited New York at Christmas and once in the spring. took the kids for a visit back in 2016, but only for a few hours. Last year, we went for 3 days, 2 nights. Every visit to New York city seems so serendipitous and exciting. If you are planning to travel to New York with kids, get ready to conquer the Subway, eat delicious food at markets, drinking tons of hot chocolate and coffee, and just overall enjoying every second of NYC. From the Staten Island Ferry to the Natural History Museum, you’ll find so many things to do for families in New York City!
Table of Contents
Click to skip to any of these sections
What to do with Kids in New York City
American Museum of Natural History
Times Square (and stores)
CAMP Store
Starbucks Reserve
World Trade Center Complex
9/11 Pools
9/11 Museum
Oculus
New York Transit Museum
Walk Brooklyn Bridge
Staten Island Ferry
Chelsea Market
Broadway Show
Rockefeller Plaza
Ice Skating
FAO Schwarz
Parks and Playgrounds in New York City
Central Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Battery Park Playscape
Liberty State Park
The Best Place to Stay in New York City
There are seemingly endless choices on where to stay when visiting New York City. You can find insane luxury hotels to cheap single room rentals in someone’s home. We’ve stayed in an Airbnb in Brooklyn, stayed with family in their Brooklyn apartment, and stayed in a hotel in Manhattan with kids! We’ve even stayed with a friend in New Jersey and taken the train in for the day only.
Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Midtown Manhattan/Penn Station:
The view from our room at the farfield in was amazing. 23rd floor.
We absolutely loved this hotel and I can not recommend it enough. We stayed here with 2 adults, 2 children, and an infant. We chose the 1 King Bed Suite with Sofa bed and city views. Our room was on the 23rd floor and the views were insane. The hotel has a wonder on-site breakfast which was free for us. The rooms had a large bathroom, plenty of storage space, a coffee pot, and a mini fridge. The lobby always had fresh coffee, pastries, and cookies available. The staff was so kind. However, the best part of the hotel is its LOCATION. Wow, its right at Penn Station which connects you to anywhere you want to go in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, or even a very short and direct 20 minute LIRR Train Ride to JFK’s air train at Jamaica Station. We will be staying here again for sure.
Our room had 1 king bed and one pull out couch. I loved seeing the sun rise and set over manhattan.
This 2-Bedroom Apartment was perfect for us!
One one visit to New York City at Christmas we stayed in a 2-bedroom Brownstone townhouse in Brooklyn. The townhouse has been broken up into 3 apartments. Ours was on the second floor, newly decorated and had free street parking. There is not a better apartment in NYC for the price. We paid $420 total for 2 nights. (in 2019) The weekend we went, the cheapest studio hotel room was over $330 per night. The apartment is a 15-20 min walk from the subway, but it was an easy walk.
Use the map below to search for a place within your families budget and that can accommodate your families size!
Where to Eat in New York City
I could never summarize all of the amazing food in NYC. Afterall, NYC is considered the foodie capital of the United States. These are places that we have eaten ourselves and loved!
Liberty Bagels (several locations across NYC):
the famous rainbow bagel with birthdaycake cream cheese
This is where you can find the iconic Rainbow Bagel. We had to stop in for one as part of my daughter’s 8th birthday! She ordered the rainbow bagel with birthday cake cream cheese and it was phenomenal. I got the Sausage egg and cheese everything bagel which absolutely can NOT be missed on your family trip to NYC!
Joe’s Pizza:
The iconic Joe’s Pizza from the Spiderman Movie! We had to stop in. We called ahead and ordered a large pie and less than 10 minutes later we showed up and it was ready! I don’t know that we even needed to call ahead. This place is extremely popular and has very limited seating, so be prepared for that. Our family of 2 adults, 2 little kids (and a baby) ate the whole large pizza! It was the perfect amount. If you have a spiderman lover in your family and love pizza, Joe’s pizza is one of the quirky and yummy fun things to do for kids in NYC.
Serendipity 3:
The kids with their cookies and cream frozen hot chocolate.
This place is a must visit for epic desserts. The kids absolutely loved the frozen hot chocolate! We didn’t love their actual food and the service wasn’t great, but if you love sweets and impressing your kids — make a reservation and order several desserts! This arguably the best place in New York City for frozen treats
Anchor Coffee & Corp (Brooklyn): This coffee shop was super close to our Airbnb. We grabbed cappuccinos, coffee cake, muffins and a cheddar biscuit here before heading to the subway. If you find yourself near the Kingston-Thorpe Subway stop in Brooklyn — definitely stop in.
Shake Shack (all over NYC): Just go here. We stopped in for lunch after several hours perusing the American Museum of Natural History. The food is DELISH and the prices are very fair. I had a spicy chicken sandwich with fries while the kids chowed down on a hot dog. This place is very popular, so there was a quite a wait considering it was fast food. (Approx 30 min) We couldn’t snag a table with our large group, so we walked down the street a bit and ate on some park benches. We have also eaten at the Shake Shack located under the Brooklyn Bridge. I took the kids to Brooklyn in December and there was no crowd. We were able to snag a window with an incredible view of the Brooklyn Bridge.
the views from our table at shake shack were great
Steve’s Pizza (Downtown Manhattan):
You will not be sorry going to Steve's Pizza. The entire family will love you foreveR
When you are over near the WTC, please add this stop to your itinerary. The food was SO GOOD. The pizza melts in your mouth. This is a stand up only food places, but there is an amazing park directly out front where you can sit on a bench and enjoy the NYC skyline. I personally enjoyed the Buffalo Chicken Pizza while the kids devoured some cheese slices.
Tacuba (Manhattan): (Reservation Recommended: P: 212-245-4500) This was the fanciest place we ate in NYC. We had a larger group of 5 adults, 2 kids so we called ahead for reservations. Tacuba is in Manhattan and about a 15-minute walk from Times Square. The staff was able to store our stroller for us, provide a high chair and even gave us a kid’s quesadilla for only ONE DOLLAR. We were seated in the basement where there are extra tables and some very nice bathrooms. I highly - HIGHLY - recommend ordering the Carne Asada. I am 100% sure everyone had food envy of my plate. The food at this restaurant is hands down the best food I have had in a very very long time.
Dough Donuts (Brooklyn):
One of the biggest and most delicious donuts you will ever ever ever eat!
We were told Dough was good, so we made the stop on our drive out of the city. We visited the location in Brooklyn at 448 Lafayette Ave. We were surprised there were no tables to sit at and no espresso drinks, but we quickly got over it when we saw these doughnuts. Each donut is gigantic. Easily twice the size of an average donut. They are so delicious I can’t even put it into words. I got the kids each a glazed donut, some donut holes and I enjoyed a Cafe Au Lait donut which took me two rounds to eat just one. The donut is more of a giant pastry — SO. DAMN. GOOD.
Chelsea Market is a wonderful place for the entire family to get something that suites their taste buds.
What to do in New York City with Kids
American Museum of Natural History (Uptown): The AMNH is gigantic. Be sure to schedule at least half a day for this place. We spent 3 hours and we barely had time for 3 of the 5 special exhibits, not to mention the main museum. The kids went nuts for the dinosaurs. Each and every exhibit is created with the utmost detail and is massive. The animals are full size because they are actually dead animals preserved by taxidermy. I was amazed to see an exhibit of a family of elephants. I was even more amazed to see a REAL tyrannosaurus rex skull. That’s right; it’s not a copy of one. It’s REAL!
To save some time, buy your tickets in advance online. The lines were very long when we went. If you can’t afford the prices online, you can wait in line and pay-what-you-wish at their counter. Pro-Tip: Check their website to see if their are any special offers; my sister and brother-in-law were able to get in for free with their Bank of America card.
The American Museum of Natural History is a MUST VISIT with children!
The American Museum of Natural History is a MUST VISIT with children!
Times Square is a busy, but iconic place. I loved experiencing the bright lights and energy!
Times Square (Midtown): Times Square is a must for anyone visiting New York City. It is an iconic square with so many TV screens you must see it to believe it. A probably obvious warning: It can be extremely crowded. When we visited Times Square at night, the crowds were massive and it seemed very chaotic. When we went back during they day, it much more calm. Many famous stores are located here including the M&M store!
If there are vendors there asking to take your photos (with good camera equipment), I say go for it! A guy offered to take ours and he said if we didn’t like any of them, there was no obligations. I ended up loving them and wanted to buy 4 ($10 each), but he offered me the entire set for $50 — so I took it.
A street vendor had really nice camera equipment and offered to take our photos. If we hated them, we had no comittment to buy — if we wanted some they were $10 each — he ended up giving us the entire set for $50. such fun memories of nyc!
CAMP Store (Midtown & Brooklyn): If you are in New York City with Kids, you MUST bring them to a CAMP Store. This is a toy store, reinvented. When you first walk in you will see a small, modest toy store with some unique gifts for purchase, but shortly you will find a secret doorway that takes you a whole different world. In Manhattan, we found that once we passed through the secret door we were transported to an interactive toy store where the kids were able to test and evaluate different toys. In every corner and spot along the way, there are interactive experiences including a race track for scooters and a giant slide into a pit of foam blocks. In Brooklyn, passing through the secret door takes you to a magical elevator that sweeps you up to CAMP. At Camp you’ll find a bunkhouse with a secret slide that goes to a dance room, a magical lake, horses (toy) to ride, balls to play with and even an ice cream shop. That’s right - every CAMP store has some type of refreshment stand. In Manhattan, they have a full-fledge coffee shop with pastries and espresso. In Brooklyn, it’s an ice cream shop full of unbelievable flavors. Another thing I love: the family bathrooms. Every single bathroom in CAMP store is a family bathroom, so you’ll have room to take care of your children’s needs. Finally, CAMP offers a stroller check, so you can play around the store without having to lug your stuff around. Overall, if you’re headed to New York City with Kids, you need to put CAMP on your must-do list.
Charletta riding one of the horses at CAMP in Brooklyn
The Kids were testing some kinetic sand at the CAMP in Manhattan
The inside of the CAMP store looks like an actual outdoor summer camp!
Staten Island Ferry (downtown): If you couldn’t get tickets or don’t have the time in your schedule to visit the Statue of Liberty, consider taking the Staten Island Ferry. This is one of the best free family activities in NYC today! The ferry loads at the Staten Island Ferry in downtown along the water next to Battery Park. It’s a 30 minute journey to Staten Island and drives right past Lady Liberty. Stand on the right side of the boat when headed toward SI and stand on the left side when headed back to Manhattan. Plan for this to trip to take about 1.5 hours total and have your camera ready! The views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline are amazing! No matter when you’re visiting NYC the Staten Island Ferry is runnings, so it’s one of the reliable kid-friendly things to do in NYC today!
the manhattan skyline from the sif
Seeing the statue of libery up close was great!!
Starbucks Reserve (Chelsea, Midtown West): While Starbucks Reserve isn’t fully a place for children, it is a very unique experience. I brought my 3 and 4-year-old along and they loved drinking delicious hot chocolate by the fireplace while I took a look around. This Starbucks is unlike any other because this is the Reserve where Starbucks brings in their best coffee from around the world. From new ways to brew coffee to international tastes to a completely different take on customer experience — if you love Starbucks, this is a stop the whole family can enjoy! I highly recommend the Whiskey Barrell Aged Cold Brew with Sweat Foam…you can thank me later.
I have since taken my kids to all three Starbucks Reserves in the United States - Seattle, Chicago, and NYC. The kids love it each time and we all love learning about the different roasting techniques, seeing how the coffee is prepared and distributed, and enjoying the aroma of freshly roasted coffee!
Starbucks Reserve Roastery is an incredible, unique experience for all coffee and hot chocolate lovers.
The Chelsea Market sign was a welcome relief from the high winds and cold snowy weather!
Chelsea Market (Chelsea, Midtown West): I absolutely loved this Market. From unique small shops to delicious gourmet food, you won’t be disappointed. If you are traveling with a picky eater, Chelsea Market is the perfect place for families to dine. There is a wide variety of food options so everyone will be full! I loved that the market is indoors, so we were able to escape the snowy cold. In the summer, I can imagine the air conditioner would be a nice reprieve from the heat. If you're debating Chelsea Market with Kids, don’t. It’s stroller-friendly with elevators and plenty of walking room. Chelsea market even has a family restroom — look for Big Mozz (the restaurant) and head toward the street windows by the check out counter. The restroom is located right by the windows.
Broadway Show: Did you know a Broadway show is one of the best things to do in NYC with kids? It is! We took our daughter (7) to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and she absolutely loved it. While not all shows are suitable for all children, NYC has so many shows to choose from. Some recommendations for all ages are The Lion King, Harry Potter (Age 8 and older), Aladdin (Age 8 and up), or The Life of Pi (Ages 8 and up).
Our daughter loved harry potter and the cursed child on broadway!
Rockefeller Plaza (Midtown): First off, I love the Today Show. Ever since I became a stay at home mom, I have watched it. I loved seeing the studio and being able to look down at the famous ice skating rink. This plaza is a New York City Icon and a must-see on any trip to NYC. As something we have all seen on TV since childhood, being there in real life is surreal. While you visit Rockefeller Plaza, be sure to visit the iconic FAO Schwarz which is right at the plaza. Be prepared to be taken back to your childhood for a magical experience!
World Trade Center Complex (Downtown):
9/11 Memorial: The 9/11 Memorial can not be missed. As the most pivotal day in modern United State’s history, I recommend this museum to everyone. The museum itself is put together SO well. The artifacts, memorials and human stories are incredible. I cried my way through. Unless you were in NYC on 9/11, I think this museum is the only way to begin to understand the devastation these attacks caused. One tip for visiting: use the kiosks outside to get tickets. This allows you to skip the long ticket line. Active Military get free entry.
World Trade Center Pools: Each pool is the exact footprint of the World Trade Center towers. They are each about 1 acre in size. The pools are located just outside the memorial and are free to visit. One thing that struck me about the pools is how large they are — it makes it even harder to imagine what 9/11 would have been like in those spots at that time.
Oculus: “The “Oculus” serves as the centerpiece of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, incorporating 78,000 square feet of multi-level shopping and dining. There are FREE public restrooms here and a this is a great place to get out of the wind or cold if you’re traveling to New York with children. We came in here at Christmas time in 2018 and watched a free caroling event put on by actual Broadway performers!
The Oculus is a fantastic place to bring the kids to experience one of a kind New York City architecture and amazing shopping!
the 9/11 pools are very emotional — and a great place to discuss the history of 9/11 with your children
New York Transit Museum (Brooklyn): This museum is amazing for anyone at any age. I would rate it as a must not miss because of its deep-rooted NYC history. It is located in Brooklyn and is inside of a Subway Station, so the entire museum is underground. The museum recaps the history of the transit system; from its inception all through modern day. The kids, as well as the adults, will have a chance to drive a bus, walk through original Subway cars from 1905 and different cars they have used all the way to the present day. There is a cafeteria in the museum if you pack a lunch, a place to store strollers, clean bathrooms and even a gift shop for some unique MTA themed gifts or souvenirs. This museum offers FREE entry for U.S. Military members and their families.
The kids enjoying the elusive empty Subway Car at the New York Transit Museum
The downstairs of the museum is an actual subway station full of relic Subway Cars!
Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn & Downtown): If you’re wonder what to do in NYC with kids, walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most iconic stops! The famous Brooklyn Bridge offers a walking path for visitors to walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan or vice versus. The walk is super easy and the views are rivaled by none. It is quite the experience to see the Manhattan skyline from the BB. We easily pushed our stroller along, stopped for photos and people watched. It is completely free to make the walk and definitely worth the time. The Brooklyn Bridge is 1.1 miles long, but the pedestrian entrances are 1.6 miles apart. Be prepared for it to take at least 1-hour to cross the bridge one way on foot.
The iconic brooklyn bridge with manhattan skyline.
Brooklyn Bridge is an absolute must for any NYC Visit
Parks and Playgrounds in New York City
Is there anything more fun for kids in NYC than the playgrounds? There are so many playgrounds and parks sprinkled throughout the city. These are the parks and playgrounds we have experienced and loved. Playgrounds are one of the most fun things to do in NYC with kids because it gives the kids some time to be free and play and gives the parents a much needed break to sit and maybe sip a coffee! Not to mention that playgrounds are a staple free family activities in NYC today!
Central Park with Kids is an absolute must! The views, the atmosphere and the endless running for the kids!!
Central Park is amazing for kids!
Central Park: If you’re in New York City with or without kids, you MUST go to Central Park. It took me 3 visits before I went. Someone could spend days and days meandering this massive park. It is absolutely stunning. There are several playgrounds located throughout the park as well as the Central Park Carousel, Central Park Zoo, and the Natural History Museum is co-located with the park.
**Photo spot: head to the 77th St-Central Park West entrance and head toward the rocks at the lake. You can get some photos with the skyline and lake in the background.
The kids loved the central park carousel!
Brooklyn Bridge Park offers unmatched views of the Manhattan Skyline and Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge Park: I love this park so much. First, the views of the Manhattan skyline paired with the length of the Brooklyn Bridge are things NYC dreams are made of. In this park, there is also a playground where the kids can let some energy out and the parents can take in the epic scenery. Be sure to snag an ice cream cone or refreshment at one of the in-park snack shops. Pro Tip: Follow the walking path away from the bridge along the water, the further down you go, the better views you get of Lady Liberty.
Right by the park are side streets to get nice city/bridge photos
Battery Park Playscape: We fell in love with this playground. It is in such a great location right beside the ferries to the Statue of Liberty or the Staten Island Ferry. The playscape is very modern, but blends really well into the landscape. The stone slides were a huge hit with my kids. I love seeing the kids play with giant high rises all around. There are nice clean bathrooms located right at the playground.
While you’re at the playscape, plan an extra 20 minutes to ride the Seaglass Carousel! It is absolutely gorgeous and has a glass enclosure, so it’s free from the wind and cold. Each person get’s their own fish to ride. This carousel is accessible too! The Seaglass Carousel is such a whimsical kids activity in NYC and a fun way to take a break from the bustle.
battery park playscape
battery park playscape
the kids loved that the fish went up and down as well as around and around!
Liberty State Park is a perfect stop into or out of New York City. Give the kids a place to stretch their legs and soak in the views.
Liberty State Park: We decided to stop at Liberty State Park on the way out of NYC. I have to say, I have seen Lady Liberty from afar, but seeing her this close was quite the experience. This park was free to enter. The day we visited it was extremely foggy and Latham was sleeping in the car. My mom stayed behind with him while my stepdad and Charletta and I walked down to see Lady Liberty. For the most part, she was completely covered in Fog, but for about 45 seconds the fog cleared enough to see her. There is a pathway to walk down further and see the NYC skyline from across the river, but we did not go down it since the fog was extremely heavy.
If you love traveling the North East USA, check out this post on Boston with Kids!
CityPASS: If you’re going to be seeing several of the main NYC attractions, I suggest purchasing a CityPASS for a better deal. This pass gets you into the Empire State Building; American Museum of Natural History; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Top of the Rock Observation Deck or Guggenheim Museum; ferry access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises; 9/11 Memorial & Museum or Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum — all for one low cost!!
How to get around NYC with Kids
For ease we chose to take the subway! I loved the experience and found it extremely easy to navigate!
Subway: For children who need car seats, this is by far the most efficient way to navigate the 5 boroughs of NYC. The Subway is also extremely economical for families. We paid $33 for a 7-Day unlimited pass and the children were free! The Subway is free for up to three children under 44 inches when riding with a paying adult. We found the subways were not stroller friendly, but if you want to read more about navigating NYC’s subways with a stroller, see our post HERE.
LIRR: If you are looking for an easy way to get from JFK airport to Manhattan, take the LIRR. (Long Island Rail Road) When we stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Midtown it was located at Penn Station. We paid $5.50 per adult for a one-way fare. The train took us directly from Penn Station to Jamaica Station (where the AIRTrain is) in 19 minutes! SO easy and perfect for traveling with kids and luggage.
Uber: Use the app and catch a ride! If your kids are old enough to not need car seats, this could be a more time efficient route. Ubers are very expensive in the city, so expect to fork over some serious cash.
No matter how long you are in New York City, there is truly something for everyone. From Central Park to the Empire State Building to the Staten Island Ferry, I can not recommend NYC enough as a fun family destination.
Have you ever taken your family to NYC? What is your favorite place to visit? Leave me a comment and let me know!
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