The Big Apple may be a sexy and sophisticated destination, but there are also lots of fun things to do in New York City with family. So, if you’re visiting New York as a family, you’ll have plenty of activities to choose from!
Also, if your family wants to visit the most famous attractions in the city, check out the many New York attraction passes available. They will help you save a lot of money! If it’s your first time in NYC, I especially recommend the New York Pass. It includes over 100 attractions, including the Big Bus Tour, one of the best hop-on hop-off bus tours in NYC, which is perfect for families with small kids because you can visit the most popular places and avoid some of the crowds. Plus, if the kids get tired, just enjoy the views from the open deck. It’s much more convenient than using the New York subway!
It has famous monuments, intriguing museums, and thrilling outdoor activities that can keep your entire family delighted.
As a parent and professional travel writer, I’ve been to this city and studied it extensively.
There is an endless amount of things to do in New York with kids, amazing places to stay, and incredible food. New York City should be on every family’s bucket list! Read on to plan your trip to New York with kids today using our Ultimate Guide to New York with Kids.
From the natural beauty of Niagara Falls to the bright lights of New York City, there’s a wide choice of kid-friendly attractions for families visiting New York State. NYC receives around 60 million visitors each year to see world-famous sights such as the Statue of Liberty and Empire State building – but what about the lesser-known cities and natural wonders further afield?
1. New Victory Theater
Few visitors to New York City can resist its spectacular selection of Broadway shows – but kids don’t always have the stamina for two-hour-plus productions, and the outlay for tickets may not seem worth it if you end up in the lobby with a rambunctious child.
Luckily, there’s New Victory Theater. Located in the heart of Times Square yet one of NYC’s best-kept secrets, this nonprofit venue produces shows geared exclusively toward kids and families. Each performance has a suggested target age, ranging from babies to older kids, making it easy for parents to plan. Once the house lights go down, spectators will be captivated by the theatrical fare of the highest quality, which might include puppets, fairytales, magic shows and more – all at an affordable price point. Sensory-friendly performances are often also available.
2. Central Park, New York City
Visiting Central Park is one of the best things to do in NYC, and it happens to be a top NYC attraction for families, too. Central Park is huge, so it helps to know what you’re going to do here before you arrive.
Some popular things to do in Central Park include the Butterfly Gardens at North Meadow and the Michael Friedsam Memorial Carousel near East 65th Street. You could also check out the nature observatory at Belvedere Castle, the rowboat rentals at Loeb Boathouse, Lasker Pool, or Wollman Rink. Also, there are 21 playgrounds scattered throughout the park, with Heckscher Playground being the most popular. It’s the oldest playground in Central Park and is located between 61st and 63rd Streets.
Central Park tours are included in the New York Pass, but you can also take this guided bike tour or rent a bike and explore on your own. Moreover, if you’re looking for other kid-friendly parks in NYC, check out Prospect Park, Little Island, or Bryant Park.
3. 9/11 Memorial & Museum
I wasn’t sure how the kids would react to the 9/11 memorials or the museum. The attacks occurred before they were born and even though I know we mention it (and they cover it a bit at school) I knew they would have lots of questions.
Standing at the base of where the World Trade Center fell on that tragic day was deeply saddening. To think of all the innocent lives lost, the first responders that never made it out… memories just came flooding back to my mind. I am not going to lie.
The kids could feel the mood and they grew somber. As expected the questions came pouring out. Thankfully the 9/11 museum was right there. What better way to give the kids the answers they needed than by visiting the exhibits?
The kids were able to view the television footage, stand before one of the fire trucks that were mangled and melted on that horrible day. It really helped them understand why all the adults around them were upset. They learned a lot that day and handled it incredibly well.
Olivia our 2-year-old was obviously too young but our four older munchkins range from 8-13 years old and I would totally recommend the museum for that age group.
4. Niagara Falls
Sitting on the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York State, the 3 waterfalls of Niagara Falls are a magnificent sight for visitors of all ages. Try a Maid of the Mists or Hornblower cruise for the full falls experience – and free ponchos to keep you all (almost) dry.
As well as taking in the breathtaking views, there are plenty of things for families to do at Niagara Falls. Kids can splash about at the Fallsview Waterpark, get back to nature at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, or head to the Clifton Hill Amusement Park to ride the Niagara Skywheel. The Table Rock Centre is a great first stop to help you make the most of your trip.
5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This encyclopedia of human civilization is one of the greatest museums in the world, a sprawling complex where the whole family could spend an entire day wandering the galleries and see only a fraction of what’s on display.
Head to the Egyptian wing to see the mummies and an intact temple, then go to the armory to see the knights, wander through a rebuilt Frank Lloyd Wright house, spend a moment in a Rennaissance library, marvel at the gold treasures of the Maya, walk around a marble portrait of Alexander the Great…and then see if you have time to go up to the second floor. Workshops for kids help introduce little ones to different kinds of art, plus the museum hosts family days throughout the year.
6. Chinatown
There’s nothing more fun for the entire family than an afternoon in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Numerous attractions here will keep everyone engaged, from family programming at the Museum of Chinese in America to the unexpected flavors on offer at the Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.
For a unique brunch experience, families should stop by the spacious and ornate dining rooms of Golden Unicorn in the heart of the vibrant neighborhood. This multi-floor Cantonese dim-sum restaurant is as much an experience as a place to fuel up. Steaming carts whiz past tables as customers make their selections, choosing from dumplings in the shape of pigs, pork buns, sweet sesame balls and more. Even picky eaters will find something to love here.
7. One World Observatory
As long as they aren’t terrified of heights, visiting one of NYC’s best observation decks is a great thing to do in New York City with kids.
One of the most stunning decks is the One World Observatory at One World Trade Center, one of the most famous buildings in NYC. The observation deck is 1,268 feet tall and takes up three stories. Witnessing the city from 100 floors up is quite the experience, as you can see all of Manhattan from a birds-eye view. You can get One World Observatory tickets in advance, but while you’re here, you might as well check out the 9/11 Museum with this combo ticket.
Speaking of observation decks, it’s also worth visiting the Empire State Building’s top floor observatory and the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, which provides 360° views. Plus, all of these observatories are included in the New York Pass.
8. Rockfeller Center
An incredibly fun family-friendly thing to do in New York with kids is Rockefeller center. This iconic area of Manhattan is home to many NBC hit shows such as Saturday Night Live, The Today Show & Jimmy Fallon.
Not to mention the awesome Radio City Music Hall, the rink at Rockefeller, the Channel Gardens, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, and tons of dining and shopping too!
We enjoyed taking in the sights and strolling around the shops. We walked through the Lego store and were mesmerized by the Lego version of New York City- it’s spectacular!
The kids also loved taking turns having their photo taken in the famous red chair from the hit show The Voice at the NBC Studio Store.
The area around Rockefeller is bustling and lively. There are plenty of great shops + places to sit down and eat, grab a coffee or enjoy a sweet treat! It makes a great stop in the evening as the lights make this area feel somewhat magical!!!
We have visited during the winter and enjoyed the ice skating rink at Rockefeller center. It was such an amazing experience.
9. Finger Lakes
A series of 11 crystal-clear lakes in Upstate New York, the Finger Lakes is a beautiful region to get back to nature on a family trip to New York State. Experience wonderful natural sights such as Watkins Glenn State Park or Taughannock Falls – or try outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing, or lake swimming.
Thrill-seeking families should head straight to the Greek Peak Mountain Resort on a trip to the Finger Lakes, where you’ll find a mountain coaster, zip line, mountain biking, adventure playground, and more. Plus, if you have time on your trip to camp out overnight, the whole family will love sleeping under the stars at a campground.
10. Coney Island
If you’re visiting the city during the summer, then you must go to Coney Island, as it’s one of the best things to do in NYC for kids and kids at heart.
Coney Island is one of the southern neighborhoods in Brooklyn, so it takes a bit of time to get there, but it’s worth the wait! Not only does this place offer all kinds of fun things to do outside of NYC, but it’s an iconic landmark with lots of history. It has been a seaside haven since the mid-1800s, thanks to its public parks, family-friendly NYC beaches, and amusements.
Some of the best things to do in Coney Island include visiting Luna Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, which has over a dozen kiddie rides and carnival-style attractions and is one of the best amusement parks in New York. After spending some time enjoying the amusements, you can take a stroll along the boardwalk and people-watch, grab a snack, and watch the waves crash along the shore.
Even if you visit Coney Island during the off-season, it’s a nice place to go, especially if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
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