When people ask me about the best things to do in NYC with children, I always tell them the same thing: New York City is not just a grown-up playground. It is, hands down, one of the most exciting, stimulating, and surprisingly kid-friendly cities on the planet. I have been raising two kids here for over eight years, and I still discover new corners of this city that make their eyes go wide.
Whether you are a local family looking for fresh weekend ideas or a visitor trying to figure out which NYC tourist attractions are actually worth the hassle with a stroller and a toddler in tow, this guide is for you. I have personally tested every single recommendation here with my own children (ages 4 and 9), and I am sharing the unfiltered, practical truth about what works, what does not, and what will make your kids talk about their trip for months.
Let me walk you through the absolute must see in New York experiences for families, broken down by category so you can plan your days without losing your mind.
World-Class Museums That Kids Actually Enjoy
New York is home to some of the most celebrated museums on Earth, but not all of them are a good fit for young visitors. Here are the ones where my kids have had genuinely great experiences, not just tolerated the visit while I dragged them through galleries.
American Museum of Natural History
Located at Central Park West and 79th Street, the American Museum of Natural History is the single best museum experience you can give a child in New York City. My son was three years old the first time we visited, and the moment he saw the towering Barosaurus skeleton in the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, he was hooked. That was six years ago, and we still go back at least four times a year.
The museum spans four city blocks and contains 45 permanent exhibition halls. For kids, the highlights are the fourth-floor fossil halls, where complete dinosaur skeletons are displayed in beautifully lit galleries. The Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, with its 94-foot blue whale model suspended from the ceiling, is another guaranteed jaw-dropper. The Discovery Room on the first floor is specifically designed for children and families, with hands-on activities and specimen handling.
General admission is pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents. For visitors, adult tickets are $28 and children (ages 2-12) are $16. The Hayden Planetarium show is an additional charge but absolutely worth it for kids over five. The current show uses stunning visualizations that keep even my easily distracted daughter completely still for the full 25 minutes.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
I know what you are thinking: a modern art museum with kids? Hear me out. MoMA, located at 11 West 53rd Street in Midtown, has worked hard to become more family-friendly in recent years, and it shows. The key is going in with the right strategy.
Skip the crowded fifth floor (where everyone clusters around Starry Night) and head straight to the sculpture garden on the ground level. It is an enclosed outdoor space where kids can move around more freely while you point out works by Picasso and Giacometti. The second and fourth floors have large-scale installations that naturally capture children's attention because of their sheer size and color.
MoMA offers free family gallery guides at the information desk, with conversation prompts designed for kids ages 4 and up. On the first Friday evening of each month, admission is free for everyone, though it does get crowded. Children under 16 are always free. Adult tickets are $30.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
If you have a child who loves planes, ships, submarines, or space, the Intrepid Museum at Pier 86 on West 46th Street is a New York City must visit. This is a real aircraft carrier -- the USS Intrepid, which served from World War II through the Vietnam era -- converted into a floating museum on the Hudson River.
Kids can walk the flight deck and see over two dozen restored aircraft, including an A-12 Blackbird spy plane and a British Airways Concorde. Below deck, they can explore the crew quarters and learn what life was like for thousands of sailors. The submarine Growler, moored alongside the carrier, is open for guided tours (note: not stroller-accessible and not recommended for kids under 5 due to steep ladders and tight spaces).
The Space Shuttle Pavilion houses the actual Enterprise shuttle prototype, which is genuinely awe-inspiring regardless of your age. Interactive flight simulators on the hangar deck are available for an additional fee and are very popular with the 7-and-up crowd.
Adult admission is $36; children ages 5-12 are $26. Under 5 is free. The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with extended hours in summer.
Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Among all the New York attractions that draw millions of visitors each year, the city's parks remain the most family-friendly, most affordable, and often the most memorable. A picnic blanket, some snacks, and a couple of hours in the right green space can be the highlight of your whole trip.
Central Park
Central Park is 843 acres of carefully designed landscape right in the heart of Manhattan, stretching from 59th Street to 110th Street. It is enormous, and trying to "do" the whole thing in a day with kids is a recipe for meltdowns (theirs and yours). Instead, pick a section and explore it thoroughly.
For younger kids (under 6), I recommend the southern end of the park. Enter at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue, and you will quickly reach the Pond, a quiet body of water with ducks and turtles. Walk north to the Central Park Zoo, which is compact enough for small children to enjoy without exhaustion. The Tisch Children's Zoo, next door, lets kids feed goats and sheep and is perfect for toddlers. Zoo admission is $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children 3-12.
For older kids, head to the mid-park area between 72nd and 79th Streets. The Bethesda Fountain and Terrace is a stunning architectural centerpiece. The Lake offers rowboat rentals at the Loeb Boathouse ($20 per hour, cash only, available April through November). Belvedere Castle, a stone castle perched on Vista Rock near 79th Street, has an observation deck with sweeping views of the park and houses a small nature display run by the Central Park Conservancy.
Twenty-one playgrounds are scattered throughout Central Park. The best ones for different ages: Heckscher Playground (mid-park at 62nd Street) is the largest and has sections for toddlers and older kids. The Ancient Playground (85th Street near the Met) has an Egyptian-themed climbing structure. The Diana Ross Playground (81st Street on the west side) has a fantastic water feature that runs from June through September.
The High Line
The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long elevated park built on a former freight rail line on Manhattan's West Side, running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street near Hudson Yards. It is one of the most unique NYC tourist attractions and a genuinely delightful walk with kids of all ages.
The path is flat, fully paved, and stroller-friendly throughout. Elevator access is available at most entrance points (Gansevoort Street, 14th Street, 23rd Street, and 34th Street). Along the way, you pass through gardens planted with over 500 species of plants, art installations that change seasonally, and viewing platforms that frame the city skyline like living postcards.
Kids love the 10th Avenue Square, a stadium-style seating area with a large glass window overlooking the street below where they can watch traffic and pedestrians. The rail tracks are preserved in several sections, and kids enjoy balancing on them. In summer, a water feature near 14th Street creates a shallow wading area where toddlers splash happily.
The High Line is completely free to visit and open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM in summer and 7 AM to 7 PM in winter.
Hudson Yards and The Vessel
At the northern end of the High Line, you step directly into Hudson Yards, the massive mixed-use development on the Far West Side. The centerpiece public attraction here was The Vessel, a 150-foot honeycomb-like structure of interconnected staircases. Note that as of my last check, The Vessel has been closed to climbing visitors, but the outdoor plaza around it is still a lively gathering space with public art and seasonal programming.
The real draw for families at Hudson Yards is the combination of indoor and outdoor spaces. The Shops at Hudson Yards have a good selection of family-friendly restaurants on the ground level. On nice days, the public square hosts free performances and art installations. The views of the Hudson River from the western edge of the development are beautiful and wide open, a nice change from the canyon-like streets of Midtown.
Broadway and Live Shows
No list of things to do in NYC with kids would be complete without mentioning Broadway. Taking a child to their first Broadway show is one of those magical parenting moments you never forget, but choosing the right show makes all the difference.
Best Broadway Shows for Kids
For children ages 5 and up, The Lion King at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street) remains the gold standard. The opening number, with puppets and performers filling the entire theater, is one of the most spectacular things you will ever see on a stage. The show runs about 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission. Tickets range from $80 to $300 depending on seats and timing.
Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre (222 West 51st Street) is excellent for kids 8 and up who can follow a more complex story. Aladdin at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street) is another crowd-pleaser with dazzling visual effects, particularly the magic carpet scene, and works well for ages 6 and up.
For younger children (ages 3-6), skip the full Broadway productions and look into off-Broadway options designed specifically for small kids. The New Victory Theater on 42nd Street programs an entire season of family shows, with performances typically running 60-90 minutes and tickets starting at $20. It is the best-kept secret among New York City parents.
"We saw The Lion King when my daughter was six. She sat perfectly still for two and a half hours, which had literally never happened before in her life. When the show ended, she turned to me and whispered, 'Can we live here?' That is the power of Broadway." -- Jessica Park
TKTS Discount Booth
If you are flexible about what you see, the TKTS booth in Times Square (Father Duffy Square, Broadway and 47th Street) sells same-day tickets at 20-50% off. The main booth has famously long lines, but here is a secret: the TKTS booth at Lincoln Center (Broadway and 65th Street) has much shorter waits and offers the same discounts. There is also a booth at the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan.
Food Experiences Kids Love
Eating in New York is one of the great New York attractions in its own right, and kids can be part of that experience if you pick the right spots. Here are the places that my children request again and again.
Classic New York Eats
A New York slice is non-negotiable. Joe's Pizza (7 Carmine Street in the Village) serves a classic, foldable, perfectly crispy slice that even picky eaters devour. Prince Street Pizza (27 Prince Street in Nolita) is famous for its pepperoni square, which is thicker and more indulgent. For a sit-down pizza experience with kids, Lombardi's (32 Spring Street) is the country's first pizzeria, opened in 1905, and the atmosphere is casual and welcoming.
For bagels, Russ and Daughters (179 East Houston Street) is a legendary appetizing shop that has been operating since 1914. Order a plain bagel with cream cheese for the kids and a nova lox platter for yourself. The line can be long on weekends, so aim for a weekday morning. Alternatively, their sit-down cafe around the corner at 127 Orchard Street takes reservations and is much easier with young children.
Ice cream is a must. My top pick for families is the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory on the Fulton Ferry Landing in DUMBO, Brooklyn. The flavors are simple and the portions are generous, and you eat it looking directly at the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. In Manhattan, the Van Leeuwen scoop shops (multiple locations) have both classic and vegan options. Their Earl Grey flavor is extraordinary.
Food Halls for Picky Eaters
When you have kids with different tastes (and when do you not?), food halls are a lifesaver. Everyone picks what they want, and you all sit together.
- Urbanspace Vanderbilt (230 Park Avenue, near Grand Central) -- A great variety of vendors in a clean, well-lit space. Good options for every diet. Open for lunch and early dinner.
- DeKalb Market Hall (445 Albee Square West, Downtown Brooklyn) -- 40 vendors in the basement of City Point. Excellent variety, from dumplings to BBQ to artisan donuts. Very family-friendly atmosphere with plenty of seating.
- Chelsea Market (75 Ninth Avenue) -- Located beneath the High Line, this is a popular stop but genuinely fun for food-loving families. Los Tacos No. 1 has some of the best tacos in the city, and the Lobster Place has a raw bar and fish market that adventurous kids find fascinating.
Seasonal Activities: What to Do and When
One of the reasons New York City remains a New York City must visit destination year-round is that the city reinvents itself with every season. Here is what to prioritize depending on when you visit.
Spring (March through May)
Spring in New York is glorious once it finally arrives (March can still be cold, so pack layers). The cherry blossoms in Central Park bloom in late March through mid-April, with the best displays along the Reservoir path between 86th and 96th Streets. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has an even more spectacular cherry blossom collection, with over 200 trees in its Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. Admission is $18 for adults and free for children under 12. Free admission on Friday mornings from 10 AM to noon.
Spring is also the best time to visit Governors Island, which opens for the season in May. The free ferry from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan takes 7 minutes, and the island has a massive playground complex called The Hills with slides built into the landscape, plus car-free roads perfect for kids on bikes or scooters.
Summer (June through August)
Summer is peak tourist season and the city is hot, but there is no shortage of ways to cool down. The free outdoor pools run by NYC Parks open in late June and are located across all five boroughs. The Astoria Pool in Queens is Olympic-sized. Sprinkler parks and splash pads are everywhere; my favorite is the one in Pier 51 at Hudson River Park in the West Village.
Free outdoor movies, concerts, and theater performances happen every night. Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park is a treasured tradition. Free tickets are distributed via a digital lottery on the TodayTix app. SummerStage, also in Central Park, offers free concerts ranging from pop to world music to hip-hop.
The Coney Island boardwalk in Brooklyn is a full-day summer trip. Luna Park has rides for all ages (individual ride tickets or wristband packages), the beach is free, and Nathan's Famous hot dogs at the original Surf Avenue location is a rite of passage.
Fall (September through November)
Fall is my favorite season to explore NYC tourist attractions with kids. The weather is perfect -- warm days, cool nights -- and the summer crowds thin out after Labor Day. Central Park's foliage peaks in late October through mid-November, and a walk through the Ramble during peak color is genuinely stunning.
The Halloween season in NYC is unlike anywhere else. The Village Halloween Parade on October 31st along Sixth Avenue is a massive, creative, community-driven spectacle. It is free to watch (line up along the route between Spring Street and 16th Street). For younger kids who might find the parade too intense, the Central Park Pumpkin Festival and various neighborhood trunk-or-treat events are gentler alternatives.
The New York City Marathon in early November is a fantastic spectator event for kids. Pick a spot along First Avenue in Manhattan (between 60th and 90th Streets) where the runners are still energetic and responsive to cheering crowds. Kids love making signs and high-fiving runners.
Winter (December through February)
Winter in New York is cold, but the holiday season transforms the city into something magical. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is the iconic must see in New York during December -- it goes up in late November and is lit through early January. The tree is free to view, and the skating rink beneath it is open daily (though it is small, crowded, and expensive at $25-35 per session, so consider the rink at Bryant Park instead, where skating is free if you bring your own skates).
The holiday windows at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's are elaborate animated displays that kids find mesmerizing. Start at Saks (611 Fifth Avenue) and walk north to Bergdorf (754 Fifth Avenue) for the best window walk. Go after 5 PM when the lights are on but plan for crowds.
The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show in the Bronx is a beloved tradition running from mid-November through late January. Model trains wind through a miniature cityscape made entirely of plant materials, with tiny replicas of New York landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Timed-entry tickets sell out weeks in advance, so book early. Adult tickets are around $35; children $15.
Getting Around NYC with Kids
Transportation is one of the things to do in NYC that can either make or break your family trip. Here is what I have learned after thousands of rides with kids in tow.
The Subway
The NYC subway is the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable way to get around the city. Children under 44 inches tall ride free (they walk under the turnstile with you). An unlimited MetroCard costs $34 for 7 days and pays for itself quickly if you are taking three or more rides per day.
Most stations are not elevator-accessible, which is a real challenge with strollers. The MTA website has an accessible stations map. Major stations with elevators include Times Square-42nd Street, 14th Street-Union Square, 59th Street-Columbus Circle, and Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Plan your routes around accessible stations when traveling with a stroller.
Kids generally love the subway. Sit in the front car and they can watch through the engineer's window as the train moves through the tunnels. The 7 train between Hudson Yards and Flushing, Queens goes elevated above ground through Long Island City and offers skyline views that rival any observation deck.
Ferries
The NYC Ferry system is an underrated gem for families. A single ride costs $4 (same as the subway), and children under 44 inches ride free. Routes run along the East River, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, and every ride comes with open-air deck seating and skyline views. The Soundview route is particularly scenic. Bikes, strollers, and wheelchairs are all welcome.
The free Staten Island Ferry is another must see in New York experience. The 25-minute ride between Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and St. George Terminal in Staten Island passes directly by the Statue of Liberty and offers panoramic views of the harbor. There is no charge at all, and the ferry runs 24/7. It is one of the best free experiences in the entire city.
Neighborhoods Worth Exploring
Part of what makes New York such a rich collection of New York attractions is that each neighborhood has its own character. Here are three that are especially rewarding for families.
DUMBO, Brooklyn
Short for "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass," DUMBO is one of the most photogenic and family-friendly neighborhoods in the city. The cobblestone streets, the Brooklyn Bridge framing the Manhattan skyline, and the waterfront parks make it feel like a movie set. Jane's Carousel, a beautifully restored 1922 carousel housed in a glass pavilion designed by Jean Nouvel, is a highlight for young children ($2 per ride). Brooklyn Bridge Park stretches along the waterfront with multiple playgrounds, including Pier 6 which has a water lab, sandbox, and swing valley.
The Upper West Side
This is my home neighborhood, and I am biased, but it is genuinely one of the best areas in the city for families. The American Museum of Natural History is here. The Children's Museum of Manhattan is here. Riverside Park runs along the Hudson River with playgrounds every few blocks. The Boat Basin Cafe at 79th Street is a seasonal outdoor restaurant right on the river where kids can run around on the promenade while you eat. Zabar's, the legendary gourmet food shop at 80th and Broadway, makes an excellent smoked fish platter for a park picnic.
Chinatown and Little Italy
Walking through Chinatown with kids is an adventure in sensory overload: the fish markets, the produce stands, the window displays of roast ducks and buns. Nom Wah Tea Parlor (13 Doyers Street), the oldest dim sum parlor in the city, is a fun experience for adventurous eaters. For kids who prefer more familiar fare, cross Canal Street into what remains of Little Italy and grab a cannoli at Ferrara Bakery and Cafe (195 Grand Street), which has been operating since 1892.
Practical Tips for Visiting NYC with Kids
After years of navigating this city with children, here are the practical details that most guides leave out.
- Shoes matter more than anything. You will walk 10,000 to 20,000 steps per day in New York. Make sure everyone, especially kids, has broken-in, supportive shoes. This is not the trip for new sandals or cute boots.
- Pack layers year-round. Buildings are aggressively air-conditioned in summer and heated in winter. The temperature difference between inside and outside can be 20 degrees in any season.
- Bring a portable phone charger. You will use your phone constantly for maps, tickets, restaurant reservations, and photos. A dead phone in Manhattan with two kids is not fun.
- Hotel location matters. Stay in Midtown (between 34th and 59th Streets) if you want to be central to most attractions. The Upper West Side is quieter and more residential, with easy park access. Avoid Times Square hotels unless you enjoy paying double for half the space.
- Do less than you think you should. Two major activities per day is plenty with kids. Build in downtime, snack breaks, and playground stops. A slower pace means happier children and more enjoyable memories.
Budget Tips: Saving Money on New York Attractions
New York can be expensive, but it does not have to drain your bank account. Here are real ways to save.
- CityPASS or New York Pass: If you plan to visit three or more major paid attractions, a CityPASS ($146 adults, $122 children) bundles six attractions and saves roughly 40% compared to buying individual tickets.
- Free museum days and hours: Many museums offer free or pay-what-you-wish admission at specific times. The Met is pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents at all times. MoMA is free on Friday evenings. The Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria is free on Fridays from 2-6 PM.
- Free activities are everywhere: Central Park, the High Line, the Staten Island Ferry, the Brooklyn Bridge walk, the 9/11 Memorial pools, and many playgrounds and public art installations cost nothing.
- Eat like a local: Skip tourist-trap restaurants near Times Square. Walk two blocks in any direction and prices drop significantly. Halal carts, pizza slices, and deli sandwiches are delicious, filling, and budget-friendly.
Final Thoughts: Why NYC Belongs on Every Family's List
After eight years of raising kids in this city, I can tell you with complete confidence that New York is not just tolerant of children -- it genuinely rewards them. Every block is a classroom. Every subway ride is a small adventure. Every park visit, museum trip, and shared pizza slice becomes a story they will carry into adulthood.
The things to do in NYC with kids are practically limitless, and that can feel overwhelming at first. But here is the truth that I wish someone had told me before our very first family outing: you cannot do it all, and you do not need to. Pick a few New York City must visit experiences from this guide, leave plenty of room for wandering and spontaneous discoveries, and let the city do what it does best -- surprise you.
Whether you are visiting for the first time or you have lived here for decades, New York always has something new to offer your family. The must see in New York attractions are incredible, yes, but the moments between them -- the street musician who makes your toddler dance, the pigeon your kid names Gerald, the pretzel from the cart on the corner that somehow tastes better than any pretzel anywhere else -- those are the memories that stick.
Get out there, take it slow, pack snacks, and enjoy this wild, wonderful city with the people you love most. New York is ready for your family. Trust me.