In a nutshell
- We explored New York City with kids, and in this article, we’re sharing our experiences along with cool things to do as a family.
- The best things to do with kids in NYC include visiting the American Museum of Natural History, exploring Central Park and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Getting around New York City with children takes some planning. If you’re traveling with a stroller, the subway isn’t always the best option.
- Are you wondering where to stay with kids in NYC? Our favorite hotel is the Residence Inn in Manhattan – the rooms are spacious and have their own kitchens.
NYC with Kids: Itinerary for 5 days
Wondering how to turn our NYC tips into a family-friendly itinerary? Here’s our 5-day itinerary for NYC with Kids.
Day 1: Exploring Central Park
- Bike Tour through Central Park
- Central Park Zoo
- Ride a Model Boat in Central Park
- Playground in Central Park
Day 2: Best Views over Manhattan
- Climbing the Edge Skyscraper
- The Vessel
- Walking the High Line
Day 3: Times Square & East River
- Watching Street Performers in Times Square
- M&Ms Museum
- Boat Trip on the East River
- USS Intrepid
Day 4: Cool Activities in Manhattan
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ride
- American Museum of Natural History
- Diana Ross Playground
Day 5
- Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
- Main Street Playground in Brooklyn
- Jane’s Carousel
More Things to Do
- Children Museum of Manhattan
- Visiting a Stadium
- Coney Island
- Broadway Show
- Madame Tussaud’s
Day 1: Exploring Central Park
Bike Tour through Central Park
Because Central Park is so large, biking is the perfect way to explore it with kids. There are several bike rental shops in Central Park.
You have the choice between children’s bikes and child seats, as well as tandems and cargo bikes. Helmets are available free of charge and are compulsory for children.
Rental stations are located at the entrances to Columbus Circle and Grand Army Plaza. An adult bike costs around $30 for two hours, a children’s bike $25.
We rode the whole of Central Park Drive, a wide bike path that loops around all of Central Park. It is about 10 kilometers long.
We easily completed it in two hours with plenty of breaks.
Central Park Zoo
Central Park Zoo is quite small compared to other zoos, but that’s what makes it so enjoyable to visit with kids.
You can explore it completely in one to two hours without being tired afterwards.
The zoo has a penguin lagoon, a rainforest house, monkeys, seals, bears and lions.
Admission costs $13 for children aged three and over, adults pay $16.
If you want to go to a really big zoo, you have to go to the Bronx Zoo, north of Manhattan.
Ride a Model Boat in Central Park
In the eastern part of Central Park, near Fifth Avenue, there is the pond “Conservatory Water” with model sailboat rental.
Both kids and adults can rent model sailboats to cruise across the pond. Many of the boats are super child-friendly and easy to steer, so everyone has fun.
The rental price varies depending on the boat, but an hour costs around $15.
Our tip: It’s always full here at the weekend, so it’s best to come during the week to make sure there are still boats left.
Heckscher Playground
The largest playground in Central Park is just a few minutes walk from Columbus Circle.
There are swings, seesaws, slides, a section with colorful rubber flooring and in summer there is also a water playground.
The playground also includes Umpire Rock. This is a huge rocky outcrop that older children can climb around on.
This area is recommended for children aged 6+, but kids of all ages were playing there.
And lots of squirrels, which were surprisingly tame. It reminded us a lot of the Atlas squirrels on Fuerteventura.
Day 2: Best Views over Manhattan
Visiting the Edge Skyscraper
The Edge observation deck is a particularly exciting thing to do in New York City with kids.
Here you stand at a height of 345 meters on the 100th floor and have an all-round view of the whole of Manhattan through thick glass walls.
A particular highlight is the glass floor, a glass floor that lets you look straight down onto the streets of Manhattan.
You can often get tickets for the Edge for the same day. The observation deck is not so crowded because many people prefer to go to New York’s newest skyscraper, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is also spectacular thanks to its art installations, though it’s often very crowded. Not ideal with kids.
Children under the age of 6 have free admission to all New York skyscrapers.
Book Edge tickets online
Book SUMMIT One Vanderbilt tickets online
Exploring the Stairs in the Vessel
The Vessel is a honeycomb-like structure with 154 staircases and observation decks.
Children have great fun exploring the various routes to the top and discovering a new view of the city every time.
Admission costs $10, children pay from the age of 6.
Make sure you buy your tickets online to reserve a time slot. Otherwise, you may face long wait times.
Walking the High Line
The High Line is a walkway planted with bushes and trees that runs through Manhattan at a height of seven meters.
It used to be a freight train route, and you can still see the old tracks along the route.
Especially if you are in New York City with small children, you can really breathe a sigh of relief on the High Line: the little ones can run around freely and without danger.
The route starts in Chelsea and ends in Hudson Yards, just below the Vessel – that’s around 2.6 kilometers.
We walked the entire route, but you don’t have to – you can also take one of the access points along the route. Admission is free.
Check out our article on free things to do in NYC
Day 3: Times Square & East River
Watching Street Performers in Times Square
Times Square is a must-see on any New York City itinerary. Huge, colorful LED screens and billboards, break-dance shows, musicians and street performers of all kinds.
Particularly fascinating are the superheroes such as Spiderman or Batman, who shake hands with children and have their photo taken with them.
However, Times Square can also be overwhelming. It’s best to avoid the sunset time with small children when it’s particularly crowded.
M&Ms Museum
The M&M’s Store (often called a museum) is free to visit.
It’s all about M&Ms: how they’re made, a bit of history, new flavors and a station where you can even design your own M&Ms.
At the end of the tour, you’ll come to the M&M’s store, where you’re sure to buy some after all that trying.
Boat Trip on the East River
You can take many boat trips in New York City, but a boat tour along the East River is especially fun.
The trip takes you under the bridges that connect Manhattan with Brooklyn: the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge, which children often find thrilling.
You can take a sightseeing boat tour or take the non-touristy New York Ferry, which takes New Yorkers from Manhattan to Brooklyn.
If you’re in New York with fidgety toddlers, the New York Ferry is well worth taking.
It only takes a few minutes to cross the East River, is much cheaper and not as crowded as the sightseeing boats. You can get tickets for the New York Ferry at any pier.
Our route tip: If you are traveling in New York with small children, take the ferry at the Wall Street / Pier 11 landing stage, cross the East River and get off at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The trip only takes 12 minutes. Brooklyn Park has a lovely playground and the famous Jane’s Carousel. Afterward, you can walk back to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge – or take the subway.
Note: It can be quite chilly on the ferry. So take something to wear underneath.
To the boat tour on the East River and Hudson (90 minutes)
USS Intrepid
If your children are interested in aerospace or technology topics, then you should take them to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
This is located in the former aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, which is anchored in Manhattan.
You can see airplanes, a real submarine, a real space shuttle and many hands-on exhibits with buttons and levers to try out.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Ticket online
Day 4: Cool Activities in Manhattan
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ride
Hop-on hop-off busses are a hassle-free way to get around New York with children. In good weather, you can sit on the open deck and listen to your audio guides in German.
The buses stop at all the highlights that are also interesting for children, such as Times Square, Central Park or the American Museum of Natural History.
You can hop on and off as often as you like for the duration of your ticket.
It is therefore a convenient, if not a bit pricey, option for getting to the highlights.
There are various routes and tickets are time-limited. A day ticket on the hop-on hop-off bus costs around $50 for children aged 3 and over.
Hop-on hop-off bus New York Ticket online
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is the most popular museum for kids in New York.
Topics include the history of evolution, dinosaur skeletons, ecosystems, space, geology and a huge exhibition on the different cultures of the world.
And, of course, lots of interactive stations.
The museum consists of four floors, so be sure to allocate at least half a day for your visit.
Children aged 3 and over pay $18, adults $30.
Note: You are not allowed to snack in the exhibitions. However, there are several cafés in the museum. Alternatively, you can use your day ticket to get out, eat something in Central Park and then come back in.
American Museum of Natural History Ticket online
Diana Ross Playground
Diana Ross Playground is also in Central Park and is located across from the American Museum of Natural History.
We visited the playground after the museum to let the kids let off steam and have something to eat.
The playground is not very big and is nicely shaded. With its wooden scaffolding and sandpit, it is very reminiscent of German playgrounds.
The equipment is quite low, so the playground is ideal if you are visiting New York with small children.
Day 5: Visiting Brooklyn
Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
If you are in New York with small children, you should definitely take a buggy here, as the Brooklyn Bridge is almost two kilometers long.
But it’s easily manageable for older kids – and quite exciting. You’ll often see ferries, speedboats, and cargo ships passing beneath the bridge.
There are also snack stands and benches around the piers where you can take a break with a view of the East River.
Our tip: The best family photos are taken when you have Manhattan behind you, capturing the skyline in your photos.
Main Street Playground in Brooklyn
If you’ve crossed the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn with your children, it’s worth planning a break in Brooklyn Bridge Park. You can get there via Washington Street, from where you have the famous view of the Manhattan Bridge.
The park begins right at the end of the street, with the Main Street Playground right at the entrance.
Not far from the playground, you will also find the famous Jane’s Carousel and Pebble Beach, from where you have a great view of Manhattan.
Jane's Carousel
Jane’s Carousel is a historic carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park dating back to 1922.
It is particularly special because it is located right on the water, and you have a great view of the New York skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge from here.
Tickets are also cheap: a ride costs $3 per child.
The carousel is housed in a glass pavilion, so it is open all year round.
More Things to Do in NYC with Kids
Children Museum of Manhattan
You can easily spend a whole day at the Children’s Museum. There are interactive exhibitions spread over several floors, with a special focus on learning through play.
Giant foam building blocks, craft stations, an interactive doctor’s surgery where children can learn about the body, a dinosaur exhibition and an instrument workshop.
Book your Children Museum New York ticket online
Visiting a Stadium
If you are in New York with older children, a visit to the stadium is also worthwhile.
Madison Square Garden is one of the most famous arenas in the world, and attending a basketball or ice hockey game here is a real experience.
If there isn’t a game on, you can also take a guided tour of Madison Square Garden.
At the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, on the other hand, you can watch NFL football games. Although it’s not in Manhattan, it’s very quick to reach by train.
Coney Island
Coney Island is a very popular destination in New York with kids. It is located in the very south of Brooklyn and is a real amusement district.
Here you can go to Luna Park, the historic amusement park, to the beach with a view of the open ocean or to the New York Aquarium.
You should plan a whole day for Coney Island: the journey from Manhattan alone takes around an hour on the subway.
Our tip: If you are traveling to Coney Island with a buggy, get off at the Stillwell Avenue subway stop. It has an elevator and you are just a few minutes away from the beach and amusement park.
Broadway Show
Broadway has a variety of kid-friendly musicals that are shown throughout the year: Aladdin, The Lion King, Harry Potter or Wicked.
The Lion King in particular is supposed to be impressive. We haven’t been, but we’ve been told that the New York version completely outshines the long-running hit in Hamburg.
The musicals are in English, but if the kids already know the story and can speak a bit of school English, that shouldn’t be a problem. Musicals are mainly sung anyway.
The Lion King New York Ticket online
Aladdin New York Ticket online
Our tip: There is a TKTS counter in Times Square where you can buy remaining tickets for the same day. They then only cost half as much.
Madame Tussaud's
Madame Tussaud’s is a perennial favorite in many major cities, especially with older children.
Here you can have your photo taken with the lifelike wax figures of movie and music stars, superheroes or the president. Or the Pope. Visitors are welcome to interact with many of the exhibits.
There are also always special exhibitions, for example for Halloween or Christmas, or themed rooms with interactive games.
Children pay full price from the age of 3.
Madame Tussauds New York Ticket online
Playgrounds in New York
We always plan our days in NYC with kids so that we can stop off at a playground every now and then. That works quite well in New York City.
We visited these playgrounds with our children in New York:
- Playground Madison Square Park: located along Fifth Avenue next to the Flatiron Building. The playground isn’t large, but it’s fenced in, well-shaded, and features swings, slides, and climbing frames. There is also a really nice Shakeshack branch in Madison Square Park where you can eat outside. It’s one of our favorite restaurants in New York anyway.
- Battery Playscape: If you’re planning a boat trip to the Statue of Liberty, there’s a nice playground in Battery Park where the boats depart. The Battery Playscape has a soft rubber surface, there are swings for all ages, and you can take a nice walk along the waterfront around the park.
- Main Street Playground in Brooklyn: close to the famous Brooklyn Bridge – find more information above (day 5)
- Heckscher Playground: biggest playground in Central Park – find more information above (day 1)
- Diana Ross Playground: located in front of the American Museum of Natural History – find more information above (day 4)
Best Areas to Stay in NYC with Kids
There are countless hotels in New York, but not all of them are suitable if you are in NYC with kids.
There aren’t any true “family hotels” in NYC – that is, with childcare or indoor playgrounds.
But there are hotels that are interesting for families, for example with studios with kitchenettes or particularly spacious rooms.
We have selected two areas that are suitable for a family trip in NYC:
- Manhattan: All the main sights are nearby.
- Jersey City: It’s more affordable than staying directly in Manhattan.
Where to stay in New York City with kids? Manhattan
In Manhattan, you have everything on your doorstep. Or at least close by.
But: hotels are also the most expensive in Manhattan.
Supermarkets are only available in the form of rather expensive mini-markets. So if you need diapers or baby food, you’ll pay more in Manhattan than anywhere else.
These hotels are well suited for a New York family vacation in Manhattan:
The Gardens Sonesta: Studios with kitchenette, within walking distance of Central Park.
Residence Inn by Marriott: Studios with their own kitchen close to Times Square.
Placemakr: Stylish studios in downtown near Battery Park.
Where to stay in New York with kids? Jersey City
Jersey City may be less spectacular than Manhattan, but you get more for your money.
There are supermarkets, playgrounds and with the PATH, the commuter train, you can be in Manhattan in 10 to 15 minutes.
These three hotels are located directly at a PATH station in Jersey City and are great for families:
Peachtree Suites: Apartments in various sizes, very affordable.
Hyatt House: two in-house restaurants, modern rooms and studios, playgrounds around the corner.
Courtyard by Marriott: with indoor pool, rooms with a view of Manhattan.
Travel Costs with Kids in New York City
New York is expensive – especially when traveling as a family.
From accommodation to museum tickets, diapers at CVS or snacks at the hot dog stand.
In museums that are also interesting for children, children pay admission from the age of 2 or 3.
Here is a list of prices (as of 2024) that are relevant in New York with kids:
- Good hotel room for four people in Manhattan: from $300 per night
- Ticket for skyscrapers: $40 – $50 per person, children under 6 years free
- Diapers at CVS (drugstore): from $20 for 27 diapers
- Hotdog from the food truck: $5 – $6
- Fruit cup to go in Central Park: $4
- Subway ticket: $3.25, children under 112 cm free
- Soft ice cream from the ice cream truck: $8
- Burger in a restaurant: from $10
By the way: tipping is expected almost everywhere, including at the ice cream van. So add at least 15% to the prices.
Small children are admitted free to many museums and attractions, but not all of them.
At the American Natural History Museum, children aged 3 and over pay $18, while adults pay $30.
For a family of four, this adds up to around $100 for an afternoon at the museum.
But there are also areas where you can save money. For example, you can save quite a lot on accommodation if you stay in Jersey City rather than in Manhattan. More on this below in our hotel tips for families.
Also check out our article about travel costs in NYC
How to Get Around NYC with Kids
The subway is the best way to get around New York – unless you’re in New York with small children and have a stroller with you.
Many subway stations don’t have an elevator, and you have to carry the stroller up and down several ramps.
A stroller can’t fit through the turnstiles, so you have to lift it over.
However, if your children don’t need a buggy, the subway is a good and inexpensive means of transportation.
Children under 112 cm travel for free, after that, a ticket costs $3.25.
Note: If you don’t buy the ticket from a machine and simply hold your credit card up to the turnstile, the ride only costs $2.75. Unfortunately, this is only possible for one person per credit card, so not so practical for families.
A good alternative, which we have also used several times, is a cab or Uber. They are surprisingly cheap in New York. For a trip of around 2 kilometers, we paid $12 for four people, including tip. It’s actually cheaper than the subway – and much less stressful.
The only drawback: taxis in New York don’t have child seats – kids ride without them.
With Uber, you can book a maximum of one child seat per car in the app.
However, if you have to travel longer distances, which is not uncommon in New York, the subway is unbeatable in terms of price.
Is a City Pass Worthwhile in New York with Kids?
You need to do the math. The decisive factor is the age of your children and the New York sights you want to visit.
The age for free admission for children varies depending on the attraction.
For the City Passes, however, children as young as 3 years old count as paying guests. In some museums and on all skyscrapers, however, children only pay from the age of 6.
So if you are in New York with small children, you should definitely add up the prices of the tickets for all of them and then see if a pass is cheaper.
We were in New York with a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old and in our case, individual tickets were cheaper.
General Tips for New York with Kids
Before you head off to New York City, here are some important facts about NYC with kids:
- If you’re in New York with toddlers or babies, the abundance of impressions and the noise on the streets can be overwhelming at first. But they will get used to it, we promise!
- Getting around on the subway is complicated with a baby carriage. There are often no elevators, and you have to carry the baby carriage up and down. It also doesn’t fit through the turnstiles, and you have to lift it over them. So it’s worth using a carrier for babies and a lightweight travel buggy for toddlers.
- There are no child seats in New York’s cabs, children ride like this. Uber has a maximum of one child seat per car.
- New Yorkers are very child-friendly. People often smile, offer your kids a seat on the subway, or even hand them a lollipop at restaurants.
- Take a buggy with you. You will be walking a lot in New York, so a buggy is worth its weight in gold. Even if your 3 or 4-year-old has not been in a buggy for a long time.
- With the Babyquip app, you can rent children’s equipment from local private individuals. For example, toys, a buggy or a high chair.
- Incorporate playground breaks into the daily schedule. Fortunately, there is always a playground in Manhattan. Just look on Google Maps.
- Take a lunch box and water bottle with you. You can save a lot of money on your tours of New York with children if you bring snacks from home. There are also lots of water dispensers in the parks where you can fill up your water bottles.
- If you can, plan your longer walks for a weekend. Manhattan is much more relaxed then, with much less traffic and crowds. Perfect for visiting New York with children.
- On the NYC Parks website, you can find all the current events in New York, including special events for children. For example, open-air theater in the park or events at the zoo.
- Bring a suitcase for toys. On all intercontinental flights, every passenger is allowed to take a 10 kg hand luggage suitcase free of charge. We had filled a 10 kg suitcase with toys for one of the children so that they had something to play with in their accommodation. It was worth it!
Is NYC Dangerous for Kids?
New York is no more dangerous with children than any major European city. We even felt it was safer in some places.
American sidewalks are very wide, so children can walk freely and you don’t have to hold them by the hand all the time. This is different in many European cities.
Crime in Manhattan isn’t more of a problem than in other major cities. We never felt unsafe here with our children.
These were our tips for New York with children
Have you ever been to New York with children? What did you think and what did you do? If you have any more questions about New York with kids, please leave us a comment!