New York City with Kids
New York can be overwhelming with kids. Waiting in endless lines tires everyone out, so break up attractions with time in the park. These two days combine a bit of both, with an emphasis on having a fun, active time.
Day 1: Upper West Side and Upper East Side
Morning
Plan your first day around Central Park. Pack a picnic or pick up a bounty of food at Barney Greengrass on the Upper West Side. From there, it’s just a couple of blocks east to the park. In addition to expansive fields to play in under the city skyline, Central
Park contains a wealth of attractions. Belvedere Castle near the 81st Street entrance inspires fantastical adventures in kids of all ages. You can also wander south from here to The Loeb Boathouse, near 72nd Street, where you can rent a rowboat for four.
Afternoon
Now it’s time for a bit of culture. The American Museum of Natural History, bordering the park on its west side, is a famously kid-friendly museum. Without even paying admission, you can access its backyard, which becomes an impromptu water park in the summer. Inside, the special exhibitions often have an interactive component. Both kids and adults will enjoy the awesome Hayden Planetarium shows. If you have slightly older children, The Metropolitan Museum of Art on the park’s east side is chock-full of wonders as well. The most popular for kids is the Temple of Dendur, an ancient Egyptian temple airlifted out of the Middle East and pristinely preserved. It’s the closest thing to visiting the pyramids that you can get in the Western world.
Evening
End the day back near where you started with an early, hearty dinner at Jacob’s Pickles, an upscale comfort food spot that caters to hipsters and high chairs alike in the early evening. Potent adult beverages abound, as well as kid-friendly dishes like meat loaf and patty melts. If you have time and energy to spare, head down to Times Square for the New Victory Theater, which stages smartly conceived children’s theater with age-appropriate offerings (rated 6-plus, 10-plus, and so on) distilled to a kid-friendly hour. Public Transit: From the restaurant, take the 1 train from 86th Street
to the Times Square-42nd Street subway station.
Day 2: Lower Manhattan and Governors Island
Morning
Let Governors Island be your first stop today. Catch a ferry from the dock in Lower Manhattan just outside The Battery. Plenty of food carts can be found on the island,
but feel free to bring your own picnic. On the island you’ll find a huge kids-only (6 and up) playground, play:groundNYC, where getting dirty is encouraged. There’s also old
military barracks, a spa, and plenty of spots to take in the views—the Statue of Liberty is visible from many vantage points on the island. If you’re seeking a more classic outing, spend your day instead getting up close to the Statue of Liberty, followed by an educational stop at Ellis Island, included in the same ticket. For a more intimate experience on the water, check out the sailboat tours from Manhattan By Sail.
Afternoon
Back at the ferry dock from either expedition, check out the Castle Clinton National Monument, a fort that protected the city from British invasion, in The Battery. From here walk north for about 10 minutes and pause at the National September 11 Memorial. Its waterfalls are breathtaking and provide a poignant experience that children can appreciate as well. Skip the museum—which is a bit heavy for kids—and continue north a block for One World Observatory, which offers panoramic views
from on high and some high-tech experiences that might be particularly engaging for kids; for instance, you can rent an iPad for a more interactive experience in learning about the city’s skyline.
Evening
Finally, head about two blocks west for dinner at Parm, an update on the red-sauce Italian American restaurant. Its kids’ menu features classics like butter pasta and chicken tenders. For adults, the chicken parm is a must. Afterward, take the family for a stroll along the nearby waterfront and gaze at the glimmering skyline reflecting in the river.
- Explore the City: Navigate by neighborhood or by activity with color-coded maps, or follow a self-guided neighborhood walk
- See the Sights: Dive into culture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or stroll down sun-dappled paths in Central Park before dinner and a Broadway show
- Get a Taste of the City: From cutting-edge fine dining to a slice from a beloved pizzeria, New York has something for every palate
- Bars and Nightlife: Jazz clubs, beer gardens, cocktail lounges, world-class theater, and parties that don’t end before dawn: New York is truly the city that never sleeps
- Trusted Advice: Native New Yorker and journalist Christopher Kompanek shows you his hometown
- Strategic Itineraries: Make the most of your trip with ideas for foodies, culture-seekers, families traveling with kids, and more
- Full-Color Photos and Detailed Maps so you can explore on your own
- Handy Tools: Background information on history and culture, plus an easy-to-read foldout map to use on the go
Exploring the rest of the Empire State? Check out Moon New York State or Moon Hudson Valley & the Catskills.
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