Did you know that 65.1 million people visited New York City in 2018? 13.6 million of those visitors came from abroad.
One-third of those who visit the U.S. from abroad go to New York City. A total of $44.2 billion was spent in the city by visitors alone in 2017.
You might be thinking about visiting New York City and bringing your kids for a family vacation. Keep reading to learn about some of the best things to do in NYC with kids.
1. The Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is one of the best free things to do in NYC with kids. This short 25-minute ride will give kids a great view of the lower Manhattan skyscrapers.
They’ll also get a great view of the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty during the ride. Once you make it to the other side make sure you spend some time in the St. George neighborhood in Staten Island.
Here you’ll get to see some beautiful and historic architecture. You can also do some shopping at Empire Outlets while you’re there.
2. Adults Will Love Luna Park Too
Nothing says fun for both kids and adults than spending an entire summer afternoon at Luna Park. This trip to Coney Island will take about 45 minutes by train if you’re staying in midtown Manhattan.
There are lots of great snacks on the boardwalk like hotdogs and burgers. Once in the park, your kids will enjoy riding the Cyclone, the enormous wooden roller coaster. Your younger ones might prefer swinging on Lynn’s Trapeze.
3. Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
If you’re looking for things to do with tweens in NYC then you should consider a day trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Ellis Island is a great place for older kids to learn a bit of New York history.
Here, they’ll learn about the thousands of people who immigrated to the United States through this port of entry to chase after the American Dream. Doing an audio tour of the Statue of Liberty is a must too. Your kids will enjoy the climb up to the crown of the statue.
4. The One World Observatory
Your kids will enjoy checking out the views of the city by visiting the One World Observatory. Here they’ll have fun riding one of the fastest elevators in the country and the world.
On the 100th floor, you’ll get to check out the Sky Portal and see some awesome views of the street that’s 1,776 feet below you. Your entire family will love getting to visit this New York attraction.
5. Have a Ball at Yankee Stadium
Next on our list of kid-friendly things to do in NYC is taking a day to visit Yankee stadium.
Baseball is a staple of American culture and so is Yankee stadium located in the Bronx, which can be accessed by subway if you’re in one of the other boroughs. If you’re driving, you’ll also be able to find parking at Yankee Stadium.
You can take a tour of the stadium or come check out a baseball game to witness the famous New York Yankees do what they do best.
6. The Memorable American Museum of Natural History
150 years of history and science, your kid will find something they love at the American Museum of Natural History. Most kids will be marveled by the skeleton of the T-Rex and the model of the blue whale but there are tons of 3D exhibits to check out here.
For the younger children, the Discovery Room is a great place to do some fun experiments. You and your children can practice putting together a dinosaur skeleton or use a digital version of a seismograph to measure an earthquake.
7. The Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex
You’ll find lots of kid-friendly activities in NYC when you visit the Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex. This complex has an indoor 80,000 square foot field, a bowling alley, and a skating rink too.
Whatever activity you want to do with your kids, you’ll find it here. They even have a daycare for the little ones to play if you want to spend some time at their fitness club.
8. Do Some Reading at the New York Public Library
If you and your kids enjoy more intellectual pursuits, checking out the iconic New York Public Library is a must. You’ll love seeing the beautifully designed Rose Main Reading Room and your kids will have fun checking out the marble lions at the library’s entrance.
The library’s children’s center will have plenty of books for your kids to choose from or some you’ll enjoy reading to them if they’re a bit younger.
9. Your Toddlers Will Love Jane’s Carousel
If you’re looking for things to do with toddlers in NYC, Jane’s Carousel is a perfect choice! When here you’ll enjoy the beautiful views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge while your kids have fun riding the carousel.
Rides are only $2 and once your family is done riding the carousel you can head out to explore Brooklyn Bridge Park.
10. Bryant Park Is the Perfect Winter Trip
If you’ll be spending your winter holidays in New York City, make sure you don’t leave without a visit to Bryant Park. The ice skating rink is typically open from 8 am to 10 pm each day.
You can also buy from local artisans at the Winter Village Shops or get some hot chocolate for your entire family at The Lodge Deck.
The Best Things to Do in NYC With Kids the Whole Family Will Love
Whether you’re a local or visiting for a family vacation, the list of the best things to do in NYC with kids is long. You’ll find it hard to run out of things to do both you and your children will enjoy.
The list above includes some of the most popular spots to check out throughout the year. Make sure to check out some of the other blogs on our site too!
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