New York City might not be the first place people picture for a family vacation, but it is one of the easiest big cities to do with kids. Between Central Park, museums built for curious hands, and a subway system children under 44 inches ride for free, a family trip here takes less planning than most parents expect.
Here is our updated list of the best family-friendly things to do in the city, along with two ways to see it that were built with families in mind from the start
Ready your loved ones for an adventure through iconic sites and hidden delights in the bustling metropolis!
Classic Family Attractions in Midtown and Beyond
NYC Family Activities
Central Park Zoo
Tucked into the southeast corner of Central Park, the Central Park Zoo packs polar bears, snow leopards, and a rainforest exhibit into a footprint you can walk in an hour or two. It is an easy first stop for younger kids who are not ready for a full day of sightseeing, and the surrounding park has several playgrounds if they need to burn off more energy afterward. Immerse your family in the diverse ecosystems of the Central Park Zoo!
Location: East 64th Street, New York, NY 10021 (Central Park, NYC)
Recommended Age Range: All ages
Family-Friendly Amenities: Playgrounds, family restrooms, stroller rentals
Insider Tips: Visit in the morning to encounter fewer crowds and more active animals. Combine your zoo trip with a leisurely walk through the numerous playgrounds of Central Park.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Docked at Pier 86 on the Hudson, the Intrepid is a retired aircraft carrier turned museum, with a real space shuttle and decades of aircraft on deck. Kids who like planes, ships, or space tend to light up here in a way that is hard to manufacture at a typical museum. The museum sits along the same stretch of Hudson River waterfront as several stops on our Midtown Reimagined Walking Tour, so it pairs naturally with an afternoon on that route. The Intrepid Museum brings air, sea, and space exploration to life with interactive exhibits, including a genuine space shuttle and a historic aircraft carrier. A key destination for family activities in New York.
Location: Pier 86, W 46th St & 12th Ave, New York, NY
Recommended Age Range: 5 years and up
Family-Friendly Amenities: Family restrooms, cafeteria with kid-friendly options
Insider Tips: Explore the museum’s live demonstrations and events calendar. Continue the adventure at nearby Hudson River Park for stunning views and playground fun.
Bryant Park Reading Room
Bryant Park’s open-air reading room and seasonal carousel make it one of the more relaxed stops on this list, a good choice if the family needs a slower afternoon between bigger attractions. Storytelling sessions and family performances run through the summer.
Location: Bryant Park, NYC
Recommended Age Range: All ages
Family-Friendly Amenities: Clean restrooms, abundant seating, various dining options
Insider Tips: Visit during the summer for children’s readings and family performances. Check the park’s schedule for up-to-date event info.
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Ice Cream
Museum of Ice Cream
Equal parts museum and sensory playground, the Museum of Ice Cream is built around a sprinkle pool, a pink subway car, and more photo backdrops than you will get through in one visit. It is more sugar rush than education, and kids tend to love it for exactly that reason.
Location: 558 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Recommended Age Range: 4 years and up
Family-Friendly Amenities: Exhibits are designed with kids in mind, have endless photo opportunities, interactive exhibits and yummy samples to try.. (Strollers are not allowed)
Insider Tips: Buy tickets online a few days (or weeks) in advance and arrive 10 minutes before your entry time. Be prepared for crowds, but the crowds are worth it!
Madame Tussauds New York
Steps from Times Square, Madame Tussauds lets kids pose with wax figures of everyone from athletes to superheroes, and the Marvel 4D experience is a hit with older kids in particular.
Location: 234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036 (Times Square, NYC)
Recommended Age Range: 4 years and up
Family-Friendly Amenities: Elevator access, exhibits aimed at kids
Insider Tips: Buy tickets online to save money and skip lines. Don’t miss the Marvel Super Heroes 4D experience for older kids.
Family Fun on the Water
For active families, Chelsea Piers packs bowling, ice skating, and sports complexes into one waterfront campus. Our full guide to Chelsea Piers in NYC covers what to book and when to go.
A boat ride is one of the easiest ways to keep a family entertained in New York. No walking required, and views of the whole skyline from a seat on the deck. Our Freedom Liberty Tour runs year round from Pier 78, passing the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Freedom Tower along the way, with an onboard concession if anyone gets hungry mid-cruise. Kids get a front row seat to the skyline without the strollers-and-subway logistics of a full day on foot.
A Family Walking Tour of the New Midtown
If your family would rather explore on foot with a local guide filling in the stories, the Midtown Reimagined Walking Tour is family-friendly and suitable for all ages, moving at a relaxed pace through Hudson Yards, the High Line, and Little Island. It is a good middle ground for families with a mix of ages: enough walking to feel like an adventure, short enough that younger legs can keep up.
Tips for Visiting New York City as a Family
Public transportation is easier than it looks. The subway is the fastest way to move a family around the city, and children under 44 inches ride free. For a full breakdown of how to get around, including when a boat or a walk beats the subway, see our guide to how to get around New York City.
Book ahead for anything popular. Museums, shows, and timed-entry attractions fill up fast, especially in summer and around the winter holidays. A few minutes booking online ahead of your trip saves a lot of standing in line with tired kids.
Mix indoor and outdoor stops. New York’s weather can turn quickly, so pairing an indoor museum with time in a park or on the water gives you a backup plan built into the day.
Wondering if NYC is safe for a family trip? It is a question we get a lot, and we answered it honestly in our guide to is NYC safe for your family vacation.
You do not need a packed itinerary to have a great family trip to New York. Pick two or three of these, add a cruise or a walking tour to the mix, and let the city do the rest. We can’t wait to welcome your family aboard.
