Traveling to New York but feeling utterly clueless about where to start from? You are not alone; the Big Apple has so many exciting adventures and hidden sides that any visitor will feel overwhelmed when deciding on their itinerary. And, that’s where we come! Here, we have compiled a list of the best things to do with family in New York, including must-do and unique activities. You will surely enjoy every activity on this list with your kids.
Also Read:
- 4-Day New York Itinerary For First Timers: Free Download & Insider Tips
- Top 8 Indoor Things to Do in New York
- Ultimate Guide to Public Transportation in New York
?️ Visit New York’s Museums
? American Museum of Natural History
- Address: 200 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Instagram
Start your family vacation in New York at the American Museum of Natural History. It is the ultimate destination for anyone interested in natural science and the universe. Have you ever watched the “Night at the Museum?” The American Museum of Natural History was the primary inspiration for Ben Stiller’s blockbuster movie. From dinosaur fossils to space wonders, the museum’s 40 galleries offer fascinating facts about the Earth and its natural state. The exhibits feature a diverse array of animals, fossils, plants, minerals, various cultures from around the world, meteorites, and more. The highlight is the gigantic T. rex, whose 4-foot-long jaw and 6-inch-long teeth are as fascinating as the creature itself.
How To Get There?
- By Subway: Take the B (weekdays only) or C train to the 81st Street Station.
- By Bus: Take the M79 Crosstown bus, whose stop is next to the American Museum of Natural History on West 81st Street
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?️ Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Continue your museum expedition to the Museum of Modern Art. It is a must-visit destination for art lovers who can admire modern and contemporary masterpieces by world-famous artists, including Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Andy Warhol, and Francis Bacon. The MoMA is a kid-friendly destination featuring many resources and programs designed to engage children and families. It has dedicated spaces for hands-on creativity, such as the Heyman Family Art Lab, where children can construct sound sculptures and play with color and sound on interactive digital displays. Kids can also experiment with the unique sounds of various materials and create wearable art. Oh, and did we mention that the MoMA offers free admission to children aged 16 and under?
How To Get There?
- Take the E or M line to the 5th Avenue/53rd Street Station.
- Walk for five minutes to the MoMA.
✨ Alternative: Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET).
? Museum of Ice Cream
- Address: 558 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 7 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Who doesn’t love ice cream? And, when you have an entire museum with an ice cream theme, you know you have got the winner! The Museum of Ice Cream is a pink, magical space where you can indulge in an endless array of ice cream treats. It also offers one-of-a-kind desserts and sweet treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. This museum is for both kids and adults alike. Unleash your inner child at 14+ magical playscapes, including the Sprinkle Pool, Banana Jungle, Clouds, Sprinkle Cave, Melting Cave, and Celestial Subway. Learn through interactive installations and create unforgettable memories.
How To Get There?
- Take the Line 6, D, F, R, or W to the Prince St. Station.
- Then, walk for a minute to the Museum of Ice Cream.
? Intrepid Museum
- Address: Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
We can’t miss the incredible Intrepid Museum while discussing the best things to do with family in New York. It is a must-visit destination for those with little ones who are interested in military aircraft or aircraft carriers. The now-museum ship, Intrepid, was initially one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during World War II. She was part of several campaigns, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Currently, it is a military and maritime history museum, featuring exhibits that include dozens of military aircraft, a supersonic spy plane, and a nuclear weapons-carrying submarine. The Intrepid Museum also has two pieces of spacecraft from NASA. It features exhibitions themed around sea, air, and space.
How To Get There?
- By Bus: Take the M42 or M50 bus to 12th Avenue @ 46th Street. The Intrepid Museum is a short walk from there.
- By Subway: Take the Line E to the 42 Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal, then walk for ten minutes to the museum.
?️ Madame Tussauds New York
- Address: 234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Museums don’t have to be boring; if you prefer something extraordinary over stereotypical attractions, visit Madame Tussauds New York. It is one of Madame Tussauds’ locations where you can see and get up close with renowned celebrities. The New York branch features familiar names from politics, sports, entertainment, and business industries. Get ready to pose with A-listers and strut with fashion icons. Madame Tussauds New York offers an endless array of fun and surprises across multiple floors. Its 5th floor is dedicated to fashion, sports, and music, and the 6th floor is themed as the Marvel Universe 4D. The 7th floor showcases NYC’s seasons in all their glory while the 8th floor is all abour Warner Bros. Icons of Horror and The Ghostbusters.
How To Get There?
- Take the subway to 42nd Street–Times Square, 42nd Street–Port Authority, or 42nd Street–Bryant Park.
- Alternative: Drive a car or take a bus to Times Square.
? Have A Picnic At Central Park
- Address: New York, NY, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 6 AM – 1 AM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
The beautiful Central Park is likely not a new name to many. It is the first major public park in the USA, created to address the recreational needs of rapidly growing New York City in the late 1850s. You have likely seen glimpses of the park in movies like “Home Alone 2” or “The Avengers.” It is the ultimate destination for peace and relaxation, set apart from New York’s hustle and bustle. Take a walk or ride a bike while soaking up the park’s serene atmosphere. Then, find a spot and spread out your picnic mat. Enjoy a lovely picnic with your family. Central Park also offers picnic tables and picnic experience packages.
How To Get There?
- By Subway: Take the M, C, B, or 1 train to the western edge of Central Park.
- By Bus: Take the M1, M2, or M3 bus, which travels along Madison Avenue on the east side of Central Park.
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? Spot Your Favorite Animals At Central Park Zoo
- Address: New York, NY 10021, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 4:30 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
If you decide to go to Central Park, don’t miss the Central Park Zoo. It is a must-visit destination for families, where kids can see and interact with animals. Its indoor and outdoor exhibits feature a variety of animals, including Snow Leopard, Grizzly Bears, sea lions, penguins, and monkeys. Tisch Children’s Zoo is home to goats, sheep, and zebu. Here, kids can jump, crawl, and pet animals. Likewise, Central Park Zoo offers many immersive experiences, including penguin feeding, a 4D Theater, quests, and sea lion feeding. Discover wildlife through these diverse experiences and create beautiful memories.
How To Get There?
- The Central Park Zoo is located within Central Park.
- Follow the directions mentioned above to access the zoo.
?️ See New York From One World Observatory
- Address: 117 West St, New York, NY 10007, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Experience New York like never before with your little ones. One World Observatory is where you can elevate your senses. This observatory is on floors 100-102 of One World Trade Center. You will first learn about NYC’s history through a dynamic, interactive exhibit. Then, ride the elevator to the top, watching the city getting smaller as you ascend. Next, expect to catch stunning 360-degree views of New York from 1,250 feet above the streets. There is also the See Forever Theater, which delivers a cinematic reveal of New York City through time-lapse imagery, music, and motion.
How To Get There?
- By Subway: Take the Line E to the World Trade Center Station, then walk to the observatory entrance.
- Hop on Hop Off Bus: Most downtown buses stop by the World Trade Center, where the One World Observatory is located.
✨ Also Read: Which One World Observatory Ticket Should You Choose?
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? Catch Panoramic Views From The Empire State Building
- Address: 20 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Find yourself standing in one of New York’s gigantic observation decks. The Empire State Building was built to be the world’s first 100+ story building, a title it held until 1970. This 102-story skyscraper is renowned for its Art Deco architecture, featuring a symmetrical shape and the Indiana limestone panels-clad facade. Its highlight is its three observatories on the 80th, 86th, and 102nd floors. The 80th-floor observation deck features various interactive exhibits, while the 86th-floor observatory contains an open-air outdoor viewing area and an enclosed viewing gallery. You can elevate your ticket to access the 102nd-floor observatory, where unmatched views of New York await.
How To Get There?
- Take the 1, 2, 3, A, C, or E line to 34th Street–Penn Station.
- Walk for five minutes to the Empire State Building.
? Did you know there are five main observatories in New York? In addition to One World Observatory and the Empire State Building, you can choose from the Top of the Rock, the Edge, and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
? Ride The SeaGlass Carousel At The Battery
- Address: Water St & State St, New York, NY 10004, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 AM – 7 PM, Friday-Sunday: 11 AM – 8 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook
You can’t miss The Battery when traveling to New York with family. This historic park offers a glimpse of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Beyond the views, it features many attractions, including the SeaGlass Carousel. Unlike the typical carousels, SeaGlass is a magical, aquarium-themed carousel, where you sit inside one of 30 iridescent, monumental fish. Expect a bumpy ride with tons of swirling around a spiraling pavilion of curved glass and steel. These fish pods mimic underwater motion, providing riders with a sensation of underwater weightlessness. Also, the music and light will accompany your ride. The ticket price is only $6.
How To Get There?
- By Subway: Take the Line 1, R, W, 4, or 5 to the nearest subway station of The Battery.
- By Bus: Bus routes M5, M15, M15 SelectBusService, and M20 stop near the carousel.
?️ Enjoy Live Matches At Yankee Stadium
- Address: 1 E 161st St, Bronx, NY 10451, United States; Google Map
- Social Media: Official Website
What screams more family-friendly activity than enjoying a live match? Let’s head to Yankee Stadium, the home of the 27-time World Series Champions, the New York Yankees. The ballpark is also the home field of Major League Soccer’s New York City FC. It has a seating capacity of 46,537 for baseball games and 28,743 for soccer matches. Buy tickets and catch the Yankees playing at their home field. Even if there is no game scheduled, you can tour the stadium and get glimpses of what happens behind the scenes. Yankee Stadium also features the Sunrun Kids Clubhouse, designed for children aged 1 to 5.
How To Get There?
- By Subway: Take the B, D, or 4 train to 161 St-Yankee Stadium. Follow the signs within the station to reach the stadium.
- By Bus: Bx1, Bx2, Bx6, Bx13, and BxM4 buses stop near Yankee Stadium.
This list of the best things to do with family in New York is merely a drop in the bucket. There are tons of fascinating kid-friendly adventures awaiting you in the Big Apple. If you want recommendations, head to TourTeller, where you can discover thousands of tours and activities from the top OTAs. Our new “Compare Similar Tours” button will help you compare and find the activity that best fits your preferences.
