If there’s one U.S. destination that people are often intimidated to travel to with kids, it’s New York City. After visiting Manhattan many times throughout my life, I can certainly understand why some (especially those who don’t live on the east coast) find it a bit overwhelming.
For one, New York is giant, so it can feel like a huge task in itself to even figure out where to stay. It’s also an expensive place to go, and bringing along your kids can make things even more pricey.
However, with that all being said, I truly think there’s no place like New York. If you’re hoping to make a family trip to the Big Apple, consider this your sign to start planning it.
In my opinion, Manhattan is totally doable with kids, particularly if they’re a bit on the older side (it’s perfect for tweens and teens!) It’s so much fun to experience the city with them, and there are so many activities that are geared toward their age group. There’s really something fun for everyone to enjoy.
In August, I took Sammy on a trip to NYC for his 11th birthday. I knew that he would love going and spending some quality time together (kids love their one on one time, right?!) We had the best time celebrating his birthday and made so many core memories.
To help you plan your own trip, I’m sharing all of the must-do’s during a family trip to New York. In this post you’ll find the best NYC activities to do with kids, the best places to eat in NYC with kids, and more.
What to Do in NYC With Kids
Figuring out how to keep your kids busy in New York can be one of the most intimidating parts of the planning process. The good news is that kids are often delighted by the little things, and the city certainly has a lot of little outings and experiences that you can squeeze in during just one day.
Here are some different activities and must-do’s while visiting Manhattan with your kids.
See a Broadway Show
No trip to NYC is complete without seeing a Broadway show (especially if it’s your first time visiting!)
We saw Aladdin and it was soooo much fun. I took Maddie for her 7th birthday, so it was really special to do with Sammy this time around. I couldn’t recommend the show enough — it’s such a unique and memorable experience.
Disney Store in Times Square
If you have kids who love all things Disney, you have to stop by the store in Times Square. It’s a huge store that’s well stocked and fun to walk through. I will warn you not to go in unless you’re looking to spoil your kids a bit!
Check Out the Statue of Liberty
Seeing the Statue of Liberty in person is a bucket list item for many people, so it’s so fun to be able to do this with your kids. Taking the ferry to Liberty Island is easy, fun, and you get great views of the city along the way. Tickets are also affordable, so this would be a great activity to do if you’re on a budget or if you’re traveling with multiple kids.
Sloomoo Institute
New York is home to such a large variety of museums, so it can be a challenge to sort through them and pick the ones you really want to visit. For trips that involve kids, I’d say stopping by Sloomoo Institute is a must. It’s a slime museum that offers a full-on sensory experience.
They have two other locations (one in Chicago and one in Atlanta) and the experience is insanely fun. It’s super interactive and Sammy loved that he could get his hands on everything. The pics below will give you a feel for what it’s like!
Stop by Bryant Park
If you have a jam packed day of running around the city, Bryant Park is a good place to stop for a little break. There are tons of spots to sit down and enjoy a coffee or a light bite to eat. Plus, it’s so pretty and peaceful!
Empire State Building
Head up to the highest point of New York by visiting the 102nd floor of the Empire State. This is another bucket list item for many, and it totally wows kids. They also have an observation deck on the 86th floor that you can visit.
The view is obviously incredible and you get such a good feel for Manhattan by seeing it from above. The tickets are on the more expensive end, but I think it’s worth every penny.
Nintendo World Store
Believe it or not, this is one of only three Nintendo stores in the world. The other two store locations are in Japan, so we obviously had to stop by while we were in NYC. Sammy had so much fun checking everything out, so if you have a Nintendo-obsessed kid, I’d recommend making a stop here.
Where to Eat in NYC With Kids
I swear that every time I’m in New York I pretty much eat my way through it. Simply put, there are just too many amazing restaurants to indulge in. Dining in the city with kids is definitely different than when it’s just adults, so here’s where we like to go when we travel as a family.
Heritage Grand Bakery
Located right by Grand Central Station, this is the perfect spot to grab a quick morning pick me up. We loved this place so much that we came a few times during our visit. They have delicious bakery items like pastries, bread, sandwiches, coffee, and more.
Times Square Diner
There’s something about an old school diner that just makes me happy. This is a tiny place that I never would have stopped at, but I came across it while browsing through Yelp and decided to go with Sammy.
I ordered the Greek salad and my little got the burger. The food was 10/10 and we had good service too.
If you’re in Times Square and you don’t want to be right in the middle of everything, this is a good place to go for a casual bite to eat. They make a great iced latte too!
Angelo’s Coal Oven Pizzeria
Sammy requested pizza during his birthday trip, so I knew I had to take him here. It’s the ideal place to get a traditional NYC slice and I love that it’s casual and super close to Central Park.
Junior’s
Junior’s is truly an iconic NYC establishment and is one of the best places in the city to get an authentic slice of cheesecake. Kids find this place so much fun and it has a good atmosphere for families.
Blue Willow
We went to Blue Willow for dinner one night of our trip and were impressed! They serve Hunan cuisine and everything we ordered was so flavorful. It has a cozy and welcoming vibe and there was a ton to pick from on the menu.
Montagu’s Gusto
Looking for a quick lunch spot? This place is a must if you love a good sandwich. Everything is so fresh and is prepared with local and homemade ingredients. I love the Frank Sinatra Italian Sandwich.
Champers Social Club
I came across this cute little spot in Soho and we decided to eat lunch here. We ordered the oysters and loved them! They also have sandwiches, salads, and toast. The cocktails are so refreshing and they have a great champagne list.
L’Adresse Restaurant
This place got on Sammy’s good side because he got a slice of chocolate cake while we were here. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and have a couple of locations. It’s on the pricier side but they have something for everyone to enjoy.
Sarabeth’s
I always look forward to coming to Sarabeth’s when I’m in the city. They have an amazing breakfast/brunch spread with a ton of sweet and savory menu options, and the ambiance is also inviting. We like to go to the Central Park South location so we can walk around after we eat.
La Pecora Bianca
We went to this Bryant Park restaurant for our last meal of the trip and it did not disappoint. It’s an Italian spot that serves up tasty pizzas, pastas, salads, and meats. They also have an impressive cocktail list if you’re looking to treat yourself.
More Pictures From Our Trip
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