Movies, friends, songs, and even Sinatra (who sang about it) proclaim that there is no better city in the world than the Big Apple. New York City is the place to be, whether as a couple getaway, to spend some alone time, or even to bring along the kids. It is entirely possible to make it a family getaway place with kids, there are multiple activities that are kid and family-friendly all throughout the city. There are a ton of activities to do with your kids before they become too old and maybe a little bit too picky. New York City has many activities ranging from museums, visiting the zoo, and shopping for sweet treats which are parent and kids friendly, some are even free to enjoy. Below is a list of all kid-friendly places to visit and enjoy in New York City.
Adult/Family Friendly Spots
Below are sites that are family-friendly and not just made for the kids, so even adults can enjoy these trips.
Empire State Building
Visiting the Empire State Building should be a part of the parents' list. Here, visitors along with their families may enjoy the views of the city from the 86th floor and get to experience New York life from atop. This is a popular spot for many people to visit and can get crowded pretty quickly. One way to skip the lines is to order tickets online in advance to secure entry spots. Another is to go during the least busy hours of the day (dusk is usually best) to visit, otherwise, there will be countless lines to deal with. If traveling with little ones, it is advisable to bring them something to play with or to distract them, as it can get really busy during peak times. The Empire State Building is open daily, and the prices are below.
- Open daily from 8 AM to 2 AM
- Prices vary depending on the deck
- Top Deck (102 and 86th floor) - Adults: $77.00 Children: $71.00 Seniors: $75.00
- Main Deck (86th floor) - Adult: $44.00 Child: $38.00 Senior: $42.00
Walk On Brooklyn Bridge
Walking on Brooklyn Bridge is one of the popular activities to do while in New York. Even more worth noting – it is absolutely free and kid-friendly. There are no age restrictions, and kids may even bring their bikes along and ride on the bridge – under the parents' supervision, of course. The bridge walkway is about 1.3 miles and may take about 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the speed of the walk. For the best views, visitors should stay on the left side of the bridge and start from the Brooklyn side. Along the way, visitors will see the Statue of Liberty and can take great, unforgettable photographs.
- Open daily all days of the year (24/7)
- Free to walk along
Sail On the Staten Island Ferry
This is a 25-minute sail that goes for 5 miles. The ride is also free and has some of the best views that New York has to offer. The ferry serves as a transportation method for the residents of Staten Island to Manhattan, so it is best to avoid the rush hours in the mornings and evenings to enjoy the great views along with family. The ferry departs every half hour and it is free to ride along. While on the ride, guests will be able to observe the:
- New York Harbour
- Ellis Island
- Statue of Liberty
- Skyscrapers that flood the city
- The lower part of Manhattan
Children Friendly Spots
Following are spots catering mainly to children, parents may feel just a little bit bored but their kids will be thrilled by these experiences.
Take Your Kids To Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Brooklyn Children’s Museum is the first museum that was specifically created for children in the year 1899 and still remains one of the best. It was recently renovated and now has more room to showcase the collections of dolls, masks, minerals and fossils, and many other collections. These tend to be really fascinating for children. Neighbourhood Nature has a tunnel that allows children to crawl through and experience the pond aquarium, and even play with fake plants in the garden. The only downfall of this museum is the journey to get there. It is located about seven blocks from the station, and the subway ride itself is an hour from Manhattan. However, once guests make it there and see how kids love it, they’ll realize that it is a trip worth making.
- Opens Tuesdays to Sundays between 10 AM to 5 PM
- The price is $13 per person and parents who bring their kids, benefit from special discounts
Visit The Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is not only for the pleasure of children – although they will be thrilled to see all the animals there – but is also a great place for adults to genuinely enjoy themselves. It is the biggest city zoo in the entire United States and houses approximately 4,000 animals. They have spectacular sections to visit in the zoo, such as the Madagascar parade with acrobatic lemurs that are always roaming around, and the African Plain which houses the giraffes, zebras, and lions. Children are able to climb up to birds’ nests and feed the animals. There are many more activities in this zoo that guests just have to be there to experience. Their opening and closing are typical during the day, but times vary according to seasons. It's best to call and find out before planning a trip.
- The zoo opens at 10 AM and closes at 5 PM and at 5:30 PM on weekends
- Opening and closing times vary according to seasons
- Tickets are dependent on age groups
- Adult (13+) - $30.95 to $41.95, Seniors (65+) - $28.95 to $36.95, Children (3 - 12) - $22.95 to $31.95 and Children under 2 enter for free.
Dylan’s Candy Bar
Said to be the best sweet treat provider in town, Dylan’s Candy Bar is the place to be with the children. As soon as guests enter Dylan’s, they will notice the lollipop tree that is right in the center and draws the attention of kids. There are also candy patterns and designs along the stairs and walls that will be sure to excite. Dylan’s has over 7,000 different confectioneries for different tastes and preferences, which makes it one of the biggest places around NYC to satisfy those with a sweet tooth.
Customers are provided with a bag as they enter the shop and can pop in whatever confectionery they want into the bag from an endless array of chocolates to many other wrapped treats. Prices are according to the weight of the bag at the end of the visit. Not only do they house sweets and treats, but there is also apparel that customers may buy if interested, such as pajamas, personalized pillows, mugs, and T-shirts.
When heading downstairs, Dylan’s also has sundaes for sale to end visits with a bang. Their sundaes are not like anything customers have seen before – three gigantic scoops with three toppings is what they’re all about. While kids indulge in the creamy sundaes, parents can enjoy a cotton candy martini. The only downfall to this place is getting your children to leave.
- Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 10 AM – 9 PM
- Opening Hours: Sun: 11 AM – 7 PM
New York City caters to all types of people’s needs including that of children. In some of the above-mentioned places, families can enjoy it together, while some are just solely for the interests of children. Either way, the kids will be happy.