10 Things to Do in New York With Kids

New York is a lot greater than the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and different widespread Manhattan sights. And, for those who’re touring to New York with children, you’ll be happy to listen to that there’s additionally lots so that you can do!

New York Metropolis is comprised of 5 boroughs: The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Manhattan. Simply outdoors of New York Metropolis, you’ll discover Lengthy Island, Rockland County, Orange County, and Westchester County, all inside an hour’s drive.

If you happen to go to New York however solely keep inside Manhattan, you’re doing your self and your loved ones an injustice by not getting the complete New York expertise. So hop on a bus, a prepare, or in a automotive and enterprise out slightly additional. You’ll uncover a few of these wonderful New York locations that your children can be speaking about for years.

10 issues to do in New York with Youngsters

Right here’s methods to get essentially the most of out visiting NYC with children – from museums to nature and journey parks.

See additionally: Where To Stay In New York City: Our New York Accommodation Guide

New York Corridor of Science, Queens, NY

In case your children love science, experiments, and hands-on museums, you’ll need to go to The New York Hall of Science. The New York Corridor of Science is definitely accessible utilizing public transportation. You may soar on the 7 prepare to the 111th Road subway station, and it’s solely a brief stroll away.

On the New York Corridor of Science, there’s something for kids of all ages. Older children can invent issues within the design lab. For youthful children, you’ll discover Preschool Place, an space with multi-sensory actions for kids beneath 6. Outdoors of the included displays and experiences, there may be additionally a 3D Theater, mini-golf, and a science playground.

The Corridor of Science is within the good location for a full day of household enjoyable. After spending a few hours on the museum, you possibly can stroll to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Within the park, you’ll discover some further sights together with the Queens Zoo.

New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn, NY

Is your baby fascinated with trains? Does the historical past of New York Metropolis and the transit system curiosity you? If that’s the case, then hop on over to Brooklyn to take a look at the New York Transit Museum.

What makes this museum fascinating is that it’s positioned inside a decommissioned subway station from 1936. You enter the museum utilizing the unique subway station entrance. Present your ticket to an worker who’s sitting inside the unique ticket sales space after which stroll by means of the previous turnstiles.

On the principle flooring of the museum, you possibly can sit on a reproduction of an previous NYC bus, view classic signage, and find out about how the fare assortment has modified through the years. However downstairs is the place the magic occurs! On the bottom degree of the museum, you possibly can stroll onto subway automobiles courting again to 1907. The museum itself is small however the expertise is price each penny.

Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

If you happen to got here to New York Metropolis however didn’t go to Coney Island, you’d be lacking out on such an vital a part of New York Metropolis’s historical past, to not point out numerous enjoyable. Hop on the D, F, N, and Q trains headed in the direction of Brooklyn and take them to the final cease. The Coney Island Boardwalk, sights, and seashore are only a 5-minute stroll from there.

Take a experience on Dino’s Wonder Wheel, Coney Island’s Ferris wheel which was in-built 1920 and has develop into a New York Metropolis landmark. Afterward, go to Luna Park, an amusement park with trendy video games and rides. Inside Luna Park, you’ll discover The Cyclone, Coney Island’s iconic picket curler coaster which dates again to 1926.

Once you’re hungry, you possibly can head over to Nathan’s Well-known, dwelling of the 4th of July sizzling canine consuming contest. The restaurant and its well-known sizzling canine date again to 1916. If you happen to’re not a fan of sizzling canine, there are many different locations to eat in Coney Island. A brief stroll from the well-known Coney Island sights is the New York Aquarium. No matter you fancy, there isn’t a scarcity of issues to do in Coney Island.

Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY

The Bronx Zoo, dwelling to over 700 species of animals, is likely one of the largest zoos within the United States. With over 265 acres of land to discover, you’ll need to convey your most snug strolling sneakers. Along with the everyday animal displays, there’s a youngsters’s zoo with a petting zoo, a playground, and loads of interactive actions.

After the kids’s zoo, you possibly can stroll by means of the butterfly backyard, or one of many zoo’s hottest sights, Jungle World. When it’s essential relaxation your toes, experience the open-air monorail and watch the animals roam. If you happen to’re in search of a unique zoo expertise, you possibly can take your children to experience the carousel, take a nature trek, or do a ropes course at Treetop Journey.

Bear Mountain State Park, Tompkins Cove, NY

If mountaineering and exploring nature is extra your loved ones’s factor, then hire a automotive and head on as much as Bear Mountain State Park, about an hour north of NYC. For individuals who like to picnic, there are many picnic areas scattered by means of the park, or you possibly can sit on the big open grass space. This grass space additionally doubles as a play space for leisure sports activities like soccer and American soccer.

If you happen to like to fish, there’s a lovely massive lake and entry to river fishing. You can even hire a canoe to take onto the lake. There are mountaineering trails for all ranges of expertise and walkways alongside the lake for strolling and biking. If you happen to’re visiting in the summertime, take a look at the swimming pool and the Trailside Museum and Zoo.

Planning a winter journey? Go ice skating or snowboarding. Hike, bike, or drive to the highest of Bear Mountain to expertise breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley. Within the fall you possibly can see some spectacular views of the autumn foliage. Not prepared to depart after simply in the future, hire a room on the Bear Mountain Inn.

Associated learn: Hiking Mohonk in New York’s Hudson Valley

Playland Park, Rye, NY

Playland Park has been a preferred household vacation spot since 1926, identified principally for its amusement park. Situated proper off the Lengthy Island Sound, Playland Park additionally has a pool and a seashore. If you happen to’re a fan of picket rollercoasters, you possibly can take a experience on the historic Dragon Coaster which is certainly one of Playland’s authentic rides.

The amusement park additionally features a kiddie park with rides for smaller children and a few thrill rides for older children. There are additionally areas for picnicking and boating. Solely a brief 40-minute drive from New York Metropolis, Playland Park is a superb summer time attraction. If you happen to don’t have a automotive, you possibly can take a 45-minute prepare experience from Grand Central Station.

Palisades Middle, West Nyack, NY

The Palisades Center is a large four-level shopping center half-hour north of New York Metropolis. It has a big assortment of sights and eating places that may preserve your children busy for hours. Inside The Palisades Middle, you’ll discover the world’s tallest indoor ropes course which spans all 4 ranges of the mall.

If you happen to’re touring with a toddler, there’s a small observe rope course for them as nicely. Tucked away within the nook of the mall on the underside degree, you’ll discover Billy Beez. Billy Beez is an indoor playground with among the longest, steepest, craziest slides your children have most likely even been on.

If you happen to’re a child at coronary heart, you’ll be glad to know that Billy Beez encourages dad and mom to hitch in on the enjoyable. For youths who wish to drive, there’s a speedway and bumper automobiles. If arcade video games are extra your child’s fashion, there’s a Dave & Buster’s as nicely. Add an IMAX movie show, a bowling alley, and an ice skating rink and your baby won’t ever need to depart the mall.

Legoland Theme Park and Resort, Goshen, NY

Do you know that New York has its personal theme park? Opening its gate in the summertime of 2021, Legoland Theme Park and Resort has been an exquisite addition to New York. If you happen to’re staying in New York Metropolis and would fairly take public transportation, you possibly can hop on a Coach bus on the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan.

Legoland is the proper addition to your New York journey for those who’re touring with children beneath 13. They received’t have to fret about being tall sufficient to experience at this theme park as many of the rides shouldn’t have a minimal peak requirement and those that do have a minimal peak of 36″, with just a few exceptions.

Whereas the theme park caters to younger youngsters, dad and mom can even have enjoyable using with their children. Keep for a day or spend the evening on the Legoland Lodge. Visiting in the course of the summer time? Don’t neglect your bathing go well with! Legoland New York has just a few water rides to chill off on a sizzling summer time day.

Ebook your entry ticket with transport under:

Splish Splash, Lengthy Island, NY

You may’t have an inventory of enjoyable issues to do with children in New York and never embrace a waterpark. Splish Splash, positioned 60 miles east of New York Metropolis, is likely one of the finest waterparks within the better New York Metropolis space. It has 20 waterslides and sights. Quiet down and chill out within the lazy river or soar round in certainly one of their two wave swimming pools.

When you have children who’re daredevils and love thrills, they received’t be upset. There are a number of intense rides to select from. When your children get hungry from continuous swimming and splashing, head to Johnny Rockets positioned contained in the waterpark for the very best burgers and shakes.

The Journey Park, Lengthy Island, NY

Calling all ropes course lovers to The Adventure Park in Lengthy Island. If you happen to’ve been in search of an exercise to bond along with your children in New York, that is it. What makes The Journey Park completely different from different ropes programs, is that its programs are aerial treetop programs.

Whether or not you’re a starting or an skilled, there’s a path for you. There are 5 completely different ranges of problem, every color-coded. With 14 trails and 49 ziplines, The Journey Park is definitely a day-long exercise. Kids beneath 7, who’re too younger to climb the paths, can play within the Journey Playground.

With this checklist of issues to do with children in New York, you could by no means make it to any of the extra widespread vacationer sights in Manhattan. You’ll nonetheless have skilled New York in a means many vacationers haven’t and can be planning your subsequent journey again to New York to do among the stuff you by no means bought round to. For extra household journey suggestions and concepts, take a look at Traveling the West Way, a household journey weblog.

If you happen to’re visiting New York on a funds, take a look at this checklist of free things to do in New York – and don’t neglect to take a look at our put up on How to Be a New York Tourist!