10 Things to Do in New York With Kids

New York is a lot greater than the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and different common Manhattan sights. And, if you happen to’re touring to New York with youngsters, 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.

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

10 issues to do in New York with Children

Right here’s learn how to get essentially the most of out visiting NYC with youngsters – 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 youngsters 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 possibly can 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 youngsters can invent issues within the design lab. For youthful youngsters, you’ll discover Preschool Place, an space with multi-sensory actions for kids beneath 6. Outdoors of the included displays and experiences, there’s additionally a 3D Theater, mini-golf, and a science playground.

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

New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn, NY

Is your youngster 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 situated 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 via the previous turnstiles.

On the primary ground of the museum, you’ll be able to sit on a duplicate of an previous NYC bus, view classic signage, and study how the fare assortment has modified over time. However downstairs is the place the magic occurs! On the bottom degree of the museum, you’ll be able to stroll onto subway automobiles courting again to 1907. The museum itself is small however the expertise is price each penny.

Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

In case you got here to New York Metropolis however didn’t go to Coney Island, you’d be lacking out on such an essential 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 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 journey on Dino’s Wonder Wheel, Coney Island’s Ferris wheel which was inbuilt 1920 and has turn out to be 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’ll be able to head over to Nathan’s Well-known, dwelling of the 4th of July scorching canine consuming contest. The restaurant and its well-known scorching canine date again to 1916. In case you’re not a fan of scorching 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 is no such thing as a scarcity of issues to do in Coney Island.

Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY

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

After the kids’s zoo, you’ll be able to stroll via the butterfly backyard, or one of many zoo’s hottest sights, Jungle World. When you could relaxation your ft, journey the open-air monorail and watch the animals roam. In case you’re on the lookout for a distinct zoo expertise, you’ll be able to take your youngsters to journey 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 automobile 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 via the park, or you’ll be able to 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.

In case you like to fish, there’s a lovely giant lake and entry to river fishing. It’s also possible to 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. In case you’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’ll be able to see some spectacular views of the autumn foliage. Not prepared to go away after simply someday, 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 largely for its amusement park. Situated proper off the Lengthy Island Sound, Playland Park additionally has a pool and a seashore. In case you’re a fan of picket rollercoasters, you’ll be able to take a journey 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 youngsters and a few thrill rides for older youngsters. 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. In case you don’t have a automobile, you’ll be able to take a 45-minute prepare journey from Grand Central Station.

Palisades Heart, West Nyack, NY

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

In case you’re touring with a toddler, there’s a small follow 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 a few of the longest, steepest, craziest slides your youngsters have in all probability even been on.

In case you’re a child at coronary heart, you’ll be pleased 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 model, there’s a Dave & Buster’s as nicely. Add an IMAX movie show, a bowling alley, and an ice skating rink and your youngster 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. In case you’re staying in New York Metropolis and would reasonably take public transportation, you’ll be able to hop on a Coach bus on the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan.

Legoland is the right addition to your New York journey if you happen to’re touring with youngsters beneath 13. They received’t have to fret about being tall sufficient to journey at this theme park as many of the rides wouldn’t have a minimal top requirement and those that do have a minimal top of 36″, with a couple of exceptions.

Whereas the theme park caters to younger kids, dad and mom may even have enjoyable using with their youngsters. Keep for a day or spend the night time on the Legoland Resort. Visiting throughout the summer time? Don’t neglect your bathing go well with! Legoland New York has a couple of water rides to chill off on a scorching summer time day.

Ebook your entry ticket with transport beneath:

Splish Splash, Lengthy Island, NY

You possibly can’t have an inventory of enjoyable issues to do with youngsters in New York and never embody a waterpark. Splish Splash, situated 60 miles east of New York Metropolis, is among the finest waterparks within the higher New York Metropolis space. It has 20 waterslides and sights. Settle down and calm down within the lazy river or soar round in certainly one of their two wave swimming pools.

When you have youngsters who’re daredevils and love thrills, they received’t be upset. There are a number of intense rides to select from. When your youngsters get hungry from continuous swimming and splashing, head to Johnny Rockets situated 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. In case you’ve been on the lookout for an exercise to bond together with your youngsters 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 knowledgeable, 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. Youngsters beneath 7, who’re too younger to climb the paths, can play within the Journey Playground.

With this record of issues to do with youngsters in New York, it’s possible you’ll by no means make it to any of the extra common 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 a few of the belongings you by no means bought round to. For extra household journey ideas and concepts, take a look at Traveling the West Way, a household journey weblog.

In case you’re visiting New York on a price range, take a look at this record of free things to do in New York – and don’t neglect to take a look at our submit on How to Be a New York Tourist!