New York City, New York

Tips on Traveling With Kids in New York

Jump to activities, hotels, shopping, restaurants, and hospitals.

Activities

American Museum of Natural History

Address Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192 USA Map, Tel (212) 769-5100, Hours Daily 10am-5:45pm, Subway B/C to 81 St, 1/9 to 79 St, Cost Suggested Donation $10 (adults) $6 (children) Website

This huge museum houses a collection covering every discipline of human science in an area that is spread over several city blocks and four floors. Special features include the Rose Center for Earth and Space (Planetarium) and the Discovery Room (with hands on exhibits designed for chidren ages 5-12)

Central Park

Address Central Park, New York, NY Map, Tel (212) 408-0226, Hours (Zoo) April – Oct 10am–5pm; Nov–March 10:00 am – 4:30 pm Website

Central park covers 843 acres, which is 6% of Manhattan. While most tourists stay around the southern part of the park (with the Zoo, Metropolitan museum, and gardens) There are also great attractions for kids in the Northern part of the park, including a swimming pool and the North Meadow ...

Children's Museum of New York

Address 212 W 83rd St, New York, NY 10024 Map, Tel (212) 721-1234, Hours Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, Cost Ages 1+ $9 Website

The Children's Museum is a great place for a rainy day (or any day that you want to let your kids have some active, educational playtime indoors. Like most children's museums, this one has a water play area, lots of space for freeplay, and interactive exhibits for babies ...

Children's Museum of the Arts

Address 182 Lafayette Street, New York Map, Tel (212) 941-9198, Hours W-F 10:45-12 Early Childhood Drop-In, 12-5 General Programs;, Cost $9/person (ages 1 and up), Subway 6 train to Spring St; N to Canal St; R/W to Prince St

This small museum's goal is to provide a space where children can experience and make their own art. Everything is hands-on and there are spaces for painting, collage, sculpture, and performing arts. Activities are geard for ages 2-10. This is a great place to visit on a bad-weather day.

Guggenheim Museum

Address 1071 5th Avenue (at 89th Street) Map, Tel 212-423-3500, Hours Sat-Wed 10am-5:45pm; Fri 10am-7:45pm; Thurs Closed, Cost Adults $18; Children under 12 Free, Subway 4/5/6 to 86th Street. Walk west on 86th Street, turn right at 5th Avenue and proceed north to 88th Street Website

The architectural design of the Guggenheim makes it easy to visit with kids. Shows are typically limited to the rotunda and work their way up from the bottom, but there's no reason you cannot take an elevator to the top and work your way down. Kids will have a ...

Lower East Side Tenement Museum

Address 108 Orchard Street, New York Map, Reservations Visits by guided tour only. Call or visit the website well in advance to book. A limited number of same day tickets are available on site. Website

The Tenement museum is an unusual type of museum. With the goal of preserving an important part of new york history, and promoting understanding of the immigrant experience, the organization bought a tenement building that had been shuttered since 1935. They carefully restored the building, researching the families who had ...

Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)

Address 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, New York, New York 10028-0198 Map, Tel 212-535-7710, Hours Closed Monday; T-Th 9:30am-5:30pm; Fri-Sat 9:30am-9pm; Sun 9:30am-5:30pm, Cost $20 suggested donation for adults Website

The metropolitan museum is surprisingly fun for kids. You can't see the entire museum anyway, so we recommend that you choose a few areas that your kids are most likely to enjoy. Popular choices include Degas' ballerinas, the Egyptian exhibits (complete with a temple rescued from Aswan before it ...

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

Address 11 West 53 Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, New York, NY 10019-5497 Map, Tel 212.708.9400, Hours Sat-Mon & Wed 10:30am–5:30pm; Tues Closed; Fri 10:30am-8pm, Subway E or V to Fifth Avenue/53 Street; B, D, or F to 47-50 Streets/Rockefeller Center., Bus M1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to 53 Street Website

Though MOMA is a serious art museum, there are lots of exhibits that are fun for kids to see. Check out hte helicopter hanging in the atrium, the useful objects collection (including thousands of objects, ranging from appliances, furniture, and tableware to tools, textiles, sports cars). Pick up a copy ...

NBC Universal Studio Tour

Address 30 Rockefeller Plaza (Corner of 49th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue), New York Map, Hours Mon-Thurs 8:30am-4:30pm (departs every 30 minutes); Fri-Sat 9:30am-5:30pm(departs every 15 minutes); Sun 9:30am-4:30pm (departs every 15 minutes), Location NBC Experience Store, Cost Adults $18.50; Children (6-12) $15.50, Subway B, D, F, N, V, W, R, 1, Bus M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M27, M50, Q32 Website

For older kids and teenagers, a tour of the NBC studios can be fascinating. You'll learn about NBS's early days in radio as well as its recent history. Next you'll have the opportunity to enter and visit a few of the networks working studios, including The Today ...

Rockefeller Center

Address Rockefeller Center, New York Map, Tel 212-332-6868, Website

There always seems to be something going on at Rockerfeller Center. Whether it's the Ice Rink and huge Christmas Tree in winter, the Today Show in the mornings, or just the general hustle and bustle of New York City, you're sure to see something interesting. Stop in the ...

Times Square

Address Times Square, New York City Map,

Times square has lots to attract kids, and lots to overwhelm them. Plan to spin on the indoor Ferris wheel at Toys "R" Us, check out the huge video screens, and stop by the TKTS booth to pick up discounted show tickets.

TKTS Booth (Discount Broadway Show Tickets)

Address West 46th Street at Broadway, New York Map, Location Temporarily located behind the Marriott Marquis Hotel during the renovation of Duffy Square, Payment Cash or Travelers checks only, Subway Times Square Website

The TKTS booth sells excess tickets to Broadway shows on the day of the performance. Their website lets you see what was in the booth last week. During summer, expect long lines. We often show up just before show time and pick from what's left.

Readers suggest:

Hotels

Doubletree Guest Suites

Address 1568 Broadway, New York, New York, United States 10036-8201 Map, Tel 212-719-1600, Website

Set in bustling Times Square, across from the TKTS booth, this hotel room has extra large hotel rooms as well as a host of family friendly features. Each guest room is a two-room suite, with a sofa bed in the living room. All rooms have a microwave, wet-bar, and refrigerator ...

Le Parker Meridien

Address 118 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019 Map, Tel (212) 245-5000, Website

The parker is one of our favorite New York hotels for family travel. It has an excellent location in the heart of midtown shopping and close to central park. Rooms are larger than average, and suite upgrades are often reasonably priced. The hotel even has a few two bedroom suites ...

Metropolitan Hotel

Address 569 Lexington Ave at 51st, New York City, NY Map, Tel 212.752.7000, Website

The Metropolitan hotel is one of the few well-located mid-priced hotels in Manhattan to offer one and two bedroom suites. Cribs, rollaway chairs, and high-chairs are available.

The Lowell

Address 28 E 63rd St, New York, NY 10065 Map, Tel (212) 838-1400, Website

This beautiful hotel is a member of the "Small Leading Hotels of the World," and offers the type of attentive service you would expect. The real luxury for family travellers is that almost all the rooms have fully equipped kitchenettes. Two bedroom suites are available, and high-speed internet access is ...

Have a suggestion? Help by adding your favorites!

Restaurants

Artie's Delicatessen

Address 2290 Broadway, New York, NY 10024 Map, Tel (212) 579-5959, Hours Sun - Thur 9am – 11:30pm; Fri - Sat 9am – 1 am Website

Opened in 1999, the owners of this deli have made an excellent stab at recreating a 1930's jewish deli. They revisited 100's of traditional recipes, choosing their favorites. But your kids won't care about that... what they'll love is the delicious chicken fingers, made with Organic ...

Balthazar

Address 80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012 Map, Tel (212) 965-1785, Hours Fri-Sat 7:30am-2am; Sun 7:30am-12am, Reservations Highly Recommended Website

Balthazar serves the type of traditional French bistro meal that is difficult to find in Paris anymore. Each dish is delicious and perfectly executed. There is also an exceptional raw seafood bar. Luckily for parents, the buzz in Balthazar is loud enough, and the atmosphere casual enough, that kids won ...

Barney Greengrass

Address 541 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024 Map, Tel (212) 724-4707, Hours Tues-Sun 8:30am to 4pm, Payment Cash only Website

Barney Greengrass is an institution in New York, serving some of the best smoked fish in the city. The casual atmosphere makes it a great place for kids, and while you enjoy lox, smoked sturgeon, and whitefish on one of their huge Smoked Fish Platters (one is enough for two ...

Burger Joint

Address 118 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019 Map, Tel 212-245-5000, Hours Sun-Thurs 11:30-11:30; Fri-Sat 11:30-midnight, Cost $7 for a burger; Soda $2; Milkshake $5 Website

Tucked away behind floor to ceiling curtains in the Parker Meridien Hotel, finding this hidden spot is half the fun. The old fashioned coffee shop atmosphere is also an easy place to bring kids, and of course the menu and prices couldn't be better!

City Bakery

Address 3 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011 Map, Tel (212) 366-1414, Hours M-F 7:30am-7pm; Sat 7:30am-6:30pm; Sun 9am-6pm Website

The City Bakery is the perfect place for both kids and adults. A self serve buffet has a variety of items depending on the time of day. Choose what you want, and then take it to the cash register where you can also purchase hot or cold drinks (this is ...

Daniel

Address 60 East 65th St, New York Map, Tel 212.288.0033, Hours Mon-Sat 5:45pm-11pm, Reservations Essential. Book one month in advance. Website

Widely acknowledged to be among the best restaurants in the world, Daniel serves impeccable modern French food and has one of the best wine cellars in the city. Hire a sitter and enjoy a romantic night out with your spouse. For an especially memorable evening, book the Skybox in the ...

Hampton Chutney Company

Address 68 Prince Street, New York Map, Tel 212-226-9996, Hours 11am-9pm daily Website

This very casual spot is a great find for dining with kids. The food is interesting enough for parents (Indian Dosas in a variety of traditional or modern combinations like Roasted butternutsquash, Portobello mushrooms, arugula & jack cheese). There is a kids menu featuring healthy kid friendly options like Cheese and ...

Il Laboratorio Del Gelato

Address 95 Orchard St., New York Map, Tel 212 343 9922, Hours Daily 10am-6pm Website

Il Laboratorio del Gelato sells gelato to some of the finest restaurants in the city. Everything is ultra-fresh, and their sorbets are so creamy that you won't believe there's no milk in them. A great place to stop after a visit to the tenement museum.

Katz's Deli

Address 205 E Houston St, New York, NY Map, Tel (212) 254-2246, Hours 8am – 10pm or later Website

Pastrami so fatty it glistens when sliced. New York Egg Creams. Bagels. Pickels. There's something for everyone here, and the atmosphere is classic old New York. Even the pickiest eaters will find something great, and parents should take a day off from their diets to enjoy a perfect pastrami ...

Rickshaw Dumplings

Address 61 W 23rd st., New York, NY Map, Tel 212-924-9220, Website

The hot (literally) trend in New York's chinese dining scene is soup-filled dumplings. While there's lots of debate about who was first and who is the best, Rickshaw Dumplings is widely acknowledged as being among the best, and your kids will absolutely love the chocolate soup dumplings!

Shake Shack

Address Broadway and 23rd, New York, New York Map, Hours 11:30am-6:30pm Website

Located at Madison Square Park, there's nothing we don't love about shake shack. The menu of burgers, hot dogs, and shakes is a kids dream come true. The prices are about as reasonable as possible in New York (a burger is $3.50) and everything is made with ...

Totonnos

Address 1524 Neptune Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224 Map, Tel 718-372-8606, Hours Call for hours Website

Several years ago (pre-kids) we took a tour of eight New York pizza places in a single day, tasting each, and after lots of analysis, a spredsheet, and lots of discussion decided that Totonnos had the best pizza. This location, on Coney Island, is the original and the best.

Readers suggest:

Shopping

American Girl Place

Address 609 Fifth Avenue at 49th Street, New York, NY 10017 Map, Tel 877-247-5223, Hours Sun: 9am-7pm; Mon-Thu 10am-7pm; Fri 10am-9pm; Sat 9am-9pm, Reservations Call at least two months in advance for Cafe or Theatre (or try for a last minute cancellation) Website

If your child collects American Girl Dolls, a visit to the American Girl Place will be a very special experience. The store offers shopping, a cafe where children can have lunch with their dolls, a hair salon, and a theatre with live musicals. There is also a doll hospital where ...

Duane Reed

Website

With locations throughout the city, Duane Reed has become a New York institution. This is the place to pick up diapers, wipes, and anything else you or your child might need.

Giggle

Address 120 Wooster Street (Between Prince and Spring), New York, NY Map, Tel 212-334-5817, Hours Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm; Sun: 12pm-6pm Website

Giggle has a variety of clever toys, accessories, nursery items, clothing and more for the well heeled baby. Brands include Stokke, Bugaboo, Skip*Hop, Mustela, Tea Collection and more.

Jaques Torres Chocolate

Address 350 Hudson, New York, NY 10014 Map, Tel 212.414.2462, Hours Mon - Sat 9:00am - 7:00pm. Sunday 10:00am - 6:00pm Website

Jaques Torres makes some of the best chocolates in the country. We, however, are smitten with the spicy hot chocolate and fresh marshmallows. Stop in for a cup (non-spicy available too) and pick up a box of chocolates to take home.

Makie

Address 109 Thompson Street, New York City Map, Tel (212) 625-3930, Website

If money is no object, you'll love the quirky clothes at Yuji Ogata's little baby and kids clothing shop in SoHo

Papabubble New York

Address 380 Broome St, New York, New York Map, Tel 212-966-2599, Hours Mon–Sat noon–9pm; Sun noon–6pm, Metro Spring Street Website

Papabubble, is as much show as it is about the sweets. Children can watch as vividly striped, fruit-flavored candies are made by hand. If your timing is right, everyone will get a chance to taste the warm, sweet candy before it is shaped and cooled. Everything is made using the ...

Hospitals

Children's Hospital of New York

Address 3959 Broadway at 165th, New York, NY10032 Map, Tel (212) 305-6628, Subway A/C or #1 IRT to 168th and Broadway Website

Ranked among the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the US, Children's Hospital has a pediatric emergency unit, a physician referral line, and top-rated specialists.