A family vacation to New York is rife with possibilities. Not everything about New York City is kid friendly, but if you know where to look, a visit to NYC can be a rich experience for visitors of any age.

DECIDING WHAT TO SEE

 

My kids are very much into museums, mostly because they love Indiana Jones. I recommend a New York Sightseeing Pass which allows you to pay a flat daily rate to gain admission into over 40 NYC attractions, including the American Natural History Museum, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, Paley Museum of Television and Radio, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and many many more attractions!

You can totally sightsee until you drop with the New York Sightseeing Pass, hitting as many attractions as you can manage before the pass expires at midnight.

If you need inspiration, MommyPoppins.com has a list of 100 Things to Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up that might be a good starting point. MommyPoppins.com also has heaps of recommendations for current events and year-round kid friendly New York.

Macaroni Kid also has the skinny on kid-centric events each week. Check the Mac Kid closest to your NYC base and see what you can find in Downtown, East Bronx, Manhattan- East Side, and Upper West Side.

Do your children have energy to burn after a few hours of sightseeing? Locate a playground near you at http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/playgrounds/ . Park your bum on a bench, sip a coffee drink, and let your kids run themselves ragged.

Playground listings are organized by area, and handicap accessibility is noted.

EATING

 

New York City has a restaurant in every kid of culinary genre imaginable. Personally, with my two active youngsters, I try to avoid mid to high-end restaurants. I don’t want to nag them silly reminding them to be still and quiet, all while receiving the stink-eye from childless patrons.

The good news is there are plenty of take away options, food trucks you can hit up for a picnic options, and even some kid-friendly restaurants.

New York Magazine has a comprehensive listing of kid friendly dining options in Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.

WHERE TO STAY

 

Hotels in NYC are notoriously small and pricey. Opting for a home rental instead of a traditional hotel will give you the benefit of a kitchen, laundry facilities, and more room for your family to spread out and recharge after an active day in the city.

TRANSPORTATION

 

Are your kids under 44 inches tall? If so, up to 3 of them can ride the NYC subway for free with one paying adult. Huzzah!

Word to the wise: if you have an infant, opt for a carrier rather than a stroller. Not all subways are stroller-friendly.

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