With a population of about 8.5 million and covering an area of about 300 square miles, New York City is the most populated city in the state of New York and easily the most populated city in United States. The City of New York is made up of five boroughs or counties; Brooklyn,Manhattan, The Bronx, Staten Island and Queens.
With the city being considered as the financial and cultural capital of the world, it goes without saying that one cannot be bored here.With that being said, NYC in all its glory, is also populated to such an extent with people and infrastructure that it can sometimes come across as overwhelming for the average tourist.
With vacations nowadays being cut down to such short duration , it is essential that trips are planned out well ahead to avoid wastage of time. This write up aims to do just that by giving you all you need to know about the best places to visit with kids in New York City. Yes, we’ve tailored this to trips that include children and where interests of children are given priority.
Main Attractions
Central Park
Spanning an area of around 850 acres, this is no small park. One of the key features of New York City is the Central Park that has been made famous all around the world by being featured in numerous films, sitcoms and what not. You can easily spend a day or two and still not be done seeing the whole of it and experiencing everything this park has to offer.
We shall try to mention at least a few of the activities which we feel is worth making sure to see in the park.What might come as a shock, is that given the massive area that this park spans, it still is not the largest park in New York City. It is only the fifth largest park in terms of area but tops all of them in terms of activity density.
Since activities for kids is the priority, it is worth mentioning that the park contains 21 playground areas each with their own unique theme and type of structures. You have the option of going through Central park via cycles making the experience so much more fun. If you’re feeling especially romantic or fancy, always remember that for a fee, horse drawn carriages are also available to take you around the park.
There are museums and art exhibits all inside the park to add to the wholesomeness of Central Park. Scavenger hunts, theatrical performances, adventure theatres, boating and even ice skating and sledding,if the weather permits, are all possible from right inside the park.
- Pricing: Free
- Timing Daily: 6am- 1am
Washington Square Park 
New York City has more than a thousand parks with the Central park being the most prominent.If you have the time, Washington Square Park is also worth visiting considering how serene and peaceful it is. Spanning an area of about 10 acres, this public park has two main features which is the Washington Square Arch and a large fountain.
This park definitely falls as a family spot considering the numerous picnic tables, benches, paths to stroll your kids as well as playground areas to keep the young ones busy. There’s also chess and scrabble playing areas within the park if those interest the kids. Definitely a park to visit if you’re looking for another park other than the Central Park.
- Pricing: Free
- Timing Daily: 6am-1am
Empire State Building 
You cannot say you’ve visited New York City without visiting the Empire State Building. The skyscraper is 102 stories high and located in Midtown Manhattan. The tower stands at a height 450 m and stood as the world’s tallest building for close to 40 years.
One of the highlight attractions in NYC is the visit to the Open Air Observatory Deck on the 86th floor. The Deck provides a 360 degree view of the entire NYC where you’ll be able to see almost all the important sights mentioned here in this list.
The Deck also provides you with an app to help understand what you’re looking at in every direction and high powered binoculars helps you get a closer look. The visit to the Empire State Building is a must for every NYC visitor be it with or without children.
- Main Deck (86th Floor)
- Pricing: Adult: $38
Child:$32
Senior:$36 - Timing Daily: 8am-2pm
Brooklyn Bridge 
The Brooklyn Bridge is another iconic spot in New York similar to Central Park making it also on our top free places to visit with kids in New York City. The bridge allows for 6 lanes of roadway and also space for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge has a total length of 1825 m and opened in 1883. The bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, and gives spectators that are crossing the bridge a wonderful skyline view.
Many books, films and poems have been written based of or featuring this bridge making it a sight worth seeing and a bridge worth crossing. One important note to keep in mind is that it can get very crowded during weekends and even weekdays.
- Pricing: Free for all
- Timing Daily: 24/7
The High Line 
The High Line is one of the most unique parks here in our list (and possibly off the list too) and hence we feel it should feature here in the best places to visit in New York City with kids. This elevated park is created on the New York Central Railroad after it stopped functioning. The park stretches for almost 2.5 km and was opened in 2009 as a park.
The High Line is located in Manhattan and was initially supposed to be broken down before it was saved by the residents and turned into the public space we see today. The walk along this park is beautiful and filled with art and nature.
Kids are going to love the view since it’s very different from a normal stroll along a park. It can get crowded during peak hours so plan ahead.
- Pricing: Free for all
- Timing Daily: 7am-7pm
The Top Rock
Another exquisite attraction to get a fantastic view of New York City. The Top of the Rock is an observatory that gives visitors unobstructed views of Manhattan midtown and Central Park.The Observatory is located on the top of Rockefeller Centre and gives amazing views especially at night when the entire city is lit up.
The Top Rock is designed in the shape of an ocean-liner giving this a look that sets it apart from the rest. If you’re looking for an amazing view of the entire city, The Top Rock is definitely the place to go.
Pricing:
- Adults: $36
- Seniors: $34
- Children (6-12): $30
- Children (under 6): FREE
Timing: Sun-Sat: 8 am-Midnight (last elevator at 11 pm)
One World Observatory
Another observatory giving breathtaking views of the city is the One World Observatory located on the One World Trade Centre. The Observatory spreads across the 100th , 101st and 102nd floors with restaurants and exhibits to add to the experience. The elevator to the top of the tower takes only a minute which in itself is bound to get your kids excited.
The 360 degree view from the top of the tower will mesmerize the children as well as the adults accompanying them.The view of the New York skyline is something that one can never get bored of and we felt that this observatory should make the list too.
Get Directions To One World Observatory
- Pricing: General Admission: $34
- Timing Daily: 9am-9pm
Fun and games
Gulliver’s Gate
Ever wanted to travel the world and see all those places and monuments that you had only previously seen on television. Well, Gulliver’s Gate aims to do exactly that without having to actually go around the world. This miniature world covers an area of about 50,000 square feet and gives a glimpse into many cities from around the world.
The first exhibit you will find yourself in is New York City after which there is Little Italy, Brooklyn and Chinatown to name a few. Guests are given a key with which they can access models all over Gulliver’s Gate making this more of an interactive experience rather than a plain old museum walk through.
One of the most interesting features here would be getting yourself miniaturized and placed as a citizen in this world (for a fee). Gulliver’s Gate provides visitors a chance to get themselves scanned and 3D printed using the COBRA 3D scanner. This model can either be taken home as a souvenir or can be placed as a citizen in the exhibit.
Pricing
- Adults: $36
- Children (4-12): $27
- Children (under 4): Free
- Senior (65+): $27
Timing Daily: 10am-8pm
Brooklyn Ice-cream Factory
If you plan on having an ice-cream in Brooklyn, we suggest you visit the Brooklyn Ice-cream Factory. Opened in 2001, this ice-cream shop was built on a previous fire boat house. The ice-cream is made in-house and without eggs and available in different flavors which include vanilla, chocolate, butter pecan and coffee to name a few.
It has been named the best ice-cream in New York City in many newspapers making it one of our sure-to-visit places to visit with kids in New York.
- Pricing: Varies
- Timing: Tue-Sun: 1pm-9pm
Dylan’s Candy Bar
Ever wanted to walk into Willy Wonka’s Factory and see the world in the form of candy. Never got the golden ticket? Not to worry because Dylan Lauren has you covered. Opened in 2001,Dylan’s Candy Bar aims to do all this and more. The place has been designed to bring the kid out of everyone. The place does a fantastic job of integrating candy with art whilst giving a truly magical experience to their visitors.
The art seen here can only been seen in movies with lollipop trees, candy filled staircases and dripping chocolates shelves found in numerous places all over the shop. Dylan’s Candy bar has expanded to many locations all over the US but the one here in New York City continues to be the flagship shop till date.
With over 7000 edible confections, a visit to Dylan’s Candy Bar is definitely one of our top free things to do in New York with kids. Unlike in Willy Wonka’s Factory, the candy isn’t free but we aren’t complaining so you shouldn’t either.
American Girl Doll Store
This one is for all the girls out there. What could be more fun than spending a few hours browsing dolls in a world just for it? The American Girl Doll store is located in Rockefeller Plaza and spans across a huge area. The place isn’t just for buying dolls and the owners have made sure this is truly an experience. The store features dolls, accessories, and even books.
The store also provides the facility for grabbing a bite in between all this via the Café. Want to get your hair cut the way you saw it on one of the dolls? Fear not, the American Girl Salon located right there can get that done right away. Girls can even build their own doll using the Truly Me and even get life-sized apparel using the Studio. While all this is going on, the store has provided seats for parents to rest while their kids have the time of their life.
Pricing: Free
Timing:
- Mon-Fri: 10am-7pm
- Sat-Sun: 9am-7pm
The Lego Store Flatiron District
Lego has been something that has caught the eyes of even adults ever since its inception and has even been taken professionally by many nowadays. For a child, Lego is a gateway too pening their palace of imagination. The store features many fully built Lego structures and also features a play area where kids can build Legos.
This is definitely one of the best fun free places to visit in New York City with kids. The store is large spanning an area of about 3000 square feet meaning there is lots to see and even buy if you fancy yourself taking a Lego set home. One thing to note is that prices here are slashed and reduced compared to the ones available on the online store.
Pricing: FREE
Timing
- Sun: 11am-6pm
- Mon-Sat: 10am-8pm
Zoos
If you’ve been to Central Park, chances are that you’ve already seen the Central Park Zoo. The other famous zoo in NYC is the Bronx Zoo. Both these zoos are
Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo spreads across an area of about 6 acres. The zoo is located inside Central park and is part of the four zoo system along with the New York Aquarium. The main exhibits here include Central Garden & Sea Lion Pool, Polar Circle, Temperate Territory, Tropic Zone:The Rain forest and Allison Maher Stern Snow Leopard.
The Central Park Zoo also features a smaller zoo tailored to kids known as Tisch Children’s Zoo which is bound to excite the little ones. The Central Park Zoo has a 4-D theatre, penguin feedings and sea lion feedings that adds to the magical experience that this zoo offers.
Pricing
- Adults (13+): $14
- Children (3-12): $9
- Children (2 and under): FREE
- Senior (65+): $11
Timing
- Daily: 10am-4:30pm
Bronx Zoo
Unlike the Central Park Zoo, the Bronx Zoo spreads over an area of more than 265 acres making it one of the largest zoos in the US. The large variety of animals here at the zoo has gotten wide acclaim all over the world. The main exhibits here include Children’s Zoo, Congo Gorilla Forest,Butterfly Garden and Jungle World to name a few.
The Bronx Zoo also features the Bug Carousel, Camel rides, Dinosaur Safari, The Zoo Shuttle and the Wild Asia Monorail as the main rides that will excite both adults and children. Similar to Central Park Zoo, the Bronx Zoo also includes Penguin feedings and Sea Lion feedings making this a definite spot as one of the fun places to go with kids in New York City.
Winter Total Experience
Pricing
- Adult (13+): $29
- Children (3-12): $21
- Senior (65+)
- Children (2 and under): FREE
Timing
- Daily: 10am-4:30pm
Museums
Metropolitan Museum of Arts
The Metropolitan Museum of Arts or more often referred to as The Met is one of the largest art museums in US. The Met has a collection of about 2 million works that are permanent and split amongst 17 buildings. It was founded in 1870 and opened in 1872.
The Met definitely tells a million stories through each and every piece and each is a story worth knowing. Considering it is an art museum and considering how easily kids might tend to get bored, it is definitely not the best place for kids to have fun, but it is definitely something they need to see. The art and the people behind it are nothing short of extraordinary.
Pricing
- Adults: $25
- Seniors: $17
- Children (12 and under): FREE
- Student (with ID): $12
Timing:
- Sun-Thu: 10am-5:30pm
- Fri-Sat: 10am-9pm
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
This is definitely a museum you need to bring the kids too. We all know easily kids tend to get distracted when the exhibits seem boring or beyond their comprehension.
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan aims to curb all this by providing children with an interactive and fun filled experience. The museum features dance workshops designed to bring the kids into a more expressive environment. The Art, Artist and You exhibit lets kids interact and see world renowned artist’s work on art using various canvases.
The Eat Sleep Play exhibit promotes healthy lifestyle and how kids as young as they are can be responsible for their health. Other activities include Play Works, Adventures with Dora and Diego, Dynamic H 2 O and it’s About Time. There are various other travelling exhibits that are also available depending on your time of visit. This museum is a sure fire shot at being one of the best places to take your kids to in New York City.
Pricing
- Adults and children: $14
- Seniors (65+): $11
- Children (1 and under): FREE
- Members: FREE
Timing
- Tue-Fri, Sun: 10am-5pm
- Sat: 10am-7pm
- Mon: Closed