10 Things to Do in New York With Kids

New York is a lot greater than the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and different standard Manhattan points of interest. And, if you happen to’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.

When 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 automotive and enterprise out a bit of additional. You’ll uncover a few of these superb New York locations that your children might be speaking about for years.

10 issues to do in New York with Children

Right here’s easy methods to get probably 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 wish to go to The New York Hall of Science. The New York Corridor of Science is definitely accessible utilizing public transportation. You’ll be able to 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 underneath 6. Outdoors of the included reveals 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 possibly can stroll to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Within the park, you’ll discover some further points of interest 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? In that 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 the previous turnstiles.

On the primary flooring of the museum, you possibly can sit on a duplicate of an previous NYC bus, view classic signage, and find out about how the fare assortment has modified over time. 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 value each penny.

Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

When you got here to New York Metropolis however didn’t go to Coney Island, you’d be lacking out on such an necessary a part of New York Metropolis’s historical past, to not point out quite a lot of 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, points of interest, 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 inbuilt 1920 and has grow to be a New York Metropolis landmark. Afterward, go to Luna Park, an amusement park with fashionable video games and rides. Inside Luna Park, you’ll discover The Cyclone, Coney Island’s iconic picket curler coaster which dates again to 1926.

Whenever 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. When you’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 points of interest 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 wish to carry your most snug strolling sneakers. Along with the standard animal reveals, there’s a youngsters’s zoo with a petting zoo, a playground, and loads of interactive actions.

After the youngsters’s zoo, you possibly can stroll by the butterfly backyard, or one of many zoo’s hottest points of interest, Jungle World. When that you must relaxation your toes, experience the open-air monorail and watch the animals roam. When you’re on the lookout for 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 climbing and exploring nature is extra your loved ones’s factor, then lease a automotive and head on as much as Bear Mountain State Park, about an hour north of NYC. For many who like to picnic, there are many picnic areas scattered by 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.

When you like to fish, there’s a stunning giant lake and entry to river fishing. You too can lease a canoe to take onto the lake. There are climbing trails for all ranges of expertise and walkways alongside the lake for strolling and biking. When you’re visiting in the summertime, try 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 someday, lease 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 well-liked household vacation spot since 1926, recognized principally for its amusement park. Situated proper off the Lengthy Island Sound, Playland Park additionally has a pool and a seashore. When you’re a fan of picket rollercoasters, you possibly can take a experience on the historic Dragon Coaster which is one among Playland’s unique 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 good summer season attraction. When you don’t have a automotive, you possibly can take a 45-minute prepare experience from Grand Central Station.

Palisades Heart, 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 points of interest and eating places that can hold your children 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.

When you’re touring with a toddler, there’s a small follow rope course for them as properly. 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 number of the longest, steepest, craziest slides your children have most likely even been on.

When you’re a child at coronary heart, you’ll be comfortable to know that Billy Beez encourages mother and father to affix in on the enjoyable. For teenagers 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 properly. Add an IMAX movie show, a bowling alley, and an ice skating rink and your baby won’t ever wish 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. When you’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 if you happen to’re touring with children underneath 13. They gained’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 a couple of exceptions.

Whereas the theme park caters to younger youngsters, mother and father will even have enjoyable driving with their children. Keep for a day or spend the night time on the Legoland Resort. Visiting in the course of the summer season? Don’t neglect your bathing swimsuit! Legoland New York has a couple of water rides to chill off on a sizzling summer season day.

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Splish Splash, Lengthy Island, NY

You’ll be able to’t have an inventory of enjoyable issues to do with children in New York and never embody a waterpark. Splish Splash, positioned 60 miles east of New York Metropolis, is among the greatest waterparks within the higher New York Metropolis space. It has 20 waterslides and points of interest. Quiet down and chill out within the lazy river or soar round in one among their two wave swimming pools.

When you’ve got children who’re daredevils and love thrills, they gained’t be disillusioned. 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. When you’ve been on the lookout for an exercise to bond together with your children in New York, that is it. What makes The Journey Park totally 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 totally different ranges of problem, every color-coded. With 14 trails and 49 ziplines, The Journey Park is definitely a day-long exercise. Kids underneath 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 standard vacationer points of interest in Manhattan. You’ll nonetheless have skilled New York in a approach many vacationers haven’t and might be planning your subsequent journey again to New York to do a number of the belongings you by no means acquired round to. For extra household journey ideas and concepts, try Traveling the West Way, a household journey weblog.

When you’re visiting New York on a funds, try this checklist 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!