Perfect NYC Itinerary With Toddlers or Preschoolers
Last Updated on Sep 27, 2024
When you arrive in New York City, it’s clear why many consider this city to be the center of the universe. Massive buildings, busy people, and constant noise, NYC is both overwhelming and awe-inspiring. You could spend years in NYC and not see it all, but I’ve compiled a complete insider’s guide with the best of the city that never sleeps.
Visiting New York City with kids is a great idea because the city has plenty to offer for every age. Your kids will be amazed by skyscrapers, street food, and everything random… even simple things like riding a metro can be fun for a toddler!
While a long weekend trip is possible, try to spend at least a week in NYC to get an immersive experience. If you have even more time there are many options for things to do in the boroughs outside Manhattan (the main “island” of NYC) or even in nearby New Jersey.
Transportation
New York City has many options for transportation including taxis, subway (metro), buses, and Uber/Lyft. Many destinations are also walkable, depending on the weather and your time.
Definitely bring a stroller for the kids, even if you normally don’t use it at home. We were glad to bring one stroller among two kids (ages 3 and 5) and they were swapped whenever they got tired. Unless you want to be doomed to little walks next to your hotels I’d say strollers for kids even 5 years old are going to make your life easier!
New York is busy, so I was glad we had tag along stroller handle for the older brother. It might seem like a silly thing, but trust me – when a child holds onto it, it’s easy to navigate him when he’s looking around.
The subway is cheap and manageable. There are no zones like in other cities, so you can get most places for $2.75. Purchase a metro card and reload it throughout your trip.
Buses are trickier, and mostly used by locals, so this isn’t recommended. Taxis are the most “luxurious” option, but because of the traffic in NYC, car transport often takes longer than the subway, and sometimes even longer than walking!
NYC is a big grid, which makes walking and navigating fairly straightforward. Avenues run lengthwise, and streets run widthwise, with Broadway running kind of diagonally across. 5th Avenue divides the east and west sides. If you get lost, look for landmarks! The Empire State Building and Freedom Tower can often help you orient yourself.
Read my post here for more practical tips for visiting New York City!
When to Go to NYC with Kids
There are things to see and do all year round in NYC. The time between American Thanksgiving (the last Thursday in November) and Christmas is very popular and the city is gorgeous with Christmas Decor everywhere.
The winter (post- Christmas) is the cheapest time to go, but can be very cold and there are occasional snow storms so it’s not worth it honestly.
Summer in NYC means endless evening and outdoor activities, but sometimes the heat and humidity make the city unbearable (especially in August).
Early summer and early fall are great options for temperate weather and less crowds. You may be able to get better deals in late winter or early spring, if you’re okay with unpredictable weather.
Packing for NYC with Small Kids
When planning a trip to NYC pack layers, comfortable shoes, and an umbrella. In the summer, subway stops are stifling but subway cars are freezing, and the reverse is true in the winter.
A map or map app is also useful, as is a cross-body secure bag (to prevent theft). NYC is a casual city unless you’re going for business, but pack a nicer outfit or cocktail dress for a Broadway Show, night out, or fancier dinner.
Where to Eat
Food in NYC is good, no matter where you go because you can find everything. Avoid tourist traps near Times Square and venture off the beaten path for the best bites.
Hell’s Kitchen is a roughly rectangular historic district on the mid-west side of NYC (around 34th to 59th Streets between 8th Avenue and the Hudson River). This area got its name for being such a dangerous district that it was “hotter than hell.” Today, Hell’s Kitchen is very safe, and has excellent casual and reasonably priced eateries. Uncle Nick’s is a fantastic Greek restaurant- try the saganaki cheese! (Recommended tour: Hell’s Kitchen Culinary History Tour)
Chinatown and Little Italy are conveniently located next to each other in Lower Manhattan. There are countless good eateries, including Fried Dumpling (Chinatown) or Rubirosa (Little Italy). If you’re in NYC during September, you may be lucky enough to attend the Feast of San Gennaro festival in Little Italy.
Chelsea Market is an “urban food court” on the west side, and a great option for casual bites. They have really interesting food stalls, including several fusion options. Take some time to stroll through the shops too! The Market is open 7 days a week, and you can explore on your own or join a group tour to learn the history of the meatpacking market.
Serendipity 3 is an iconic cafe known for its fabulous sandwiches and frozen hot chocolate. The wait is usually long and they (sometimes) take reservations, so it’s worth calling ahead or trying to make a reservation through their website.
Cupcakes, cupcakes, and more cupcakes. NYC is a dream destination for cupcake lovers. I suggest getting a pack of mini cupcakes from Melissa’s, or a cupcake sundae from Sprinkles. Also, don’t forget to try NYC Pizza! You can’t leave the city without trying a slice of pizza from a local pizzeria. Stop in any casual pizzeria for a cheap slice of plain pie- you won’t be disappointed.
Where to Stay in NYC with Kids
Accommodation in New York is expensive and the rooms are small. On the other hand, you want to be centrally located when coming with children. For a splurge, stay at the 1 Brooklyn Bridge, located on the other side of the river with a gorgeous skyline view, but easy access to Manhattan. My kids absolutely loved the pool!
Moxy NYC is a cheaper option and offers various rooms with bunk beds that can accommodate bigger families. If you have points to redeem IHG Barclay might be a good option for kids as well, as they surely cater to little visitors.
New York City with Kids in 3 days
Day 1 in NYC with kids
Assuming you arrive the day before or early in the morning, after checking in to your hotel and breakfast, you can venture out straight away.
See Grand Central
Located on 42nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues, Grand Central station is a classic New York landmark. Built in the 1870s, it still retains its iconic charm. When you arrive at the main concourse, look up and appreciate the celestial ceiling. It was renovated in the 1990s, and the ceiling was cleaned (removing decades of cigarette smoke). The cleaners left one patch uncleaned to showcase the difference and degradation- see if you can spot it!
Grand Central is also home to a famous Oyster Bar, but with kids I recommend more casual Market, a great option for quick bites and souvenirs. There’s also Doughnut Plant in the dining concourse – one of the best donut stores in the city.
Make sure to check out the whispering gallery – an architectural anomaly created by the arched ceiling near the dining concourse. Position yourself and a companion at opposite diagonal pillars and “whisper” into one. The other person should be able to hear your voice!
FAO Schwarz
After your visit at the Grand Central, you can walk down 5th Avenue (this is why I told you earlier that the stroller was essential). Window shop, admire skyscrapers, do some people watching. There’s a cool Lego store on the way and with toddlers it’s fun to stop at FAO Schwarz right behind Rockefeller Center.
The legendary New York City toy store is immortalized in some movies and it’s a fun place to feel like a child again. There are multiple different toy displays from different brands (including Jellycat Cafe), the staff demonstrations, and a fun piano to play. Your kids will love it.
Central Park
The next stop on your itinerary is Central Park. Taking a stroll in Central Park is a quintessential New York activity. This large rectangular park has a lake, reservoir, sports fields, zoo, and much more. It’s up to you what do you want to do.
My kids usually pick the playground (Heckscher Playground is pretty awesome), and walk over to the boat rental by Bethesda Fountain.
Central Park ZOO is also iconic, but much smaller than other famous ZOOs in the US. If you have extra time, stop by, but I wouldn’t make it a dedicated trip.
Natural History Museum
You could spend a month going to museums in NYC. There are museums for art, history, food. If you’re short on time, make sure to at least see the American Museum of Natural History by Central PArk, which is home to interesting exhibits and is an NYC staple. It gets busy, so make sure to book a skip the line ticket!
Other great options include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Unlike in some other cities, museums in NYC are not clustered together, but spread throughout the city. Keep locations in mind when creating your itinerary, and allow at least two hours per museum!
Day 2 in NYC with Toddlers and Preschoolers
Observation Deck
Start the day by heading up to one of New York’s observation decks. I recommend doing it early in the morning, as later on it gets insanely busy and it’s not going to be fun with the kids wanting to see anything when people will be blocking them.
There are several observation decks in New York City with Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) being the most famous, but with toddlers I recommend Summit One Vanderbilt. It’s the most interactive one with each room filled with mirrors, balloons, and other gimmicks, and the kids will have a blast. Plus, you get a nice view of Empire State Building.
Exhibit
There are many fun exhibits for the kids around the city, so it’s hard to pick just one. Most people with toddlers will head to CAMP. Their exhibits change every couple of months (Bluey, Trolls, Encanto) and it’s a fun spot. If that’s the place of your choice you can squeeze it into day 1 as it’s in the area.
However, personally I think if you want the experience to be enjoyable for adults in your group as well then head to Mercer Labs. It’s an interactive museum with many rooms filled with interactive experiences. Kids spent lot of time in the ball pit and playing with the kinetic sand, while my husband loved the creepy robot. You can easily spend hours there.
Statue of Liberty Cruise
In the afternoon, if you’re already on Wall Street, you can see the Wall Trade Center Memorial and walk to Battery Park. There’s a famous SeaGlass Carousel there, which the kids will most likely enjoy.
From there, you can take a cruise to the Statue of Liberty. There are various ways of doing it, with many recommending simply taking the FREE Staten Island Ferry. Schedules can be found on the official website and each crossing takes about a half hour.
It’s a good option for those wanting to save money, but the ferry doesn’t come as close to the Statue as Ellis island via ferry trip! It doesn’t stop on the island either. Please note, when you arrive in Staten Island you will have to disembark and re-board the ferry back to Manhattan.
Day 3 in NYC with Children
Your last day in New York City can be spent relaxing, shopping, eating – there are plenty of places to do it.
You can visit the High Line. This park was created on an old raised freight rail line. As a result, it overlooks the city and has an interesting layout. It runs up the west side from around 13th to 34th Streets. From there you can walk to Chelsea and West Village and do your own private food tour.
Brooklyn
I do recommend you venture to Brooklyn when visiting NYC with kids. Brooklyn Children’s Museum is wonderful and huge.
You can stroll around Brooklyn Bridge Park (there is a playground there) and take the kids on Jane’s Carousel. From there, hop on a boat and ride to Domino Park – where you’ll find a big playground with an awesome view of Manhattan.
Questions or thoughts about what to see and do in New York City? Comment below!
