3 Nights in NYC with Kids

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Advisor - Marion Donat
Curated By

Marion Donat

  • New York City

  • Active Travel

  • City Travel

  • Family Travel

  • Sightseeing

  • Kid-friendly

  • Entertainment

Kids walking over a big piano.
Curator’s statement

Who doesn't love NYC?! Anyone who has visited knows the city's endless offerings can be so overwhelming. Yet experiencing the city through the eyes of a child is one of the most memorable trips you can take. Below I have detailed some of the most popular kid-approved spots the city has to offer. (Hint: It doesn't have to be Christmas season to have the best trip ever. Labor Day is an excellent time to visit.)

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Day 1: Arrival

Two kids lying on pink colored sticks.

Arrive in NYC!

Check in to your hotel and grab a late lunch at Serendipity 3. There is no better way to begin this special trip with an oozing decadent dessert to fill everyone's bellies from the get-go!

After lunch, continue to Pier 83 to jump on a 90-minute Half-Island Sightseeing Tour with Circle Line Boat Tours. You will see famous landmarks on both the Hudson and East Rivers, plus breathtaking views of Manhattan's downtown and midtown skyline, including the Statue of Liberty!

After the 1.5-hour boat tour, head to SOHO for what is surely to be one of your kids' favorite stops of the trip — The Museum of Ice Cream! Jump room to room for fun photo ops and ice cream samples in each! End by jumping into a giant pool of (faux) sprinkles. I promise even the adults will have fun here and revert to being a kid again!

Round out the evening with a delicious pizza dinner at nearby Rubirosa (reservations highly recommended) before falling into bed after this epic first day.

Day 2: More of the must-sees

Outdoor sitting of a restaurant.

You can't visit NYC without a bird's eye view. After a quick breakfast, head to Rockefeller Center to view the city from the Top of The Rock. Learn about the history of the iconic building before viewing the landscape for as far.

After visiting Top of the Rock, hop into FAO Schwartz, the most famous toy store in America! Peruse the multiple levels of stimulation and don't miss the giant floor piano reminiscent of the movie Big! Your kids are sure to not leave with empty hands, but how can you say no?

Next stop: Head down to Times Square to Rise NY — an age-appropriate museum of NYC where you can visit the city's rich pop culture and history in the seven interactive galleries that end in a virtual reality "soaring" ride over the landscape. Definite fun for the entire family!

After Rise NY, this would be the perfect time to have tickets secured for a matinee of one of the several Broadway shows to enjoy!

To round out the day, head to Central Park for a stroll, enjoying dinner at the iconic Tavern on the Green restaurant. If the weather is nice, definitely make reservations on the terrace, where live music and string lights present a magical atmosphere.

Day 3: Another full day of fun

An elephant's skeleton in a museum.

After breakfast, head back to Central Park and visit the American Museum of Natural History. Kids absolutely love the interactive exhibits with animals galore. Make sure you don't miss the life-sized blue whale!

Following the museum, grab an early lunch. Try the original Shake Shack for a burger or Jing Fong if you are in the mood for some authentic Chinese dumplings. Depending on how much time you spend in the museum, you may have time to take another stroll through Central Park!

After lunch, let's continue to tap into being a kid. Visit the SlooMoo Institute, immersing yourself in its mesmerizing world of satisfying joy. The Sloomooverse is full of never-ending, hand-crafted slime, yummy scents, vivid colors and soothing ASMR delights. This has become such a hit for young and old alike!

If you happen to have any Swifties in your group, next up you can experience a one-of-a-kind NYC Taylor Swift Walking Tour! Travel to various neighborhoods, or “eras” of New York and hear about Taylor’s experiences within them. The tour is researched and presented by a Swifty with years of experience as a New York City tour guide

After the tour, it's time to head to Brooklyn! A proper trip to NYC wouldn't be complete without a walk across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Following your stroll and a little exploration of the iconic Dumbo neighborhood, end dinner at Juliana's. The restaurant from the legendary pizza maker Patsy Grimaldi, currently known as the area's best place for pizza.

Day 4: Rounding out the weekend strong

Boy on roof looking through telescope.

Following breakfast, visit the new Little Island, a floating park built over the Hudson River. An art installation in and of itself. Also another great way to enjoy the city in a green space that was built creatively and is enjoyable for all ages.

Depending on time, after the Little Island, hop on the nearby High Line for a stroll. This elevated public park provides a different type of glimpse of the city and is a hit for locals and tourists alike.

Before heading to the airport, enjoy an interactive lunch at Korean BBQ restaurant Jongro. Enjoy authentic Korean dishes like ramen and rice. But the assortment of delicious meat cuts you can grill at your table is the true hit!

Here is the end of a packed yet fun weekend experiencing both landmarks, yummy food and kid-approved spots in the city. Come back for a second time to experience even more of the city's highlights

Need to know

NYC has endless possibilities for kids and adults of all ages! Traveling with just the girls? A tea at the Plaza Hotel is such a special event that will make them feel like princesses. Traveling with only boys? A major league sports game could be a perfect activity. The options are endless in the city that never sleeps!

Advisor - Marion Donat

Travel Advisor

Marion Donat

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This itinerary is part of our ongoing series on travel to New York City. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, What Not to Miss When Visiting Marrakesh, Morocco.