15+ EPIC Things to Do in New York City With Kids

I’ll be honest with you, I never got into the Harry Potter craze. So, I wasn’t expecting much when I paid a visit to the Harry Potter Store and yet I found myself thoroughly impressed.

The entire store is a mythical wonderland, no wonder parents consider this one of the best activities in New York City with kids. The store spans two floors and has a small cafe that sells butter beer. Brace yourself for crowds of shrieking children, the joy is hard to hide.

Visiting the Harry Potter store is one of the best free things to do in New York City with kids (if you can get out without splurging on merchandise, that is). But, I must admit, the chocolate frogs make great souvenirs!

We can’t talk about the best things to do in New York City with kids without mentioning the masterpiece that is Central Park. There’s a reason it’s on everyone’s must-see list when visiting The Big Apple.

Spanning more than 840 acres, Central Park is an architectural feat that few can resist falling in love with. There’s so many fun activities in the park, for guidance, I suggest reading 15 ICONIC Central Park Activities You Can’t Afford to Miss.

There’s a ton of playgrounds and meadows for kids to run wild. Just make sure you don’t miss Belvedere Castle because climbing to the top is one of the best NYC activities for kids. Plus, if your kiddo loves zoos, make sure to check out the Central Park zoo as well.

Located within Central Park, the zoo has a tropical rain forest, bear exhibit, chilled penguin house, and a pool for sea lions (among other things). While visiting Central Park is free, touring the zoo requires admission. If interested, you can read more about the Central Park Zoo.

Before the High Line was even conceived, this area was used as an distinctive rail-line for freight trains delivering cargo. The demand for this service became moot with the rise of trucking so the railroad was abandoned and neglected until Mayor Bloomberg approved a plan to transform it into a city park.

The High Line was opened in 2009 and became an instant success. The distinctive promenade stretches for 1.5 miles and receives an average 8 million visitors annually. It’s a great park for kids too! During the summer months there’s a handful of vendors selling balloon animals and ice cream.

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This scenic 1-mile walk across the Brooklyn bridge usually takes 30 minutes. If you manage to wrangle the kids into this activity you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of the city. As such, walking across the bridge is one of the best free things to do in New York City with kids.

You can even see the Statue of Liberty (which will give you plenty to talk about)! Plus, having photos of your kids on the bridge is a priceless memory. Once across, head to DUMBO to explore the trendy area before ending your tour at Jane’s Carousel.

Jane’s Carousel is a beautiful vintage wooden carousel that dates back to 1922. Riding the carousel ($2 per person) is an famous NYC experience for families (the views are spectacular). Then, if you’re feeling peckish, head to the Time Out Market for a bite.

When it comes to famous toy stores in New York City, FAO Schwarz tops the list. Founded in 1862, FAO Schwarz is officially the oldest toy store in America. The original location closed in 2015 but recently re-opened in a new location at Rockefeller Plaza.

Kids are encouraged to participate in a ton of free daily activities like book readings, magic shows and music performances guaranteed to entertain them for a little while. My advice. This also a great place to pick up a special NYC souvenir to commemorate the trip.

How many cities have an entire toy store dedicated to Legos? Featuring an immersive digital shopping experience to inspire creativity, families can design their own Lego creations to bring home. If you’re visiting New York City with little kids, you absolutely must swing by the Lego Flagship store on 5th Avenue.

There’s also impressive life-sized Lego creations throughout the store that are guaranteed to keep your kids entertained for a while. It’s also worth noting that the Lego store is located right across the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I suggest popping in for a quick visit as well, it’s the most beautiful church in New York City.

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After you’re done enjoying the trendy DUMBO area, take the ferry to Wall Street. The NYC ferry is a true crowd-pleaser and a great way to rest your legs while taking in the epic skyline of the Big Apple. And since the NYC Ferry is part of the public transportation network, rides are only $4.00 per person.

Kids will love it as much as adults. I take all my out-of-town visitors on the ferry and folks rave about it for years after, it’s very memorable!

The views of NYC from the Roosevelt Island tram are some of the best in the city. Which is why I consider this one of the best things to do in New York City with kids. The tram takes you from the Upper East Side to Roosevelt Island for the price of a subway ride ($2.95).

The trip to Roosevelt Island is a nice way to escape the bustle of the city and have a few calm moments to regroup. Make sure to swing by Four Freedoms State Park while on the island. It’s a memorial dedicated to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, celebrating the “Four Freedoms” he articulated in a speech in 1941.

Welcoming 5 million visitors per year and spanning all aspect of the natural world, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City is considered one of the greatest natural history museums in the world.

Don’t miss the Hall of Ocean Life where you’ll have an opportunity to see a life-size model of a 94-foot blue whale — it’s an experience your kids won’t soon forget. The mind-blowing collection of taxidermy mammals (many donated by Teddy Roosevelt) are remarkable and have captivated the imaginations of children and adults for years.

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If your kiddo isn’t afraid of heights and you’re looking for the absolute best views of NYC, make a beeline for the Top of the Rock Observation Deck. Visitors can access three separate indoor/outdoor observation decks on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors. The subsequent panoramic views from this famous building makes this one of the best observation decks in NYC (ranked by locals).

From the Top of Rock you’ll see the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Flatiron Building and the One World Trade Center. This a fun New York City activity for kids and I guarantee you won’t forget the experience anytime soon.

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Broadway Shows are expensive. But dang, the experience is unforgettable and so fun for kids visiting NYC for the first time. If this activity feels like it might be out of your price range, you may be able to score a deal on tickets at the ticket booth in Times Square (TKTS).

Don’t let the extra step confuse, the concept is pretty simple (I’ve done it several times). Simply go to the booth at Times Square (it’s right across the street from Olive Garden) and ask which shows have availability for the night. I scored $100 tickets to Aladdin a few weeks ago and my friend’s 5 year old was at the edge of her seat the entire night.

There’s a lot of great shows to choose from and I would budget at least one during your visit. Catching a live performance of a favorite film is one of the most unique thing to do in NYC with kids, and I guarantee they’ll absolutely love it!

Helpful Guide I’ve seen so many Broadway shows over the years, here’s a round of my favorite.10 Brilliant Broadway Shows (For All Age Groups)

Dedicated in 1886, Lady Liberty was gifted to the United States from France, to celebrate of 100 years of Independence. I can’t think of a single movie (or show) filmed in NYC that doesn’t include the Statue of Liberty.

Kiddos have been seeing Lady Liberty on the screen for years, so why not take them directly to the source? Just brace yourself for hearing “I saw that!” whenever they see her on the big screen after your trip.

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