Of all of the places that we have visited with our kids, New York City was the place they were most impressed with. I remember their eyes widening as we emerged from Penn Station. They were overwhelmed with the buildings, people, sights, and sounds, and have loved visiting there over and over again.
Like most big cities, New York City offers a lot for families to see and do. You’ll have to prioritize the things that you want to do because it’s pretty impossible to do everything.
Below are all of our posts about our various New York City trips – including hotel, attractions, and restaurant reviews.
Disclosure: I received complimentary admission and stays at some of these places, but have paid for others. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.
If you are thinking of visiting NYC, consider purchasing the NYC CityPASS. It offers admission to popular museums and attractions for one fee. It can definitely be worthwhile if you have most of these places on your list already.
New York City Travel Tips
Click one of the links below to read the section.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner and Junior’s Cheesecake Times Square
Visiting Eataly NYC With Kids
Which is Best: Empire State Building vs. The Top of the Rock
The Ride NYC Review – A One of a Kind Experience
A Visit to Alice’s Tea Cup in NYC
Tips for Visiting The High Line NYC With Kids
Tips for Visiting the Empire State Building With Kids
We Stayed at the New TWA Hotel: Review
Guide to Visiting the Statue of Liberty
Review of the Yotel Times Square NYC
The Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in NYC
Things to Do in NYC With Kids
Agenda Ideas for a 4 Day NYC Vacation
Ellen’s Stardust Diner and Junior’s Cheesecake Times Square
Visiting Times Square or Broadway? Ellen’s Stardust Diner and Junior’s Cheesecake are two iconic restaurants in the area. Read our reviews of both in this post. They are very different restaurants but are both definitely worth visiting.
Visiting Eataly NYC With Kids
Eataly, an Italian marketplace, has locations across the US and beyond. The NYC location is in the trendy Flatiron District.
If you love Italian food, I would recommend a visit. It can get very busy and overwhelming, with so many options, so it’s good to have a plan before you go. Read our guide, and learn about the various restaurants and cafes located in Eataly.
Which is Best: Empire State Building vs. The Top of the Rock
If you want to see the New York City skyline, you’ll have a few options. While the Empire State Building is the most popular observation point, the Top of the Rock is also a great choice. As a bonus, you’ll be able to get some photos of the Empire State Building in the skyline.
Read more about the differences between the two, so you can choose which is the best choice for your vacation. Or, visit both.
The Ride NYC Review – A One of a Kind Experience
In a city filled with unique experiences, it’s hard to imagine something that is one of a kind. However, the Ride NYC, an entertaining bus ride through popular areas of the city accomplishes that. It’s not a tour, rather it’s an interactive experience with two guides and numerous “pop-up” entertainers.
Read our review and learn more about the Ride NYC.
A Visit to Alice’s Tea Cup in NYC
Alice’s Tea Cup, which is based on the beloved Alice in Wonderland book, has two locations in New York City. In addition to tea, this adorable tea room offers snacks, sandwiches, and small plates, including some great options for little kids.
Tips for Visiting The High Line NYC With Kids
During a summer trip to NYC, I knew that we wanted to visit the High Line, an elevated public park built on old railroad tracks. But, I didn’t know much about visiting, especially where to start and stop my journey.
Read our tips for visiting the High Line NYC, including what you’ll expect to find there.
Tips for Visiting the Empire State Building With Kids
During one of our visits, we decided to travel up to the top of the Empire State Building to see the NYC skyline. We found that the process can be intimidating because it’s a popular tourist destination and there are so many different ticket options and types.
Read all about what we learned during our trip to the Empire State Building in NYC.
We Stayed at the New TWA Hotel: Review
When I heard about the new TWA Hotel that opened at JFK Airport in the old TWA terminal, I couldn’t wait to visit. I love anything to do with the airline industry and was excited to see the nostalgic renovation that was done to the airport.
The TWA Hotel does offer day rates, so there are lots of options for families to visit if you are going to be in the area. There’s also a rooftop pool, several cafes/restaurants, and a cocktail bar in a converted aircraft.
Guide to Visiting the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable statues in the world. Visiting it can definitely be a bucket list item, but it’s also a challenging place to visit. You’ll need to purchase tickets in advance before you arrive in NYC. There are a lot of vendors selling overpriced tickets in the area, and it can be very confusing to navigate.
Read our guide before your trip. It contains links to the official place to get tickets so you know you are getting the correct thing. It also gives you some guidance on what to expect.
Review of the Yotel Times Square NYC
During my most recent visit to NYC, I was offered a complimentary one-night stay at the Yotel in Times Square. The Yotel is a modern boutique affordable hotel, offering small rooms with lots of great amenities right in the center of the city. From an entertainment venue to an on-site restaurant, there are plenty of reasons to stay at the Yotel.
While the rooms are tiny, they are well-designed with convenience in mind. My daughter and I really enjoyed our stay and would recommend it for a short NYC visit.
The Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in NYC
There are a lot of restaurant options in New York City – with lots of options on every city block. Choosing a place that is unique and fun for kids may be a bit challenging.
In all of our New York City travel, we’ve found some restaurants that we (including our kids) have really enjoyed. These include theme restaurants and places with some really great adult and kid options. Learn more in our post.
Things to Do in NYC With Kids
If you are planning upcoming NYC travel, you’ll want to start with this post. It contains all of our favorite things to do in NYC with kids. While the posts above contain more detailed information, this main post will give you some ideas for your vacation agenda.
Agenda Ideas for Four Days in NYC
It’s hard to see everything in NYC even with a long vacation. But, if you are visiting for four days, we have some recommendations for a four-day NYC agenda.
