For many parents, traveling to New York City with kids, especially younger ones, can be a pretty daunting task. The city is notorious for being overwhelming at times, what with the hordes of people everywhere. After all, this is the most populous city in the country. That, coupled with a never-ending number of landmarks that you probably want to tick off your list, can make planning a family trip to New York really intimidating.
But brood no more. Get the most out of your trip and keep your kids entertained throughout by selecting activities from this list of 30 things to check out, ranging from the iconic attractions and museums, to other experiences that every family should enjoy together!
1. American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is the most visited museum in New York. But that shouldn’t deter you from going on a trip here. This museum is huge, covering two square blocks, so you can imagine how many things there are to see within its walls.
If your time here is limited, just head to ‘the greatest hits’, which include the dinosaurs on the top floor, the giant blue whale, and the African elephants. For some hands-on activity, the Discovery Room is where kids can hunt for animals in a replica of an African baobab tree, or study mineral and skull specimens.
Want to go all out? Sign up for A Night at the Museum Sleepover. This is a program for kids aged 6 - 13, designed after the movie of the same name. Take your kids on the ultimate adventure here, as they go on a fossil fact-finding mission in the dim lights with a flashlight in hand. At the end of the night, they even get to sleep beneath the famous blue whale, or even next to the African elephant!
Tip: If you want to avoid the crowds, visit AMNH on a school day after 2 pm when the throngs of school children have gone.
American Museum of Natural History
Address: Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024-5192
Opening Hours: 10 am to 5.45 pm except on Thanksgiving and Christmas
Duration: around 3 hours required.
Website: http://www.amnh.org/
Contact: (212) 769-5100
2. Explore Central Park
Being the background for famed films like Home Alone 2 and Stuart Little, this iconic green space will definitely feel familiar to most. Besides housing family-friendly wide open spaces and playgrounds, Central Park has a lot of child-friendly activities.
For starters, begin your day at the compact and easy to navigate Central Park Zoo, then head north towards the Billy Johnson Playground, which is ideal for both toddlers and older children. Here, there’s a bridge, a sandbox, a mini-amphitheater, and baby swings. The real highlight, though, is the granite slide that is set into a hill. You’ll have to bring your own pieces of cardboard to sit on and accelerate down.
Still have energy to spare? Continue on to the Conservatory Water, or more popularly known as the model boat pond, where you can rent a radio-controlled boat from the boathouse at 11 USD for 30 minutes. End your day after a visit to the bronze Alice in Wonderland statue standing at 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall, surrounded by the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, and White Rabbit.
Central Park
Address: 14 East 60th St New York, NY, 10022
Opening Hours: 6:00 am to 1:00 am
Duration: a full day required
Website: http://www.centralparknyc.org/
Contact: (212) 310-6600
3. Chill at Bryant Park
Bryant Park is a spectacular place for you to just chill in the city with your kids, and at no cost! There are so many kid-friendly activities in this island of green surrounded by grey skyscrapers. It offers a perfect respite for the whole family.
Kick back at the Reading Room, stocked with a wide variety of books for both adults and children, or challenge your kids with the free board games available. If you are feeling inspired by the surroundings, head to the Art Cart to borrow crayons, colored pencils, and other art supplies to create your masterpieces.
Probably the only thing you need to pay for in the park is for a ride on the whimsical Le Carrousel. And the 3 USD price tag is totally worth it for a go on this picture-perfect carousel set to charming French cabaret music.
Bryant Park
Opening Hours: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm
Website: http://www.bryantpark.org/
Contact: (212) 768-4242
4. Stroll across Brooklyn Bridge
People say walking on Brooklyn Bridge is a rite of passage for visitors to the city. The walkway is 1.3 miles (2 kilometers) long and it take around 30 minutes to get from the Manhattan side to the Brooklyn side (or vice versa), depending on your pace.
Get your cameras ready and just take a leisure walk here. You’ll be rewarded with a drool-worthy panorama of the skyscrapers of Wall Street. Tip: the best times to go to avoid the crowds are on Sundays, in the early hours, or in the evening.
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5. Gallery hop at MoMA
Modern and contemporary art can be demanding for the younger ones, but that doesn’t mean you should skip this museum altogether when traveling with your family.
Besides housing the Painting and Sculpture Galleries on the fifth floor, which contains classic pieces like Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Monet’s Water Lillies, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) also offers a variety of free programs tailored for children aged 4 - 14 to learn about appreciating art.
Stop by the MoMA Art Lab for hands-on art projects and interactive activities. Short film screenings with educator-led discussions are also held throughout the year, so check out their website’s schedule for those.
Read more: Discover Life In Art At The Museum Of Modern Art, New York
MoMA
Address: 11 West 53 Street, New York, NY 10019
Opening Hours: Saturday–Thursday, 10:30 am - 5:30 pm; Friday, 10:30 am - 8:00 pm; Thursdays in July and August, 10:30 am - 8:00 pm Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Duration: around 3 hours required.
Website: http://www.moma.org/
Contact: (212) 708-9400
6. Take in the city view from the Top of the Rock
Deciding between Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building? Here’s a major factor: Top of the Rock offers a view that the other does not - the Empire State Building itself!
The 360-degree view of the city from the upper deck here is unbeatable. What’s more, the observation deck is much wider, so you don’t have to compete for space, as compared to at the Empire State Building. Tip: dress appropriately during the fall and winter; it gets windy up there!
Top of The Rock
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
Opening Hours: 8 am to midnight
Duration: around 1 - 2 hours required.
Website: https://www.topoftherocknyc.com/
Contact: (212) 698-2000
7. Indulge in kid-friendly themed restaurants
Thinking of celebrating a special occasion or treating your kids to a special meal? Here are 3 kid-friendly themed restaurants that will guarantee to be a ball:
Ninja New York
Editor’s Note: Establishment is permanently closed at the time of writing
Step into Ninja New York and you’ll find yourself in the mysterious Ninja Village, a replica of an ancient ninja town in Japan. Full of theatrics by the crew and magicians as they serve every dish to your table, your family will have a meal to remember here.
Ninja New York
Address: 25 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013
Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 5:45 pm - 11:00 pm Friday - Saturday 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm Sunday 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Price Range: 31 USD to 50 USD
Website: http://www.ninjanewyork.com/
Contact: (212) 274-8500
Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you want to give your kids a little taste of nostalgia, this restored 1920s pharmacy is great. Carefully decorated with tin ceilings and marble flooring, stepping in here is like a blast from the past. Once you come here, you’ll beg to come to this little gem time and time again and again!
You will never go wrong with the wide selection of ice creams, sundaes (Sundae of Broken Dreams … yum!), or sodas here. But if you are not feeling in the mood for a dessert, they do have a huge menu of savory food items as well.
Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
Address: 513 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Opening Hours: Weekdays: 7:10 am to 10 pm / Weekends: 10 am to 10 pm
Website: http://www.brooklynfarmacyandsodafountain.com/
Contact: (718) 522-6260
Jekyll and Hyde Club
While Ninja New York and Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain provide the whole family with fun, Jekyll and Hyde Club is more for families with older kids. Based on the Victorian Gothic novel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the theme here is spooky horror. Think gargoyles, werewolves, talking characters, masks, skulls, and Siamese twins. So, if your family is up for some bizarre entertainment, this is the place to go!
Fun fact: if you’ve binge-watched the new Netflix show Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, chances are that you’ve probably seen this place on screen. This is where they filmed all the Dr. Dracula’s Spooky Lab & Bar & Grill scenes.
Jekyll and Hyde Club
Address: 91 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014
Opening Hours: 12 noon to 12 midnight
Website: http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/
Contact: (212) 989-7701
8. Get your drama at New Victory Theater
Want to introduce your kids to performing arts? The New Victory Theater does an amazing job of presenting the young ones with various genres, from circus acts and puppetry to opera. Being the city’s first major theater dedicated to family entertainment, shows here range from contemporary circus to Shakespeare plays.
If catching a show here, do allocate an hour or so before start time to participate in pre-show events such as an art workshop, or stay after the show for a “Talk-Back” session, where inquisitive kids get to ask the performers some questions.
New Victory Theater
Address: 209 W 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
Opening Hours: Sunday and Monday: 11 am - 5 pm Tuesday - Saturday: 12 noon - 7 pm
Website: http://www.newvictory.org/
Contact: (646) 223-3010
9. Tour the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The aircraft carrier, Intrepid, is considered a National Historic Landmark. Having been decommissioned in 1974 and opened to the public as a museum in 1982, this is a unique destination for an adventure-filled afternoon for your family.
Explore the enormous carrier itself, with almost 30 vintage planes on the flight deck, a guided missile submarine, and the space shuttle Enterprise. Head to the hangar level where the Exploreum has more interactive activities like climbing into a helicopter and a chance to steer the wings of a plane!
There is quite a lot to take in, and if you want to see everything the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum has to offer, be prepared to stay for a couple of hours with a lot of walking.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex
Address: Pier 86, W 46th St & 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036
Opening Hours: 10 am - 6 pm.
Duration: around 3 hours required.
Website: http://intrepidmuseum.org/
Contact: (212) 245-0072
10. Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
Wake up early this Thanksgiving and take your kids to the streets for this New York City tradition. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade brings together 1,500 dancers and cheerleaders, 1,000 clowns, marching bands, Broadway shows and celebs, and, of course, the famous floats and giant character balloons that are the signature marks of this event.
Watch iconic characters like Spiderman, Spongebob Squarepants, and Kermit pass right in front of you. Your kids will thank you for this amazing, up-close experience seeing their favorite characters come to life on the streets of New York. Tip: for the best views, go to Columbus Circle.
11. Mosey on the High Line
Since its opening in 2009, this park has been providing a nice green respite from the silver hustle and bustle of the city, which is probably why it has become one of New York’s most beloved parks.
Parents, reward yourself with a relaxing stroll here. The fact that this park is built from an abandoned overhead freight railway is enough to awe your kids. Plus, you can’t get a lofty perspective of the unbeatable view of the cityscape elsewhere.
The path is lined with art installations, videos, and even an inch-high (2.5-centimeter-high) pool where you can take off your shoes and relax for a bit. Various programs have been tailored for kids as well, such as the hands-on nature sessions on Wednesdays and music and story mornings on Thursdays.
Read more: Shift Your Perspective And Walk The High Line In New York City
The High Line
Opening Hours: Dec 1 to Mar 31: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Apr 1 to May 31: 7:00 am - 10:00 pm June 1 to Sept 30: 7:00 am - 11:00 pm Oct 1 to Nov 30: 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
Website: http://www.thehighline.org/
Contact: (212) 206-9922
12. Lego your creativity at the flagship store
Even though it’s located in an impossibly crowded part of town at the Rockefeller Center, the huge Lego flagship store is surprisingly clean, orderly, and organised.
Here, famous scenes of New York City (think Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and a subway platform) have been constructed from Lego blocks and are displayed throughout the store. Get your creative juices flowing with the Pick a Brick wall with a myriad of sizes and colors, or build your own mini Lego figure at the kiosk.
Tip: if you visit on the first Tuesday of the month, come for a free workshop where you’ll get to build robots or space rockets out of Lego. And you even get to take them home!
Lego Flagship Store
Address: 620 Fifth Avenue @ 50th Street, New York, NY 10020
Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 am - 8:00 pm Sunday: 10 am - 6:00 pm
Website: http://stores.lego.com/en-us/stores/us/rockefeller-center
Contact: (212) 245-5973
13. Get your reading cap on at New York Public Library Children’s Center
The New York Public Library Children’s Center, on the lower level of the stately NYPL is a perfect place to hole up should your family need some quiet time.
There is a large collection of children’s books on the shelves for your perusal. Pop by the Readers and Writers Shop, one of the most interesting and best-curated museum stores in New York. It’s worth a browse if you are looking to buy books, or substantial souvenirs and gifts.
While you’re there, take a peek the original stuffed animals of Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga, and Tigger that are on display in a glass case.
14. Have a New York pizza
As people always say, no visit to New York City is complete without having a bite of this iconic dish, arguably the best pizza in the country. So take your kids and get your hands dirty at these New York pizza spots:
Totonno Pizzeria Napolitano (Coney Island)
If you happen to be planning a day trip to Coney Island, this is the place to go grab great grub. If not, it’s still worth a trek here just for the pizza! The crust is thin, yet sturdy and delicious on its own. And instead of ricotta on the white pizza, they have mozzarella, olive oil, and fresh minced garlic, topped with grated aged cheese. Mamma Mia!
Totonno's Pizzeria Napolitano
Address: 1524 Neptune Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11224
Opening Hours: Thursday through Sunday Noon to 8 pm (last seating 7:30 pm). Closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
Website: http://www.totonnosconeyisland.com/
Contact: (718) 372-8606
Joe's Pizza
If you don’t want to travel too far out, head to Joe’s Pizza at West Village for a classic New York slice. You can’t go wrong with this institution that uses only respectable ingredients and makes their own dough on-site. The dough is made so perfect, thin yet crispy enough to remain firm as you pick it up. To top it all off, they have got the ratio of cheese and sauce down to a T.
Joe's Pizza
Address: 7 Carmine Street New York, NY 10014-4441
Opening Hours: 10 am - 4 am.
Website: http://www.joespizzanyc.com/
Contact: (212) 366-1182
15. Get close to animals at the Bronx Zoo
If there’s an animal lover among you, save a whole day for the biggest city zoo in the country. It’s home to 4,000 animals, all housed in open natural habitats.
Some highlights to see here are the Tiger Mountain and Congo Gorilla Forest, and the African Plains where there are zebras, giraffes and lions. If you want to get even closer to some of the animals, keep an eye out for the scheduled penguin and sea lion feedings.
Tip: Wednesday admission at the Zoo is a suggested donation.
Bronx Zoo
Address: 2300 Southern Boulevard Bronx, New York 10460
Opening Hours: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Duration: around 3 - 4 hours required.
Website: http://bronxzoo.com/home
16. Have your fill of thrill at Luna Park
For the little thrill seekers, Luna Park is a wonderland. The rides here are classified according to thrill levels, so the whole family can have fun. There are milder rides for young children, like the Circus Coaster and Wild River (a flume-like ride featuring free falls and splashes). Older kids and adults can head straight to The Tickler (a roller coaster with spinning teacups for cars), or the iconic Cyclone coaster.
Luna Park in Coney Island
Address: 1000 Surf Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11224
Opening Hours: varies, depending on the day and weather
Duration: full day
Website: http://lunaparknyc.com/
Contact: (718) 373-5862
Nearby Food: Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitano
17. Step into utopia at Books of Wonder
For little readers, this bright and spacious independent children’s bookstore will probably be a dreamland. It stocks some of the best selections of classics, pop-up books, paperbacks and hardcovers. If you don’t know where to start, the friendly and knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to recommend some titles to match you and your kids with your perfect read.
On weekend mornings, the store hosts story hours and author events where children can meet with the writers of some of these books!
Books of Wonder
Address: 18 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
Opening Hours: 10 am to 7 pm
Website: http://www.booksofwonder.com/
Contact: (212) 989-3270
18. Kids' Night on Broadway
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Have a totally fetch family night with this families.broadway offer from Mean Girls on Broadway! https://www.broadway.org/info/families#mean%20girls
Posted by Kids' Night on Broadway on Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Tickets to Broadway shows can easily burn a hole in your pocket, so if you are planning a trip with the family in the winter, you are in luck. Kids’ Night on Broadway is a program that invites kids aged 18 and under to see some of Broadways’ best shows for free. All that is required is an accompanying full-paying adult. Plus, a KNOB ticket includes pre-theater activities, restaurant discounts, and educational programs. What a steal!
Check out the website for a list of participating shows, which range from the classic Lion King to newer favorites like Fun Home and School of Rock the Musical.
Kids' Night on Broadway
Website: https://www.kidsnightonbroadway.com/
Contact: kidsnight@broadway.org.
19. Enjoy classical music at New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts
The Young People’s Concerts by New York Philharmonic is an excellent way to introduce classical music to your kids. Held in the fall through to spring, this annual concert program brings children up close to a major orchestra and lets them explore the world of classical music.
Each concert lasts for half an hour, and there is a Kidzone Live! Activity pre-concert that lets kids play some instruments and ask the musicians about the music that they will hear.
New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts
Website: http://nyphil.org/education/young-peoples-concerts
Contact: (212) 875-5656
20. Go on a day trip to Governors Island
Governors Island is the ideal place for a relaxing yet active day out. Open only in the summertime, this 172-acre (69.6-hectare) island can be explored on foot or by bike. Mosey around here with a splendid view of the New York Bay while your kids play at the treehouse.
They have a ton of lively and interesting events lined up every year, so be sure to check out their website before your visit. This year, the island opened on May the 26th.
Governors Island
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 10 am - 6 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 7 pm
Website: https://govisland.com/
21. Hudson River Park Play Area
Looking for a play area to let your kids roam around for a bit? Pier 25 at Hudson River Park has recently been re-purposed and now contains an amazing playground featuring climbing equipment, slides, and water and sand play areas. They even have a pretend boat hull and a pirate’s lookout for your kids to play act.
Hudson River Park
Website: https://www.hudsonriverpark.org/
Contact: (212) 627-2020
22. Treat yourself to some ice cream
Summertime in the city can be unbearably sweltering and sometimes you just gotta treat yourself to some ice cream to beat the heat. Whether you’re craving a sundae or a sorbet, these awesome ice cream shops will hook you up with the best fix. Options range from the whimsical flower-shaped gelato to the classic sundaes and cones.
Big Gay Ice Cream Shop
Big Gay Ice Cream Shop takes your regular soft-serve chocolate and vanilla ice cream to the next level. The soft-serve is not only coated with dulce de leche, but this creamy caramel sauce is also injected IN the swirl. If caramel isn’t your thing, opt for the chocolate dips. Your kids will love these drippy and rainbow-sprinkled cups or cones.
For the adventurous, go for the Bea Arthur, a combination of vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, and crushed ‘nilla wafers.
Big Gay Ice Cream
Address: 125 East 7th Street (between 1st Avenue & Avenue A), New York, NY 10009
Opening Hours: 12 noon - 10 pm Sun - Weds, 12 noon - 12 midnight Thurs - Sat
Website: http://biggayicecream.com/
Contact: (212) 533-9333
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
If you’d like to enjoy your ice cream with a view, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory’s got you covered. Located under the iconic Brooklyn Bridge at Fulton Ferry Landing, it’s perfect for a quick stop. So grab one of these rich and creamy classics and walk the calories off on the bridge and take in the view of the Manhattan skyline.
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
Address: Fulton Landing Pier Brooklyn, New York 11201
Opening Hours: 12 noon - 10 pm
Website: http://www.brooklynicecreamfactory.com/
Contact: (718) 246-3963
Amorino
Not only are these rose-shaped gelati picture-perfect, but they are as mouth-watering as they sound. You get to pick a few flavors to make up the petals as well … 22 of them to be exact! From chocolate-hazelnut, to Brazilian coffee, to pistachio, there is bound to be a flavor for everyone. If you want to take it up a notch, get one of the flower-shaped gelati and top it with a gelato-filled macaron!
Amorino
Address: 60 University Pl, New York, NY 10003
Opening Hours: 8 am - 11 pm
Website: http://www.amorino.com/us/
Contact: (212) 253-5599
23. Discover the magic of movies at BAMKids Movie Matinees
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
http://bit.ly/2BW7Ip7
Posted by BAM on Thursday, December 6, 2018
For the film-loving families, head straight to BAMKids Movie Matinees on Sunday afternoons, where you can rediscover the magic of the movies as a family. Take a breather from the usual blockbusters and check out this year’s film line-up, which includes classic titles like Singin’ in the Rain and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
BAMKids Movie Matinees
Website: http://www.bam.org/film/2015/bamkids-movie-matinees
24. Enjoy the United Nations Children’s Tour
Families with older kids aged 5 - 12 should go for the United Nations Children’s Tour at its headquarters. New York is considered the capital of the world, after all. The tour is held once a week, and lasts just about an hour. You’ll get to see different sections of the UN, and stop by the Security Council and General Assembly.
Everything is explained and worded so as to accommodate the age group. This activity is highly recommended, as it will give your kids a world view of global issues such as human rights, disarmament, poverty, and world health issues.
United Nations Children's Tour
Address: New York, NY 10017
Website: http://visit.un.org/content/childrens-tour
Contact: (212) 963-4475
25. Stomp the night through
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Have you experienced the rhythm of New York yet? Get your tickets today: StompOnline.com
Posted by Stomp on Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Stomp is the one show that is appropriate for kids of any age, as long as they are not sensitive to loud sounds, that is! This is a creative display of percussion rhythms using a variety of common household objects that you wouldn’t think of, like newspapers, brooms, and plastic tubing. Your kids will be inspired as they watch and bop their heads to the eight performers as they play a series of skits and build the rhythms up from simple sounds to complex ensembles.
STOMP
26. Wake up your taste buds at the Museum of Food and Drink
Love eating? Challenge your kids to another way of looking at food and the world at the Museum of Food and Drink. Here, kids get to look at the science behind food flavoring and learn about the food industry. The interactive exhibition, “Flavor: Making It and Faking It”, lets visitors sniff, taste, and explore the world of flavor, with flavor dispensers and smell machines ranging from the scents of vanilla to MSG.
Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD)
Address: 62 Bayard St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Opening Hours: Closed on Monday and Tuesday. Wed-Thu: 12 noon - 5 pm, Fri - Sun: 12 noon - 6 pm
Website: http://www.mofad.org/
Contact: (718) 387-2845
27. Learn & have fun at Brooklyn Children's Museum
Brooklyn Children’s Museum has made a name for itself since its opening as the first children’s museum in the country. A trip here will be a great way to while away your afternoon as your kids learn more about the world around them. It houses a comprehensive collection of 30,000 objects from musical instruments and dolls to fossils, and the fun and educational exhibits will open your eyes to world cultures, history, science, and nature.
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Address: 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213
Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10 am - 5 pm, Thursday 10 am - 6 pm
Website: http://www.brooklynkids.org/
Contact: (718) 735-4400
28. Be captivated at the Museum of the Moving Image
This one is for film and TV buffs. The Museum of the Moving Image highlights a captivating collection of exhibits that celebrate the history and technology of film and television.
The main exhibition,”Behind the Screen,” on the second and third levels, presents artifacts such as cameras and costumes from famous flicks including Star Wars and Star Trek. Adults and kids will enjoy their time here, especially by tinkering with the interactive stations that let visitors learn more about sound effects, stop-motion animation and voiceovers.
Museum of the Moving Image
Address: 36-01 35 Ave, Astoria, NY 11106
Opening Hours: Wed - Thu: 10:30 am - 5:00 pm Fri: 10:30 am - 8:00 pm Sat - Sun: 11:30 am - 7:00 pm
Website: http://www.movingimage.us/
Contact: (718) 777-6888
29. Ice skating
If your family is popping by New York in the winter, the ice rinks beckon. There’s nothing quite like outdoor ice-skating with the stunning city views as the backdrop.
Wollman Rink
Wollman Rink, located right in the iconic Central Park, offers a beautiful ice-skating experience. It is recommended to come at night when the surrounding skyscrapers are lit up. First-time skaters can also sign up for the learn-to-skate program here.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
If you don’t want to keep bumping into skaters in a crowded rink, this iconic rink is the one you need to go to. The Rink at Rockefeller Center only allows 150 people on the ice at once, so you will have more than enough room to skate here. The downside though, is the long waiting lines that can last for as long as 1 - 2 hours at Thanksgiving.
30. Go underground at The Lowline!
Editor’s Note: Establishment is permanently closed at the time of writing
In a city of dense urban environments, The Lowline is a literal breath of fresh air… underground! Located on the Lower East Side, this is an innovative city project that uses solar technology to light up the historic Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal. Currently, this abandoned-market-turned-laboratory serves as an education and community space, but the goal is to turn it into an underground park by 2020.
The Lowline Lab
Address: 140 Essex St (between Rivington and Stanton Streets), New York, NY 10002
Opening Hours: Saturday and Sunday 11 am - 5 pm
Access: Subway: J/M/F Essex Delancey Street
Website: http://thelowline.org/
New York has lots to offer!
With great parks, museums, and restaurants dotting the city, New York City is just teeming with fun activities for families. It is essentially a giant playground for kids, and this list should be more than enough to get you right back into planning your itinerary for The Big Apple!
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