How to Have a Perfect Weekend in New York City with Kids

New York City is a dream destination for tourists, but can you have a perfect weekend in NYC with kids?

NYC offers experiences of all shapes and sizes, for all ages, at all hours of the day. You can enjoy the amazing views from the top of the Empire State Building, let the kids run around at Central Park, or spend a whole day visiting the fascinating exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History.

Needless to say, New York City is packed with family-friendly fun! However, there are also the long lines, crowds, navigating public transportation, and knowing just which tourist attractions are worth it. Especially if you have younger kids, how do you plan a weekend getaway with kids to NYC?

After years of debating a trip to the Big Apple, we finally felt we could successfully take on the city and truly enjoy all it had to offer each of us. New York can be overwhelming for someone unfamiliar with the city, but we had an amazing 4 days!

Want to know how we did it? I’ll give you my tips and suggestions below for a family-friendly 4-day itinerary in the Big Apple.

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How to Plan a Perfect New York City Weekend with Kids

Thankfully I have a sister who lives on Long Island. She’s fairly familiar with the city, so I picked her brain for some of the best things to do in NYC with kids. There were certain things on our New York City bucket list and then things we discovered along the way.

When planning the perfect weekend getaway to NYC with kids, you should start by choosing the right home base. Midtown Manhattan or the Upper East Side is ideal because you’ll have easy access to trains, major attractions, great hotels, and plenty of dining options.

A note for larger families: There aren’t many hotels in New York City for a family of 5 unless you want to book two rooms. For my recommendations, read my post on the best places to stay with kids in NYC.

With just 3-4 days to explore the city, focus on different Manhattan neighborhoods each day. For example, the itinerary below starts with Lower Manhattan on the first day, followed by a day in Midtown and Central Park, and so on.

You’ll want to stick to Manhattan for this weekend getaway. Then, you can plan to explore Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island on a longer visit next time!

What’s the Best Way to Get Around NYC with Kids?

With a bit of planning, getting around NYC with kids can be smooth and enjoyable. I wish I knew then what I knew now! Learn from my experience:

When we arrived, we planned on heading straight to the hotel and then venturing out for some sightseeing. It’s best to book a car service at the airport in advance to avoid long taxi lines. This is where we learned our first lesson about New York City: traffic is the worst!

As the crow flies, it is less than 9 miles from La Guardia to Times Square. Easy, right? We arrived at noon on a Thursday and it took an hour and a half to get from the airport to our hotel!

I don’t know how people do this on a regular basis. My suggestion is to stick to the island of Manhattan and forget that the island is only 8 miles long. Time just works differently here.

Once you’re at your hotel, the subway and walking are the best ways to explore the city. The subway is a fast and affordable way to get around. It’s safe to travel by subway with kids, just be sure to stay aware of your surroundings.

Walking is another great option, especially in neighborhoods like Midtown and Lower Manhattan, where attractions are close together. NYC’s buses are another family-friendly option. They can be a good alternative if you prefer to avoid stairs and subway platforms.

Tips for Navigating Your Weekend in NYC with Kids:

• Unless your little ones are excellent walkers, you will want a good baby carrier or umbrella stroller. A baby carrier is easier on the subway.
• For older kids and adults, make sure you pack good walking shoes!
• Look at the weather forecast before you leave for your trip so you can pack for the elements. You might want to keep a few museums or indoor attractions in your pocket for potential rainy days, too.
• Use Google Maps or apps like Citymapper to plan your route and ETA. This will also tell you where to find accessible subway stations.
• Stay away from the platform edge and make sure younger kids hold an adult’s hand at all times.
• If possible, travel during off-peak hours to avoid crowded trains.
• If you have a larger family like us, taxis and rideshares get really crowded and pricey, so stick to public transit.
• If you plan on using a car, double- and triple-check with your hotel that they can hold it (and that you can come and go as you please).
• With a car, plan on spending time looking for street parking or paying high prices for parking garages.

Don’t miss our other posts: Where to eat in NYC with kids and How to Save Money in NYC!

The Perfect Itinerary for a Weekend in NYC with Kids

Day 1: Lower Manhattan

Morning: Battery Park and take the Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty

Start with a visit to Battery Park, where you can enjoy views of the harbor. Kids can ride the Seaglass Carousel, a glowing, aquarium-themed carousel! When you get hungry, there are always food trucks and vendors near the park.

Next, you’ll take a ferry from Battery Park that makes a loop that includes a stop at Liberty Island where the Statue of Liberty is and then Ellis Island. The whole ride takes about an hour. Views are excellent, and the kids will love being on the water.

To go up in the Statue itself, you need to book Crown Reserve tickets months in advance. With our General Admissions tickets, we only saw the Statue from the outside, but it was still a spectacular view!

The next stop was Ellis Island, a destination high at the top of my list since my grandmother and her parents came through there when they immigrated from Puerto Rico.

The museum here does a wonderful job of sharing the stories of the people who journeyed from faraway lands to this very spot. My kids loved the hands-on activities and artifacts telling the stories about families from all over the world and how they came to be American citizens.

Afternoon: Visit the World Trade Center and the One World Observatory

After getting off the ferry, you’ll walk to One World Trade Center. First, stop at the 9/11 Memorial Pools across the street.

Our children learn about 9/11 in school but taking them to the reflecting pools was something tangible. The sheer enormity of the pools with cascading waterfalls bordered by names inscribed in the bronze was emotional for all of us.

Next is a visit to the One World Observatory. The whole experience is top-notch. Even the elevators have a fun presentation as they take you to the observation decks on floors 100 to 102. From here, you’ll have views of the entire city that you can’t find anywhere else!

I recommend purchasing a skip-the-line ticket ahead of time, no matter the time of year you go.

Evening: Explore Little Italy and Walk around the Financial District

Round out your first day with dinner in Little Italy. Starting at Canal, walk north and just lean into being a tourist. Yes, some of it is over-the-top or cliche, but that’s part of the fun!

Go to Manero’s of Mulberry for pizza and then Ferrara Bakery for cannolis and espresso. Don’t forget to stop in a few gift shops along the way.

Next, find your way around the Financial District. Stop to take pictures with the Charging Bull! You can also explore the historic Trinity Church and its graveyard.

On Wall Street, you’ll see the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall, where George Washington took his oath of office.

Then walk over to the South Street Seaport, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. You can walk cobblestone streets, admire old buildings, and check out the old wooden ships at Pier 16.

Day 2: Midtown and Central Park

Morning: See Grand Central Station and the Empire State Building

Your second day begins with a visit to Grand Central Terminal. We’ve traveled through many train stations with our kids, but nothing prepared us for the sheer enormity and beauty of this Art Deco-style train station!

After admiring the main corridor, we headed downstairs to the massive food court. You can find all kinds of great food here, as well as cocktails and high-end restaurants.

Next, you’ll walk down 5th Avenue to see the Empire State Building. There are many excellent observation decks in NYC to choose from, but can you name a more iconic one?

The line was long, but it moved fairly quickly, and in no time, we were on the 86th floor, looking out at the city. From here we could see the major landmarks: The Chrysler Building, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, etc. The boys loved using the high-powered binoculars for close-up views.

General admission tickets get you access to the 86th-floor observation deck, as well as two kid-friendly museum exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors. If you want to go to the newly remodeled 102nd-floor observation deck, you’ll need to upgrade your tickets.

Late Morning: Picnic in Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History

The rest of the day is all about Central Park! If the weather is nice, I highly recommend booking a private picnic in Central Park with Perfect Picnic NYC. We booked them as a surprise for our kids, and it was such a treat.

Our meeting spot for the picnic was Cherry Hill, and it was the perfect spot. There’s a beautiful Victorian fountain and the fall foliage was stunning. Bow Bridge spans the lake nearby and it was fun to watch all the people in rowboats.

We arrived a bit early and saw the gentlemen setting up our picnic. Our children couldn’t believe their luck. A stunning picnic in the middle of Central Park, just for us!

The picnic included a salad, sandwiches, a cheese platter, various hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and dessert. When we finished, we just left everything and walked away. The picnic company comes to clean it up when you’re finished. How’s that for service?

Highlights of Central Park

After your picnic, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Central Park. We loved it because our boys ran off to play in the grass nearby while we searched for landmarks like the Alice in Wonderland statue, Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, and Conservatory Pond (where the model boats sail around).

If your weekend in NYC with kids is in the fall or winter, you can visit Wollman Rink in Central Park for a picturesque ice-skating experience. We wish we had more time so we could spend a few hours at Central Park Zoo. Instead, we headed to the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side.

When planning our trip to New York, we made it a priority to visit the Natural History Museum. It’s absolutely beautiful, as well as engaging for all ages, and we were not disappointed.

Our kids are fans of dinosaurs, gems, animals, and science in general. We found some spots away from the crowds, and our boys continuously pointed out places they recognized from various movies. We could have easily spent an entire day here!

Evening: End your Day at the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center

To round out the day we decided to head to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. I wanted to compare the view to the Empire State Building and I knew this would give a better view of Central Park.

Like the Empire State Building and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, the observation deck is open until midnight. And this was the perfect evening activity because seeing the city from above after dark is completely different than during the daytime!

I also liked that the Top of the Rock offered timed tickets so we didn’t have to wait in line but could return when it was our time to go up. The view from the 70th floor was breathtaking, and I loved seeing the park.

Unlike the Empire State where the top floor has metal grates around the top, this has plexiglass with gaps every 6 feet or so where you can stick a camera through for a picture. The photographer in me didn’t love this, but we still enjoyed the great views of the city.

Day 3: Chelsea and the Village

Morning: Walk The High Line and End Up at Chelsea Market

Make the most of your third day in NYC with kids by beginning the morning with a stroll along The High Line. It’s a unique park made from old, elevated train tracks that run over a mile through Chelsea. The result is gorgeous urban landscapes and stunning, immersive views of the city!

You access the park through stairways and elevators. As you walk along, there’s plenty to see, like gardens and wooded areas, art installations, and unique spaces. You can walk passageways through buildings, and there’s an amphitheater where you can watch traffic on the street below.

There are water features that kids and adults both love, benches for sitting, and food vendors. You might see a live performance or special events along different parts of The High Line.

For lunch, head down to Chelsea Market, just off The High Line. The market is inside a historic Nabisco factory and feels like it’s part museum, part food hall! Everyone can choose their favorite food, from authentic Mexican tacos or ramen to lobster rolls or artisan bread and cheese.

You’ll also find gift shops, bookstores, a flea market, high-end vendors, and more. It’s the perfect place to grab food and do some shopping, especially if you need to get out of the heat or rain.

Afternoon: Have Fun at the Museum of Ice Cream

At this point in your trip, it’s time for some casual family fun. If your crew loves interactive exhibits like mine does, I suggest checking out the Museum of Ice Cream. It’s a great way to spend a few hours.

The Museum of Ice Cream sells itself as a sensory museum, and it’s perfect for kids. They can dive into a pool of sprinkles, swing on giant bananas, and play ice cream-themed games! There are great selfie-taking opportunities for social media lovers, and you get free ice cream treats as you explore each colorful room.

Evening: Explore Greenwich Village and Grab Pizza

Tonight, you’ll spend the evening in The Village. Head over to John’s of Bleecker Street for some of the best pizza in NYC. Take your dinner to Washington Square Park to do some people-watching while you eat and let the kids play by the iconic fountain.

Next, just walk through Greenwich Village. You can stop at quirky boutiques and hunt for local historical landmarks. If you like American architecture, check out hidden gems like Washington Mews and MacDougal Alley along Washington Square North.

Not ready for the night to end? Then enjoy some family time at The Uncommons, a board game cafe that serves a nice selection of snacks, coffee, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages too.

Day 4: Hudson Yards + Midtown Classics

Morning: The Vessel and the Shops at Hudson Yards

For your final day, it’s time to shop! But first, stop by The Vessel. This striking, honeycomb-like structure is one of the newer landmarks in NYC.

It’s also adjacent to another rooftop city viewpoint, The Edge. The outdoor observation deck extends out 80 feet in the air and there are some epic views!

Afterward, spend some time shopping at Hudson Yards. You can shop all your favorite designers and labels or pick up some Belgian chocolate.

When it’s time for lunch, head to Mercado Little Spain, a fun food hall by chef José Andrés. If you love Spanish food, you’ll love it here! There are restaurants, bars, and kiosks serving up everything, from patatas bravas and jamón to paella and sangria.

Afternoon: Relax in Bryant Park

One of my favorite things about NYC is the accessible green spaces available to you in the middle of the city! One of the best in Midtown is Bryant Park. Spending a few hours relaxing here is a fantastic way to enjoy some downtime with the kids.

The park’s grassy lawn is perfect for laying out a blanket and soaking up the sun. Along the edges of the park are shade trees with tables and chairs. You can grab a snack or coffee from a kiosk and sit there while the kids play.

The park is also popular for its public events held throughout the year. There are outdoor movies in the summer and an ice-skating rink in the winter, as well as music or theater performances in between.

Evening: Dinner and a Broadway Show in the Theater District

As a grand finale to your adventure in the city, take the kids to see a Broadway show. Arrive early to soak in the electric atmosphere of Times Square (just be aware that there will be crowds). Maybe get a quick bite at a nearby restaurant.

Then, head to the theater for a family-friendly show like “The Lion King” or “Aladdin.” It’s a perfect way to wrap up your weekend in NYC with kids with a bit of sparkle!

New York City can be overwhelming with kids, but if you have a game plan, it is manageable. Book your hotels and activities ahead of time to make sure everything runs smoothly.

If you have older kids, also check out my New York itinerary with teens!