We have done so many great things while visiting New York City with our kids, so when we went back last month I had a harder time planning what to do. However, the kids are older now and don’t mind just walking around, so that helped.
If you are planning a trip to New York City and need some ideas of things to do, I hope this will help. Check Part One and Part Two for more suggestions as well.
Here are the things while visiting New York City:
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) – Our least favorite of the three museums we’ve visited so far, but definitely an experience. I would advise against taking young children, or at least be aware that there is some art that is completely inappropriate for kids younger than teens. I had to turn my 11 year old’s head away a few times.
Dylan’s Candy Bar– again. We tried Serendipity, but the line was out the door, and I don’t want frozen hot chocolate that badly.
Walking tours of Greenwich Village and SoHo with Stray Boots:
Stray Boots is a online tour company – you purchase the tour for the neighborhood(s) you want, and take the tour using an app on your smartphone. It tells you where to start, and gives you the next destination and an assignment. For example: “Go up Main Street to Sally’s Restaurant – what is the logo of the awning?” You type in the answer, and then you get the next “clue.” This was a great way to see these neighborhoods; it gave the kids something to do so they didn’t get bored walking around. Ok, they got bored eventually, but they lasted much longer because of the scavenger hunt/tour.
The closest we got to a celebrity sighting – paparazzi waiting for a celebrity
Newsies lottery – My daughter and I tried to get $30 tickets to see Newsies – many Broadway shows have these lotteries two hours before show time. We didn’t get picked 🙁
TIP: Opt for Top of the Rock over the Empire State Building, and go during the day. The views at night are pretty, but it’s better to be able to see NYC in all its glory in the daylight.
New York Public Library – We’ve posed in front of it before, but this trip we went inside. It wasn’t very interesting for the kids, but the bathrooms are nice.
Macy’s Flower Show – It’s free, and the line wasn’t long, so we wandered through the amazing displays. And we each got a free pen.
United Nations – the unexpected gem of our trip. I wouldn’t recommend for kids under 10, but for older kids and adults it was really cool. You can visit for free, but to really experience it you should purchase the tour. Our 45 minute guided tour took us to the General Assembly Hall and the Security Council, with a great overview of the UN and its role in international politics and peacekeeping. Really – this is not usually my thing, but the tour was short and sweet and actually pretty interesting.
The General Assembly – every one of the 193 countries in the United Nations has a seat in this room. The photo looks dark because the room in HUGE – I zoomed in as close as I could but my little flash just didn’t cut it.
And finally, Peanut Butter and Company – a little counter service place in Greenwich Village. This place has every peanut butter sandwich combination you can think of, and was a big winner with the whole family. Matt had the PB&J Club (a double decker), James had a Pregnant Lady (pb and pickles), Gwen had the Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Sandwich (cinnamon raisin pb with vanilla cream cheese and apple slices) and I had The Elvis.
We washed it down with a glass of cold milk – heavenly!
So if visiting New York City is in your future, I hope my three NYC with Kids posts will give you ideas and inspiration for fun things to do and see. If you have favorite places in the city that I haven’t talked about, leave a comment and let me know!
For some reason, I always happen upon Dylan’s (and always stop in) whenever I’m in NYC.
Have always wanted to go to Coney Island!
Coney Island – that’s one place in NY I’ve never been. I guess I just figure we’ve done enough beach/amusement parks with the kids, but maybe we’ll check it out next time.
OOH I want to go to NYC now. I love the city and haven’t been since my son was born. I think he’s still young to appreciate it but I’m up for going to the peanut butter factory all by myself! 😀
You don’t have to go by yourself; I’ll come with you!
Really? That’s SO awesome. YAY US! Where do you live, anyway? I’m in DC.
OK, I may have to travel to NYC just for that peanut butter sandwich restaurant. Seriously.
I know, right? It was ridiculously good.
I can’t wait to do this when my kids are a few years older(3 and 9 now)- especially love the tip about the online tours- clues make everything better!
You’ll have a blast in a few years – my son was 6 when we went for the first time.
As you well know, I’m obsessed with NYC and the hubs and I go there several times a year. I never knew about the Stray Boots thing but we will do that next time. It sounds super fun and if we can stop and eat along the way, even better.
I flipping love the United Nations stuff. I always assumed it’s because I’m a lawyer and I love going there and realizing the world’s most powerful people make decisions that affect us in those very rooms, but I figure I’m just the dork that finds it interesting and no one else does. I love that tour and may have to do it again.
I also love the library! I get that your kids may have been bored but it’s one of those places Matt and I enjoy going because the building is so beautiful. Did you take the tour? It’s more interesting with the tour, for sure.
I don’t get the big deal with Dylan’s Candy. I guess I”m just missing out.
I’m glad you had a fun time. I was there a few days ago and I already miss it. I bet that paparazzi standing outside a hotel in SoHo was looking for me.
Totally.
I do know how much you love NYC – I think you would enjoy the Stray Boots tour. We stopped in the library as it was closing, so we didn’t take the tour – we’ll have to plan ahead next time and do it. And Dylan’s is not a big deal if you’re not a kid – just an overpriced candy store.
And I bet the paparazzi was looking for you too 🙂
Wow what a cool idea for an App,I bet the challenge questions make it interesting for the kids. And thanks for tip on the Museum. Any excuse for Hubs NOT to visit a museum, you just provided 🙂
Ha – glad I could help him out!
You had a busy trip! I saw Newsies last year- totally worth it if you can get tickets when they travel or you go back!
Oooh – jealous! I hope the show comes to my city soon, or I’ll have to plan another trip to NY!
My last trip to New York was a few months after 9-11. Wow, long time ago. I actually did walk past a celebrity. Benjamin Bratt. He is even better looking in person.
With such young kids Kate, I’m sure you won’t be heading to NYC as a family anytime soon! Jealous that you saw Benjamin Bratt – I never see anyone.
Dana, you just reminded me I haven’t gone into the city in quite sometime and need to try to get back there soon, because I truly do love just going there and finding new things to do. And that sandwich looked amazing. I haven’t even had my breakfast yet and so hungry just looking at that picture!! Glad you guys had another wonderful trip to NYC!!
We did, Janine. If you go to NYC soon you may be able to avoid the American Girl store – if your girls aren’t into them, they will be eventually!
I’d like to take a day trip to the city one day with our son, he’s too small and crazy now to be trusted, LOL.
Sounds like a great trip and I am going to keep those suggestions of best places, that is if they haven’t changed, LOL.
Yes, a small child in New York can be a harrowing experience. We went for the first time when my youngest was six, and he was old enough to stick by us and hold hands. Hope you can get there when your son is a little older!