10 Issues to Do in New York With Children

New York is a lot greater than the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and different standard Manhattan sights. And, if you happen to’re touring to New York with youngsters, you’ll be happy to listen to that there’s additionally lots so that you can do!

New York Metropolis is comprised of 5 boroughs: The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Manhattan. Simply outdoors of New York Metropolis, you’ll discover Lengthy Island, Rockland County, Orange County, and Westchester County, all inside an hour’s drive.

In case you go to New York however solely keep inside Manhattan, you’re doing your self and your loved ones an injustice by not getting the complete New York expertise. So hop on a bus, a practice, or in a automobile and enterprise out slightly additional. You’ll uncover a few of these superb New York locations that your youngsters will probably be speaking about for years.

10 issues to do in New York with Children

Right here’s methods to get probably the most of out visiting NYC with youngsters – from museums to nature and journey parks.

See additionally: Where To Stay In New York City: Our New York Accommodation Guide

New York Corridor of Science, Queens, NY

In case your youngsters love science, experiments, and hands-on museums, you’ll need to go to The New York Hall of Science. The New York Corridor of Science is definitely accessible utilizing public transportation. You’ll be able to leap on the 7 practice to the 111th Road subway station, and it’s solely a brief stroll away.

On the New York Corridor of Science, there’s something for kids of all ages. Older youngsters can invent issues within the design lab. For youthful youngsters, you’ll discover Preschool Place, an space with multi-sensory actions for kids below 6. Outdoors of the included displays and experiences, there’s additionally a 3D Theater, mini-golf, and a science playground.

The Corridor of Science is within the good location for a full day of household enjoyable. After spending a few hours on the museum, you possibly can stroll to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Within the park, you’ll discover some further sights together with the Queens Zoo.

New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn, NY

Is your little one fascinated with trains? Does the historical past of New York Metropolis and the transit system curiosity you? If that’s the case, then hop on over to Brooklyn to take a look at the New York Transit Museum.

What makes this museum fascinating is that it’s positioned inside a decommissioned subway station from 1936. You enter the museum utilizing the unique subway station entrance. Present your ticket to an worker who’s sitting inside the unique ticket sales space after which stroll by way of the previous turnstiles.

On the principle ground of the museum, you possibly can sit on a reproduction of an previous NYC bus, view classic signage, and study how the fare assortment has modified through the years. However downstairs is the place the magic occurs! On the bottom stage of the museum, you possibly can stroll onto subway automobiles courting again to 1907. The museum itself is small however the expertise is value each penny.

Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

In case you got here to New York Metropolis however didn’t go to Coney Island, you’d be lacking out on such an vital a part of New York Metropolis’s historical past, to not point out lots of enjoyable. Hop on the D, F, N, and Q trains headed in the direction of Brooklyn and take them to the final cease. The Coney Island Boardwalk, sights, and seaside are only a 5-minute stroll from there.

Take a journey on Dino’s Wonder Wheel, Coney Island’s Ferris wheel which was in-built 1920 and has turn into a New York Metropolis landmark. Afterward, go to Luna Park, an amusement park with fashionable video games and rides. Inside Luna Park, you’ll discover The Cyclone, Coney Island’s iconic wood curler coaster which dates again to 1926.

Once you’re hungry, you possibly can head over to Nathan’s Well-known, dwelling of the 4th of July scorching canine consuming contest. The restaurant and its well-known scorching canine date again to 1916. In case you’re not a fan of scorching canine, there are many different locations to eat in Coney Island. A brief stroll from the well-known Coney Island sights is the New York Aquarium. No matter you fancy, there is no such thing as a scarcity of issues to do in Coney Island.

Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY

The Bronx Zoo, dwelling to over 700 species of animals, is without doubt one of the largest zoos within the United States. With over 265 acres of land to discover, you’ll need to carry your most snug strolling footwear. Along with the everyday animal displays, there’s a youngsters’s zoo with a petting zoo, a playground, and loads of interactive actions.

After the youngsters’s zoo, you possibly can stroll by way of the butterfly backyard, or one of many zoo’s hottest sights, Jungle World. When you could relaxation your ft, journey the open-air monorail and watch the animals roam. In case you’re on the lookout for a distinct zoo expertise, you possibly can take your youngsters to journey the carousel, take a nature trek, or do a ropes course at Treetop Journey.

Bear Mountain State Park, Tompkins Cove, NY

If climbing and exploring nature is extra your loved ones’s factor, then lease a automobile and head on as much as Bear Mountain State Park, about an hour north of NYC. For many who like to picnic, there are many picnic areas scattered by way of the park, or you possibly can sit on the massive open grass space. This grass space additionally doubles as a play space for leisure sports activities like soccer and American soccer.

In case you like to fish, there’s a lovely giant lake and entry to river fishing. You can too lease a canoe to take onto the lake. There are climbing trails for all ranges of expertise and walkways alongside the lake for strolling and biking. In case you’re visiting in the summertime, try the swimming pool and the Trailside Museum and Zoo.

Planning a winter journey? Go ice skating or snowboarding. Hike, bike, or drive to the highest of Bear Mountain to expertise breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley. Within the fall you possibly can see some spectacular views of the autumn foliage. Not prepared to depart after simply in the future, lease a room on the Bear Mountain Inn.

Associated learn: Hiking Mohonk in New York’s Hudson Valley

Playland Park, Rye, NY

Playland Park has been a well-liked household vacation spot since 1926, identified largely for its amusement park. Situated proper off the Lengthy Island Sound, Playland Park additionally has a pool and a seaside. In case you’re a fan of wood rollercoasters, you possibly can take a journey on the historic Dragon Coaster which is certainly one of Playland’s authentic rides.

The amusement park additionally features a kiddie park with rides for smaller youngsters and a few thrill rides for older youngsters. There are additionally areas for picnicking and boating. Solely a brief 40-minute drive from New York Metropolis, Playland Park is a good summer season attraction. In case you don’t have a automobile, you possibly can take a 45-minute practice journey from Grand Central Station.

Palisades Middle, West Nyack, NY

The Palisades Center is a big four-level shopping center half-hour north of New York Metropolis. It has a big assortment of sights and eating places that may maintain your youngsters busy for hours. Inside The Palisades Middle, you’ll discover the world’s tallest indoor ropes course which spans all 4 ranges of the mall.

In case you’re touring with a toddler, there’s a small apply rope course for them as nicely. Tucked away within the nook of the mall on the underside stage, you’ll discover Billy Beez. Billy Beez is an indoor playground with a number of the longest, steepest, craziest slides your youngsters have most likely even been on.

In case you’re a child at coronary heart, you’ll be pleased to know that Billy Beez encourages mother and father to hitch in on the enjoyable. For youths who wish to drive, there’s a speedway and bumper automobiles. If arcade video games are extra your child’s type, there’s a Dave & Buster’s as nicely. Add an IMAX movie show, a bowling alley, and an ice skating rink and your little one won’t ever need to go away the mall.

Legoland Theme Park and Resort, Goshen, NY

Do you know that New York has its personal theme park? Opening its gate in the summertime of 2021, Legoland Theme Park and Resort has been an exquisite addition to New York. In case you’re staying in New York Metropolis and would slightly take public transportation, you possibly can hop on a Coach bus on the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan.

Legoland is the proper addition to your New York journey if you happen to’re touring with youngsters below 13. They received’t have to fret about being tall sufficient to journey at this theme park as a lot of the rides don’t have a minimal top requirement and those that do have a minimal top of 36″, with a number of exceptions.

Whereas the theme park caters to younger youngsters, mother and father can even have enjoyable driving with their youngsters. Keep for a day or spend the evening on the Legoland Lodge. Visiting throughout the summer season? Don’t neglect your bathing swimsuit! Legoland New York has a number of water rides to chill off on a scorching summer season day.

E-book your entry ticket with transport under:

Splish Splash, Lengthy Island, NY

You’ll be able to’t have a listing of enjoyable issues to do with youngsters in New York and never embody a waterpark. Splish Splash, positioned 60 miles east of New York Metropolis, is without doubt one of the greatest waterparks within the better New York Metropolis space. It has 20 waterslides and sights. Calm down and loosen up within the lazy river or leap round in certainly one of their two wave swimming pools.

When you’ve got youngsters who’re daredevils and love thrills, they received’t be upset. There are a number of intense rides to select from. When your youngsters get hungry from continuous swimming and splashing, head to Johnny Rockets positioned contained in the waterpark for the most effective burgers and shakes.

The Journey Park, Lengthy Island, NY

Calling all ropes course lovers to The Adventure Park in Lengthy Island. In case you’ve been on the lookout for an exercise to bond along with your youngsters in New York, that is it. What makes The Journey Park totally different from different ropes programs, is that its programs are aerial treetop programs.

Whether or not you’re a starting or an professional, there’s a path for you. There are 5 totally different ranges of problem, every color-coded. With 14 trails and 49 ziplines, The Journey Park is definitely a day-long exercise. Kids below 7, who’re too younger to climb the paths, can play within the Journey Playground.

With this checklist of issues to do with youngsters in New York, it’s possible you’ll by no means make it to any of the extra standard vacationer sights in Manhattan. You’ll nevertheless have skilled New York in a means many vacationers haven’t and will probably be planning your subsequent journey again to New York to do a number of the belongings you by no means bought round to. For extra household journey suggestions and concepts, try Traveling the West Way, a household journey weblog.

In case you’re visiting New York on a finances, try this checklist of free things to do in New York – and don’t neglect to take a look at our submit on How to Be a New York Tourist!