NYC With Kids
New York City is one of the most exciting places in the USA and one of our top Flytographer destinations for good reason! đ˝ Not only is NYC wildly photo-worthy, but itâs also a fantastic place to visit solo, with friends, for a romantic getaway, and especially with kids of all ages.
Here at Flytographer, we easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photo shoots and have captured over four million memories worldwide. đ The magic of Flytographer is both the experience and the photos. Explore the city with a fun, talented photographer and get wall-worthy photos to relive your trip forever. Are you looking for the best things to do in NYC with kids? Get ready, because youâre about to get the best tips from our local photographers (who also happen to be parents!) in the heart of New York City.
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TLDR
Photo: Amanda in New York City for Flytographer. Jenny and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot in Times Square.
1. Sightseeing for the whole family
Family sightseeing is likely a top goal when visiting the city, otherwise, why come to NYC, right? We recommend collecting sightseeing wishes from the whole family to see what kind of exploring in the Big Apple will excite everyone. đ
Stunners such as the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal, and the Statue of Liberty can all be seen up close and personal, or from a distance if time is of the essence or itineraries are feeling too full. Seeing Lady Liberty from Battery Park on a ferry or boat without planning a specific trip to Liberty Island can be a huge time saver!
Many of the cityâs amazing buildings have observation decks, including Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, the Empire State Building, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, and Edge NYC. This is your friendly reminder that you donât have to see them all! Each location has unique perspectives, and depending on the weather and season, you may prefer one over another with kids.
One of our favourite ways to see the cityâs highlights is by tour bus. đ We highly recommend an evening or night-time bus tourâitâs the perfect way to hop on and see the sights without any effort, and this typically includes a stunning sunset behind the most iconic backdrops in about an hour. đ
Photo: Kari in New York City for Flytographer. Ashly and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot at Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO.
Letâs talk briefly about transportation logistics with kids, knowing that for some or all of your party, this is their first time visiting. Prepare to walk a lot (even more than youâre imagining), and if you have kids under five, a travel stroller is highly recommended. Although taxis and rideshares donât require car seats for infants and children, theyâre not often the fastest mode of transport and can be quite costly. The subway is cheap and convenient (up to three kids under 44 inches tall ride free with an adult), and subway rides can be part if the fun things to do in NYC with kids! Many subway stations donât have elevators, and even if they do, theyâre not always reliable. So be prepared to have older kids hop out so you can carry strollers up and down stairs, or wait until everyone passes and ask for helpâ New Yorkers are always willing to lend a hand. If youâre riding the subway, thereâs no need to buy MetroCards at machines anymoreâjust tap your phone or credit card and go! đ
In terms of getting everything done on your wishlist, prioritize your crewâs must-sees and try to plan a couple of those each day with backup options saved. Pro parent tip: Utilize Google Maps by saving all the things you want to eat, see, and do before you go so that no matter where you are in the city, you can check whatâs close by in real-time. Â
Photo: Amanda in New York City for Flytographer. Elle and friends capture memories in New York City along the Capture Your NYC Era photo tour.
Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Maude and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot at Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO.
2. Indoor activities
Indoor activities are great to keep on your list for things to do in NYC with kids, particularly for inclement weather days. For younger kids, the Childrenâs Museum of Manhattan is awesome (and across the street from West Side Kids, a fun, locally-owned toy store đ§¸). Also nearby on the Upper West Side is the American Museum of Natural History, which is perfect for everyone in the family. MoMA is a fabulous art museum thatâs not as overwhelming as some of the other larger museums, although the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) is kind of a requirement for anyone visiting the city (at least eating a hot dog on the steps outside!). The New York Transit Museum is another great indoor spotâlocated in an old Brooklyn subway station, itâs perfect for the whole family.
Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Krystyn and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot.
For older kids and teens, a Broadway show is a must-do. There are lots of amazing options, including The Lion King, Harry Potter, Wicked, SIX, and more! đ
NYC is known for pop-ups, which were the birth of amazing permanent spots such as the Museum of Ice Cream and the Color Factory, so be sure to check out what pop-ups might be around while youâre visiting with kids.
Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Julie and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot in Times Square.
Photo: Jordan in New York City for Flytographer. Lindsay and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot in Times Square.
3. Outdoor activities
In terms of outdoor activities, this is where NYC truly shines. So much of the best the city has to offer comes when youâre just exploring on foot! đśââď¸ Times Square and Rockefeller Center can be found in Midtown; Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park can be found as you meander towards downtown Manhattan. The High Line is another popular destination that involves walking, located on the west side of Manhattan, stretching from Midtown to the Meatpacking District and Chelsea (be sure to check out Little Island, too!).
Photo: Amanda in New York City for Flytographer. Lindsay and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot in Times Square.
A favourite activity during the summer is to experience some of NYCâs many amazing carousels! đ We love Janeâs Carousel in DUMBO (the Manhattan skyline views from Brooklyn Bridge Park are unbeatable) and the SeaGlass Carousel in Battery Park (Lady Liberty views from here are top-notch, especially if youâre skipping a visit to the statue itself). Other honourable mentions are the Bryant Park and Central Park carousels. If you can, visit them allâa carousel checklist is such a fun way to incorporate both the kids + exploring the city into one.
The Intrepid Museum is another activity thatâs indoor/outdoor, and a big favourite for kids. An old aircraft carrier in the Hudson River, the Intrepid has indoor sights as well as aircraft on the flight deck and a nuclear-missile submarine!
The New York Botanical Garden đˇ and any of NYCâs four zoos are additional outdoor favourites for families.
Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Santi and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot at Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO.
Photo: Kari in New York City for Flytographer. Krystle and family capture memories in New York City with a birthday photoshoot at Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO.
4. Kid-friendly parks
Despite being immensely urban, the parks in New York City are plentiful, kid-friendly, and pretty fantastic (theyâre also one of the few free things to do!). Pro parent tip: differentiate between telling your kids youâre going to visit a âparkâ and a âplaygroundââbecause theyâre very different! đ
Playgrounds can be found inside and outside larger parks such as Central Park and Prospect ParkâCentral Park alone has 21 playgrounds! Some of Central Parkâs best playgrounds include Heckscher, Billy Johnson, and Adventure. đ
Photo: Kari in New York City for Flytographer. Heather and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot in Central Park.
Take note of where youâll be visiting in the city, and plan pit stops at playgrounds while youâre nearby so kids can truly run free and get those wiggles out! Hudson River Park has some awesome splash pads and playgrounds, so if youâre staying on the west side of town, this may be a great area to explore with kids.
Fun fact: playgrounds are open year-round. Most have splash pads and water parks or water features to stay cool. đŚ
Photo: Amanda in New York City for Flytographer. Alexis and family capture memories in New York City with a new chapter photoshoot.
Photo: Kari in New York City for Flytographer. Evyn and family capture memories in New York City with a birthday photoshoot in Central Park.
5. Best places to eat
When it comes to lists of food recommendations, there is no shortage of those for NYC eateries! One of the best parts about visiting NYC with kids is there are endless options for snacks and treats on every corner. From bagels to ice cream to fruit stands and, of course, pizza, foodies and mini-foodies would agree that casual food is easy, accessible, and delicious. 𼯠đ Take advantage of outdoor dining and casual eats instead of fancy sit-down mealsâkids typically donât have the patience for long waits and smaller, niche restaurants (which NYC is known for), so make it a point to enjoy bakeries, bodegas, and local joints where food can be enjoyed on the go and as often as you need! đ
Need specific food recommendations? Be sure to check out our Top 10 Instagrammable Restaurants in NYC. đŽ
Photo: Kari in New York City for Flytographer. Ashley and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot at Gapstow Bridge & Skyline.
Photo: Evelyn in New York City for Flytographer. Katie and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot at Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO.
6. Capture the magic of your NYC trip
If youâve managed to plan a trip to New York City with kids, we highly recommend adding in a photographer to capture your entire family together doing fun things…and thatâs where we come in! Hiring one of our amazing NYC Flytographers makes for the perfect souvenir as well as a fun family activity while youâre exploring the city. đ
If you want inspo on NYC photo locations, or further convincing that a photo shoot is an absolutely perfect addition to your NYC trip, be sure to check out this post on all the best places to take photos in NYC. For more help on planning family photos with kids, we have lots of great tips! đ
Photo: Kari in New York City for Flytographer. Leigh Anne and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot at Gapstow Bridge & Skyline.
Photo: Flytographer in New York City. Heather and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot in Central Park.
FAQs
Is New York a child-friendly city? In many ways, NYC is incredibly child-friendly. Thereâs nothing quite as fun as wandering endlessly while your little one(s) take a stroller nap! Remember, less is moreâvisiting with kids means slowing down, lowering expectations, and embracing the enjoyment of the city.Â
Is New York worth visiting with kids? Absolutely! If you love adventure, this city is totally worth visiting with kids. If your little ones get overwhelmed easily, maybe postpone the trip until theyâre old enough to really enjoy all the fun NYC has to offer.
What is the best month to visit New York with kids? Winters can be bitterly cold, and summers can be very hot and humid, so spring and fall are ideal when it comes to visiting NYC with kids. Spring tends to be the quietest and hotel rates are often less than in the busy summer and/or holiday season.
What neighbourhood should I stay in with my kids? After narrowing down what youâd like to do, choose a neighbourhood that makes exploring easy. The most affordable hotels are in Midtown (near Times Square or Penn Station), but this area can be hectic, dirty, and have a lot of concrete, so moving uptown towards the Upper West or Upper East Side(s) means wider sidewalks and easier access to playgrounds and museums! Keep in mind that short-term rentals and Airbnb are illegal in NYC, so youâre likely going to be in a smaller hotel room compared to other vacation destinations.
Photo: Samantha in New York City for Flytographer. Jennifer and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot in Times Square.
Photo: Evelyn in New York City for Flytographer. Dara and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot in Central Park.
Photo: Kari in New York City for Flytographer. Mabel and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot at Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO.
NYC with kids is amazing!
No matter what x-year-old you have, NYC can be such a wonderland with kids! We hope weâve excited you when it comes to visiting with your kiddos, and of course, inspired you to capture your time in New York City with photos! đ
See you soon!
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