Things to do with kids in Manhattan

Things to do with kids in Manhattan

1. DrinkUpper West Side

   Alice's Tea Cup

   Good tea selection, excellent scones and an Alice in Wonderland theme. Very popular with families with daughters

2. DoCentral Park

   Ancient Playground

   Inspired by the nearby Egyptian Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this playground contains several pyramid-like play structures.

3. SeeUpper East Side

   Asia Society Museum

   The Asia Society is a unique educational organization like no other in the area promoting relationships and understanding among and of leaders, people, and organizations of Asia. It features a vast array of Asian art including art, business, culture, and education, promoting collaboration and a new, progressive understanding of Asian relations. The opportunities for discovery here are endless, with lessons about art, calligraphy, language, literature, politics, and religion.

   Tue-Sun 11AM-5PM·$15/adult, $10/concession, free for children under 16, members, visitors with disabilities and people accompanying them

4. DoUpper East Side

   Asphalt Green Upper East Side Campus

   Asphalt Green

   With a massive fitness and pool center in the area's signature arches, there's an endless array of activities here, including baseball, flag football, gymnastics, lifeguard training, martial arts, soccer, swimming, tennis, and yoga. On the western half of the block is a turf field that provides a vast playing field for games, playing around, and relaxing. There is a playground just north of the fitness center.

   Mon-Fri 5:30AM-10PM, Sat Sun 8AM-8PM·Free admission at all times

5. BuyTheater District

   Bergdorf Goodman

   Very high-end designer clothing, jewelry and accessories store for women, men and kids.

6. DoCentral Park

   Billy Johnson Playground

   A rustic-themed playground, with a stone bridge, a granite slide, a gazebo, a water feature, and playground equipment constructed of white cedar.

7. SeeGramercy Flatiron

   Bryant Park

   Located behind the Main Library, this shady park is an excellent spot to relax and get some good views of the surrounding skyscrapers. The park has free wireless internet, a children's carousel, several food and drink kiosks, and seasonal shows such as Fashion Week.

8. EatTriBeCa

   Bubby's

   One of the more affordable restaurants in Tribeca, this place caters to families and those who don't mind sitting next to high chairs. They do indeed have a wonderful variety of pies on any given day, one of the best cheeseburgers in town, and an interesting choice of beers.

   Open 24 hours

9. SeeCentral Park

   Central Park Zoo

   Small and gem-like, New York's "oldest, newest zoo" opened in its current guise in 1988, although animals in various zoo incarnations have resided here since the 1860s. This zoo is fairly small and doesn't have as many large animals as you might expect, but this zoo does include sea lions, snow leopards, penguins, polar bears, monkeys, red pandas and exotic birds in pleasant exhibits. Next door is a children's zoo, covered in the cost of admission, which has a barnyard animals you can pet, a duck pond, and lots of play areas for kids.

   Nov-Mar: Daily 10AM-4:30PM, Apr-Oct: Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat-Sun: 10AM-5:30PM·$15.95/adult, $12.95/senior, $9.95/child, children under 3 free

10. SeeUpper West Side

    Children's Museum of Manhattan

    A children's museum home to exhibits featuring Adventures with Dora & Diego.

    Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM

11. SeeUpper East Side

    Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum

    A branch of the Smithsonian Institution, the Cooper Hewitt is devoted to over 240 years of contemporary and historic design, with changing exhibits.

    10AM-6PM·$22/adult, $16/senior, $10/disability, $10/student, children free. Pay what you wish 5PM-6PM

12. DoCentral Park

    Diana Ross Playground

    A large wooden climbing structure, toddler swings, and a water-spray feature, at the base of Summit Rock - the highest natural point in the park.

13. SeeEast Village

    East River Park

    Most of this park is on the Lower East Side (and indeed the part of the East Village this far east is often also still called the Lower East Side or Loisaida), but the portion of it in the extreme East Village contains one or two baseball diamonds, some basketball courts, a playground or two and a well-tended path along the river that provides very worthwhile views in good weather. Popular with joggers, cyclists, picnickers, ball players, kids, and people taking a stroll.

14. SeeFinancial District

    Ellis Island

    Ellis Island was home to the nation's primary federal immigration station, with over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers passing through from its opening in 1892 to its closing in 1954. Today, over 40 percent of America's population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island. The island is home to the American Family Immigration History Center, which contains manifests of 25 million immigrants, passengers, and crew members who entered New York Harbor. The Immigration museum at Ellis Islands has details about "Peopling of America" and if you are an avid history lover, this museum will need at least 3-4 hrs of your time. Since the ferry ride takes you to both Ellis Island as well as the Liberty Island, you will have to plan your day well.

    $75 adult; $72 senior (62+)

15. SeeMidtown East

    Empire State Building

    A legend from the moment it was finished in 1931, the Empire State Building was easily the tallest building not just in New York, but the entire world for many years before being overtaken by another New York landmark - the twin towers of the World Trade Center. With the destruction of those two buildings, the Empire State Building was once again the tallest building in the city, but that lasted less than eleven years. But even though it's no longer the tallest, it remains iconic and one of the city's biggest tourist attractions. Expect long lines, and a lot of them - you'll have to wait in line to pass through a security checkpoint, wait in line to get tickets, wait in line for the elevators, and then make your way through the crowd on the outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor. One way to deal with the lines is to buy an express line ticket, which will bring you to the front of any line, but it will more than double the cost of your ticket. Another option is to visit very early in the day or late in the evening, when the lines will be considerably shorter. Despite the long lines and inevitable tourist kitsch, the views are excellent and the experience of being outdoors on top of New York City is a great one. Hawkers outside the building may try to tell you there is a very long line inside and that they can get you tickets to cut the line for some exorbitant price; before believing them, go inside and check the actual wait time which is clearly written on the electronic boards.

    Daily 8AM-2AM·$32 adults, $29 seniors (62+), $26 children (6-12), free for military in full uniform/children under 6 (tickets to 102nd floor observatory are $20 extra; express line tickets also sold)

16. EatChinatown

    Fong On

    宏安

    This family-run shop has been serving elaborate Chinese-style tofu pudding since 1933. Sweet or savory toppings available. If you've never tried tofu pudding before, it's worth having: surprisingly flavorful and different from other kinds of tofu you might be more familiar with. The shop also sells other Chinese snacks and drinks like sticky rice cakes, grass jelly, and herbal tea. Nearly everything is vegan (you can ask them to leave off the dried shrimps from the savory pudding).

    11AM–7PM Tue-Sun·$6–15

17. DoCentral Park

    Heckscher Playground

    Central Park's largest playground, Heckscher is unique among Central Park's playgrounds in that it is not on the boundaries of the park. The playground has a range of play equipment, including a large water feature.

18. SeeTheater District

    Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

    The aircraft carrier Intrepid is docked here and loaded with spacecraft and aircraft, including the very cool Blackbird spy plane and the prototype Space Shuttle Enterprise. On the other side of the dock is a guided-missile submarine and a Concorde, both of which you can tour also, and some tanks.

    April–October: Mon–Fri 10AM–5PM, Sat Sun 10AM–6PM; November–March: Tue–Sun 10AM–5PM·$36 adults, $34 seniors, $26 children (ages 5-12), children under 5 free

19. SeeUpper East Side

    Jewish Museum

    Containing artifacts spanning 4,000 years of art and Jewish culture, with a collection of 26,000 objects – paintings, sculpture, works on paper, photographs, archaeological artifacts, ceremonial objects and broadcast media. The museum also hosts the annual SummerNights concert series and the annual New York Jewish Film Festival.

    Sat-Tue 11AM-6PM; Thu 11AM-8PM; Fri 11AM-4PM; closed Wednesday. Open until 5:45 on Fridays until November 1·$15/adult, $12/senior, $7.50/students, free for children 18 and under. Free admission for all on Saturdays and pay what you wish Thursday 5-8PM

20. EatEast Village

    John's of 12th Street

    This old-school Italian-American red-sauce place has friendly service, ample portions, loads of atmosphere and a century's worth of history. Expect to pay around $40-50/person for a 3-course meal with a glass of wine. Appetizers are often served family-style.

    4-11PM

21. SeeTheater District

    Madame Tussauds New York

    Get up close to over 200 lifelike wax figures of the biggest stars and icons in entertainment, sports and history.

    Sept–May: daily 9AM–10PM; June–August: Sun–Thu 9AM–10PM, Fri Sat 9 AM–midnight·Silver Ticket: $36.95 ($29.95 online), children 2 and under free

22. DoUpper West Side

    Merkin Concert Hall

    Important and fairly prestigious venue for classical music, much of it contemporary, and various other kinds of performances. The hall seats about 250 people and has good acoustics for chamber music. This hall is near Lincoln Center but is not part of it; instead, it is part of the Kaufman Music Center, which also runs music schools for children.

    Box office hours: Sun–Thu noon–7PM; Fri noon–3PM; Sat the Box Office opens one hour prior to curtain time

23. SeeCentral Park

    Metropolitan Museum of Art

    The Met

    One of the world's largest and most important museums of art and world culture, you'll have to devote an entire day (if not more!), if you want to do this place justice. This massive neo-Gothic building, originally opened in 1872 and with numerous expansions added on over time, holds literally hundreds of rooms on its two floors, containing thousands of art pieces from across human history and around the world, covering virtually every field of art in existence, but controversially including many items that were looted from their places of origin. Along with the numerous permanent exhibit halls mentioned below are several changing exhibit halls.

    Sun-Tue/Thu 10AM-5PM, Fri-Sat 10AM-9PM·$30/adult, $22/senior, $22/disability, $17/student, children under 12 free. Residents of NY State and students from NY/NJ/CT may pay what you wish. Admission includes 3 consecutive days at the Met and the Met Cloisters in upper Manhattan. Note admission is not included as part of city passes

24. SeeUpper East Side

    Mount Vernon Hotel Museum

    Hidden in the small pocket of the very southeast Upper East Side, this rustic site dates back to 1799 as a carriage house, and was converted into a hotel in 1826. Sitting on land historically owned by Abigail Adams Smith, daughter of John Adams, it is home to beautiful historic gardens, halls, and taverns.

    Tours Mon-Tue 10:30AM/Noon/1:30PM/3PM, Wed 1:30PM/3PM, Thu-Fri 10:30AM/Noon·$15/adult, $12/senior/student, $5/youth, children under 12 free

25. SeeTheater District

    Museum of Modern Art

    MoMA

    One of the greatest and most popular collections of modern art, on a par with the Tate Modern in London or Paris's Centre Georges Pompidou. Exceedingly popular so be warned: queues for tickets start early and stretch long. To avoid the crowds, turn up at the door at least a half hour before opening, then take the elevator to the top floor and work your way down. The building is as much a draw as the outstanding collection; possessing arguably the best collection of modern masterpieces world-wide, MoMA houses important art works from Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Matisse, Salvador Dalí, Paul Cézanne, Frida Kahlo, Piet Mondrian, and works by leading American artists such as Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns, Edward Hopper, Andy Warhol, and Chuck Close. MoMA also holds renowned art photography and design collections. In addition to being the crown jewel of modern art museums, MoMA puts on a terrific repertory program in a nicely renovated theater below the museum.

    Sat–Thu 10AM–5:30PM, Fri 10:30AM–8PM, open until 9PM on first Thu of the month and every Thu Jul–Aug·$28 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students, free for children 16 and under. Free admission for all on Fridays 4PM–8PM

26. SeeGramercy Flatiron

    National Museum of Mathematics

    MoMath

    Don't be turned off by the name – this museum isn't trying to teach you arithmetic or algebra, but is instead about exploring the fun side of math, with interactive artistic and mechanical exhibits and puzzles. Knowledgeable staff are happy to explain the mathematical underpinnings if you're interested, but if not, you can enjoy the surprises, creativity, and beauty of the structures and insights on display.

    10AM-5PM·$19 adults; $16 children 12 and under, students, seniors; infants under 2 free

27. SeeUpper East Side

    Neue Galerie New York

    Museum for German and Austrian Art

    A vast collection of early-20th century Austrian and German art and design, including famous artists such as Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh alongside less well-known, equally fascinating designers and artists. They host a German-language film series, which is a good value if you can get tickets. Due to the unprotected display of many fragile items, children under the age of 12 are not permitted in the museum except during special family events, though they are allowed to go in the café and the museum store.

    Wed-Mon 10AM-6PM·$28/adult, $18/senior, $15/educators, $15/students, $15/disability. Children under 12 prohibited

28. SeeSoHo

    New York City Fire Museum

    Closed until further notice. Housed in a restored 1904 firehouse, the NYC Fire Museum covers the history of fire fighting in the United States from the 18th century to the present. Displays include antique aparatus, uniforms and equipment, as well as an apartment fire simulator.

    Suggested admission $7 adults, $5 seniors/students/children

29. DoCentral Park

    Pat Hoffman Friedman Playground

    A small toddler playground with some beautifully fashioned gates adorned with sculptures of animals. In front of the gates stands Paul Manship's Group of Bears sculpture.

30. SeeChelsea

    Poster House (Museum)

    The first and only Poster Museum in the United States. Over 1000 posters in its collection. Exhibits rotate every 6 months (in Apr and Sep). Poster House opened to the public in June 2019.

    Wed-Mon 11AM-6PM (Member hours Wed 9-11AM)·Adults: $15; students, seniors, visitors with disabilities: $10 (care partner: free); Kids under 18: free

31. DoCentral Park

    Safari Playground

    A jungle themed playground with hippopotamus statues, a "canoe" play structure, and treehouses.

32. SeeUpper West Side

    Shinran Shonin

    Staring pensively across Riverside Drive at the children playing in the park is the statue of Shinran Shonin, a 13th-century Buddhist reformer. In another life, the statue stood in Hiroshima and witnessed the devastation caused by the bomb. His New York home is between two Riverside Drive buildings right next to the New York Buddhist Center.

33. SeeUpper East Side

    Society of Illustrators

    The Society of Illustrators is one of the many off the beaten path museums in New York City, and while it may not have as many visitors, it certainly isn't a place to miss. Certainly don't miss the art of illustration featured here, with countless historical galleries since the museum's opening in 1901. It's even the origin of the famous "I Want You For U.S. Army" poster of World War I and II.

    Wed-Sat 11AM-5PM·$15/adult, $10/concession, children under 10 free

34. SeeUpper East Side

    Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

    Probably the most famous of the Guggenheim foundations (others found in Bilbao and Venice), which hold avant-garde modern art by artists such as Kandinsky and Mondrian, the New York branch is housed in a unique and famous building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and rendered in a rounded, organic form and completed in 1959. Be sure to take the elevator to the top floor, then follow the spiral viewing floors downwards to the street level. One of eight buildings by Wright to be listed as a world heritage site.

    10:30AM-5:30PM·$30/adult, $19/senior/student/disability, free for children under 12. Pay what you wish M/Sa 4-5:30PM

35. SeeFinancial District

    South Street Seaport Museum

    A museum with exhibits on the historic Seaport area and a collection of ships at the South Street Seaport on the East River open for tours.

    Jan-Mar: Fri-Mon 10AM-5PM, Ships noon-4PM; Apr-Dec: Tue-Sun 10AM-6PM·$10 adults, $8 students/seniors, $5 children, children under 5 free

36. DoUpper East Side

    St. Catherine's Park

    A hidden gem that's been a hotspot for Upper East Side recreation since 1996. While the area may seem like any park welcoming screaming children from nearby areas and plenty of areas to exercise such as basketball courts and the running track, this park is so much more. Such a small park is so rich in history, mimicking Rome's Santa Maria Sopra Minerva church and including many Roman-influenced details few and far between. If you're in this area, be sure to pay the park a visit.

    Daily 7AM-6PM·Free

37. SeeFinancial District

    Statue Cruises

    The only means of access to Liberty and Ellis Islands; the ferries depart from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan or from Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Be prepared for airport like security screening with similar restrictions (no food or open liquids, no knives, etc.) before boarding the boat. One ticket is good for sailings to both islands and return to starting point. Tickets are limited in number and can be obtained on the day from the ferry company or in advance by calling the ticket office on the phone number above or online. If leaving from Manhattan, you may need to arrive at Battery Park 2 hours before your timed tour to allow for security screening and ferry travel, so it is best to arrive at Battery Park early in the morning.

    8:30AM-5:15PM (hours adjusted seasonally); if you leave after 2PM, you will only be able to visit either Liberty Island or Ellis Island·$25 adults, $22 seniors (62+), $22 military, $16 children (4-12). Includes audio tour. Pedestal and Crown Access require advance reservation and cost extra

38. SeeFinancial District

    Statue of Liberty

    Liberty Enlightening the World

    One of the most famous and iconic landmarks in the USA, if not the world. A gift from the people of France to celebrate the centennial of the United States, stands upon Liberty Island and is one of the most famous symbols of the nation and has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Upon departing the ferry, you can visit the Visitor Information Station, which has a schedule of the day's events. Visitors can also meet at the Liberty Island Flagpole (behind the statue) for a ranger-led tour of the island. You can also visit the monument lobby, museum (where you'll see various exhibits on the statue, the old torch, and the famous "New Colossus" sonnet), and outside to the promenade and Fort Wood (the 11-point star-shaped structure the statue stands upon). You can also take a trip to the pedestal observation deck (though not up into the statue itself, unless you have a Reserve with Crown ticket); visitors can look upward to view the interior of the statue (there are four marked viewing locations); and the pedestal observation deck provides a 360-degree view, which includes the New York City skyline. Security checks are rigorous, so travel as light as possible. Backpacks and other large bags are not permitted on the tours but can be stored in lockers for a fee. On busy days there may be long waits. Visitors with the Reserve with Crown ticket are allowed to climb up a circular staircase from the base of the statue to the crown, but tickets are very limited and should be reserved three or four months (up to one year) in advance. Children must be at least 4-feet tall, and must be able to walk up and down the stairs by themselves, and all ticket holders must show a photo ID to match the name on their tickets. The design of Lady Liberty's torch evokes the universal symbol of enlightenment, which lights the way to freedom, showing immigrants the path to liberty and justice.

39. SeeMidtown East

    The Morgan Library

    Once J. Pierpont Morgan's private library, this building houses his art collection, a Gutenberg Bible, and a first printing of The Star Spangled Banner. The bookshelves lining the walls include books by Dante, Dickens, Einstein, Twain, and several First and Second Folios.

    Tue–Thu 10:30AM–5PM, Fri 10:30AM–9PM, Sat 10AM–6PM, Sun 11AM–6PM·$22 adults, $14 seniors, $13 students, free for children 12 and under, free on Fridays after 7PM

40. SeeTheater District

    The Paley Center for Media

    formerly the Museum of Television & Radio

    Dedicated to preserving and collecting television programs as a service to the public, the museum consists of two museum branches in Los Angeles and New York City; combined they hold over 100,000 television programs that are available to the public, providing a historical, artistic and cultural perspective to television and radio. You may use their library here for the price of admission. They have lots of old shows and a database so you can see if they have what you want.

    Wed Fri–Sun noon–6PM; Thu noon–8PM; closed Mon Tue·Admission is free; suggested admission: $10 adults, $8 students/seniors, $5 children under 14

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Manhattan (CC BY-SA 4.0).