There’s a reason they call New York City the city that never sleeps. There’s something going on around the clock and the bright lights, bustle and activity makes it a family vacation where everyone can have fun. And if your kids already never seem to sleep, then they’ll be in good company and can grab a midnight slice or cupcake with the rest of Manhattan.
But decision fatigue creeps up on you fast in a city like New York City. Where do you start and what do you do while still making it a kid-friendly experience? Here’s how to get started.
Make it Magical
New York City has no shortage of things to do, and that includes those magical experiences that just beg children to come by and enjoy. Alice’s Tea House serves up high tea and tasty treats in a tea house that looks like it belongs in Alice in Wonderland. Dubbed New York City’s most whimsical tea house, this place prides itself on doing upscale tea with a touch of fairy dust.
Turn It Into an Adventure
New York City beckons adventurers looking to explore. Get your kids involved in the fun and plan an outing that involves figuring out the subway, taking a taxi boat and climbing to the top of tall buildings like the Empire State Building. You can even turn it into a game where each attraction earns a point with a prize of their choice waiting at the famed FAO Schwarz.
Get Off the Beaten Path
New York City’s must-see attractions like the Statue of Liberty are fun, but can be stressful and crowded. Mix in some off-the-beaten path adventures like renting a bicycle built for four on Governor’s Island during warmer months or sailing over the city on the Roosevelt Island Tramway and seeing the lighthouse on the other side. There are plenty of attractions that are local favorites that seem to go unnoticed by most tourists and could turn into the favorite part of your trip.
Photo: Bigapplestock | Dreamstime
Find the Right Tour
New York has dozens of tours to choose from, ranging from high-end cultural elite to cruising past television and movie locations. But you can also find tours that cater to your kids’ interests whether pizza or cupcakes. There’s even a Sports Arena tour where guests see iconic sites like Madison Square Garden and area stadiums and step into the dugouts and exclusive VIP boxes.
Take Selfies
Snapping selfies seems to be a right of passage for kids and grown-ups alike when travel is involved. Encourage them to take selfies and share with friends to show off what they saw and did. Turn it into a game and see who can snap the most selfies net to iconic sites. There’s even a Selfie Tour in New York that takes groups through Central Park and gives tips on mobile photography.
Find a Quiet Spot
New York City is an exhilarating place to visit, but can be overwhelming for even the best adjusted kids. Plan to visit some quiet spots around the city and grab a snack. Go by and see the white peacocks at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, make the trek out to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and take a quiet hike to go bird watching or see Mount Loretto Unique Area and visit the one of the southernmost points of New York. It could also be the quietest.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedOceania
Sep 16, 2026InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort Announces 2026 Festive Program
Ring in the holidays in paradise with InterContinental Maldives Maamunagu Resort’s most immersive festive programming yet. Inspired by the surrounding Indian Ocean, these events are themed 12 Pearls of the Ocean, an elegant journey inviting guests to discover a new treasure each day. From Dec. 20, 2026 to Jan. 7, 2027, the 12-day celebration transforms the resort into a stage for live music, Champagne parties, family adventures, wellness rituals and culinary delights.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Cruising
Sep 15, 2026Young Explorers Experience the Arctic with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers something for every traveler, even the youngest ones with its Young Explorers program. Rather than traditional lessons, the program encourages children to explore, ask questions and make their own discoveries. For example, on voyages to destinations like Iceland, Svalbard and Greenland, young guests experience the Arctic through Zodiac rides, shore excursions, wildlife encounters and hands-on learning. Experienced expedition experts, including glaciologist Benjamin Schröter, accompany Young Explorers and help brings subjects, such as oceans, glaciers and polar ecosystems, to life.
Hotels
Sep 15, 2026Club Wyndham Welcomes Families for Fall Travel
Just because summer is nearly over doesn’t mean family travelers can’t pack up and explore a new destination. In fact, a Club Wyndham study recently found nearly eight in 10 parents feel like they’re running out of time to travel with their kids, and 80 percent of parents wish they had taken more vacations with their children.
Sponsored Content
Celebrating 25 Years of The Peninsula Chicago
June marked The Peninsula Chicago’s 25th anniversary, commemorating a quarter century for the hotel as a pillar of luxury on North Michigan Avenue.
Hotels
Sep 14, 2026Bahia Principe Launches Happiness Sale
Families and multigen travelers looking to get a trip on the books this autumn can take advantage of the new Bahia Principe Happiness Sale, offering savings up to 50 percent at Bahia Principe properties. Available to book until Sept. 17, this offer complements free stays for the travelers’ first child at properties in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
ShareThis