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Exploring NYC Neighborhoods

If you're in the mood for a more local itinerary, check out our NYC Neighborhood Guides, where we break down the best things to do by borough from Manhattan to Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx.

You can even find our top picks for smaller family-friendly enclaves like Battery Park City, Williamsburg, Long Island City, Harlem, and beyond.

Money Saving Tips for Exploring NYC

It's no secret NYC can be an expensive spot for families, but we have an entire Guide to Free Things To Do in NYC, with all our top tips for making the most of NYC on a budget, plus 100 free things to do anytime in the city and this summer-specific list of 100 free things to do with kids. 

If you're booking several top attractions in New York City and looking to save money, consider purchasing a Go City All-Inclusive Pass, which includes discounted admission to One World Observatory, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Statue of Liberty, the American Museum of Natural History, and more.

Top Things To Do in NYC for Visitors

• 3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

• Top Attractions in NYC for Families

• Guide to Best Museums in NYC for Kids

• Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids

Best Things To Do in NYC with Kids By Age

• 20 Things To Do with NYC Babies Before They Turn 1

• Top Things To Do in NYC with Preschoolers

• Best Things To Do in NYC with Teens

Little Island is an innovative green space with tons of FREE programming. Photo by Liz Ligon

Can't-Miss Things To Do in NYC with Kids

1. Little Island

New York's floating park brings a small, action-packed footprint and plenty of entertainment.

2. See the Statue of Liberty

Hop on a ferry to explore the Statue of Liberty and the museum in her honor.

3. Little Red Lighthouse

NYC's lone lighthouse, the Little Red Lighthouse, is even the star of a children's book.

4. FAO Schwarz

Visit FAO Schwarz's flagship shop, and dance on the Giant Piano. Located in the heart of Rockefeller Center, you can get a stunning view of the famous Christmas tree, too, if you time your visit right.

5. Get Into Showbiz

Go on an audition just for the heck of it.

No matter what new rides open, the Coney Island Cyclone is a must-visit at Luna Park. Photo courtesy of Luna Park

6. The Cyclone

Luna Park's Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster is about as classic as an amusement park ride gets. Of course, there are tons of other rides, fun, and games at the park, too.

7. Enjoy Tea at The Plaza

Raise your pinkies and indulge in a rawther fancy tea at The Plaza.

8. Ride the Roosevelt Island Tram

An OMNY tap is all you need to board the Roosevelt Island Tram.

9. See a Broadway Show

When was the last time you saw a show on the Great White Way? Now's the time to book your tickets for its top shows. Got little ones? The off-Broadway New Victory Theater offers a great introduction to live performances with age-appropriate productions and pre-show activities to help build a lifelong love of theater!

Challenge your view of heights with a visit to One World Observatory. Photo by Jody Mercier

10. One World Observatory

Marvel at the breathtaking view from One World Observatory atop the city's tallest skyscraper.

11. Metropolitan Opera

Did you know you can catch a FREE summer concert by the Metropolitan Opera in an NYC park?

12. Go Rock Climbing

Scale the climbing walls at these NYC venues.

13. American Museum of Natural History

Peep the prehistoric treasures at the American Museum of Natural History or explore its Gilder Center, filled with bugs, butterflies, and interactive elements.

What flavor will you choose from the unique combos at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory? Photo courtesy of the shop

14. Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

Try all the flavors at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.

15. Legoland New York

This local theme park brings big-time fun to the Hudson Valley and makes for an easy day trip from the city. If you can't resist the urge to stay, plan to spring for a slumber party at the on-site hotel.

16. Take in the View from the Empire State Building

Visit the top of the Empire State Building for an iconic, only-in-NYC view.

17. The High Line

Take selfies with the tourists while walking the length of The High Line, NYC's elevated greenway.

See the eye-popping assortment of candy at the classic treat spot Economy Candy. Photo by Skye Greenfield

18. Economy Candy

Pick up old-time treats at the historic Economy Candy.

19. The Beast

Get soaked during a speedboat ride on The Beast.

20. Giant Buddha

You can't miss this larger-than-life statue at the Mahayana Temple.

21. Yonah Schimmel's

Nosh on Jewish specialties like knishes and egg creams at Yonah Schimmel's.

Buy some blooms in the Flower District. Photo by Alex Lopez for NYCGo

22. Flower District

Pick up some beautiful buds in the Flower District.

23. Root, Root, Root for the Yankees, Mets, and More

Enjoy America's pastime at a Brooklyn Cyclones game or catch big-league action in the Bronx or Queens.

24. City Island

The Bronx's City Island is a little slice of New England within city limits.

25. Ticker Tape Parade

Everyone loves a parade, and they're even better if they come with a shower of confetti in the Canyon of Heroes.

Take in the views from Gantry Park in Long Island City. Photo by Will Steacy for NYCGo

26. Long Island City

Walk this neighborhood's length, hitting all the playgrounds along the way.

27. Madame Tussauds

Pose with a wax celebrity at the famed Times Square wax museum.

28. Bronx Zoo

Meet more than 11,000 neighbors, furry, feathered, and flippered, during a visit to the Bronx Zoo.

29. New York Aquarium

You never know what lurks off the shores of Coney Island, but you can get a clear view of the sharks at the beachfront New York Aquarium.

Dig into dim sum in Brooklyn's Chinatown. Photo by Kate Glicksberg for NYCGo

30. Dim Sum

Brooklyn's Chinatown, aka Sunset Park, offers some tasty options.

31. SeaGlass Carousel

Ride a fish at the stunning, sea-themed SeaGlass Carousel.

32. Grand Central Terminal's Whispering Wall

Grand Central Terminal's architecture allows you to share secrets and scientific knowledge at this spot.

33. Edge

This Hudson Yards observation deck is the highest open-air viewing platform in the Western Hemisphere and a perfect spot to snap a selfie with the Empire State Building in the background.

Spend the day on Governors Island and visit Slide Hill. Photo courtesy of Governor's Island

Beautiful Parks and Outdoor Attractions in NYC

34. Slide Hill on Governors Island

Ride the longest slide in the city on Governors Island.

35. Le Carrousel

Climb on the enchanting French-inspired Le Carrousel in Bryant Park.

36. Totally Kid Carousel

Marvel at this kid-designed carousel in Riverbank State Park.

Climb the steps to the top of Central Park's Belvedere Castle for playtime and a spectacular view. Photo by Janet Bloom

37. Belvedere Castle

Climb the steps at Central Park's Belvedere Castle. It's a worthy spot to explore in any season, though we love visiting the nearby Turtle Pond in warm weather.

38. Central Park Rowboats

Ride the rowboats in Central Park or let a gondolier row for you!

39. Visit NYC's Best Playgrounds

We've visited enough to rank our favorites. Will your rankings match ours?

Queens' Fountain of the Fairs splash pad is a must-visit. Photo by Jody Mercier

40. Fountain of the Fairs

This splash pad at the foot of The Unisphere is cooling—and scenic—on a hot summer day.

41. Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park

This action-packed waterfront park is ripe for exploring from end to end.

42. See Snug Harbor

A cultural gem in Staten Island, a visit to the Chinese Scholar's Garden in Snug Harbor is well worth your time.

Stroll through the grass and see the beautiful cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Photo courtesy of BBG

43. Cherry Blossoms at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

An annual rite of spring, the cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden are a must-visit.

44. Prospect Park Zoo

Home to the ice-age-looking Pallas' Cat, playful baboons, and much more, the Prospect Park Zoo is little-kid friendly.

45. Hit an Iconic NYC Ice Skating Rink

In the winter, go ice skating in Central Park, Bryant Park, Prospect Park, and more.

Take a dip in the floating pool in the Bronx. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

46. The Floating Lady

Swim in the FREE floating barge pool in the Bronx.

47. Queens Night Market

This food fest lets you feast your way around the world, noshing on bites from more than 100 vendors each week during its summer and fall run.

48. Battery Park City

This family-friendly enclave is packed with parks from South Cove to Penny Park.

49. Search for a Secret Playground

Locating the hole-in-the-wall Downing Street Playground is half the fun.

50. Circus Academy New York

Even if you're not going to join the circus, you can take a trapeze lesson along the Hudson.

Dip your toes in the sand at Rockaway Beach. Photo courtesy of NYCGo

51. Hit the Beach

Ride the ferry to Sandy Hook Beach or Rockaway Beach.

52. Go Fishing

Did you know you can go fishing in the East River and a handful of other waterways in NYC?

53. Roller Skating

From Prospect Park to Central Park and all the way north to Harlem, there are plenty of outdoor roller rinks to explore.

54. Fly a Kite

Central Park's Sheep Meadow is a perfect breezy backdrop.

Hit up Billy Johnson Playground in Central Park. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

55. Billy Johnson Playground

This playground's iconic granite slide is so popular that a renovation added a tot-sized one.

56. Washington Square Park Fountain

Get soaked in the Washington Square Park fountain.

57. Chelsea Waterside Playground

The colorful Hudson River rainbow pipefish is the centerpiece of the Chelsea Waterside Playground.

58. Sledding Hills

Nothing beats a snowy day in Central Park.

59. Horseback Riding

Saddle up and learn to ride at a variety of stables throughout the five boroughs.

60. See a Rolling Show

Watch the Dance Skaters perform in Central Park.

Watch the beautiful model boats set sail. Photo courtesy of Central Park Conservatory

61. Conservatory Water

Sail model boats on the Conservatory Water in Central Park.

62. Go Camping

Pitch a tent within NYC's limits at a local park or try glamping on Governors Island.

63. Go Skiing

Cross-country ski down a city street or at one of these more traditional venues.

64. Go for a Bike Ride

Bike the Hudson River Greenway on Manhattan's west side to the George Washington Bridge, now part of the Empire Trail.

65. Queens Zoo

The Andean bears are always a playful distraction at this gem of a zoo.

See the night sky at the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Photo courtesy of AMNH

Best Family-Friendly Museums in NYC

66. Go Stargazing at the Hayden Planetarium

Peep the planetarium shows at the Rose Center for Earth and Space.

67. Brooklyn Children's Museum

Founded in 1899, the Brooklyn Children's Museum is the oldest children's museum in the US, but it constantly reinvents itself to entertain new generations of NYC kids.

68. Queens County Farm Museum

Get a taste of country life at the Queens County Farm Museum.

69. Explore the Queens Art Scene

Do a kid-friendly art crawl in Queens.

70. Intrepid Museum

See a WWll-era aircraft carrier, a NASA space shuttle, and more at the Intrepid.

71. MoMath

Head to the Museum of Mathematics for a crazy ride on the square-wheeled tricycle and other mind-blowing, math-inspired fun. For now, it's located in a temporary space, but we're anxiously awaiting its new, bigger home in 2026!

Gaze at a unicorn at the Cloisters. Photo by Debra via Flickr

72. The Cloisters

Search for the majestic unicorns at The Cloisters, an enchanting museum surrounded by a beautiful park.

73. NYSCI

There's plenty of geeky fun to enjoy at the New York Hall of Science, which just debuted the new exhibit, CityWorks, which lets kids learn about the inner workings of NYC.

74. Children's Museum of Manhattan

Take your preschoolers to play at the Children's Museum of Manhattan, which is moving to a sprawling new location in 2028.

75. The Met

Spend a day exploring and sketching the treasures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Might we suggest starting your visit with a stop at the 81st Street Studio, a FREE ground-floor play space?

76. MoMA

There's plenty to explore beyond the galleries at MoMA.

Ellis Island is full of history and worth saving time to explore during your Statue of Liberty visit. Photo by Jody Mercier

77. Visit Ellis Island

Look up relatives on a visit to Ellis Island.

78. Museum of the Moving Image

Meet the Muppets at the Museum of the Moving Image, which is home to Jim Henson's furry friends and more hands-on, kid-friendly, pop-culture-inspired fun.

79. Skyscraper Museum

Here, you'll learn about the city's towering architectural feats.

80. Spyscape

Pretend you're 007 as you explore Spyscape, a museum dedicated to spying.

81. Tenement Museum

Dive into city history at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.

82. Panorama of the City of New York

This famed attraction is the centerpiece of the Queens Museum.

The Mermaid Parade is an annual delight for all ages. Photo by Raven Snook

Awesome Annual Family-Friendly Events in NYC

83. Mermaid Parade

An annual rite of summer, it takes over Coney Island for a seafaring day of fun.

84. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Yes, we promise it's worth rising before dawn at least once to enjoy this only-in-NYC parade that officially kicks off the holiday season!

85. Easter Parade

Show off your hat at the annual Midtown Manhattan Easter Parade.

86. Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Get up early to see the living nativity animals arrive for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and be sure to book tickets to a prime time performance of the iconic Christmas show, too.

87. Big Apple Circus

Save the date for late fall when this hometown circus sets up its big top at Lincoln Center, and nab your tickets for the wildly entertaining troupe.

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a must in NYC! Photo by Jody Mercier

88. NYBG Holiday Train Show

An annual holiday tradition, the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is worth visiting again and again.

89. Lunar New Year

Whether you mark the occasion with firecrackers, lion dancing, or one of several parades, there are plenty of ways to celebrate and neighborhoods to do it in.

90. Macy's Santaland

No matter what you celebrate, a trip to the iconic Macy's Santaland is a holiday treat.

91. The Nutcracker

Whether you opt for the classic at Lincoln Center or a smaller production, the ballet abounds during the holiday season.

The over-the-top displays in Dyker Heights are a Christmas season must-see. Photo courtesy of Dyker Heights Lights

Best Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids

92. Dyker Lights

Walk through the eye-popping holiday lights in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.

93. Kayak on the Hudson

Go kayaking on the Hudson, in New York Harbor, on the East River, and more—most trips are FREE.

94. Staten Island Ferry

Ride the Staten Island Ferry for FREE.

95. Visit The Today Show

Wave to the cameras on The Today Show.

96. Movies Under the Stars

A summer tradition, tons of FREE flicks are streamed in city parks.

The Staten Island Greenbelt has a variety of trails to explore, whether you're a toddler or an experienced hiker. Photo by Mommy Poppins

97. Go Hiking

Hit the trains in the Staten Island Greenbelt.

98. Macy's Balloons Inflation

Sure, you can see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but real New Yorkers know the fun starts hours earlier on the side streets surrounding the American Museum of Natural History.

99. Shakespeare in the Park

Enter the lottery, wait in line, or do whatever you can to nab a coveted ticket to Shakespeare in the Park.

100. Summer Streets

July and August bring the annual car-free celebration dubbed Summer Streets. Now, an all-boroughs experience, walk, ride, scoot, and bike down miles of streets on select Saturdays while enjoying tons of FREE programming and giveaways.

This article, first published in January 2008, is regularly updated to reflect the changing landscape of NYC.

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