This is a condensed list of what we did with elementary-aged kids for three fun days in Manhattan in July. 

Like a camping trip, NYC with kids depends on the weather. In good walking weather you can occupy many hours exploring free outdoor attractions. In bad weather, you might feel the need to constantly buy admission tickets, retail, taxis and sit-down restaurant meals.

Our hotel was a 5-minute walk from Grand Central Station. We had a good view from our room on the 28^th floor. We could even look down on an interesting active construction site. When traveling with kids, or any group larger than a couple, you’ll probably be stuck in the hotel sometimes, so paying extra for a good view might be worth it.

In the hotel lounge, adults could drink a free glass of wine and listen to a guy playing calm piano songs from memory like “My Heart Will Go On.” When my ten-year-old (10yo) asked for “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, the request was denied. 

Tuesday

We walked to The Empire State Building. Passing the Public Library was a highlight although it was not open yet. I had booked entry tickets to the Empire State building online months ahead of time for a 9:30am time on a Tuesday. We spent no time waiting in line.

Next, we took the Subway to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). I had reserved tickets for the day. If your kids need a break from quietly appreciating art on the wall, there is a garden courtyard and kid’s craft area.  

It was hot but we were lucky to not be in the middle of a genuine heat wave. We got to-go food from a shop and walked north to Central Park for a picnic on rocks in the shade. Playgrounds and fun statues provide points of interest for kids.

We walked up to the Chess pavilion where my kids dropped in on chess games with friendly strangers (a nice man provided the pieces). You could bring your own chess or checkers pieces if you want to guarantee a game.

Note: Even though many places claim to have bag polices online, you can almost always get a regular sized backpack and/or metal water bottle through security.

Wednesday

This might sound like a planned itinerary, but the only thing we locked in ahead of time for Wednesday was an afternoon Broadway show. By the time we got back to our hotel at night, my phone had counted over 14,000 steps for the day. Our first stop was Clinton Castle on the southern edge of the island. Benefits to children include bathrooms and a museum display of how Manhattan was expanded through land reclamation. I’m not including all the places we stopped to eat in this blog but we especially liked discovering Liberty Bagels.

We saw the bull statue and the New York Stock Exchange (from the outside). A great stop in Lower Manhattan is a free self-guided tour of Trinity Church. We walked to the 9/11 memorial and then back to the subway so we could rest in our hotel during the hottest part of the day.

Lion King on Broadway was fun (and expensive). Afterwards, we were in Time Square, and it was finally time to do what my kids had been talking about all year: return to the M&M store. Kids love the M&M store.  

Then we walked to Hell’s Kitchen for dinner. We went back east to Rockefeller Center and bought books for the kids at McNally Jackson. From there, with a “we can make it” attitude, we walked back to the hotel in the dark. This is where the “safe streets” matter as much as the weather.

Thursday

This morning had not been planned ahead of time, so we spent some of our time figuring things out. We walked to the United Nations headquarters. I was able to get visitor passes and a guided tour. We had a great guide who explained the building and the aims of the UN for 45 minutes. I learned a lot and my 10yo was engaged.

Should you take your children on a tour of the UN? I had to carry my 7yo most of the time. The next day, I asked her what she remembered. She sincerely replied, “What United Nations?” If you don’t think your younger child will be outright disruptive, then you might take a younger kid along with an older kid who can appreciate it.

We had an appointment to enter the USS Intrepid Museum at 2:30. We didn’t make it until 3:30 and it closes at 5pm. The place deserves more than 90 minutes. It has a big kids’ activity area that is fully indoors.

Our last scheduled event was a Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise from 7pm to 9pm. In the summer, this is a sunset cruise of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Just at the end you see the city lights against the night sky. The tour guide was entertaining and smart! I learned interesting NYC facts and history. They have enclosed areas with windows for bad weather but that would not be as fun. Being able to sit up on the open-air top deck made the view amazing for everyone.

Two years ago, when we still had a preschooler, I wrote “See New York City for Free.” In the spirit of Do Less for Preschool, we did not actually go into the city. We looked at the Manhattan skyline from Liberty State Park in New Jersey (free parking). The park has points of interest. I do not believe my kids would have benefitted from an expensive trip into NYC, in 2022 (which isn’t to say that parents should rule it out if they are primarily going for themselves). Remember that a 4-year-old enjoys poking a bucket of rain water about as much as a trip to Disneyworld. Sticking to the nap schedule is probably better for everyone than doing a forced march through fancy landmarks in any weather, for preschool kids.

Now in 2024, we have graduated to actually going into the city (for now, assume the constraint of spending our nights in New Jersey, you guys). I’ll describe two low-budget day trips that will tire but not exhaust school-age kids.

On the first day, we used NJ Transit trains to get to New York Penn Station. Since my kids do mostly cars and suburbs, the train itself was fun. On weekends and holidays, kids ride free on NJ Transit. From there, we walked all the way to Central Park, which took us through Time Square. You call this “urban hiking” now (previously known as walking). We stopped into a few stores along the way. I’ve taught my kids to “window shop” in a store, meaning they are warned ahead of time that we are not buying anything. We spent money on food and drinks, but it would have been possible to pack in a lot more food if desired. Once we had walked all the way to the upper east side (about 3 miles), we took a taxi back to the train station.

On the second day, we avoided high parking fees once again by departing on the ferry from the New Jersey terminal to see the Statue of Liberty. There were plenty of families with preschool kids or babies, by the way. Strollers are allowed on the ferries, just not inside the pedestal or statue. The ferry ticket includes access to all of the indoor museums and audio tours. If you want to be allowed to walk up the stairs into the crown of the statue, be aware that you need to book those tickets many months in advance. If you just want to take the ferry to the island, then you don’t have to plan so far ahead.

These plans rely heavily on being outside, so rain would pose a problem. There are plenty of places to escape the rain, but it would not be nearly as fun/cheap.

If you are road tripping anywhere with kids, read Zach on long family car trips. I’ll add that you can fill up a large insulated thermos of ice from the hotel and bring it along to provision drinks from cans throughout the day.

Pictured: Central Park, view from Statue of the Statue, view from the Statue of the city