The Best Things to Do in NYC With Kids: Free Activities + Experiences Worth Paying For
New York City has a reputation for being expensive and don’t get me wrong, it definitely can be. But some of our favorite things to do with kids in NYC are completely free. The trick is mixing those free experiences with a few of the bigger attractions that are actually worth paying for. I have taken my kids on multiple trips and every one is a very different trip. This can depend on what part of the city you are staying in, what age kids you have with you and what time of year it is.
You absolutely do not need to book an attraction for every hour of your trip. Some of the best NYC days are as simple as exploring Central Park, visiting an over-the-top toy store, finding an amazing playground and then choosing one memorable experience to splurge on.
Below are some of our favorite things to do in NYC with kids, including plenty of completely free activities, classic NYC experiences and a few touristy attractions we think are worth adding to your itinerary.
1. Explore Central Park — FREE
You could easily spend half a day in Central Park without spending anything. And if you're visiting with kids, don't make the mistake of simply walking through it on your way somewhere else. Central Park has 21 different playgrounds, and some of them are destinations on their own. There is also lots of other things to do within the park that I will also talk about below!
A few of our favorite playgrounds to look for:
Heckscher Playground – the largest playground in Central Park
Ancient Playground – Egyptian-inspired climbing structures near The Met
Billy Johnson Playground – famous for its huge granite slides
Adventure Playground – tunnels, climbing structures, sand and water play
Alice in Wonderland statue – kids can climb all over it
Belvedere Castle
Conservatory Water – watch the model sailboats
The Ramble
North Woods + waterfalls
Hallett Nature Sanctuary - Another area people walk right past without realizing it's there. This little woodland sanctuary has trails and overlooks and feels surprisingly removed from Manhattan.
Watch the boats at Conservatory Water - This is the pond where people sail miniature model boats—the same area featured in Stuart Little. Watching is completely free.
Cool paid tour options:
👉 Book a Central Park bike tour: Meeting point does vary depending on when you book so if you want to ride the bikes through Central Park (which is safest for kids) then make sure you choose that option!
👉 Book a Central Park pedicab tour : This is important to book ahead because if you go into the city and just try to hire one of the guys sitting outside the park, they try to charge you A LOT more. It has happened to me so I know to get the price upfront. Even then after we were getting out they tried to charge us more.
JOLLY GOOD TIP: Don't try to just see Central Park and walk around...It’s too big.
Pick a few things you actually want to find and let the kids stop and play along the way!
2. Visit FAO Schwarz — FREE
FAO Schwarz is one of those touristy NYC stops that is actually really fun with kids and you don't have to buy anything. Let them wander through the enormous toy store, watch the demonstrations and find the famous giant piano. I let my kids each pick one thing out towards the end of the trip if they earned it with god behavior. I give them each a budget and they can look around and have to find something within that price range.
Even better, you're already at Rockefeller Center, so it's easy to combine with several other NYC attractions.
HOW TO MAKE A DAY OF IT:
FAO Schwarz → Rockefeller Center → American Girl → Fifth Avenue → Central Park
3. Go to American Girl Place — FREE
If you have an American Girl fan, simply visiting the store is an experience. There are multiple floors to explore, tons of displays and the famous doll salon where you can watch the dolls getting their hair done. You don't technically have to spend anything. I took my 3 year old little boy and my 7 year old girl and they BOTH loved it so much. They both ended up wanting a doll so they could play together. It was too sweet for me to say no. The dolls were a little expensive but this trip they used it as their souvenir! That was a year ago now and they still play with them all the time so it was worth the investment.
4. Go to the Top of Rockefeller Center — PAID
If you're going to pay for one NYC observation deck with kids, this is one of our favorites. You get incredible views of Manhattan—and one of the biggest advantages is that you can actually see the Empire State Building in your skyline photos.
👉 BOOK TOP OF THE ROCK TICKETS : These are the official tickets from Rockefeller Center. The price is pretty much the same wherever you book them but make sure to read the fine print because they are picky on the type of shoes you wear, type of bag you have, etc.
JOLLY GOOD TIP: Book your time around sunset if possible. You'll see the city during daylight, sunset and then watch the lights come on.
5. Find the Whispering Gallery at Grand Central — FREE
This is one of those little NYC experiences that kids think is magic.
Outside the Grand Central Oyster Bar, you'll find an arched tiled area known as the Whispering Gallery.
Have one person stand facing one corner and another person stand at the opposite corner. Whisper into the wall and the person across the arch can hear you.
It's quick, completely free and something most tourists walk right past.
6. Visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt — PAID
If you want to do one observation deck with kids - THIS IS IT! It is more than just an observation deck its also an experience. Instead of simply going to the top of a building, there are mirrored rooms, immersive installations and incredible views across Manhattan. It's also right beside Grand Central, which makes this really easy to pair with the Whispering Gallery.
DO THESE TOGETHER:
FREE: Grand Central + Whispering Gallery
SPLURGE: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
7. Walk the High Line — FREE
The High Line is an old elevated railway transformed into a park above the streets of Manhattan. Kids get to walk above traffic, between buildings and through gardens while parents get some pretty incredible NYC views. Start around Hudson Yards and walk south toward Chelsea.
8. Visit Little Island — FREE
Little Island is one of our favorite free places to add to a day on Manhattan's west side. The entire park appears to float above the Hudson River and has winding pathways, gardens, overlooks and plenty of space for kids to explore. You could spend several hours exploring this part of NYC and barely spend anything besides food.
PERFECT FREE AFTERNOON: High Line → Chelsea Market → Little Island
9. Take a NYC Food Tour — PAID
This is one of those paid activities that doubles as lunch or dinner, which makes the cost a little easier to justify.
Our favorite food tour is in Greenwich Village and is good for kids of all ages because you get to explore a neighborhood while trying pizza, bagels and other NYC classics. The other option is still kid-friendly but the food might be a little more exploratory for some kids.
👉 BOOK OUR FAVORITE NYC FOOD TOUR
OTHER OPTION WITH DIFFERENT FOOD CHOICES:
👉 BOOK CHINATOWN AND LITTLE ITALY FOOD TOUR
10. Ride the Staten Island Ferry — FREE
Want to see the Statue of Liberty without paying for a sightseeing cruise? Ride the Staten Island Ferry! The ride takes about 25 minutes each way and gives you views of the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and the Lower Manhattan skyline. And it is completely free.
You can ride to Staten Island, get off and then take another ferry back to Manhattan.
11. Visit the Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island — PAID
If seeing Lady Liberty from the ferry isn't enough and your kids are interested in actually visiting the island, this is where we'd splurge. Depending on the tour you choose, you can visit Liberty Island and Ellis Island and learn more about the history behind both.
❤️ Our Honest Opinion: I loved doing the paid tour and learning all about the history of Ellis Island + getting the amazing views of the city but I did this with my mom and sisters!! I don’t think my little kids would love it and behave long enough. If you have older kids, they would probably be okay but most kids would like riding the ferry and seeing the Statue of Liberty and thats enough.
👉 BOOK STATUE OF LIBERTY + ELLIS ISLAND TOUR
SAVE OR SPLURGE?
Want the view? → Staten Island Ferry — FREE
Want the full experience? → Liberty Island + Ellis Island — PAID. Best for older kids because it is longer like 4 hours all together.
12. Battery Playscape — FREE
This is one of the best playgrounds to know about when visiting Lower Manhattan with kids. Instead of a traditional playground, it has huge climbing structures, slides, sand and water elements. It's also incredibly easy to combine with the Staten Island Ferry, Statue of Liberty or 9/11 Memorial.
JOLLY GOOD TIP: Build playground stops into your sightseeing days. Kids get time to run around and parents aren't adding another attraction ticket to the budget.
13. Visit the 9/11 Memorial — FREE
The outdoor 9/11 Memorial pools are completely free to visit, and I think this can be such a meaningful stop with older kids. Of course, every family knows their children best, but I personally love incorporating a little history into our trips whenever we can. Your kids will eventually learn about 9/11 in school, and having actually stood here, seen the memorial, and heard some of the stories can help make what they learn later feel much more real and memorable.
OPTIONAL PAID EXPERIENCE:
👉 BOOK 9/11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM TICKETS: You can visit the museum on your own or book a guided experience, but I highly recommend the guided tour if you're visiting with kids. A good guide can bring the history to life through personal stories and interesting facts, which I think makes it much easier to keep kids engaged than simply walking through everything on your own.
14. Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge — FREE
One of the most iconic NYC experiences costs absolutely nothing. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge toward Brooklyn and turn it into a scavenger hunt for the kids. Can they spot: Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Manhattan Bridge, One World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge Park, etc. I like to make things like this a game when i’m wth my kids and give them each five things they need to find. Depending on your kids ages, it can be a color, different shapes, or whatever will keep them entertained!
Once you reach Brooklyn, continue into DUMBO. Don’t be afraid to go into Brooklyn!! This borough has some of the best things to do and food in the city! Brooklyn is also where most of the families living in the city live.
15. Explore DUMBO + Brooklyn Bridge Park — FREE
This is one of our favorite areas to wander with kids. Take the classic photo with the Manhattan Bridge on Washington Street, walk along the waterfront and let the kids play at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
OUR PRO TIP: There are 10+ restaurants and cafes in this area to grab food or snacks from. You could also just grab a pizza to go and have a nice cheaper picnic while the kids play. We personally love doing this with little kids whenever we can so we are not having multiple “sit down” meals in a day when traveling with kids.
16. Take a NYC Harbor Cruise — PAID
Yes, you can see the Statue of Liberty for free on the Staten Island Ferry. But if your kids love boats, we also think a sightseeing cruise can be worth the splurge because you're getting much more of the Manhattan skyline. Read the fine print of whatever one you choose to make sure it is kid-friendly. The one we have done is and is linked below!
👉 BOOK NYC SIGHTSEEING CRUISE : Great kid-friendly option where you will see the Statue of Liberty, 100+ landmarks, 5 boroughs, 3 rivers, and 7 iconic bridges and is only 2 hours long.
17. Visit the New York Public Library — FREE
The main library on Fifth Avenue is beautiful and worth walking through even if you aren't normally the type of family that visits libraries on vacation. Pair it with Bryant Park directly behind it.
Depending on when you visit, NYC libraries also offer FREE children's programming, crafts, storytimes and activities. You can visit HNew York Public Libraryand see a list of events or activities for kids depending on when you visit!
18. Hang Out in Bryant Park — FREE
Bryant Park is one of those places we love because you can simply stop and let the kids take a break. Throughout the year you'll find different activities, games and seasonal events.
You're surrounded by food options, including food stands, which makes this an easy place to grab lunch without committing to a long sit-down restaurant. Depending on the season you are there, they will have something going on. They also almost always have tables and chairs all over for you to sit on.
19. See a Broadway Show — PAID
Broadway is definitely a splurge, but if your kids are old enough to sit through a show, it can easily become one of the most memorable parts of the trip. Most shows have a minimum age, but /i have taken my 4 year old to The Lion King, Mama Mia and (another show while in London) and he sat through all of them no problem!
Depending on what's playing, and what your kids are into look for family-friendly productions like The Lion King, Aladdin or other kid-friendly shows!
20. Walk Through Times Square — FREE
You don't need to spend an entire afternoon here. Truthfully, after you see it once you will understand you don’t need much time at all but kids should experience Times Square at least once. Go before/after dinner when all the signs are lit up, walk around for 20–30 minutes, take your photos and move on. I have never felt truly unsafe but I know other people have so if you are worried about that, going during the day… the pictures will be just as good!!
❤️Our Honest Opinion: Yes, it can be chaotic, busy and overwhelming. This is what most people think ALL of NYC is like but really its only a small few blocks of it. A lot of the Broadway shows are in this area so instead of wondering aimlessly, we usually are coming/going to a Broadway show and will take pictures and walk through it then!
21. Visit the Museum of Natural History — PAID
If your kids love dinosaurs, animals or space, the American Museum of Natural History is one of the classic NYC family attractions for a reason. It's also directly beside Central Park, making it easy to combine with a playground or park afternoon.
👉 GET AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY TICKETS
22. Find NYC's Best Playgrounds — FREE
Some of our favorite NYC playgrounds are so elaborate that they almost feel like attractions. Add these to your Google Map before your trip:
Battery Playscape
Pier 26 Science Playground
Heckscher Playground
Ancient Playground
Billy Johnson Playground
Adventure Playground
Domino Park playground
Brooklyn Bridge Park playgrounds
We especially love using playgrounds as a reset between attractions.
23. CAMP NYC - PAID
CAMP is such a fun indoor option in NYC with kids, especially when the weather isn't cooperating! It looks like a regular toy store at first, but depending on the location and time of year, they have immersive experiences hidden inside that bring some of your kids' favorite characters and stories to life. Right now, the NYC location is home to Bluey’s House, where kids can actually step inside Bluey’s world and explore and play.
I especially love CAMP as a rainy-day backup plan. If you had a full day of outdoor activities planned and the weather changes, this gives the kids somewhere to play, burn off some energy, and still have a really memorable NYC experience.
👉 LEARN MORE + GET TICKETS TO CAMP NYC
24. Roosevelt Island Tram - PAID (LOW COST)
The Roosevelt Island Tram is one of those simple NYC experiences that kids think is way cooler than you expect! You board in Manhattan and ride the tram high above the East River to Roosevelt Island, with amazing views of the city, Queensboro Bridge, and river along the way. The ride itself is only a few minutes, but it feels like a mini adventure and it's a fun way to see NYC from a completely different perspective without paying for an expensive observation deck.
Once you get to Roosevelt Island, you can walk along the waterfront, let the kids run around, or simply hop back on the tram and ride back to Manhattan. It's also incredibly affordable: the tram uses the same fare system as the NYC subway and but kids who meet the MTA's free-fare height requirement ride free with a paying adult.
Our tip: Try to go outside of rush hour when it's less crowded, and grab a spot near the windows for the best views!
25. LEGO Store Fifth Avenue
If your kids love LEGO, the LEGO Store on Fifth Avenue is worth a stop even if you don’t plan on buying anything! This isn’t just a regular LEGO store—it’s designed to feel like an experience, with huge LEGO creations, interactive displays, and plenty for kids to look at and explore. One of the coolest parts is seeing the incredible LEGO models inspired by NYC, which makes it feel like part toy store, part attraction.
I love this as another easy, FREE activity to add while you’re already sightseeing in Midtown. It’s right near Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and FAO Schwarz, so you can combine several fun stops without going out of your way.
Our tip: Give the kids a spending limit before you walk in because the activity may be free…but getting them to leave without a new LEGO set is another story.
26. Visit the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library Children's Center - FREE
This is one I would absolutely put on a "NYC things parents don't know about" list. The children's center hosts free storytimes, activities and programs for families. NYPL branches regularly offer completely free kids' programming including LEGO building, crafts, STEAM activities, movies and storytimes.
27. Find NYC's Splash Pads - For Summer - FREE
Some of NYC's playgrounds turn into elaborate water playgrounds in summer. Battery Playscape, Pier 25 and several Central Park playgrounds are particularly fun.
28. Kayak for on the Hudson - FREE
Several NYC organizations offer free kayaking sessions during warmer months. This is one of the coolest activities to look for if you're visiting in summer.
29. Outdoor Movies - FREE
Bryant Park, Hudson River Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park and other parks host free outdoor movies throughout the summer/early fall. You can simply google this and find the list and dates.
30. Free Kids in Motion Activities
This is something visiting families almost never hear about. NYC Parks runs free organized games and activities at playgrounds around the city, including sports, water games, fitness activities and board games.
Turn NYC Into a Scavenger Hunt With Kids
One of our favorite ways to explore NYC with kids is to give them something to look for along the way. These little challenges make all the walking feel like part of the adventure and take you to a few places you might otherwise walk right past.
➡️ Spot all five NYC boroughs from one viewpoint.
See if the kids can figure out which direction Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island are from up high.
➡️ See how many Central Park playgrounds you can visit.
Central Park has playgrounds tucked all over the park, so turn it into a challenge and see how many the kids can check off during your trip.
➡️ Find the tiny door at 66½ Bedford Street.
Hidden in Greenwich Village, this unusually narrow little house is easy to walk right past if you aren't looking for it.
➡️ Hunt for the Hess Triangle.
Another blink-and-you'll-miss-it Greenwich Village find! Look down to spot this tiny piece of private property embedded right into the sidewalk.
➡️ Peek through the gates of Pomander Walk.
This tiny English-style street feels completely out of place in the middle of Manhattan — which is exactly what makes it so fun to find. It's private, so you can't walk inside, but you can peek through the gate.
➡️ Go on a NYC movie-location scavenger hunt.
Let the kids spot places they've seen on screen in Home Alone 2, Elf, Ghostbusters, Night at the Museum, Enchanted and Stuart Little. Bonus points if you recreate a scene for a photo!
➡️ Let the kids choose a subway stop.
Pick a stop you've never been to, hop off and give yourselves 30 minutes to explore. Find a playground, grab a treat or just wander a few blocks. Some of our favorite NYC memories are the things we never actually planned.
How We Balance Free + Paid Activities
NYC gets expensive FAST when you're paying admission for an entire family. Our advice? Don't book two or three paid attractions every single day. Instead, choose one big experience each day and build free activities around it.
For example these are what our day would look like. Having a few things on our list without overplanning!
DAY 1
FREE → Central Park
FREE → Playground
FREE → FAO Schwarz
PAID → Top of the Rock
DAY 2
FREE → Grand Central
FREE → Whispering Gallery
FREE → Bryant Park
PAID → SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
DAY 3
FREE → Staten Island Ferry
FREE → Battery Playscape
FREE → 9/11 Memorial
PAID → Harbor cruise or Statue of Liberty
DAY 4
FREE → Brooklyn Bridge
FREE → DUMBO
FREE → Brooklyn Bridge Park
PAID → Food or pizza tour
DAY 5
FREE → High Line
FREE → Little Island
PAID → Broadway show
This is how we'd personally approach NYC with kids. Spend money on the experiences that feel uniquely New York and fill the rest of your itinerary with the incredible free things the city has to offer.
Where to Stay in NYC With Kids
Where you stay makes a huge difference in NYC especially with kids. Our #1 Pick!!!! For a first trip, we generally like Midtown or near Central Park because you can walk to so many attractions and easily get back to your hotel when everyone needs a break.
🛌 Stay: Thompson Hotel
Our #1 Pick! We have stayed here multiple times and love it! It is a little bit nicer but not fancy. The price can fluctuate so make sure to check ahead. We used our points for this stay! It makes staying in a NYC hotel a lot more realistic cost wise! These are our favorite travel cards and we use the points we earn on everyday purchases for hotels and flights!
→ OUR FAVORITE CREDIT CARDS FOR EARNING POINTS.
It is located right by Central Park, Rockefeller Center, 5th Avenue - LOTS of shopping and close enough to Times Square you can walk there but are not staying in the chaos with limited noise (it is NYC). We truly love staying near the park because we will build it into each of our days here. For example: Get our morning coffee and then walk into the park to a playground for the kids to play while we drink our coffee. We will go into the park multiple times on our 3 day trip.
The Thompson has rooms with two double beds, while the Studio Suites offer about 450 square feet of space plus a sleeper sofa and separate living area, which is a great setup when traveling with kids. Cribs are also available upon request. If you want to splurge a little more, the Upper Stories rooms add higher-floor views and lounge access. It's a really nice middle ground between a standard Midtown hotel and a true five-star splurge.
Other options:
🛌 New York Hilton Midtown: Great overall value for families. Not super fancy but still mid budget 4 star hotel. The location is fantastic: you're between Times Square/Rockefeller Center and Central Park, without actually staying in the chaos of Times Square. (Trust me, this matters! People don’t realize how loud it actually is when staying IN Times Square) Most importantly, they have unusually good family room configurations and even there “normal” rooms are bigger than most NYC hotel rooms! We have stayed here over 15 times!
🛌 Moxy NYC Times Square : Best for fun vibes and a good location. Not actually located in Times Square! A fun, modern option for families who want to be right in the middle of everything without paying luxury NYC prices. The rooms are compact, but they make really smart use of the space, with bunk-bed room options that kids will love. This hotel has a lively, playful feel with cool common spaces and restaurants, making it especially great for families with older kids who want that “we’re in NYC!” experience.
🛌 Conrad New York Downtown : For families who want more space + quieter stay. A fantastic option for families who want more room to spread out, since it’s an all-suite hotel with separate living and sleeping areas—something that can be hard to find in NYC! The location is quieter and more relaxed than Midtown, with waterfront paths and plenty of green space right outside, while still being walkable to attractions like the 9/11 Memorial. The hotel also offers connecting and sleeper-sofa suites and has a dedicated family package. The trade-off is location: you'll need to take the subway or a cab to Central Park and most Midtown attractions, but for families who value space, a quieter neighborhood and a more upscale stay, this is one of our favorite options downtown.
🛌 Park Hyatt NYC: 5-star Luxury stay for families. If you want a more luxury hotel that is a splurge, this is our pick! We’ve used our credit card points from to stay here multiple times. It’s just one block from Central Park, across from Carnegie Hall, and the rooms are exceptionally spacious by NYC standards, starting around 500 square feet. Families can book rooms with two double beds, connecting rooms, or even dedicated two-bedroom family accommodations with one king + two double beds. The real win for kids is the gorgeous indoor saltwater pool, while parents get all the perks of a five-star stay. With Central Park, FAO Schwarz, American Girl, Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center nearby, you’re paying for luxury, but also an incredible location for exploring NYC with kids.
Our Biggest Tip for Visiting NYC With Kids
Don't over-plan it!
NYC is one of those places where walking around is part of the experience. Let your kids climb on a Central Park playground. Stop for pizza. Walk into FAO Schwarz. Ride the subway. Grab a bagel. Sit in Bryant Park. Watch the boats go by. Pick a handful of experiences you really want to do, reserve those ahead of time and leave room for everything else.
Sometimes the things your kids remember most from NYC aren't the things you bought tickets for at all.
