A Taylor Swift–Inspired Mom & Daughters Weekend in NYC
There’s truly no place like New York City — and spending a weekend there with kids is not only doable but can be so much fun if you plan it right! We wanted to do a Mother-Daughter trip to NYC and my sister who is a huge Swiftie wanted to come. After doing a little bit of research we carved out a plan to have one of the days we were there to be all things Taylor Swift and one be all other fun things to do with kids.
From wandering through Central Park to visiting FAO Schwartz, we found that NYC is very family friendly because there is so much to see and do! The real problem is actually choosing from all those options.
We spent the weekend exploring all the best parts of the city — a little sightseeing, a little shopping, and plenty of kid-approved fun in between. We decided to do a full day guide of Taylor Swift themed activities. This is family friendly and the whole day is walkable once you get to that starting point. You could add or remove what you wanted to make it quicker or longer!
We built a walking tour that is all things Taylor Swift. We built this out by googling some of her favorite places but also using references from songs. Here is the list of significance of the places we went to below:
Housingworks Bookstore - Scenes from “All too well” were filmed here. There is a “Taylor stood here” sign.
Lafayette Grand Cafe & Bakery - Taylor has been seen dining here a few times.
Washington Square Park - The park was the site of the final scene in the romantic comedy Someone Great, which is said to be inspired by one of Swift's songs.
Electric Lady Studio - Taylor has been seen walking into this studio -where she has recorded songs.
23 Cornelia Street - This is where Taylor Swift lived when she lived in New York and wrote the song “Cornelia Street”.
Bus Stop Cafe - There is a fan theory that Taylor Swift’s lyric “I thought I saw you at the bus stop” from the song “The 1” refers to the Bus Stop Cafe in New York City, not an actual bus stop.
High Line - Taylor sang about the high line in her song “Cardigan”.
Easy walking tour that you can do within 2 hours or make it a day and add a few more stops. We had kids 7 and under with us and it was still very easy to do. We stopped for treats at Lafayette Bakery, got lunch at the Bus Stop Cafe & and carved out 30 minutes to let them play at the playground in Washington Square Park.
Taylor Swift Walking Tour:
START ⤵️
→ Housing Works Bookstore - 126 Crosby St. - 0.3 miles (4 minute walk to next stop)
→ Lafayette Grand Café & Bakery - 380 Lafayette St. - 0.6 miles away (7 minute walk to next stop)
→ Washington Square Park - 0.1 miles away (2 minutes walk to next stop)
→ Electric Lady Studios - 52 W 8th St. - 0.3 miles away (4 minute walk to next stop)
→ Cornelia Street - 23 Cornelia St. - 0.5 miles away (12 minute walk to next stop)
→ Bus Stop Café - 597 Hudson St. - 0.3 miles away (4 minute walk to last stop)
→ The High Line - Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District
List of famous spots to add to your Taylor Swift walking tour of NYC
Here is a list of some other places that Taylor Swift has been spotted at or known to visit. We made this more kid friendly, but there are lots of hotels, bars and restaurants you can add in that Taylor loves. We listed some of them below:
Where to Eat:
🍝 Via Carota – Cozy West Village favorite known for handmade pasta
🍣 BondST – Sleek sushi spot for a stylish night out
🍕 Lucali - Taylor has been spotted at the Brooklyn Pizzeria with Travis Kelce
🥖 Minetta Tavern - Upper-end French bistro fare
Where to Drink:
🍹Bowery Hotel - The Bowery has a great lobby for a cocktail - Taylor was seen here with Joe Alwyn
🥃Chelsea Hotel - High-end lobby cocktail bar Taylor has mentioned in a song
🍸 Monkey Bar - Taylor has been spotted drinking Cosmo’s at this midtown classic
What to Do:
🚶♀️ Stroll Cornelia Street – A must for any Swiftie, even if the original townhouse is now private.
🌳 Central Park Walk – Bring a blanket and sit and enjoy some coffee or stroll the park
🍨 Serendipity3 – Stop for Frozen Hot Chocolate
🏢 Friends Apartment - Stop to take pictures in front of the iconic FRIENDS building and Taylor’s favorite shows
Where to Stay:
🛌 We LOVED The Thompson Hotel in midtown for the bigger rooms and layouts for a family.
🏨 The Greenwich Hotel – Elegant, relaxed, and in the heart of Taylor’s favorite neighborhood.
Pro Tip:
Make a playlist of your favorite songs before the trip! We jammed out to Welcome to New York 1 too many times.
FAQ
Q: What are some other fun things to do in NYC with kids?
A: Central Park (boating, picnics, playgrounds), the Staten Island Ferry, the Museum of Natural History, FAO Schwarz, and the Top of the Rock observation deck are all hits.
Q: What part of New York is best to stay in with kids?
A: Neighborhoods like Midtown and the Flatiron District are great for families — close to major attractions, easy to navigate, and full of family-friendly dining. We loved the Thompson Hotel
Q: How many days do you need for a NYC trip with kids?
A: A long weekend (2–3 days) is perfect — enough time to see the highlights without exhausting everyone.
Q: How do you get around NYC with kids?
A: Walking is the best way to see the city, but taxis and the subway are easy options too. Download Citymapper or Google Maps for simple subway directions — and consider using a contactless credit card or Apple Pay for quick fare payment.
Q: Is NYC safe for kids?
A: Yes, especially in the main tourist areas. Like any big city, just keep an eye on your belongings and stick to well-lit areas at night.
