Manhattan: 3 days in New York with kids

Being the most populated and most visited city in America with hundreds of attractions, tours, and restaurants to choose from, New York City can to be overwhelming for first time visitors, especially those visiting with kids. Whether you have 2, 3, or even 5 days available, this guide is complete with everything that you need to know when planning an itinerary for Manhattan and New York City with kids.

3 days in New York City with kids

Day 1: Things to do in lower Manhattan with kids

Statue of Liberty

No visit to New York City would be complete, especially with kids, without a visit to the Statue of Liberty. The statue began welcoming immigrants to America in the 1800’s and has since become a universal symbol of peace and democracy. Visible from multiple viewpoints in the city, the statue stands just over 305 feet tall. A ferry ride is required in order to visit the statue. When you reach Liberty Island, you can access the museum, gift shop, and the area around the statue. In order to enter the statue or the top of Fort Wood, you must purchase a ticket for the pedestal, the crown, or both.

Buy your tickets to the crown online well in advance – these sell out months ahead. There are 10 flights of stairs needed to reach the crown. Therefore, it is not recommended for those with mobility issues or young children in a stroller (unless you wish to carry them). The self guided tour inside the statue covers the history, construction, and so much more. As a homeschooling family, it was one of the best history lessons ever.

Ellis Island

Included with the price of the ferry ticket is access to Ellis Island. The ferries make continuous loops throughout the day from Battery Park in lower Manhattan, to Liberty Island, to Ellis Island, and back again. After purchasing a ticket, you have access to all of the stops and may stay as long as you wish at any of them. There is also a ferry from New Jersey that works in the same way. The ferries also include a snack bar if the little ones need a treat along the way.

We enjoyed visiting both during our stay. However, if you are visiting with very young children they may not be as impressed with the immigration museum as they will be with the Statue. If you choose to skip the museum, you will just remain on the ferry until the next stop back in lower Manhattan. You can do both tours can in one morning.

Ticket prices begin at $26 for adults and $16 for children ages 4-12. Children under 4 are free. I highly suggest that you purchase tickets online in advance.

9/11 Memorial and Museum

The 9/11 Memorial was opened on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in a dedication ceremony for the victims’ families. It was then opened to the public on the following day. The Memorial consists of two enormous reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers. Each pool is about an acre in size and include 30 foot cascading waterfalls on each side. There are 2,983 names on the 9/11 Memorial, honoring all of those that lost their life in the attacks. The Memorial is free and open to the public everyday. I truly believe that this Memorial is one that must be seen in person for the full effect.

The Museum is located between the two reflecting pools and a ticket is required for entry. The Museum contains a collection of more than 40,000 images, 14,000 artifacts, 3,500 oral recordings, and over 500 hours of video. The survivor staircase pictured here was the first artifact added to the museum. As a homeschooling family we have visited the museum twice and I always recommend it to adults. For families traveling with young children, I will warn you that the videos and voice recordings from that horrific day can be overwhelming.

Tickets can be purchased online starting at $24 for adults and $15 for children 7-17. I highly recommend purchasing tickets online if you plan to visit the museum as the lines can be extremely long.

One World Observatory

Located at the top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, on levels 100, 101, and 102 of the 1,776 foot tall One World Trade Center building, One World Observatory is beyond breathtaking. Don’t blink when you enter the elevators because it only takes 47 seconds to reach the 102nd floor, almost a quarter of a mile above the city. The fastest elevator in the world features full-length digital screens on three sides in order to take you on a journey through the progression of the New York City skyline from the 16th century through 2016. And, the elevator ride is just the beginning. We have been twice and still get chills when the doors open at the top and the view is revealed.

“See Forever” is the perfect tag line for One World Observatory. On a clear day you can see over 50 miles into the distance. The observatory wraps around the entire 100th floor, providing a 360-degree view from the floor to ceiling windows. On this floor you will find yourselves 1,250 above the streets below. Most of the tickets include a digital skyline guide to help you understand what you are seeing beyond the windows.

Dining at One World Observatory

There are 2 options for food at the Observatory. One is a grab and go snack which includes sandwiches, chips, desserts, and a coffee bar. Hightop tables are provided, but there is no seating in this area which can make it difficult with kids. The other option is One Dine Restaurant. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner; and I recommend you make reservations in advance. This is a full service sit down restaurant offering delicious food with an amazing view. We have dined at both of these and prefer the restaurant for our family. However, if visiting prior to 11:30am, the snack bar will be the only option.

There are multiple ticket options available with general admission tickets starting at $35 for adults, $29 for children 6-12, and free for children under 5. There are also upgraded ticket options that include priority lane entry, the digital guide, and credits for shopping and dining.

Can you cover lower Manhattan in 1 day with kids?

Depending on age of your child/children and their stamina when traveling, all of the above are doable in one day. One World Observatory and the 9/11 Memorial are located side by side and the Battery Park Ferry is only one mile away. Our daughter was 9 years old when we completed all of them in a day.

Day 2: Things to do in Times Square & Central Park with kids

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building has been an icon of New York City since its construction was completed in 1931 making it the world’s tallest building (at that time). Since then it has been featured in countless movies and has hosted numerous dignitaries and famous people. In late 2019 a 4 year $165 million renovation was completed giving it brand new energy and life. We have visited both before and after the renovation and I can tell you that it is a completely different experience.

The 1st floor features a new entrance and the 2nd floor includes several exhibits showcasing the skyscraper’s original construction and other aspects of the past. Pictured above is a room with a movie like display on all four walls showing the construction and includes sound. It is mesmerizing to watch the scene unfold from the 1930’s right before your eyes.

King Kong

There is also a room that features the hands of King Kong smashing through the wall to grab you while peeping in from the window. There are other rooms showing clips of movies that were filmed here and another one showing photos of famous people that have visited over the years. The 2nd floor was once the area where you waited in line until it was your turn to venture to the top. Now it is just as much a part of your visit as the observation areas. We found ourselves wanting the lines to slow down so that we could spend more time in this area.

Exhibits

On the way to the observation decks at the top, the elevators now stop on the completely renovated 80th floor that includes 6 exhibits totaling 13,000 square feet. Our favorite was the augmented reality experience that can be seen by peeping through the classic binocular viewfinders. Looking in you can see and hear the sights and sounds from some of NYC’s most famous locations. There are multiple viewfinders and they all face in the direction of the landmark. This is especially great when the weather outside prevents you from seeing all that lies beyond from the observatories.

86th Floor – Observation Deck

As the most famous observatory in the world, the 86^th Floor is where you will find the open-air observation deck. In the center of it all, above it all, is the perfect way to describe the feeling of being here. This observation deck has been the setting of dozens of movie and television scenes, as well as tens of millions of unforgettable moments.

The Observation Deck wraps around the building, providing 360-degree views of New York and beyond. From up here you’ll get one-of-a-kind views of Central Park, The Hudson River and East River, The Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, The Statue of Liberty, and much more. The official Observatory Experience app teaches you about your view from every direction and is free to download.

102nd Floor

And then the glass elevators take you to the top on the 102nd floor. Featuring floor to ceiling windows, the 360-degree views from here are unmatched to any we have seen before. It is absolutely breathtaking. Without the worry or rain, wind, ice, or other unfavorable weather, from the 102nd floor you are able to soak in the views at your own pace.

There are 8 different ticket combinations offered in order for you to choose the experience best for your family and your budget. Standard pass tickets start at $36 for children. Observation decks and express entry are an additional cost.

FAO Schwarz

FAO Schwarz is the most iconic toy store in the world and has been in business since 1862. There are currently 6 locations. The flagship store (located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza) is a must for anyone visiting NYC with kids. The 20,000 square foot toy store is filled with stuffed animals, gadgets, unique toys, and the dance-on piano made famous by the 1988 movie Big.

Central Park

No visit to NYC would be complete without a visit to the iconic 843 acre Central Park. With an estimated 38 million annual visitors, Central Park is the most visited urban park in the United States. Depending on the season of your visit, there is a magnitude of options to choose from. If you are limited on time and it is your first time visiting, I would recommend a sightseeing tour. These tours are offered in the forms of walking, biking, pedicabs, and horse drawn carriages.

Horse drawn carriage

Payton’s first visit to New York City was to celebrate her 9th birthday. We chose the horse drawn carriage at sunset for this special occasion. It was definitely a fairytale experience for her. There are multiple companies that offer this service and price depends on the length of the ride, number of stops, and add on services provided.

Pedicab Tour

The following year we visited at Christmas and chose the pedicab tour. These tours include many additional stops for less money when compared to the horse drawn carriages. Blankets were provided for warmth and our guide was knowledge and entertaining throughout the tour. The following are some of the stops that we visited that I would recommend during your time in Central Park.

Playgrounds

One of the 21 playgrounds: Bethesda Terrace and Fountain (made famous by the movie Home Alone); The Alice in Wonderland statue; Bow bridge; Strawberry Fields and Imagine (tribute to John Lennon); Central Park Zoo; Ice skating (when in season); The carousel; The Balto the Dog statue

There are more than 73 attractions in Central Park. A complete listing can be found here, including more information on each one.

Sightseeing cruise at sunset

If you and your kids have any energy remaining, I would definitely recommend a relaxing sunset cruise on the Hudson River. There are multiple companies that offer river cruises throughout the day, not just at sunset. Most of the boats depart from Pier 83 in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood which makes it convenient to have dinner before or after your cruise.

3 days in New York City with kids

If possible I would recommend a minimum of 3 days when visiting New York City with kids. There is so much to see and do in the city. Three days allows you to slow down the pace and make your time in the city more enjoyable.

Day 3 : Extras OR Catch-up

Take in a show

For the older kids (or those who can sit still for a time), I would recommend The Lion King on Broadway. There are many broadway shows to choose from, but The Lion King is Payton’s favorite.

Midtown

With more time on your hands, I would add in The Rockefeller Center, National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, or Ripley’s Believe It or Not. All of these attractions are wonderful things to do in NYC with kids.

After dinner would be the perfect time to take the kids to see the bright lights and activities of Times Square. Being from a small town, Payton loves the energy and excitement found in Times Square after dark.

Extras in Central Park

Depending on the age of your child / children and the season of your visit, I would add in ice skating or a visit to the butterfly garden. Maybe a boat ride on the Lake or climbing the stairs to Belvedere Castle. For lunch you could choose from one of the restaurants in Central Park or enjoy a picnic lunch and kite flying in Sheep Meadow.

The possibilities of things to do in Central Park with kids is endless. Keep in mind, many of these activities are seasonal and availability will depend on the season of your visit.

Where to eat in New York City with kids

John’s of Times Square

Like most kids I know, Payton loves pizza. At the recommendation of a fellow travel blogger, we decided to try John’s of Times Square. All of the pizzas are made to order in one of their four 800 degree coal-fired brick ovens. The flavors were amazing.

Carlo’s Bake Shop

Made famous by the TLC hit show Cake Boss, Carlo’s Bake Shop is the best place for dessert in Times Square. The original bakery is located in Hoboken, NJ and is said to have waiting lines that last hours. Thankfully, there is a convenient location in Times Square. We visited on Payton’s 9th birthday and only waited in line 15 minutes for her cake.

Junior’s

You haven’t really lived until you’ve had cheesecake at Junior’s.

You can’t visit New York City without enjoying a slice of cheesecake. During our visit we asked multiple people where to find the best and the answer was always the same – Junior’s. This restaurant has been in business since the 1950’s and lives up to its reputation. Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner the expansive menu offers something for everyone. The cheeseburgers are just as amazing as the cheesecake. With 15 different cheesecakes to choose from, the only problem is deciding which one to try.

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Things to do in manhattan with kids

Planning for 3 days in New York with kids is probably an overwhelming prospect, so I hope that this guide has helped you to plan your family vacation. You can pack in your activities if your kids are old enough / up for the challenge. Or take a longer than 3 days in New York, and discover all there is to do in Manhattan with kids. Payton has loads of energy, so we try to do as much as possible, but we realise that isn’t possible for every family. New York is a buzzing city with lots to offer for kids and families – enjoy your visit!

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