Best winter activities and attractions for kids in NYC
If you are looking for the best things to do in the winter in NYC with kids, this post is for you! I know a lot of parents worry that a trip to NYC might be too exhausting and boring to their kids. Well, the exhausting part can be true and it also applies to adults! NYC definitely isn’t the place you’d go to for peace and quiet. Although there is a lot to see and explore, I guarantee you’ll be able to take it easy once you get there if you plan it out beforehand. And when it comes to entertaining kids, don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of options as well. Since we’re talking about a family vacation and everyone wants to make the most out of the city, here’s a list of ideas that’ll please children and parents alike, especially during the winter!
Oh, before I forget…To see more of my day to day life in NYC, check out my Instagram (@marthasachser), and follow my Youtube channel. For more NYC tips join my NYC tips Facebook group HERE! And if you are traveling to NYC, don’t forget to get my New York City Guide HERE! Excited to see what are the best activities in the winter for children in NYC? Here they are:
American Girl Store
There’s no place like the American Girl Store for kids who love dolls. Prices are a bit high but they aren’t regular dolls, you can customize, etc. It’s a lovely place, and, as any fan will tell you, the “investment” does pay off!! In addition to the massive sales department and interactive activities, you’ll also find a charming cafe on the lower floor. For more information, check out the official website HERE!
New York Transit Museum
The New York Transit Museum is a trip back in time through the most popular public transportation networks in NYC! This classic attraction will certainly catch the little ones’ interest and cannot be left out of your Brooklyn itinerary. Tickets are at US$ 10 (adult) and US$ 5 (child). The museum is located in a decommissioned subway station at 99 Schermerhorn Street Brooklyn, NY 11201. To get there, type in New York Transit Museum or Boerum Pl & Schermerhorn Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 on your GPS. Learn more HERE!
Manhattan from above
The Roosevelt Island Tramway is an inexpensive and super fun activity for everyone in the family! How much? As much as you’d pay for a subway ticket! To get there, head to 59th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan or take the subway to Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island (F line – Roosevelt Island station) and go back to Manhattan by tram. You can take a round trip too, of course! The ride takes less than 5 minutes to get to the other side! Learn more HERE!
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
The museum isn’t a traditional museum at all. In fact, it’s more like an indoor playground, and it’s pretty cool! It’s not very big, but it’s a good option for children, especially between the ages of 1-5. There you’ll find appropriate toys for different ages, arts & crafts resources, and more. To learn more, visit http://www.cmom.org. Before you leave, don’t forget to drop by Cafe Lalo, the perfect place to have brunch or an afternoon snack! This cafe blew up after being featured as a set in the hit movie “You’ve Got Mail”. Learn more HERE!
Book a family photo session in NYC!
Skiing
Whether you plan on skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing or even enjoying a water park, New York has got you covered with plenty of mountains and resorts that’ll please everyone in the family. You can book a day trip to the family HERE!
Sour Patch , Dylan’s Candy Bar and It’s Sugar
Yes, these three stores dedicate themselves to sweets and sugar. Chocolates, jellybeans, bubblegums, lollipops, themed candy, whatever you’re craving for, they’ve probably got it! There are a few It’s Sugar addresses scattered throughout the city! And you can find the largest Dylan’s Candy Bar store at 1011 Third Ave, New York, NY 10065.
Central Park and Bronx Zoo
The Central Park Zoo isn’t that big, but it’s located right at the heart of Manhattan, in the southeast of Central Park, making it easy to fit into any itinerary. There are also feeding sessions in which kids can both feed and pat farm animals! It’s all inside southeast Central Park, at 64th St. Check ticket prices HERE!
The Bronx Zoo is the biggest zoo in the city as well as a must-see during your NYC trip! You’ll easily spend an entire afternoon there amidst the larger selection of animals and all of the available outdoor experiences. Check out attractions and ticket prices HERE! Or you can buy a discount pass to the main NYC attractions which includes the Bronx Zoo as well! Click HERE to get yours!
One World Observatory, Empire State, Top of the Rock, Summit & The Edge
Seeing the city from above usually impresses children and adults alike! If you wanna experience NYC to the fullest I recommend choosing at least one of the 5 iconic observatories! I’m sharing below the views from Summit, One World and Empire State Building. You can buy tickets in advance to Summit OV HERE One World HERE, to Top of the Rock HERE and to the Empire State Building HERE or you can get discount passes that include them. Find them HERE!
Aladdin & The Lion King on Broadway
Picking the right musical is essential to make sure the kids will have as much fun as the grown-ups. Unfortunately, ticket prices turn out to be a bit expensive when multiplied by the whole family, so shows are usually left out of most people’s itineraries. However, if budget is not an issue and you plan well in advance to make the most out of ticket sales and discounts (click HERE to learn more), they may fit your budget! Aladdin and The Lion King are two classics that aren’t going away any time soon. Don’t forget to be on the lookout for new musicals too!
Ellen’s Stardust Restaurant
To keep the Broadway vibes going, this is the best place to eat before or after watching a show! Waiters and waitresses put on a great show by singing Broadway and pop music classics while you indulge in all the options offered in their typical diner menu. The food is tasty, but not too impressive; what really counts is the fun you’ll have! I always mention Ellen’s Stardust and recommend it for special occasions and hangouts with friends! Click HERE to learn more! The restaurant is at 1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, right next to Times Square!
M&M’s Store
Right at Times Square! Need I say more? The moment you walk in, you feel like buying every knickknack available along with getting a taste of all chocolate flavors. Hold your horses and your kids, because they’ll probably want to bring home a chocolate for every color they see!
The Ride
One of the most fun rides in NYC although I recommend for older kids, they might enjoy it more! IT’s a fun experience where the bus tours some of the most iconic NYC areas with tour guides and actors interacting along the way! You can learn more and get your tickets HERE!
Brooklyn Bridge Park & DUMBO
Located next to the most popular bridge in NYC, this is undoubtedly one of my favorite spots ever and a great option for a family day trip. Besides featuring one of the most beautiful sights of Manhattan, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers plenty of open space where kids can run, ride the famous Jane’s Carousel, eat some Ice Cream and great pizza (Grimaldi’s Pizzeria and Juliana’s are some of the favorites), have a great time at the local playground and even a pier from which you can return to Manhattan by ferry. Definitely one of the most beautiful day trips you can take. Don’t forget to stop by TimeOut Market for some food and shopping.
Madame Tussauds – Wax Museum
Madame Tussauds is a classic in several cities around the world and often offers new attractions. At the heart of Times Square, there you’ll find countless wax statues, you can also buy tickets with access to different experiences like the 4D presentation featuring Marvel heroes and the Ghostbusters! You can get your tickets HERE!
Public Playgrounds
Besides having fun, visiting NYC’s playgrounds will provide your kids with opportunities to interact with other children who speak languages from all over the world. There are many, many parks scattered throughout the city. In the Upper West Side, Hippo Park attracts families who live in the area as well as tourists who want to experience the local life. Children will also have a blast playing in the fountain during the summer! Learn more at http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/riversidepark/highlights/12339.
Dave and Busters
Arcades with a LOT of games for the entire family! As you play on the machines, you gain tickets that can be redeemed for toys and other rewards on your way out! It’s a very fun experience and the kids will surely love it. Furthermore, you can also sit down for a typical American meal, with plenty of burgers, salads and french fries, in the vibrant restaurant you’ll find inside. Dave and Busters is located in the heart of Times Square, at 234 W 42nd St, New York, NY, 3rd floor.
Foto: Joonbug.com
Games, comics, TV shows and superhero stores
Although these are meant for older children and teenagers, I guarantee they will also be a hit among adults! It’s always a lot of fun to find exclusive merchandise of the most famous TV shows and movies in the industry! My favorites are: Forbidden Planet, Toy Tokyo, Kinokuniya, Midtown Comics and Book OFF.
Central Park
Besides all the outdoor space in which kids can run and play, there are also several playground scattered throughout Central Park. The easiest one to find is located next to the entrance at Columbus Circle. You can also look for the one at 84th St, near the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the one next to the entrance at 64th St.
The American Museum of Natural History
Animals, exhibitions and history all in one place! The Sea Animals, and Dinosaurs exhibitions are what kids usually like the most! You can get tickets on the museum’s website or using a discount pass, here the best ones:
Sightseeing PASS: HERE!
The Sightseeing Pass Flex: HERE!
CityPass: HERE!
New York Pass: HERE!
Explorer Pass: HERE!
Learn more about the museum at http://www.amnh.org.
Eloise at the Plaza
Located inside the Plaza Hotel, this adorable store is based on the character Eloise and is the perfect attraction for children from 5 to 8 years old! There’s not thaaaat much to do there, but if you’re in the area, it might be a good idea to stop by and have afternoon tea in the Plaza’s Food Hall. Learn more at http://www.theplazany.com/family/eloise-at-the-plaza/.
My Gym or Gymboree
My Gym is an enclosed and safe space where babies and toddlers can exercise while doing activities designed for their ages. Gymboree also offers music classes for babies! Check out the official website (click HERE to be redirected to Gymboree’s website and HERE to go to My Gym’s) to learn more about their schedule and requirements.
Disney Store
Besides the small area on the upper floor where kids can play and watch Disney classics, it’s obviously a good place for buying merchandise at reasonable prices or simply for taking pictures! They offer a variety of NYC exclusive items like t-shirts, mugs, etc. If you get there before they open in the morning, you can be chosen to open the store and get a souvenir key!
The Art Farm In the City
There you’ll find educational toys, classes, experiments and a birthday party venue. On the first floor, there’s a petting zoo in which children can interact with live animals! Learn more about the classes and see pictures HERE!
Foto: Art in The Farm
Chelsea Piers and Elite Kids
Olympic gymnastics classes and exercises for kids and teenagers. Paid.
Bryant Park
Right next to Times Square, Bryant Park is one of my favorite places in NYC! During the winter, kids (and parents!) can ice skate on their famous rink and have fun at the carousel! During the summer, the park also offers mini golf, ping pong tables and a wide lawn where everyone can enjoy the day away and even watch movies!
Parks
There are amazing parks in the city, Central Park is only one of many kids will love! Some of my favorites are Little island, Madison Square Park, Domino Park and Battery Park City.
YMCA
By purchasing a single class, you can make the most out of a rainy day with plenty of fun activities for kids! Learn more at http://www.ymcanyc.org.
NYC Ferry
This is a budget friendly ride to see the city from one of my favorite places: from the water. Tickets cost U$2.75. There are different routes you can take so check the NYC Ferry app or website to decide where you can take it. I love the ride from Lower Manhattan to Williamsburg in Brooklyn!
For more NYC tips, follow me on instagram!
To see more of my day to day life in NYC, check out my Instagram (@marthasachser), and follow my Youtube channel. For more NYC tips join my NYC tips Facebook group HERE! And if you are traveling to NYC, don’t forget to get my New York City Guide HERE!
Brooklyn Bridge
This is a place everyone will love but I recommend avoiding weekends and very cold days for obvious reasons. It is usually very windy in the winder so it won’t be as nice of a walk.
RiseNY
This is a soaring journey through New York! Rise NY is one of the coolest experiences in Times Square. there is a museum like experience leading up to the ride, and guests all age can visit. For the ride itself there is a 40” height requirement to ride. If you wanna fall in love with NYC again, I highly recommend RiseNY! Click HERE to learn more!
