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The NH Concierge’s Tips
Do you want to visit the Big Apple but don't know where to start planning your trip with your kids? Relax because we are here to help you. In this guide we compile the best places and activities you can do to have an unforgettable family vacation in New York City. Take note and get ready to enjoy everything this city has to offer.
Sometimes we think that planning a travel itinerary for children in New York can be complicated, but that's not the case. This city is 100% family friendly. If you want to see the Statue of Liberty with them, you can rest assured they won't get bored in the middle of the day. This tour has several dynamic attractions to make them appreciate the artistic and historical value of this symbol of the city.
Start your adventure in Liberty Island, by scheduling a ferry from Battery Park early in the morning (they start operating at 9:00 AM). To get there you have to take the number 1 subway line to South Ferry or Rector Street. Our advice is to go early because the tours that have access to the interior of the statue usually sell out quickly.
In this way, the attractions that you will enjoy on Liberty Island are the Statue of Liberty Museum, where you can take photos with the original torch that was used until 1980. You can also climb up to the pedestal of the statue or even venture into the crown (children must be at least 42 inches tall to go there). The museum also has an emblematic rooftop, and this tour stops at Ellis Island Immigration Museum, another important point in the city.
However, in case you like stories full of drama, there is another tour of the town of Ellis Island (the minimum age is 13 years old to take this tour). There you will be taken to Ellis Island Hospital, including the infectious and contagious disease wards, the kitchen, the morgue, and the autopsy room. To learn about its history and the importance that it had for immigrants in the past.
On the other hand, if you like outdoor activities, you should put this must-see on your list of things to do in New York with your family: visit Central Park. This park is considered the green lung of Manhattan, and here you can rent bikes, take a boat ride on the lake, or simply enjoy a picnic on the grass. You will also find different tourist attractions such as Belvedere Castle, Heckscher Playground, the Central Park Zoo, and the American Museum of Natural History.
Admission to the park is free, making it a must-see on your family vacations in New York, because it will be a fun place for your children. It has many curious details, such as the statue of Alice in Wonderland and the monument to John Lennon, that will make your day magical. Thus, this park is located from 59th Street (Central Park South) to 110th Street (Central Park North) and from Central Park West to Fifth Avenue, and to get there, you can take the A/C or B/C subway lines to the 59th St.-Columbus Circle or 72nd St. stations.
Other things to do in New York with family that you can't miss when you come, is to walk through Times Square. Without a doubt, this is one of the most emblematic avenues in the city, due to its large advertising signs, and shops, which will make you feel like a true New Yorker.
There you can not only take your best photographs but also enjoy the Broadway theaters, which offer a wide variety of shows for all the members of the family. Also, you can visit the Madame Tussauds Museum, a world-famous wax museum with tons of replicas of your favorite celebrities. Or ascend to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center for breathtaking city views. To get there you have to take the N, Q, R, S, or W subway lines to Times Square-42nd Street station, or the A, C, or E lines to 42nd Street-Port Authority.
On the other hand, if you want your children to have an educational experience in connection with nature, you should include a visit to the city's zoos and aquariums in your itinerary. These plans are usually inexpensive (compared to others in the city) with tickets from $13, as the Central Park Zoo. This zoo offers a unique experience, thanks to its themed attractions such as the penguin habitat, the rainforest, and the desert animal zone. So if you have children who like animals and learning about their ecosystems, this is the perfect plan for them.
It’s located on the east side of Central Park, near 64th Street, and you can get there by taking the A and C subway lines to the 59th St.-Columbus Circle station and walking east. Or you can go up line 1 to the 66th St. (Lincoln Center) station and then walk to the south until get to the zoo.
Another option is the Bronx Zoo, which houses one of the largest animal collections in the world, with 6,000 animals from 700 species. Here your children will be able to participate in different educational activities in themed areas such as the Butterfly Garden and the Tropical Forest Garden. Also, there are contact areas where they can get close to their favorite animals without any risk. This zoo is located in the Bronx, specifically at 2300 Southern Blvd. To get there, you can take the B or D subway line to Fordham Rd. and then take the Bx12 bus. Or take the Metro-North train to the Bronx station and then the Bx2 bus. Remember that the entrance fee starts at $36, but you can enter for free on Wednesdays.
Furthermore, another must-see place for good family vacations in New York is to visit the New York Aquarium, located in Coney Island. This place has free entry, but tickets must be reserved in advance. There, you can explore marine life in interactive exhibits that include sharks, walruses, and seals. Enjoy live shows with marine animals and visit the playground and its family activities. To get there, take the D or N subway lines to the Coney Island-Stillwell Ave. Station and walk a few minutes to the aquarium.
While we don't usually associate New York with activities for children, the city is home to many museums that offer interactive experiences for them. Some popular options include:
● American Museum of Natural History: With an approximate cost of $23, this museum is famous for its fossil collection and impressive dinosaur hall. Located at 200 Central Park West, between 79th and 81st Streets, you can get there by taking the B or C subway lines to the 72nd St. station and walking west, or the 1 line to 79th St. and walking east.
● Children's Museum of Manhattan: This place is specially designed for children, where they can play and explore while learning about art, science, and culture. Admission costs around $15 for adults and $12 for children. It’s located at 212 West 83rd Street, between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway, you can easily reach it by taking the B or C subway lines to the 81st St.-Museum of Natural History station or the 1 line to 86th St. and walking south.
● New York Hall of Science: This museum offers over 450 interactive exhibits designed to stimulate the scientific curiosity of the whole family. It’s located at 47-01 111th Street, in Corona, Queens, and it costs approximately $20 per person. To get there, take the 7 subway line to the 111th St. station and walk about 10 minutes to the museum.
If you want an exciting family vacation in New York, you shouldn't miss the amusement park Luna Park and its famous Cyclone roller coaster. There your kids will have a very fun day with fairground games, water attractions, and playgrounds for children near Coney Island beach. But remember, to enter you can buy individual tickets for each attraction or buy a bracelet for multiple attractions unlimitedly that costs approximately $60-$40.
To get to this park, you can take the D or N subway lines to the Coney Island-Stillwell Ave. station, from there, Luna Park is just a few minutes' walk away. Several bus lines take you to Coney Island, such as the B68 and B7.
Moreover, New York City offers many other parks and outdoor playgrounds that guarantee fun for the whole family. Especially for those who like to exercise outdoors, have picnics on the grass, and ride a bicycle or trek along wonderful trails. So you shouldn’t forget to schedule a fun afternoon in one of these parks in your itinerary:
● Brooklyn Bridge Park: This is a beautiful green space with free admission located at 334 Furman St. Open from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM, it offers spectacular views of Manhattan, with playgrounds, sports fields, hiking and biking trails. To get there, you can take the 2 and 3 subway lines to the Clark St. station or the A and C lines to High St. Or you can even take the East River ferry from Manhattan to the Brooklyn pier, which drops you off near the park.
● The High Line: An elevated park built on an old railway line that offers gardens, contemporary art, and city views with free admission. To get there, take any of the A, C, and E subway lines to the 14th St. station or the 1 line to 16th St. Access to the park is located at various entrances along the route, but the most popular is Gansevoort St. at the southern end.
If you want to explore the city from the water, there are various boat tours available on the Hudson River. Like cruises that tour Midtown and Lower Manhattan, allowing you to see the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges, along with other important city buildings. There are also ferries that disembark at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, offering views of other city icons such as the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Battery Park, and Brookfield Place. Moreover, there are also sailboat tours departing from the Brooklyn Pier, offering the same route to smaller groups, ideal for an exclusive experience with your family.
However, if you visit New York during the winter, you can't miss one of the favorite things to do in New York with family: ice skating. The most iconic rink is the one at Rockefeller Center, which we've seen countless times in movies and TV shows placed in New York City during the holiday season. It usually opens very early, from 7 or 8 am, and prices vary depending on the day and time.
Similarly, you cannot forget to visit the Bryant Park rink, which offers a beautiful view of the Empire State Building. This rink is installed from mid-November to February-March, and it's free, you only pay for skate rental. Another option is the Central Park rink, whose tickets must be purchased in advance and prices vary depending on the day and time. But it's undoubtedly one of the most beautiful rinks due to its connection with nature, especially in November when it will be surrounded by the last autumn trees.
On the other hand, if you want to create unforgettable memories for your children and are a dynamic family who loves to travel, New York offers the opportunity to explore more beyond the city for a day or a few days. So there are several options that are ideal for you:
● Niagara Falls: You can do this by booking a tour, as it includes transportation, a guide, entrance to the national park and tickets for the Maid of the Mist cruise. But you also have the option of going by your own means with a direct flight from New York to Buffalo airport and then take a bus or taxi directly to the falls. It’s usually a little more expensive option, but if you book flights in advance, you’ll surely find offers.
● Philadelphia: You can discover local cuisine while visiting iconic places like the Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Please Touch Museum specially designed for children.
● Washington D.C.: It’s a perfect stop for a history lesson at the Smithsonian Museum.
● Long Island: Known for its beaches, it is a great place to enjoy the sun with your family.
● Coney Island and Rockaway: But if you want to see a few more beaches, Coney Island and Rockaway are perfect for a fun day out with the family.
Ready to plan your stay in the Big Apple? For a comfortable and convenient stay in the city with your family, consider staying at the NH Collection Madison Avenue hotel. This hotel offers spacious and welcoming rooms ideal for you guys because it’s located less than a 10-minute walk away from iconic Manhattan landmarks such as Times Square and Broadway. Furthermore, thanks to its location you will not have to worry about transportation or what to eat in New York City, because everything is just around the corner. So don't miss the opportunity and book now!
On the other hand, New York is one of the best-connected cities in the world. Since there are several transportation options available for all budgets:
● Subway: There are 27 subway lines that connect Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, making it a very useful ally for transportation. This service is available 24 hours a day, and you can pay for it with the MetroCard, which allows you to purchase 7- or 30-day unlimited ride passes at a low cost. However, you should keep in mind that unlimited passes cannot be shared with multiple people, so you must purchase a card per passenger.
● Buses: In the case of buses, they complement the subway system while they operate from 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM. You can also pay it with a MetroCard, contactless payments, or cash.
● Taxis: These ones are more expensive, but are useful if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage.
● Regional Trains: This is the perfect choice for trips outside the city, there are Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road.
To ensure your itinerary times, download the official app of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). It will help you get up-to-date information on schedules and delays in transportation systems.
So now you know if you want to have a fascinating vacation, while ensuring fun for your entire family, you should come to New York. Because this city offers a wide variety of activities, accommodation options, and accessible transportation, which makes it very easy to plan a trip with children. In fact, don't miss the opportunity to ice skate in winter, visit the city's most emblematic museums, and enjoy the landscape in the most emblematic parks. Because here, you can create unforgettable memories with your loved ones without sacrificing your family vacation in New York.
Yes, this city is very family-friendly and offers a wide range of activities suitable for all ages if you want a family vacation in New York.
Aquariums are one of the most fun places you can visit with your children. But New York offers countless plans, from visiting the Statue of Liberty to exploring interactive museums and enjoying parks, there are many options.
Without a doubt, the metro is one of the most efficient ways to get around the city. You can also complement your routes through buses.
Spring and fall are usually ideal, with pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. But winter is a magical time, especially during the Christmas season.
The Manhattan area is the ideal location to stay since you will have everything you need right around the corner. Check out the different types of accommodation offered by NH Hotels in the area.
Reopened on May 2021 after a full renovation, the NH Collection New York Madison Avenue is about as central as it gets. This 100-year-old building offers an ideal location at Madison Avenue and 38th street, within walking distance to some of the big attractions, like the Empire State Building. Step inside to enjoy cutting-edge interior design, with nods to Madison Avenue's golden age of advertising.
When thinking about New York, the Big Apple equals TV shows, with some of the most successful and popular ones in history being set here. For this reason, the New York of TV shows deserves a visit on its own. Discovering places where some your favorite shows have been shot or places that served as their inspiration will allow you to enjoy the city in a different way
New York’s fame for being the city that never sleeps is well deserved, and that's why the options you have to enjoy New York at Night are endless. All the city’s neighborhoods offer activities to enjoy once the sun goes down, and if you want you’ll still have something to do in the city of skyscrapers when the sun comes back up in the sky and a new day begins
For many people, New York is the capital of the world. An emblematic city that been the setting of some of the best movies of all times, as well as photographed by the most prestigious artists. A city that has thousands of corners where you can take the best pictures illustrating your stay, some of which we will mention here
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