New York City is what made me fall in love with the East Coast. I still remember my first visit to the city as a young girl from San Diego. Everything seemed so foreign and exciting! The theatre, Little Italy, the skyscrapers, the NY accent, the sophisticated shops of 5th Avenue, and the unique smells. It was all seared in my memory forever.
As parents, my husband and I love to bring our children to the city. They are still awestruck every time we visit and discover something new to love. One trip it was the Empire State Building, another it was Ellis Island, then Dylan’s Candy Shop; the last trip it was the 30-foot Wii screen at Le Parker Meridian. New York does everything in a grand style.
New York with kids requires a new approach. If you attempt to drag your kids on an adult-focused itinerary, everyone will be miserable. I recently heard a couple complaining about how they bought their daughter a toy, but then she wanted to go back to the hotel to play with it. Kids are kids no matter where they are. Parents may be missing the days of art galleries, late night dinners, and music. Most of these things are still doable when you balance them with kid-focused activities like playing in Central Park, visiting the M&M store, or riding the largest indoor Ferris wheel at Toys-R-Us.
Here’s a look into my little black book of favorite websites, articles, and guides:
Family Blogs
Mommy Poppins is an easy to read, informative blog that offers current event coverage as well as 100 things to do in NYC with kids.
Kid City, by Sam Chapnick, has an infinite amount of coverage on NYC for kids. My favorite is the NYC Kidtineraries.
Journeywoman, a popular blogger, takes her kids to NYC.
Eileen Ogintz, the CNN family travel correspondent, has three articles that I reference: New York City-A Foodies Paradise, Four Days in NYC with a Pre-schooler, and A Kids Guide.
Travel for Kids has a great list of books to read before you go.
Traveling Mamas just posted a well organized list with unique ideas.
Ciao Bambino features posts on many NYC events. Also, don’t miss NYC Top 5 Family Excusions.
City Guides
Cookie Magazine offers a city guide for families (although the magazine is no longer running, the website is up.)
WeJustGotBack.com’s NYC Insider Guide is excellent and thorough.
Trip Advisor’s printable city guide is a high level overview in a well organized format.
Trekaroo has a long list of activities for kids in New York.
Articles, Events and Lists
Travel & Leisure used to have a “Family Magazine” and this dated article is still one of my favorites - Secret NYC.
Toddler-Friendly Attractions on About.com
NY Magazine Family Section
Go City Kids Event List
NY Magazines Family-Friendly Restaraunts
New York City high level overview and theatre updates.
NYTheatre.com for the scoop on current musicals, check this.
GOOP, a weekly newsletter by Gwyneth Paltrow, highlights great restaurants.
Great Guides
Context Travel is outstanding, a good value and will enhance any city experience. They offer group and custom tours led by subject experts (I book tours with them whenever they are available.) In NYC, they offer a family tour of the Met, chocolate tours, architecture tours, tours of Brooklyn, the Village, Jewish cuisine and culture, and the list goes on.
Art Smart, Do you love to visit the cultural sites, but are not sure how to involve your kids? Try Art Smart, a group that puts together custom tours for your family.
Viator always offers a good starting point for a list of unique activities.
Shopping
Suzanne’s Files lists some shopping for the kids.
Century 21 is not to be missed if you like designer clothes at ridiculously low prices. They have amazing kid’s clothes that are usually boutique only lines for a fraction of the normal price (example: True Religion skirt for my daughter at $15). I always drag my family here.
Le Parker Meridian
After planning all the great places to visit, you will need to figure out where to stay. New York City hotels tend to have small rooms and big prices, which is why when you find a great family spot, you have to spread the word. In the city, it’s important to choose a hotel that offers your family a retreat from the chaos, is comfortable, and has a bit of entertainment for kids. We have a few family hotels in New York listed on Ciao Bambino, however, I want to highlight the Le Parker Meridian.
The restaurants, pool and games were a perfect fit for my kids. They happened to have “The Best” Burger Joint in New York, which was ideal because I have one child who only eats hamburgers. This place, marked only by a small neon hamburger sign, is tucked behind velvet curtains, only revealed by the line that snakes into the lobby of the hotel. Once inside the dimly lit and packed diner, your choices are simple: hamburger or cheeseburger, Bass Ale, French fries and brownies. Skip the brownies, but the burgers are worth a trip, even if you’re not staying at the hotel.
After eating, we ventured up to the 40th story for a swim in the pool that overlooks Central Park where you also have the option of ordering food. Perfect if you’re beat or don’t want to manage kids in a restaurant.
The next day we discovered Norma’s too. Known for brunch, it was perfect for my hungry crew. Bring both patience and an appetite! The food is creative, fresh and delicious.
We capped off our hotel stay with some screen time on a 30-foot Wii screen that you rent by the hour. All four of my kids were contained, active, and having fun! Le Parker Meridien would not be my first choice for a romantic getaway, but with kids, it hits the mark.
Ciao Bambino recommended New York family hotels
New York with kids - holiday activities
New York with kids - tips from a local
New York with kids - top 5 kid-friendly excursions
New York museums kids - 7 great options
New York family vacation - best online resources
New York family activities on UpTake.com
Topics: Destinations, New York City, North America, Tips, USA
