For the kids · New York City, United States
14 Things to Do in New York City with Kids
The Phantom of the Opera leads the list. The rest of family-friendly New York City follows, ranked by real visits.
Chosen by venue type (family-oriented categories), ordered by real review volume. Updated monthly.
The Phantom of the Opera
EntertainmentThe Phantom of the Opera is a theatrical phenomenon that has captivated audiences since its 1988 debut.
Read our full guide →Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
EntertainmentFree entryLincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a 16-acre campus on Manhattan's Upper West Side, comprising over 30 indoor and outdoor performance venues.
Read our full guide →Majestic Theatre
EntertainmentThe Majestic Theatre, located on West 44th Street in the heart of New York City's Theater District, is one of Broadway's most iconic venues.
Read our full guide →Immersive Gamebox - Lower East Side
EntertainmentImmersive Gamebox - Lower East Side is a cutting-edge entertainment venue that blends video gaming with physical activity.
Read our full guide →Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
EntertainmentHarry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part stage play that serves as the eighth story in the Harry Potter series, set 19 years after the events of the original books.
Read our full guide →The Village Vanguard
EntertainmentThe Village Vanguard is a legendary jazz club in New York City's Greenwich Village, operating continuously since 1935.
Read our full guide →Shubert Theatre
EntertainmentThe Shubert Theatre, located on West 44th Street in Manhattan's Theater District, is a landmark venue that has been a cornerstone of Broadway since 1913.
Read our full guide →New World Stages
EntertainmentNew World Stages is a premier off-Broadway theater complex located in the heart of Midtown West, New York City.
Read our full guide →Children's Museum of Manhattan
MuseumFree entryThe Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) is a beloved family destination located at 212 West 83rd Street in New York City's Upper West Side.
Read our full guide →Little Island
Park & natureFree entryLittle Island is an innovative public park built on tulip-shaped concrete pillars rising from the Hudson River, just off Greenwich Village.
Read our full guide →The Play that Goes Wrong
EntertainmentThe Play That Goes Wrong is a riotous comedy that has become a staple of New York’s Theater District since its Broadway debut.
Read our full guide →Arthur's Tavern
EntertainmentArthur's Tavern is a beloved dive bar and live music venue nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village.
Read our full guide →Lyceum Theatre
EntertainmentThe Lyceum Theatre is one of Broadway's oldest and most cherished venues, located on West 45th Street in the Theater District.
Read our full guide →The Imbible: A Spirited History of Drinking
EntertainmentThe Imbible: A Spirited History of Drinking is a unique off-Broadway show that blends education and entertainment in the heart of Midtown West.
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
We keep only child-appropriate venue types — parks, zoos, hands-on museums, theme parks — then rank them by how many families actually review them well, out of the 169 New York City places we track. Refreshed monthly, with no paid placement.
Good to know
Most picks suit ages 2 to 10; a few also work for older kids and teens.
Popular museums and parks in New York City are calmest right at opening or after 3pm.
Keep one indoor pick in your back pocket in case the forecast turns.
Common questions
Is New York City good to visit with kids?+
Yes. Parks, boat rides and hands-on museums make it easy to break up sightseeing with things children enjoy, and every spot on this list is one families rate highly.
What can you do for free with kids in New York City?+
Plenty of parks and playgrounds cost nothing. See our free things to do in New York City for the full set.
How many days do you need in New York City with children?+
Two to three days is enough to cover the highlights at a relaxed, kid-friendly pace.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.