THINGS TO DO IN NYC
New York City does not have to be a chaos-inducing, wallet-draining experience when visiting NYC with your family. Surpass the Empire State Building and the Toys ‘R Us Ferris Wheel with the following tips for having an awesome time with your family and exciting things to do in the Big Apple.
ENCOURAGE CREATIVITY
Think beyond flashy Broadway shows that break the bank when traveling as a family. The New Victory Theatre offers a lot of kid-friendly offerings, which include selected performances for children with autism. Let kids explore their theatrical side with workshops at La Mama, which is one of the oldest experimental theatre companies in NYC. These theatres are definitely a place to visit in New York with kids.
HANG WITH OTHER NYC FAMILIES.
If you are aiming at learning interesting facts about a city, there is nothing better than hanging around with the locals. Kids who are raised in NYC look at life at a different way than kids who are raised elsewhere. This is definitely not a bad thing, but New York City kids are raised with “street smart” sense which is cool to experience in person. For the out-of-towner, NYC is immensely difficult to navigate. However, rest assured there are many groups that help travelling families get the chance to interact with New Yorkers. A few of these groups are NYC Third Culture Kids or Cobble Hill Chill Parents.
LEARNING NYC HISTORY
American rock shelters at Inwood Hill Park is definitely something to do in NYC. You can also experience what immigrant life was like at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. Also make sure to stop by the9/11 Memorial for a moment of silence and reflection.
BEYOND PICNICS IN THE PARK
Make sure to check out the Urban Park Rangers programs, which take place all year-round and are also free. Children will definitely go crazy over the Creepy Insects and Crafts workshop which are found at Fort Totten. They can also take pride in becoming a Conservation Ranger during the school breaks which take place during some of the week-long programs designed for families.
ZOOS
Across New York City’s five boroughs, there are several wildlife centres and six zoos. The Central Park Zoo is an amazing daytime activity with its penguin feeding. Also, head to the Queens Zoo for interacting evening tours or exclusive zoo campouts.
CHILL ZONES
The pace of the city can sometimes be disheartening, especially if you are visiting New York City for the first time. However, if you are visiting New York City with the kids, then NYC is an awesome place to visit since it offers some great chill zones. Walk along the Highline or chill in Bryant Park if you want some free play or breath-taking views. On the other hand, if you are more into some alone time, then we suggest that you explore the New York Public Library or the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe found in Soho.
CHEAP FAMILY EATS ( of where to eat in New York City on a budget)
Grab four dumplings for $1.25 at Vanessa’s Dumpling House in Chinatown. Let kids sample legit hot dog combos at Papaya King on the Upper West Side. Count how many Famous Original Ray’s Pizza shops you can find and then share a slice and soda. Watch rainbow bagels get made at The Bagel Store in Williamsburg.
WHEN IN DOUBT, FIND A MUSEUM.
New York City offers a lot of culture. Nearly every NYC museum offers free admission for kids who are under 12 years of age. MoMa and the Museum of the City of New York are definitely places to visit in New York, and they go as far as anyone under 18. Celebrate diversity at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan with their rotating schedule of culture-specific exhibits, as well as the Jewish Museum.