2.5 days in NYC with kids (12, 7 and 4)

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

we will be driving to NYC this Saturday afternoon, arriving in the evening. We'll have Sunday, Monday and most of Tuesday there. I don't know NYC well at all. Would you all give me ideas for a reasonable itinerary with three kids (aged 12, 7 and 4), DH and I? We will be staying in Secaucus but assuming that most days will be spent in Manhattan/Brooklyn. We are also amenable to splitting (i.e. DH may spend time with the younger ones in the park while the oldest and I hit a museum).

Very grateful for all your suggestions. Don't want to turn this into a hassle with poor planning.

[Anonymous]

I live in NYC with kids. There are many many things to do so if you can maybe tell me a bit more about your interests or what you definitely want or don't want to see I can help better. There are certainly museums that would appeal to all of your kids at least for a shorter time, and plenty of other things to do. The weather looks quite nice though maybe a bit windy on Sunday.
How do your kids do with long walks? My NYC-raised kids are excellent walkers and wouldn't blink an eye at walking all day from a young age but I know many kids have different tolerances.

[Anonymous]

The Natural History Museum will appeal to all ages. Try to go on Monday or Tuesday since it'll be less crowded than a weekend.

We're big fans of the new playground in Battery Park, down by the SI Ferry terminal. Fun for older kids too -- you could easily combine a visit there with a walk around Battery Park, a (free) ride on the SI Ferry, and lunch at the nearby Shake Shack or something along those lines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in NYC with kids. There are many many things to do so if you can maybe tell me a bit more about your interests or what you definitely want or don't want to see I can help better. There are certainly museums that would appeal to all of your kids at least for a shorter time, and plenty of other things to do. The weather looks quite nice though maybe a bit windy on Sunday.
How do your kids do with long walks? My NYC-raised kids are excellent walkers and wouldn't blink an eye at walking all day from a young age but I know many kids have different tolerances.

While you’re here —- can I ask about a weekend with my DD at NYU who is very social, fashionable, loves great food and drinks and nightlife and me who is just about the opposite coming from the midwest for a first visit? I’m happy to “branch out” and would love some suggestions for things to do together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in NYC with kids. There are many many things to do so if you can maybe tell me a bit more about your interests or what you definitely want or don't want to see I can help better. There are certainly museums that would appeal to all of your kids at least for a shorter time, and plenty of other things to do. The weather looks quite nice though maybe a bit windy on Sunday.
How do your kids do with long walks? My NYC-raised kids are excellent walkers and wouldn't blink an eye at walking all day from a young age but I know many kids have different tolerances.

While you’re here —- can I ask about a weekend with my DD at NYU who is very social, fashionable, loves great food and drinks and nightlife and me who is just about the opposite coming from the midwest for a first visit? I’m happy to “branch out” and would love some suggestions for things to do together.

Is your daughter a student at NYU already living in the city, or are you coming to visit it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in NYC with kids. There are many many things to do so if you can maybe tell me a bit more about your interests or what you definitely want or don't want to see I can help better. There are certainly museums that would appeal to all of your kids at least for a shorter time, and plenty of other things to do. The weather looks quite nice though maybe a bit windy on Sunday.
How do your kids do with long walks? My NYC-raised kids are excellent walkers and wouldn't blink an eye at walking all day from a young age but I know many kids have different tolerances.

While you’re here —- can I ask about a weekend with my DD at NYU who is very social, fashionable, loves great food and drinks and nightlife and me who is just about the opposite coming from the midwest for a first visit? I’m happy to “branch out” and would love some suggestions for things to do together.

Is your daughter a student at NYU already living in the city, or are you coming to visit it?

She’s a first year NYU student. My first NYC visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in NYC with kids. There are many many things to do so if you can maybe tell me a bit more about your interests or what you definitely want or don't want to see I can help better. There are certainly museums that would appeal to all of your kids at least for a shorter time, and plenty of other things to do. The weather looks quite nice though maybe a bit windy on Sunday.
How do your kids do with long walks? My NYC-raised kids are excellent walkers and wouldn't blink an eye at walking all day from a young age but I know many kids have different tolerances.

Thank you so much. My kids are all good walkers and used to walking long distances. They like nature and playgrounds; the older two like museums and to a lesser degrees, zoos and acquariums. The older two can take an hour or so of arty stuff; all three like trains and construction and boats and books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Natural History Museum will appeal to all ages. Try to go on Monday or Tuesday since it'll be less crowded than a weekend.

We're big fans of the new playground in Battery Park, down by the SI Ferry terminal. Fun for older kids too -- you could easily combine a visit there with a walk around Battery Park, a (free) ride on the SI Ferry, and lunch at the nearby Shake Shack or something along those lines.

THank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in NYC with kids. There are many many things to do so if you can maybe tell me a bit more about your interests or what you definitely want or don't want to see I can help better. There are certainly museums that would appeal to all of your kids at least for a shorter time, and plenty of other things to do. The weather looks quite nice though maybe a bit windy on Sunday.
How do your kids do with long walks? My NYC-raised kids are excellent walkers and wouldn't blink an eye at walking all day from a young age but I know many kids have different tolerances.

While you’re here —- can I ask about a weekend with my DD at NYU who is very social, fashionable, loves great food and drinks and nightlife and me who is just about the opposite coming from the midwest for a first visit? I’m happy to “branch out” and would love some suggestions for things to do together.

Different poster here, lives in NYC. Some things off the top of my head:

Met or MoMA museum if you haven't been
See a Broadway show
Go shopping in Soho
The Occulus/WTC center also has some nice shops, has kind of a futuristic vibe
Get facials or mani/pedis together
A million restaurants to choose from
Drinks at a rooftop bar
Walk in Central Park
Walk the high line
Visit Eataly or the Chelsea Market (or any food hall)
Visit the new Seaport/Pier 17. Touristy but has some nice restaurants and shops and great views
People seem to love this new 'Edge' thing - seems super touristy to me
Sightseeing cruise around Manhattan - I live here and found it fun & enjoyed all this historical facts
If you want to venture out to Brooklyn -Brooklyn Bridge Park is very pleasant for walking and has some restaurants at either end - can take the ferry from Wall St.

[Anonymous]

Ok, nyc poster above. Here are some ideas for you:

One day do “upper” manhattan - Central Park, AMNH (the Diana Ross playground is right across the street if your youngest isn’t up for the museum, and there are many other playgrounds nearby), there is a shake shack nearby too or walk down to Grays Papaya at 72/Bway for a classic dog. There are lots of ice cream places around and Levain or Magnolia for bakeries. After if you want to take the train down to Times Square (I mean I hate it but most tourists want to go there), then I’d either walk west to 9th or 10th Aves for dinner, lots of options there and better than the really touristy stuff in TS.

Day 2 lower manhattan- do the SI Ferry and playgrounds as mentioned. Great views and your kids won’t be into Ellis Island (although it is awesome) so not worth doing the Statue/Ellis ferry. Self-guided walking tour around the lower manhattan sites - stock exchange/Trinity Church/other early American sites if your kids are into that. See the 9/11 memorial (but the museum is too much for those ages), go to Eataly downtown for dinner.

Day 3 - Brooklyn/bk bridge - NY Transit museum, Dumbo for pizza & ice cream and great playgrounds, walk across the bridge to lower Manhattan if you’re up for that.

[Anonymous]

I'm the AMNH and Battery Park poster from above. A meal in Chinatown would also be fun. Go to the area around Doyers street -- it's closed to cars, there are lots of restaurants to choose from, and definitely visit the Chinatown Ice Cream factory too. Columbus Park playground nearby is a nice place to sit and enjoy the ice cream and let your kids run around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the AMNH and Battery Park poster from above. A meal in Chinatown would also be fun. Go to the area around Doyers street -- it's closed to cars, there are lots of restaurants to choose from, and definitely visit the Chinatown Ice Cream factory too. Columbus Park playground nearby is a nice place to sit and enjoy the ice cream and let your kids run around.

Thank you so much!!!

[Anonymous]

I live here and I'd consider one of those double decker hop-on, hop-off bus tours. It's a fun way of seeing the city and you can pick and choose which sites appeal to you. My kids live here and they have still enjoyed riding hem with out of town guests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in NYC with kids. There are many many things to do so if you can maybe tell me a bit more about your interests or what you definitely want or don't want to see I can help better. There are certainly museums that would appeal to all of your kids at least for a shorter time, and plenty of other things to do. The weather looks quite nice though maybe a bit windy on Sunday.
How do your kids do with long walks? My NYC-raised kids are excellent walkers and wouldn't blink an eye at walking all day from a young age but I know many kids have different tolerances.

While you’re here —- can I ask about a weekend with my DD at NYU who is very social, fashionable, loves great food and drinks and nightlife and me who is just about the opposite coming from the midwest for a first visit? I’m happy to “branch out” and would love some suggestions for things to do together.

Different poster here, lives in NYC. Some things off the top of my head:

Met or MoMA museum if you haven't been
See a Broadway show
Go shopping in Soho
The Occulus/WTC center also has some nice shops, has kind of a futuristic vibe
Get facials or mani/pedis together
A million restaurants to choose from
Drinks at a rooftop bar
Walk in Central Park
Walk the high line
Visit Eataly or the Chelsea Market (or any food hall)
Visit the new Seaport/Pier 17. Touristy but has some nice restaurants and shops and great views
People seem to love this new 'Edge' thing - seems super touristy to me
Sightseeing cruise around Manhattan - I live here and found it fun & enjoyed all this historical facts
If you want to venture out to Brooklyn -Brooklyn Bridge Park is very pleasant for walking and has some restaurants at either end - can take the ferry from Wall St.

Mani pedi sounds like a waste of a day. Boring!

[Anonymous]

I'm spending a day in NYC with my 8yo in June and want to go to SlooMoo, the slime experience. It looks fun for a kid who loves slime!

Question is, for the NYC PP's-will I be able to park around there? I'll be on a road trip so not taking the train in to the city.