25 Great Things to do in New York City

New York City has the exciting hustle and bustle of city life, lush parks and green spaces, historical sites, major sports teams, theatre, and world class museums. New York City is one of our family’s favorite cities in the world and even though we have been numerous times over the years, we always love coming back and exploring new things. In this guide we compiled a list of our favorite things to see and do in New York City, all of which are also great for kids and teens. It is a mix of lesser known sights as well as the must see big sites. Be sure to check some of these out on your next trip to the Big Apple!

1. Museum of the Moving Image

LOCATION: 36-01 35th Ave., Queens

WEBSITE: https://movingimage.org/

When I learned of this museum I knew we had to visit. Braden is a big fan of movies, both to watch and create. The museum is located in Queens, which is just a short subway ride from where stayed in Manhattan.

Once there, we purchased our tickets on site and set off to explore. We started with the ongoing exhibition, Behind the Screens. In this exhibit one can view many types of film cameras that have evolved through the ages. There are some interactive exhibits here as well. We also made our way through the Jim Henson Exhibition. Viewing the puppets that really solidified a place in children’s programming was nostalgic for sure. We took our time reading first scripts of movies, checking out various artifacts, and interacting with various exhibits to learn about the ongoing progression of film. Overall it was very interesting and especially fun for a teen interested in movie making.

The Museum of the Moving Image | Queens

We grabbed lunch across the street at Napoli Pizza & Pasta and it was delicious! The pizza was so big it took up nearly the entire table. The restaurant was very small but quaint and authentic and we highly recommend it.

2. The Tenement Museum

LOCATION: 103 Orchard St., Manhattan

WEBSITE: https://www.tenement.org/

Immigration is something the kids learn in school, of course, but there is no education like first-hand experience. Visiting an old tenement in New York’s Lower East Side is about as first-hand as it gets. We had a guided tour through two tenements, each with their own familial stories. During the tour, we checked out the reconstructed apartments, listened to the knowledgeable guide tell the backstories, and finally listened to recordings of the actual people who once resided here. Our teens were very intrigued as were we!

The Tenement Museum | Lower East Side

Luckily for us, one of our favorite New York stops, Erin McKenna’s Bakery, is right around the corner from the Tenement Museum, located on Orchard Street. Erin McKenna’s is an allergy-friendly bakery so it’s a must stop anytime we are in the city for our kids with dietary restrictions.

3. NBC Studio Tour & Top of the Rock

LOCATION: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan

WEBSITE: https://www.thetouratnbcstudios.com/

This is tops with our teens! We recommend coupling this with visiting Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) as they are in the same building.

First, to do the NBC Studio Tour kids have to be at least six years old. There is the possibility that shows could be filming so children have to be able to be quiet and well behaved during the tour. Time alotted tickets must be purchased ahead of time.

The tour begins conveniently in the NBC Studios gift shop. During our visit, there was a remake of Michael Scott’s office, encouraging you to take photos while seated at the desk. Our kids, big fans of The Office, had a lot fun doing this. Once it was time for our tour, we were collected and brought up on an elevator to begin. The tour can vary, depending on what is filming at that time. We were able to view the sets of Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on the day we visited. At the end of the tour, we created our own version of a show with all the other people on our tour. We each had a “job” and it was a great time! This was something our kids & teens really enjoyed.

After the NBC Studio Tour, we had tickets to visit the Top of the Rock. The Top of the Rock(efeller Center) has some of the best views of New York City. You get panoramic views of Central Park to the north and lower Manhattan to the south, which is the epitome of an incredible New York skyline view.

Ava taking in the views from the Top of the Rock | 30 Rockefeller Center

4. Broadway and Beyond

LOCATION: All over NYC!

WEBSITE: For Broadway: https://www.broadway.com/

A visit to New York is hardly complete without seeing a live show. We are big theatre fans so this is always a must! The shows are constantly changing so it’s pointless to list our favorites but I will say if you get the chance to see Wicked, Aladdin, Jersey Boys, Hamilton…well, you get the idea! Just go!

Excited to see an incredible Broadway show

On a recent trip to New York City, we escaped the July heat for a few hours and saw a matinee of Blue Man Group. The show options are endless here!

We love to grab dinner at Ellen’s Stardust Diner beforehand. It’s loud and fun with singing waitstaff breaking into show tunes periodically. It’s especially fun before catching a Broadway show!

It’s always lively at Ellen’s Stardust Diner | Manhattan

TICKETS TIP: The TKTS booth sells same-day theatre tickets at 50% off. If you aren’t picky about the show you see this is a great way to snag a deal. And from my list above, you can see that you really can’t go wrong with seeing any show!

5. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

LOCATION: New York Harbor

WEBSITE: https://www.cityexperiences.com/new-york/city-cruises/statue/

TICKETS TIP: The only authorized ticket seller for Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tickets is the above website and The National Park Service highly recommends you purchase only from that site. There are known to be scammers aggressively hawking tickets, especially down in Battery Park. Often times the tickets are fake or overpriced. Play it safe and purchase from the above website or from the on-site location inside Castle Clinton at the Battery.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty is a must during a visit to New York City. Statue Cruises is the sole ferry that will take you to both Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty sits, and Ellis Island. Be sure to get your tickets in advance. This is also imperative if you are interested in visiting the interior of the Statue – whether it be just the pedestal or all the way up to the crown.

The Statue of Liberty | New York Harbor

We loved walking around Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty up close. When we visited, our kids were quite young so we skipped visiting the interior.

We walked around the entire Statue of Liberty, shopped in the gift shop, and had a picnic lunch outside. After our time on Liberty Island we took the short ferry ride to Ellis Island. For millions of Americans, their ancestors passed through Ellis Island so it’s not only an important national historical venue but a personal one as well. Ellis Island is laid out so one can see it from the eyes of a new immigrant. It really brings to life immigration into America and is an incredible place to visit.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you are only interested in viewing the Statue of Liberty from the water, consider a cruise around Manhattan or the FREE Staten Island Ferry. The ferry takes you right past the Statue of Liberty, giving great views of the green lady as well as lower Manhattan. This is a lot quicker than the above Statue of Liberty and Ellis island tour, great if you are short on time.

The Staten Island Ferry | New York Harbor

For great views of the Statue of Liberty head to up the stairs and to the right side of the boat. You’ll not only cruise right past the Statue of Liberty but get great views of lower Manhattan as well!

Views of Lower Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry | New York Harbor

6. Sea Glass Carousel

LOCATION: Water Street & State Street, Lower Manhattan

WEBSITE: https://www.seaglasscarousel.nyc/

This is a great add on when seeing the Statue of Liberty, whether via the Staten Island Ferry or Statue Cruises.

The Sea Glass Carousel | Lower Manhattan

Just a 3 minute walk from Whitehall Terminal, the Sea Glass Carousel, located in Battery Park, is a fun add on for kids after riding the ferry. Featuring fish to ride on, the lighting is magical.

7. September 11 Memorial & Museum

LOCATION: 180 Greenwich St., Manhattan

WEBSITE: https://www.911memorial.org/

This is another important part of our American History, albeit much more modern. While today’s kids and teens were not around to live through it, they have grown up hearing first-hand accounts from their parents and teachers of September 11 and the impact thereafter. Take your time walking around the outdoor memorial, quietly reading names and taking in the tribute to those who lost their lives that day.

Flags among the names | 911 Memorial

The Memorial consists of two waterfall pools that sit in the footprints of the World Trade Center Towers. The water continuously flows down and is to represent “absence made visible”.

One of the pools | 911 Memorial

Along the edges of the two pools, all of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing have their names engraved. In the shadow of Freedom Tower, it serves as a continuous reminder of those who lost their lives on that day.

Freedom Tower and The 911 Memorial

The 911 Museum tells the stories of September 11, 2001 through various artifacts, personal stories, and exhibitions.

The Survivor’s Stairs – this is the last set of stairs people escaped from. They were told to descend as fast as they could and then run for their lives. You can now walk parallel to the stairs, thinking about what it was like in those moments for those people | 911 Museum

The museum currently contains over 70,000 artifacts to share with the public while walking them through the timeline of September 11 and the days after the attacks.

The last column from the World Trade Center Towers. This stood within Ground Zero until it was removed in 2002 and then placed in the museum in 2009 | 911 Museum

It is a very moving museum and one that should not be missed.

A moving tribute | 911 Museum

8. Summit One Vanderbilt

LOCATION: 45 E. 42nd St., Manhattan

WEBSITE: https://summitov.com/

In our opinion, this is the best observation deck in New York City! And it’s even more than an observation deck, it’s a fully immersive experience!

There are two ways to enter: from inside Grand Central Station or from the street. This is how we did it: From 42nd Street, turn onto Vanderbilt Ave. The doors to enter will be on the left at One Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt Ave is a small pedestrian lane located between One Vanderbilt and Grand Central Station. There are also staff outside helping to guide you into the building. Once inside, follow the signs to Summit One Vanderbilt.

Once inside, you begin with watching a short movie. From there, you put on shoe covers to protect the glass floors you’ll soon be standing on.

Next, you can scan your bracelet and take a photo. We opted to skip this part as we were eager to just get up to the observation decks. At the very end of the experience you see a video screen with a moving projection of colorful clouds with faces in them. Your face could be on one of the many the clouds if you took your photo in the beginning.

The elevator ride whisks you up 91 stories to take in the immersive observation areas unlike any other place. Part observatory and part art installation, you’ll be wowed from start to finish. Set within three floors, you get stunning views in every direction over 1,000 feet above Manhattan.

The first room is Transcendence, a fully mirrored two-story room with views outward to the city.

Transcendence | Summit One Vanderbilt

You can also step out onto a glass ledge set high above the city to take in the views below your feet! The next room, Affinity, is full of silver balloons, fun especially for kids and teens to play with!

Affinity, fun for all ages! | Summit One Vanderbilt

After you’ve spent time in these areas, take the escalator up to the third level of Summit One. Grab a drink and light snacks at Apres’ before heading out to view the skyline. We took our drinks outdoors to the terrace and watched the sky turn pink and then slowly to night as the city lights sparkled below.

The beautiful Chrysler building as seen from Summit One Vanderbilt

Watching Manhattan turn to night | Summit One Vanderbilt

BOOKING TIME: Consider what time of day you want to be observing the city at and book your tickets based on that. The total experience can take 60 – 90 minutes to explore, with endless time spent at Apres’ if you so desire. In July, we booked our tickets for 7:00 pm and were at Apres’ by 8:30. We wanted to see the city in daylight but with this timing we also caught golden hour, the sky turning pink, and the city lights coming on for a final “goodnight New York” moment. I highly recommend booking your tickets for about 90 minutes before sunset to get this full day to night experience.

ADDITIONAL TIPS: Be sure to wear shorts or pants – there is a lot of reflection here! There is a non-reflective path but it does not go through all the spaces. Also, bring sunglasses! Due to the amount of light entering the area, it will be much easier to take in the views if you wear shades.

Summit One Vanderbilt, a cool experience! | Manhattan

9. Chelsea Market

LOCATION: 75 Ninth Ave., Chelsea, Manhattan

WEBSITE: https://www.chelseamarket.com/

To get some of New York’s best food in one place, look no further than Chelsea Market. We stopped here after our visit to Starbuck’s Reserve & Roastery as it’s right across the street. You’ll see everything from ethnic food to donuts to retail stores.

Chelsea Market

It’s also home to the original National Biscuit Company, which is now just known as Nabisco. The Oreo Cookie was invented here as well!

The Oreo cookie was invented in Chelsea Market

We enjoyed walking through the market, checking out all the different vendors.

Chelsea Market

10. A Touristy Bus Ride

LOCATION: varies

WEBSITE: The Ride: https://experiencetheride.com/

We have two types of bus rides we recommend when visiting New York City. The first is the traditional hop-on/hop-off. This type of bus ride gives you the lay of the land and doubles as transportation to many of the touristy hot spots. What we do is stay on for the first loop to see everything from the bus and decide what interests us. We then start “hopping off and on” during the second loop. If you plan to visit a lot of the touristy spots, you can’t go wrong with a bus tour. We especially recommend this if it is your first trip to New York City.

Front seat views from the Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Tour | Manhattan

The second bus tour we recommend is The Ride. Mike and Braden were not interested in seeing Mean Girls with Ava and I, so they opted to do this non-traditional bus tour. While it is a bus ride through NYC, what sets it apart from the rest is that all seats are bleacher style and face outward. It’s also not simply a “tour” but rather an interactive experience. Both guys said it was a blast!

11. Walk the High Line & Visit the Vessel

LOCATION:

High Line: West side of Manhattan with multiple entry points

The Vessel: 20 Hudson Yards, Manhattan

The High Line, located on the west side of Manhattan, is meant for wandering. An elevated public park on an old New York City train line, the green spaces and gardens offer beautiful surroundings while taking in some great views of the city. The High Line runs from Gansevoort St. to 34th St. on Mahattan’s west side. There are multiple access points along the way, allowing visitors to walk as much or as little as they please.

We combined our stroll here with a stop at the Vessel, also known as “the beehive”, due to its hive like appearance. The inside of The Vessel contains interconnecting flights of stairs allowing guests to take in views from multiple points along the way.

The Vessel | Hudson Yards

12. Central Park

LOCATION: The center of Manhattan, multiple entry points

WEBSITE: https://www.centralparknyc.org/

No trip to New York City is complete without a visit to Central Park, which makes for a great visit during any time of year. We love a Central Park stroll when we need a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Central Park

There are many things to do in Central Park besides simply wander and people watch. To start, there are 21 playgrounds for the little ones to get out their energy in between sightseeing.

Ava tumbling in Central Park at 5 years old!

If water activities interest you, consider renting a rowboat from Loeb Boathouse or try your hand at maneuvering a model boat, renting from Kerbs Boathouse. One can also catch-and-release fish from Harlems Meer with rentals available from the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. The Central Park Carousel is located near the southern end of the park. It is a vintage carousel featuring wood-carved horses for a few minutes of fun.

Braden on the Central Park Carousel

The Central Park Zoo is a hit for kids and adults alike. Or take in some of the beautiful architecture such as Belvedere Castle, Cleopatra’s Needle, a variety of statues, and of course the famous Central Park bridges.

A peaceful respite from the city | Central Park

13. The Museum of Broadway

LOCATION: 145 West 45th St., Manhattan

WEBSITE: https://www.themuseumofbroadway.com/

The Museum of Broadway is a must stop for any theatre lovers. It’s laid out in chronological order, beginning from the first plays shown in New York all the way through the modern shows of today. We really enjoyed checking out costumes and props from shows, taking pics at photo stations, and learning all about the backstage process.

Scenes from the Museum of Broadway

Costumes from Hamilton | Museum of Broadway

Putting on a Broadway show involves a lot of moving parts. We see it come together seamlessly as theatre goers so it was very interesting to learn all about the entire process in the museum.

Behind the scenes peek | Museum of Broadway

14. Grand Central Terminal

LOCATION: 89 E. 42nd St., Manhattan

WEBSITE: https://grandcentralterminal.com/

The art deco interior is like a free art exhibit so we took in the beauty while grabbing snacks from some of the many food stalls.

Grand Central Station

We also did a little shopping and enjoyed people watching as folks scurried to and from platforms off on a grand (or not so grand) adventure! It’s also right next door to One Vanderbilt, so if you plan to visit Summit One Vanderbilt, you can head to Grand Central a little early.

Take in the sights, grab some food, and then head up to Summit One when your ticket time comes about.

15. The Brooklyn Bridge

LOCATION: The Brooklyn Bridge spans the East River from lower Manhattan to Brooklyn

There are several spots with great views, but our favorite is near South Street Seaport.

The Brooklyn Bridge | Lower Manhattan

We love to grab lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Industry Kitchen, which is located right there on the waterfront. After lunch, we enjoy walking along the path to take in the great views of the bridge.

Beautiful Gothic architecture | Brooklyn Bridge

One can walk from lower Manhattan to Brooklyn via the bridge. The location to get on the bridge from lower Manhattan is located near Pace University. Cross over Frankfort Street via the pedestrian crosswalk, this will take you under the road on the Brooklyn Bridge above, and follow the signs to the bridge. It will be just a few feet until you see the sign pointing you up a dark stairwell. As you get to the top, you’ll be on the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

16. Brooklyn Bridge Park & DUMBO

LOCATION: Runs along the waterfront of Brooklyn, right across from Manhattan, from John St. to Pier 6

Brooklyn Bridge Park is another peaceful respite from the city. Situated along the waterfront directly across from lower Manhattan, you get great views of New York City and the Brooklyn Bridge. Besides strolling, there are some nice shops and restaurants here, including the massive Time Out Market.

Views of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn Bridge Park | Brooklyn

As for DUMBO, which stands for “Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass”, buildings on either side of the street perfectly frame the Manhattan Bridge. But that’s not all – keep moving until you see the top of the Empire State Building perfectly framed within the bridge!

DUMBO | Brooklyn

17. Times Square

LOCATION: Junction of Broadway, Seventh Ave., and 42nd Streets, Manhattan

Can you even go to New York without seeing Times Square?! We don’t think so! Colorful, loud, and chaotic, Times Square is the epitome of touristy New York City.

Chain restaurants and stores that are in most major malls in America line the streets along with vendors selling hot dogs and pretzels. Various costumed characters walk about trying to get you to take a photo with them (for a fee!) while hordes of people mill about. It is a lot, especially at night, but a must do in New York City!

Times Square, always a chaotic time

We have frequently stayed at the Marriott Marquis, located right in Times Square. We love the spacious rooms as well as the location because it’s so easy to get anywhere from here. Additionally, we love to dine or just get a drink at the Broadway Lounge so we can take in the views of Times Square from above, a much less chaotic way to experience it!

Views of Times Square from The Broadway Lounge at the Marriott Marquis Times Square

18. Chinatown

We appreciate the sudden immersion that one experiences while walking around Chinatown. As the largest settlement of Chinese outside of China, New York’s Chinatown is a must see.

Chinatown

If you love Chinese food, this the place! We enjoy popping into shops, strolling the streets, and enjoying a tea to go while we do so.

Chinatown

19. Starbucks Reserve Roastery

LOCATION: 61 9th Ave., Chelsea, Manhattan

WEBSITE: https://www.starbucksreserve.com/locations/new-york-roastery

For any coffee lover or Starbucks aficionados, a stop at Starbucks Reserve Roastery fulfills all your coffee dreams. This is an elevated experience with tasty food made with high quality ingredients and unique drinks, including specialties such as espresso martini flights.

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery

Being a roastery, you’ll have the freshest beans in your coffee. Take time to listen to a guide sharing about the roasting process. You’ll probably not look at coffee beans the same again!

Delicious food and drink | Starbucks Reserve Roastery

20. The Edge

LOCATION: 30 Hudson Yards, Manhattan

WEBSITE: https://www.edgenyc.com/en

As one of New York’s City’s newest observation decks, having opened in 2020, it also holds the record for the highest observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. Ascend 100 floors above the streets of Manhattan for amazing views of the city. We recommend visiting at night when the city lights really sparkle. There is a bar and a restaurant up here to complete your visit.

The Edge, jutting out from the skyscraper

The views are incredible! The Edge viewing platform is unique in that the glass panels are slightly angled outward so you can get a really good view of the city below. A portion of the floor is glass so you can see the city directly below your feet.

Viewing platform at The Edge with the city all lit up

Views from The Edge

If you don’t have a fear of heights, consider the highest building ascent in the world while up here with City Climb. At 1200 feet below the ground, climbers are harnessed in while ascending stairs. Then, you can lean over the building, taking in these most unique and crazy views!

During our visit, the elevators were down unfortunately. We waited in line for an hour before we were told no more people could ascend. Having a timed ticket, we assumed we would be getting on the elevator during our ticket’s time slot. They finally started using service elevators to get people up and down, but it was still a long wait. As we were about to finally get on the elevator, they said due to large amount of people also trying to get back down, we had the option to wait in an extremely long line for a refund or take our chances and go up, knowing it would be a long wait to get down as well. We decided to go up, finally making it up about an hour and a half after our ticket time.

After our visit, I later read that there are frequent issues with the elevators here. Because of this, while we definitely loved the view from here, I would recommend Summit One Vanderbilt over The Edge.

21. FAO Schwarz

LOCATION: 30 Rockfeller Plaza, Manhattan

Wandering through the nostalgic FAO Schwarz is a fun stop with kids, teens, and even adults! Be sure to try out the floor piano that Tom Hanks danced on in the movie BIG!

FAO Schwarz originally opened in 1862 in Baltimore, Maryland before moving to New York City. In recent times it had a shiny location on 5th Avenue, but closed its doors there in 2015. It reopened in 2018 at its new location in Rockefeller Center.

The kids at the old FAO Schwarz location on 5th Ave

22. Bryant Park

LOCATION: Between 5th Avenue & Avenue of the Americas and 42nd and 40th Street in Manhattan

WEBSITE: https://bryantpark.org/

In the winter, ice skating in the city ranks high as well as visiting the pop up Holiday Market.

Bryant Park in December

We found a fun alternative to ice skating during a February visit – Bumper Cars on Ice! Getting tickets ahead is necessary as walk-up tickets are not guaranteed. Our teens found this fun!

Slipping and sliding on the ice | Bryant Park

In the summer, it’s a small, yet great place to sit and listen to summer concerts, grab food from the vendors, or just stroll through the park, especially welcomed on hot summer days.

It’s also lovely in the summer! | Bryant Park

23. Shopping

There are endless shopping opportunities in New York City. Peruse the souvenir shops around midtown, venture west to the Shops at Hudson Yards, explore the eclectic shops of the East Village or shop in Soho at stores near Broadway and Houston in lower Manhattan.

Under the shadow of The Vessel are the Shops at Hudson Yards

**24. The FRIENDS Apartment**

LOCATION: 90 Bedford Streeth, Greenwich Village, Manhattan

We love the show Friends so we wanted to see the apartment that was used in the exterior shots of the show. From Times Square, we took the subway to the Christopher Street station and walked through Greenwich Village to 90 Bedford Street – the official address of the apartment, located on the corner of Bedford and Grove. Once we found it, the kids got a kick out of seeing it up close! Someone was playing the Friends theme song on their phone, which was kind of funny and set the ambiance for sure.

The kids in front of the FRIENDS apartment | Greenwich Village, Manhattan

25. More Museums

There are so many museums in New York City that there could be a whole article on museums alone! Besides the ones we listed above, these are the big ones:

All of these museums’ collections feature some of the most incredible artifacts, art, and pieces from around the world and throughout history. Based on your interests, you will probably find that you can spend hours getting lost in any of these! These also make for a great stop during inclement weather.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

On a recent visit, I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). It was phenomenal! The rooftop garden is especially wonderful to visit, giving you amazing views down Central Park and onto Manhattan.

The rooftop garden at The Met – with views of Central Park and Manhattan

New York City has endless things to see and do for all ages, including families with kids in all different age groups. It remains our family’s favorite city! Continue reading for more information as to traveling to New York City with dietary restrictions, if that contains information you need. Otherwise, stop here and get planning a trip to NYC!

Dietary Notes

As always, everyone’s needs are different. At press time my husband is grain/gluten-free and two of our kids are allergic to nuts and eggs. Although we seem to encompass a large amount of dietary restrictions, we can only offer advice as to what pertains to our own family, as that is where our expertise lies!

Eating in New York City with dietary restrictions is relatively easy. There are just endless restaurants and ones we have sought out have been wonderful to accommodate. There are also some specialty shops, such as Erin McKenna’s Bakery and A La Mode for ice cream.

Here are some restaurants that we have eaten at in recent times that have been great with our food allergies, click the name for a link to the restaurant’s website:

For more on traveling with dietary restrictions, be sure to check out our guide: On the Go with Allergies.