The Ultimate Guide For Families Visiting NYC

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What are your kids most excited to do on your upcoming family vacation to NYC? Are they dying to see The Lion King or another Broadway show? Gaze at the city’s lights from the Empire State Building? Explore a teen-friendly interactive museum? Whatever your answer, if you’re visiting NYC with kids, you can be sure of one thing - you’re about to see their eyes light up like never before. To truly fulfill their dreams, you’ll also want to consider practical things. 

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What’s the best neighborhood or hotel to stay in? Where are the kid-friendly restaurants? (How about hotels with babysitting services?) How will you get around? As one of the local NYC experts here at Khonsu, I am always answering questions like these while planning itineraries for families visiting NYC. Here are the answers to these questions - and more.

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Let’s start with a common question --

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What’s The Best Time to Visit NYC With Kids?

Each season comes with its own magic in New York City. Thanks to this, there will be plenty to do in any season you choose to visit. Spring and Fall bring exploration of the city’s changing colors and some of the city’s biggest events. Winter’s holiday season is iconic and exciting. And summer is the time for festivals and outdoor fun. 

Here’s what you can expect in each season and my recommendation on the best month in each.

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Spring (March - May)

New York City awakens in the most gorgeous ways come spring. Colors spring up everywhere as flowers begin to bloom all over the city’s public parks. Blossoming trees lining the streets of family-friendly neighborhoods add charm. And cherry blossoms fill Central Park and the New York Botanical Gardens with pinks and whites. At the same time, cute outdoor cafés reopen to bring new energy to the city. 

This all begins in March. However, in some years, March is too cold, so it may not be the best month to visit if you want to experience NYC in full bloom

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Best Month to Visit NYC in Spring

April is the best month to visit NYC if you’re coming with your family in the Spring. You can time your trip for your kids’ spring break, and if you have younger kids, it will be warm enough to spend hours admiring Central Park (or New York Botanical Garden if you want to splurge). Outdoor attractions like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Bronx Zoo will be more comfortable to navigate, and you may even get discounts on your hotel since April is in the shoulder season!

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‍More Trip Ideas:

‍Spring can bring rainy days that make being out and about difficult. Here is a list of fun rainy day activities in NYC for kids to help you prepare if that happens. 

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Summer (June–August)

Summer sees NYC in full swing. It’s hot and humid, but there is a charge in the air that’s unique to the city. Free concerts pop up all over the parks while street festivals take over whole blocks of neighborhoods on weekends. Many of these events focus on local families, so if you’re looking for free things to do, summer is a great time to visit. Although you can find cheap (or free!) activities, you won’t get lucky with hotel prices in this popular season.

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Best Summer Month to Take a Family Vacation to NYC

June is the best summer month to take a family trip to NYC. The kids will still be in school, so you may have to pull them. But the pay-off will be cooler temperatures and less humidity while you’re in the city. Many free events like Shakespeare In The Park and Bryant Park’s Movie Nights open in June so you can look forward to some free fun if you visit in the month (we give you dozens of ideas for things to do with kids later!). 

July is the second best month as school will be out by then. But the city will be sticky and crowded, making it harder to navigate with young kids. One advantage of visiting in July is the amazing fireworks for July 4th. 

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‍More Trip Ideas:

‍Design your itinerary so you can take advantage of NYC’s free summer activities. Our free day planner makes it easy to map your activities based on neighborhood and plan your days, so you can maximize your time. Click here to check it out. 

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Fall

Fall sees New York City transforming as it prepares for winter. Central Park turns golden, and the weather feels perfect on your skin. The city’s infamous traffic lessens as kids go back to school, making streets and trains less packed. 

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Best Month To Visit NYC With Kids in Fall

November is an exciting month to bring your family to New York for many reasons. November brings Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with its kid-friendly characters and colorful floats. It’s also the month when Rockefeller lights its famous Christmas tree to signal the start of the festive season. Above all, November has perfect weather for enjoying all the city has to offer.

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‍More Trip Ideas:

‍Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the most requested events we get when we plan itineraries for families. If you’re visiting in November and want to see the parade without the crowds, here are some awesome hotels to watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from.

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Winter

Winter sees another change in NYC. Winter villages with gifts, hot cocoa, and Santa pop up in popular locations like Bryant Park and the Oculus. Streets and retail stores twinkle with fairy lights as Christmas draws near. And some of the city’s biggest kid- friendly events open.

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Best Month to Visit NYC With Kids in Winter

There’s no competition - December is the best month in winter for a family trip to NYC. By December, extravagant Christmas sights like the Rockefeller Christmas tree and Manhattan’s Holiday Windows are up. Other seasonal kid-friendly activities like ice skating and the Rockettes Christmas Extravaganza also open in December.  December doesn’t see the snowstorms common in January and February so the weather is also ideal.

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‍More Trip Ideas:

Bring the kids to see NYC’s great Christmas trees in Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park Winter Village, or The Rockettes. Get more family-friendly ideas from our fun list of holiday things to do with kids in NYC  ‍

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After settling on a time to visit NYC, your next steps will likely be booking a hotel and figuring out how you’ll get around. The next sections give you strategies for both.

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Getting Around NYC With Kids

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Getting From the Airport to Your Hotel

Once you leave JFK International Airport or La Guardia Airport, you’ll find it easy to get to your hotel. If you have young kids who may be tired from the long trip, I recommend a car service specializing in airport pick-ups. Many offer shared rides if you’re on a budget. If budget is no object, luxury cars for small or large families can also be booked. If you have a specific need, we provide recommendations for local car services for visitors in NYC. 

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Getting to Attractions

New York City is easy to get around, by walking and a dependeble public transit system known as the subway. This is also the fastest and cheapest way to get around NYC. If you have a chid in a stroller, the subway is much easier to use than a taxi however there are certain times you want to avoid the subway due to crowds. Active families may want to add biking as another option during their trip. 

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By Taxi

A lot of visitors to NYC like to take yellow taxi’s for the experience, and I do think it’s worth it. Our yellow cabs are iconic NYC. Seeing them on the streets is what makes NYC feel like NYC. However using them as a primary method to get around can be expensive, considering how inexpensive and fast the subway is. If you plan to use Taxi’s as a primary mode around the city, make sure you group your activities so you’re not going to same area twice. We built a tool to help you with just that. You can map your activites for free using our day planner. 

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By Subway

The subway system in NYC costs a couple bucks per person, with up to 3 children free of charge when accompanied by an adult who has paid the fare. Trains stop close to most of the attractions you’ll visit and are identified with numbers or letters (for example, the L train or the 2 train). To use the subway, you’ll need to know what stop you need to get off at and what trains stop at those stops. Multiple trains stop at many stops, so you’ll have many options when trying to get around. 

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By Foot

New York City is very walkable, so you’ll find it easy to get from attraction to attraction if you book a hotel that is close to many of the attractions you plan to visit (get help with choosing a good neighborhood in the next section). Sidewalks and streets also easily accommodate strollers - with some attractions having stroller parking! 

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Local Tip:

When you need to take the train with a stroller, you’ll find it easy thanks to an unspoken rule among New Yorkers. In a nutshell, the rule is that a New Yorker doesn’t pass a person standing at the top of the subway’s stairs with a stroller without grabbing the bottom of the stroller and helping carry it down! Many subway stations also have elevators. But these may take some finding

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Biking

Biking is a fun way to get around in any city. In New York City, biking is even more exciting. With a little planning, your family could be zipping around famous attractions like the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the Hudson River Greenway. Bike rental outfits charge around $5 per 30-minute ride with the city-owned Citibikes being popular for the sheer number of bike pickup locations scattered around the city.

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More Trip Ideas:

Many outdoor attractions have dedicated bike lanes, making it easy to explore on wheels - Brooklyn Bridge, Central and Prospect Parks, and Hudson River Greenway are a few with good views. This biking map lists other exciting NYC biking routes if your family enjoys biking.

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Where to Stay With Kids in NYC

In my experience, families go one of two routes when deciding on the right hotel for their New York City family vacation. The first strategy is booking a hotel in a neighborhood with many of the attractions you want to visit so you can easily get from hotel to attraction. This is ideal if you have younger children who will find extensive travel difficult. 

The other strategy you may want to consider is choosing based on the amenities most important to your family. For example, if you have a large family and want to save on the cost of eating out, you may want to book a hotel with a kitchenette. Or, if you want to get some alone time with hubby while in NYC, you may want a hotel with babysitting services. 

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Best Neighborhoods For Families Visiting NYC

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Times Square for Big City Views

If your main reason for visiting NYC is to see bright city lights, go shopping, or enjoy the city’s renowned theater scene, stay in glittery Times Square. I’ve seen kids go giddy from sensorial overdrive when first seeing the flashing neon lights and billboards in the neighborhood. If you can pull your kids away from the lights, the neighborhood is right next to Broadway so shows like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Wicked will be within walking distance. 

The Disney store, the M&Ms store, and other family favorites are also in Times Square if you want to do some shopping with the kids

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Midtown-Manhattan for the Classic NYC Attractions

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Stay in Midtown if it’s your family’s first trip to New York and you plan on seeing all the classic NYC attractions. You’ll be close to Central Park, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, the Museum of Modern Art, numerous shopping options, some of the city’s best restaurants, and many, many more. The neighborhood is very popular so expect crowds if you stay here.

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‍More Trip Ideas:

‍The sheer number of attractions in Midtown can get overwhelming. Easily plan your days with our free drag-and-drop day planner. It helps you keep organized so you don’t miss any of the exciting things your kids want to see.

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Upper East Side for Museums and Upscale Shopping

This family-friendly neighborhood runs along the east side of Central Park, where the famous museums of museum mile can be found. Teens will particularly appreciate more educational museums like the Museum of the City of New York, El Museo Del Bario, the Jewish Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). The area is also ideal for luxury shopping as Fifth Avenue’s luxury shops call the neighborhood home. 

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More Trip Ideas:

Find the best neighborhood for your family in this list of the best family-friendly NYC neighborhoods to stay in.

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NYC Hotels With Family-Friendly Amenities

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NYC Hotels With Babysitting Services

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Carlyle A Rosewood Hotel - Upper East Side

The storied Carlyle A Rosewood went through pains to craft a special experience for families visiting NYC with kids. In addition to babysitting services when you want some alone time, you can request child-proof rooms, changing tables and other diapering equipment, a dedicated children’s menu for room service,  and more. See everything you can expect from this kids kid-friendly hotel in NYC. 

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The Chatwal NYC - Times Square

At 15-minutes walk to attractions like Broadway, Central Park,  Madison Square Gardens, and Rockefeller Plaze, The Chatwal’s location is enough to make it perfect for visitors wanting to explore NYC’s more popular locations. When you add in the babysitting services and thoughtful amenities like complimentary strollers, it becomes a no brainer if you want to stay close to Times Square.

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The Greenwich Hotel - Tribeca

The Greenwich, well known for its exclusivity and privacy, welcomes families with babysitting services, dedicated family hours at the pool, and cribs. Its location in one the hippest neighborhoods in NYC makes it ideal for teens. Since you’ll be close to the subway, you’ll also be able to travel easily to NYC’s more popular attractions. You can check out the Greenwich hotels neighborhood attractions for kids for yourself.

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More Trip Ideas:

Check out our guide to even more family-friendly hotels in NYC for more ideas on where to stay

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Hotels With Kitchenettes

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Hotel Beacon - Upper West Side

Hotel Beacon’s location on the Upper West Side puts you close to Central Park, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the ultra-popular Museum of Natural History, and numerous kid-friendly restaurants ( we recommend some good restaurants for families in the next section!). The kitchenettes that come included when you book a suite are the icing on the cake if you’re looking to save.

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The Sherry Netherland - Upper East Side

This upscale apartment-style hotel comes with kitchenettes and a location right across from Central Park’s best spots. A stay here will set you back more than a penny but when you consider its location next to Central Park - and amid Fifth Avenue’s action - its absolutely worth it.

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More Trip Ideas:

Here are 8 more family-friendly hotels with kitchenettes if you want help finding the perfect one for your family.

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Must-Do Family Attractions in NYC

One article could not do justice to the amazing array of things to do with kids in NYC. In addition to the quintessential NYC attractions, everything from toddler-sized playgrounds to top-of-the-line interactive museums perfect for teens call the city home. Here are some of the top attractions families using our itinerary planning service request.

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Exciting Outdoor Parks and Zoos

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Central Park - Midtown, Manhattan

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Central Park starts this list because -- well, it’s Central Park. Whether your family is a fan of the Home Alone movie series and plan on hitting up as many sites from the movie as you can - or you simply plan on picnicking in one of the pretty gardens, the park’s famous grounds is one of the most visited places in NYC. Spend a whole day exploring the park. Or visit specific areas like the excellent zoo or pop-up amusement park on different days of your itinerary.

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Bryant Park - Midtown, Manhattan

One look at Bryant Park and you would think its popularity is due to its gorgeous gardens, charming carousel, and tiny eateries. That’s only partly true. The park’s exciting seasonal events are as responsible for its fame as its aesthetics. Christmas sees a Winter Village that’s popular with families come winter. Summer brings free movie nights and lunchtime Broadway performances. And, fall sees a story time especially for kids.

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Prospect Park - Brooklyn

Brooklyn’s answer to Central Park is this huge green space with ponds, gardens, playgrounds, and a mini zoo. Prospect Park is also close to popular Brooklyn attractions like the New York Botanical Gardens and Brooklyn Museum if you want to spend a whole day exploring the area.

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Bronx Zoo

You’ll find it hard to see everything in the excellent Bronx Zoo in one day. If you want to try, I recommend starting with the Butterfly Garden if you have young kids or the Gorilla Forest if your kids are older

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New York Aquarium

The New York Aquarium is in Coney Island, a Brooklyn neighborhood less explored by visitors ub tits worht the trek if your kids love sea creatures. In addition to the entertaining sea lion shows, my family always stops at the shark exhibitions for up-close views of the sharks. Spend a whole day exploring Coney Island for amusement park rides, a stimulating boardwalk and beach, and the famous Nathan’s Hotdogs.

‍More Trip Ideas: Collaborate with one of our local NYC experts to craft a custom itinerary that takes the likes and wishes of all your family members into consideration. Plan your NYC vacation the easy way now

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Family-Friendly Broadway Shows

The Lion King

The Lion King is one of those quintessential experiences that you must see if it’s your first time visiting NYC with your kids. It’s dancing, singing, love, and betrayal, rolled into an entertaining 3 hours. Suitable for ages 6 and up.

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Harry Potter and The Cursed Child

If you have fans of Harry Potter in your family, their eyes will be glued to the stage for the whole length of this beloved play. While the wizardly story is engaging, it’s the special effects that will have your whole family wanting more. Children 6 and up are allowed.

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Aladdin

You won’t find the dazzling special effects of some of the newer plays in this Broadway staple for families visiting NYC. What you’ll find is a fun, vibrant show that will keep your kids laughing from start to finish. For kids 6 and up.

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More Trip Ideas:

Get a longer list of Broadway shows your family will enjoy in our informative guide to Broadway for families visiting NYC.

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Interactive Museums for Teens

If your teens find everything boring, take them to the new crop of interactive museums designed to engage even the most unimpressed. Here are a few to add to your plans.

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The Museum of Illusions

This space can best be described as a teen’s paradise. Nothing is as it seems - with holograms and optical illusions designed to trick the mind. Bring teens who are into mind games and psychology here and watch them have the time of their lives as they try to separate the real from the illusion

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Spyscape - Midtown

Espionage training, a laser maze, and a lie detector test to see if you have the skills to survive the world of espionage - if this sounds like fun to you, imagine how your teens will feel as they immerse in this museum/ spy training facility.

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More Trip Ideas:

‍Here are even more interactive museums for teens. We also wrote a list of fun interactive museums for the whole family to give you ideas for younger kids.

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Classic NYC Attractions For Your Family Vacation

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Empire State Building

The famous Empire State Building Observatory offers sweeping views of New York that families with kids of all ages will enjoy. For the most breathtaking experience, time your visit for the evening when the city’s lights start coming on.

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Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center will be your family’s favorite place to hang out in, no matter when you visit. In Christmas, ice skating next to the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree is fun and a perfect photo-op. Kid-friendly stores like Legos, FAO Schwartz, and the Nintendo Store offer fun shopping year round amusement,

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Statue of Liberty

The storied Statue of Liberty is more than an icon. It’s a beacon of freedom your kids may have learned about in their US History classes. If you visit, be sure to go to the museum so your kids can appreciate the real meaning behind Lady Liberty

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Brooklyn Bridge and Park

The famous Brooklyn Bridge is a good place to walk or bike if you want to see Brooklyn. The DUMBO neighborhood on the Brooklyn side is a family’s paradise with its popular carousel (Jane’s Carousel), extensive playgrounds (the ones dedicated to swings and water sprinklers are a must in warmer months), and extensive views of New York’s Skyline.

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High Line Park

High Line Park is now a classic attraction because of its unique lofty position. If you can imagine elevated train tracks that have been refurbished into walkways with greenery and art installations, you have a good picture of High Line Park. While walking, expect elevated views of the city and creative art installations. Kids of all ages will enjoy this unique experience

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Central Park

Central Park will become your family's favorite outdoor escape in NYC, no matter when you visit. In spring, rowing boats across the peaceful lake is magical and creates picture-perfect memories. Kid-friendly attractions like the Central Park Zoo, Belvedere Castle, and the vintage carousel offer year-round adventures with something new to discover each season. The sprawling playgrounds and wide-open green spaces give children room to run and play while parents relax in the heart of Manhattan's urban oasis.

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Luna Park - Coney Island, Brooklyn

Coney Island’s Amusement Park is geared towards both older kids and younger ones. You’ll find pint-sized rides and amusement park-style games designed for the very young. Teens will find challenging rides like the Cyclone rollercoaster and more.

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More Trip Ideas:

‍These trip ideas would look good on your itinerary. Try organizing them into the perfect day with our free NYC day planner

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Best Kid-Friendly NYC Restaurants

Are your kids picky eaters who somehow find everything except burgers and pizza inedible? 

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Or perhaps they don’t always use their inside voices, making it necessary to find kid-friendly restaurants that don’t mind the challenge kids can present when dining out. Here are some of the city’s best places to eat with kids, no matter what camp you fall into.

Raising Canes

With a dedicated chicken finger meal and free dipping sauce, this NYC Raising Canes is growing popular quickly. The menu is simple but big on foods traditionally loved by the younger crowd - think crispy chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, and their famous Cane's sauce. Adults will enjoy the same classics in larger portions, along with refreshing sweet tea and freshly squeezed lemonade. The no-frills approach to fast food keeps lines moving and families coming back for more.

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Serendipity 3

Everybody goes to this iconic restaurant for its frozen hot chocolate. But there’s lots more to love about the kid-friendly restaurant. Footlong hot dogs, thick burgers, and old-fashioned fries are the most popular menu items, but Serendipity also serves excellent pasta if your family wants a change.  

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Benihana

Bring your kids to eat here as much for the showmanship as the delicious Jaoanese fare. Benihana chefs grill your food as you watch, filling the air with aromas. Picky eaters will most certainly like the teriyaki chicken if nothing else

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More Trip Ideas:

Find more kid-friendly restaurants your family will like or read about some excellent burger joints if your kids enjoy burgers and fries

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There you have it. Everything you need to know to plan the perfect NYC vacation for your family. If you have questions about your upcoming trip, feel free to reach out to us. We collaborate with visitors to NYC to share personalized local tips for your upcoming trip.

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