Family vacation New York

New York City Family Vacation Ideas

Attractions, activities, and things to do on vacation

New York has something to amaze the whole family, from majestic dinosaur fossils in the museums to taking in the dazzling lights in Times Square. Here's what we think should be on your NYC family trip itinerary.

New York is a top family vacation destination and for good reason. It’s filled with informative and entertaining attractions, tons of arts and culture, and boasts a great food scene that will delight even the pickiest eaters.

For those of you traveling to NYC with kids, we’ve put together a list of our favorite New York attractions for families. Our top New York family vacation ideas include:

  • Empire State Building
  • Big Bus New York Sightseeing Tour
  • Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
  • American Museum of Natural History
  • Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum
  • Yankee Stadium Tour
  • Clipper City Tall Ship Sail
  • Central Park
  • and much more!

Empire State Building

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Empire State Building

The perfect way to start your family vacation to NYC is with a trip to the top of one of her most legendary buildings. Head to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building where you’ll get amazing panoramic views of the cityscape around you from heights of over 1,000 feet in the air. It’s the perfect place for stunning Instagram photos. Don’t forget to get some snaps of the stunning Art Deco lobby on your way up!

Big Bus New York Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

For first-time visitors, a tour aboard a Big Bus is a great way to get acclimated to the city. They’re also ideal for families because they provide engaging narration of all the sites and landmarks you’ll pass by. Choose a hop-on hop-off option like this one from Big Bus to maximize your flexibility.

If the kids are interested in something, hop off and explore. When they get tired, hop back on and relax!

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

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Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

You simply can’t visit NYC without paying your respects to Lady Liberty. Take the ferry out to Liberty Island to see this iconic statue, and explore the grounds. You can also opt to upgrade to see the pedestal and crown (only with advance ticket purchase directly from the National Park).

Then, continue on to Ellis Island to check out the fascinating and thought-provoking Immigration Museum.

American Museum of Natural History

american-museum-natural-history

American Museum of Natural History

One of the most expansive natural history museums in the world, the American Museum of Natural History in NYC is a must-visit for families. It’s a field trip favorite for local schools and offers an abundance of educational opportunities alongside awe-inspiring exhibits. They’re particularly known for their dinosaur fossils and the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, although they also have an impressive collection of minerals and gemstones, animal dioramas, and more.

Madame Tussauds New York

While NYC is on the other side of the country from Hollywood, Madame Tussauds brings Hollywood to New York! Visit this iconic wax works institution for a chance to encounter stunningly realistic replicas of many famous figures, from history to pop culture to music and beyond. NYC has some special exhibits you won’t find elsewhere, too, like “Kong: Skull Island” and “The Ghostbusters Experience.”

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art

One of the world’s greatest art museums, period. The Met is an amazing place to take a family interested in art, architecture, design, and history. It’s filled with beautiful and inspiring pieces from across the globe and the millennia. Begin with their stellar collection of Ancient Egyptian art and artifacts. Scope out their medieval art. Marvel at their European sculpture and decorative arts. And don’t forget about the expansive collection of American paintings!

Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum

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Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum

Another popular attraction with families is the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. This comprehensive institution focuses on a few things, but they do them extraordinarily well.

Learn all about the history of American travel by sea, by air, and in space at this amazing place. It’s both educational and entertaining and is perfect for visitors of all ages. Now, your Go City® New York pass also includes admission to the Space Shuttle Pavilion, which hosts the Enterprise, a vessel that pioneered NASA’s early space flight programs.

Yankee Stadium Tour & Ball Game

yankee-stadium

Yankee Stadium Tour & Ball Game

Even if you’re not a fan of the pinstripes, you have to admit that touring Yankee Stadium is a great opportunity for sports fans everywhere. Although it’s not the original historic stadium, this new construction is pretty impressive on the ballpark scene.

See behind the scenes and explore the most significant areas of the park, from the luxury suites to the Yankees Museum. Although the stadium is new it still contains some homages to past Yankee's greats and the heritage of the organization. Why not pick up tickets to a game? Keep an eye out for deals on resale sites for the best value.

Clipper City Tall Ship Sail

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Clipper City Tall Ship Sail

While NYC’s not a beach town in the same way as, say, Santa Monica, she’s certainly more than qualified on the waterfront scene to offer you an amazing marine adventure. Board the historic Clipper City Tall Ship for a distinctive experience that’s sure to make memories of a lifetime.

This majestic schooner has been restored to replicate the design and feel of the 1854 original vessel, and today it’s a wonder to sail out onto New York waterways aboard this amazing ship.

Central Park

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Central Park

Of course, you can’t visit New York without spending some time in her heart – Central Park. One of the world’s most famous parks, Central Park offers plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy, whether you want to lounge like a local, join up with a walking tour, or rent a bike to explore this massive expanse on two wheels. Whatever you opt to do, know that you’re truly experiencing NYC with some time spent in this popular urban greenspace.

Times Square

Times Square

Times Square

It may be a cliché, but if you visit the city that never sleeps, you should see Times Square. There is always something going on in NYC, especially Times Square, you'll be overwhelmed at first but once you get your bearings you will fit right in. There's no shortage of shopping or dining options in Times Square and when you add in the people watching, you can spend tons of time here.

From Empire State heights to Broadway lights, we've got you covered

Discover our full line-up of New York attractions including The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock Observatory, the Statue of Liberty, and more.  

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.    

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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View of the Empire State Building from Top of the Rock, New York
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Top of the Rock vs Empire State Building: Comparing the Differences Between the Two Observation Decks

So, what's the difference between the Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building?  Both are historically and culturally important buildings and offer some of the best skyline views New York City has to offer, but the two experiences can be very different.  Although the Empire State Building might be the most iconic building on the New York City skyline, keep in mind you don't have much of a view of it from the building itself (the same goes for Top of the Rock). We've put together a list of the key similarities and differences between the two attractions to help you decide which one best fits your New York itinerary, we're talking...  What's included with general admission  The different locations  The difference between the views  Top tips for visiting both  How to save on entry to both  Both observation decks feature educational exhibits and experiences included in the general admission price. Think modern displays and historical explanations, and of course, fantastic views. Here's a summary of what you can expect at each experience.  Empire State Building general admission includes:    Access to the Main Observation Deck, a 360-degree, open-air 86th-floor Observation Deck.  Admission to The Empire State Building Experience, including 12 interactive displays on the 2nd and 80th floors.  Access to a self-guided multimedia tour that helps identify the landmarks you can see in the skyline.  Please note: Access to the 102nd floor is not included with general admission tickets, other add-ons like express passes can also be bought for an extra charge.  Top of the Rock general admission includes:   Access to three floors of indoor and outdoor observation decks on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors.  Sky shuttle elevator ride up to the top with a light show.  Admission to exhibits that feature Top of the Rock and Rockefeller Center history and the interactive Beam Walk, which simulates what it's like to walk on a construction beam 69 floors above Manhattan.  Comparing locations The biggest difference between the views from each building's observation deck is the view of the actual buildings themselves. If you're interested in the best views of the Empire State Building, head up to the Top of the Rock. If you want one of the best views of Rockefeller Plaza, get yourself to the top of the Empire State Building.  View from the Empire State Building  The observation deck in the Empire State Building is slightly higher than the Top of the Rock's deck, which stands at 1,050 feet above the ground. The building is located further south in Manhattan, so offers better views of the cluster of skyscrapers near the water in the Financial District. Landmarks you can see from the Empire State Building:  Rockefeller Plaza Center, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center (closer views than at Top of the Rock), Central Park (further away views than from Top of the Rock), Times Square, Statue of Liberty (closer views than at Top of the Rock), the Brooklyn Bridge and more.  View from the Top of the Rock  Slightly lower than the Empire State Building observation deck, the deck at Top of the Rock is 800 feet above the ground. The building is located further north in Manhattan, so it offers better views of Central Park. Landmarks you can see from the Top of the Rock:  Empire State Building, Chrysler Building (partially obscured), One World Trade Center (further away than at the Empire State Building), Central Park (closer than from the Empire State Building), Bank of America Tower, Flatiron Building, and more.  Tips for visiting the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock  Empire State Building tips:    To beat the crowds, it's best to visit early in the morning or late in the evening.  Plan to spend 2-3 hours visiting the Empire State Building.  If you want to catch the sunset, plan to get to the top well before - the hour before sunset is excellent for pictures, too! (Leave extra time to wait in line, sunset is a popular time to visit.)  Kids under six can visit for free with an accompanying adult. Strollers are allowed, but you must be able to fold it before taking the elevator ride up.  Prepare for the security line and help speed up the process by making sure you don't have any prohibited items.  Dress for the weather and remember it's colder and windier up there.  Bring a camera to capture the best views.  Top of the Rock tips:    To avoid the largest crowds, plan to visit Top of the Rock early in the morning. Weekday visits tend to be less busy.  Plan to spend at least one hour visiting the Top of the Rock and take your time at the exhibits. Once you pass through, you can't return to the exhibits.  If you want to catch the sunset, plan to get to the top well before. Those golden hour pictures can come out even nicer than ones of the actual sunset!  Download the Top of the Rock app for a skyline guide that identifies the buildings you're looking at. It's also got audio tours you can listen to as well.  As with the Empire State Building, it's colder and windier at the top, so make sure to bring some spare layers.  Don't forget your camera, portable chargers, and binoculars to guarantee the best views and best pics. So, which New York observation deck should you choose? Both attractions are extremely popular and offer unique experiences. The main difference is genuinely the view. So if you can only fit in one, pick the view you'd prefer to see. If you want the most iconic picture of New York's skyline, go to Top of the Rock because then your pictures will have the Empire State Building in them.   But if you're more keen to tick the Empire State off your bucket list, you can capture stunning views featuring the water and Rockefeller Plaza instead. It'll be a winner, whichever you choose.  Can't choose? No need, see both with Go City® Now for the best bit, how to visit both observation decks without breaking the bank!  With a pass, you can save up to 50% on entry compared to buying individual admission tickets at each destination. Take a Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour or visit the American Museum of Natural History. Or, (if you haven't had your fill of stunning views yet) head up to the Edge or One World Observatory for even more thrilling city panoramas.  Discover our full line-up of New York attractions including landmarks, museums, tours, and more. 🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.   😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.  So grab a New York pass and save while you sightsee!
Casey Makovich

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