When my husband and I moved to NYC as newly minted college grads, we figured we’d be here five years and settle down somewhere more sensible before we started our family.
That was 20 (plus) years ago. We found a rent-stabilized apartment, had three kids, and once they entered elementary school, it was pretty clear we were here to stay. With all of the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins living thousands of miles away, we’ve hosted our share of family visitors over the years, and when the taxi pulls up, and the suitcases are unloaded, the NYC adventure begins.
Below you’ll find our family’s favorite destinations to show off to out of towners. These are a mix of top attractions and more low-key favorites you won’t necessarily find in a travel guidebook. There are picks for all-ages, even if everyone from infants to septuagenarians descend for one wild, family-filled weekend—yes, this happened for my son’s high school graduation!
If you’re a visitor coming to NYC for the very first time, bookmark this three-day itinerary for a classic NYC vacation, and find more local pics in our NYC Visitors Guide.
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Only-in NYC Spots I Always Take Visitors
1. World Trade Center – Financial District
Why I take visitors here: The World Trade Center attracts visitors from all over, so it’s no surprise that a visit here is generally atop my family’s wish list.
Why it’s great for kids: To be honest, this is a tough one to visit with kids. The mood is somber, and depending on the kids’ ages, you should be ready with an age-appropriate explanation of the memorial and the history behind 9/11.
Why adults love it, too: Living history
Pro-tip from a local mom: You can spend as much or as little time here as the kids in your crew can handle. I’d skip the museum altogether with kids younger than 10.
2. Central Park – Upper Manhattan
Why I take visitors here: Beyond its cool cache and claim to fame in many a movie scene, a walk across Central Park was part of our family’s daily commute all through elementary school. It’s truly our backyard and backdrop to many a family photo!
Why it’s great for kids: With 843-acres of green space to explore, kids can work out their wiggles on climbing boulders or conquering play structures.
Why adults love it, too: Central Park offers top-notch people watching, plenty of history, and a beautiful backdrop for a cup of coffee and a deep breath.
Pro-tip from a local mom: Skip the jam-packed south end of the park in favor of the local flavor up north. We love the North Woods, Harlem Meer, Davis Center, and the Conservatory Garden, which is particularly magical in the springtime!
3. Local Museums – Citywide
Why I take visitors here: NYC is home to so many museums, and a visit is usually on the list—plus it’s good for a bad-weather day. With so many options, there’s always something new to see (even for jaded, little New Yorkers).
Why it’s great for kids: NYC museums provide hands-on fun—yes, even at The Met—and education.
Why adults love it, too: Locals might take for granted the variety of museums and exhibits in NYC, but visitors won’t! Sometimes seeing an old favorite through someone else’s eyes is even more magical than visiting alone.
Pro-tip from a local mom: Museum admission can add up fast, but this list of free museum days and always-free museums can help you save.
4. Times Square – Midtown West
Why I take visitors here: It’s a sight to behold if your only reason to visit isn’t to fight the tourists and get across town.
Why it’s great for kids: There are bright lights, billboards, and plenty of eye-catching stores ready to capture your wallet’s content and your kid’s imagination.
Why adults love it, too: This tourist hot-spot has seared itself into pop-culture lore, so it’s hard to resist a few photo-ops at the crossroads of the world.
Pro-tip from a local mom: Set some ground rules before you visit so you can skip the overpriced snacks and destinations.
5. Bryant Park – Midtown West
Why I take visitors here: Remember that graduation weekend I mentioned above? We had 17 family members in town to celebrate, and after a breakfast at home, we had an entire day to kill before the ceremony. Bryant Park fit the bill with its carousel, game room, lively entertainment, plenty of shade, seating, and fast-causal eats nearby. Everyone could chose their own activity and eats, but we were all together, too. No matter the season, there’s always something happening here! In winter, we love to track down viral treats at the Winter Village and watch the skaters twirl by!
Why it’s great for kids: There’s plentiful FREE or low-cost programming, including storytimes and magic shows. A ride on the carousel costs a few bucks, but is a kid-pleaser!
Why adults love it, too: It’s a good, central spot to sit for a spell! During the summer, there’s always a performance. In the winter, hot chocolate (and other libations) flow freely. Well-maintained bathrooms nearby are a bonus!
Pro-tip from a local mom: Bookmark its calendar to see what’s happening!
6. Broadway Show – Midtown West
Why I take visitors here: For theater-lovers, there’s no comparison. Also, my kids are Broadway-obsessed, and seeing a new show with someone they love is a special treat!
Why it’s great for kids: Some shows are more kid-friendly than others, so bookmark our Broadway primer before purchasing tickets.
Why adults love it, too: For most visitors, seeing a show on Broadway is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Pro-tip from a local mom: Save money on tickets by purchasing directly from the box office. If your plans are flexible, consider purchasing from the TKTS booth or plan to host visits around special dates like Broadway Week or Kids Night on Broadway. This post outlines some of our favorite ways to save.
7. FAO Schwarz – Rockefeller Center
Why I take visitors here: This toy store is packed to the gills, and the experience of being whisked inside by a toy soldier is an only-in-NYC moment of magic.
Why it’s great for kids: Toys, toys, toys—but set some ground rules before you step inside!
Why adults love it, too: The giant, dance-on piano from Big, need I say more?
Pro-tip from a local mom: During the Christmas season, the line to enter can stretch for blocks, so it’s best to skip this spot then!
8. Observation Deck – Midtown and Fidi
Why I take visitors here: No matter which observation deck you choose, the view of NYC from above is a feast for the eyes.
Why it’s great for kids: Each of these tourist hot spots goes beyond a basic photo-op, with attractions like multi-media installations, museum-like displays, interactive audio-visual elements, theme-park-like rides, and elevators akin to an amusement park ride all their own.
Why adults love it, too: Views, history, and you-can’t-get-this-anywhere-else appeal.
Pro-tip from a local mom: Read our primer on NYC observation decks before you head out. Book tickets in advance, look for local discounts, and time your visit for just before sunset (when ticket prices skyrocket). If you’re having a good time, you can stay longer and still catch the sun sinking over the horizon.
Free Things To Do in NYC That Actually Impress Out-of-Towners
9. Staten Island Ferry – Battery Park to St. George
Why I take visitors here: Everyone wants to lay eyes on Lady Liberty, but almost no on wants to devote a whole day to visiting. This is a perfect one-hour, poor-man’s tour.
Why it’s great for kids: You’re on a boat!
Why adults love it, too: Skyline and Statue of Liberty views are worth way more than the price of this FREE ferry.
Pro-tip from a local mom: Work your ferry ride into a busy day of walking—it’s a good way to give tired feet a rest—but be ready to book it for the return ride, unless you want to stay and explore Staten Island with kids.
10. Stephen A. Schwarzman Library – Midtown West
Why I take visitors here: It’s a beautiful building, and the Polonsky Exhibition is a mini museum of NYC history and beyond.
Why it’s great for kids: Kids love the “Library Lions” out front, plus spotting the stuffies that inspired the Winnie the Pooh stories.
Why adults love it, too: It’s a beautiful piece of architecture, and bibliophiles will love the main reading room that’s the size of a football field.
Pro-tip from a local mom: There are clean bathrooms here that usually don’t have the line of the restrooms in Bryant Park!
11. Roosevelt Island Tram – Midtown East
Why I take visitors here: Seeing the skyline from a tram over the East River is a super cool experience.
Why it’s great for kids: The views and novelty are super cool.
Why adults love it, too: Let’s face it, where else is a tram considered public transportation? The novelty isn’t lost on adults, either.
Pro-tip from a local mom: OK, this is not exactly free, but it just costs a tap of an OMNY card. Try to avoid rush hour, and be forewarned: Influencers have hyped this experience up enough that there can be a wait! I’d say go early in the day and take the train in one direction—the F and M train stop on the isle, depending on the time of day.
12. Brooklyn Bridge – Lower Manhattan to Dumbo
Why I take visitors here: This is a quintessential NYC experience.
Why it’s great for kids: Start on the Manhattan side, and trek across; reward the kids with a visit to Brooklyn Bridge Park or the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. They’ve earned it.
Why adults love it, too: Once regarded as the eighth wonder of the world, there’s plenty of history here and the panoramic harbor views are unmatched.
Pro-tip from a local mom: Bring a stroller for little legs, and plan to start early in the morning if you’re visiting during summer. If you can’t handle the whole span, go halfway across and turn around once you snap your shots!
NYC Neighborhoods I Love Showing Off
13. Harlem
This is our home neighborhood—we moved here when I was five months pregnant with our first child, and we’ve never left. In fact, when we outgrew our one-bedroom apartment, we moved all the way to the second floor of the same building for a bigger space!
We love Harlem’s historical neighborhoods and diverse landscapes. Our weekends are filled with Harlem Little League baseball games and visits to haunts like the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art and Storytelling.
An ever-changing 125th Street offers a mix of old and new, with cultural centerpieces like the Apollo Theater and Studio Museum in Harlem acting as anchors.
When we need a sweet treat, we head to our favorite local scoop shop, Sugar Hill Creamery, which has multiple locations in the neighborhood.
14. South Street Seaport
Stepping on the cobblestone streets of the South Street Seaport is like stepping back in time. A visit here is filled with history and fun finds.
Consider booking a visit to the South Street Seaport Museum, which is small enough to conquer in a couple of hours, but offers plenty of enriching activities.
Come summer, we’ll be sure to check out the Balloon Museum that’s taking over the recently vacated Tin Building. Follow that with a trip to Mr. Dips for griddled burgers, crispy chicken strips, and impressive soft-serve creations, which are great for taking out to the pier and eating while you watch the busy waterway beyond.
15. Arthur Avenue
New Yorkers will tell you this enclave, in the Belmont section of the Bronx, is NYC’s “real Little Italy,” not to be confused with the Lower Manhattan neighborhood that bears that name and draws throngs of tourists.
Arthur Avenue really is unlike any other NYC neighborhood, designed in the early 20th-century as an Italian village of its own. Many businesses here have existed and persisted for more than 100 years, and Italian families who have roots in the area return to shop at its bakeries, delis, and specialty stores.
Though slightly tricky to reach on the subway alone, it’s a quick cab ride away from the Bronx Zoo or New York Botanical Garden and a 20-minute walk from the Fordham Metro-North stop—and worth every minute.
Set aside time for a leisurely lunch at San Gennaro, where everyone is treated like family! If you’re too stuffed for dessert, be sure to hit up the 80-year-old Artuso Pastry Shop for take-home treats, including cannoli, cookies, or frozen sfogliatella to bake at home later.
16. Lower East Side
When we were fairly new to the city, one of my husband’s co-workers invited us to join him for a DIY food tour, which took us to spots ranging from the Village all the way down to the Lower East Side.
It was one of those perfect NYC days where you weren’t quite sure where the day would take you, but by the end of it, we were stuffed, happy, and had discovered some new favorite places—and a love of NYC food tours was born.
Since that day, a food tour planned by my husband has been a mainstay of itineraries when family visits, and we often start in this neighborhood. There are so many classic NYC food experiences here, you can’t go wrong.
My sister-in-law dreams of the pastrami-on-rye from Katz’s, while the Doughnut Plant’s OG location has never failed to please our youngest visitors. Of course, The Pickle Guys and Economy Candy are local institutions that always wow!
17. Brooklyn Heights
It’s probably already evident that I’m a Manhattan girl, through and through. Sometimes, it’s hard to get myself to the East Side, so when we have visitors, we generally stay closer to home than the outer boroughs, but a quick trip across the river to Brooklyn Heights isn’t unheard of—especially after a Brooklyn Bridge Walk.
We love the waterfront attractions in the amenity-packed Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Pier 6 playgrounds alone are worth the trek.
Another proven kid-pleaser in the neighborhood is the underground New York Transit Museum, located in an old subway stop.
You can enjoy dinner with a view at Fornino or head inland for the Middle Eastern flavors at the original location of Sahadi’s.
Best NYC Activities for Visiting Kids
18. SeaGlass Carousel – Battery Park
Why I take visitors here: This enchanting carousel is usually on our tourist route—nestled between the World Trade Center and the Staten Island Ferry, so it makes a fun, kid-centric, reasonably-priced add-on to the fun.
Why it’s great for kids: The underwater-theme is unlike any other carousel we’ve ever ridden and wows little ones!
Why adults love it, too: It’s reasonably priced, but undeniably magical!
Pro-tip from a local mom: The Battery Playscape is just steps away, so let the kids romp a little while, too.
19. Hit a Destination Playground – Citywide
Why I take visitors here: NYC has a spectacular collection of playgrounds, and I always try to work a couple of these destination-worthy spots into any city itinerary.
Why it’s great for kids: Room to romp, explore, and work off all their energy, playgrounds are a great way to break up visits to more grown-up destinations parents might value (or want kids to see).
Why adults love it, too: There are shady benches aplenty and time to rest tired feet!
Pro-tip from a local mom: No matter the neighborhood you’re exploring, our NYC Kids’ Guide to Parks and Playgrounds has a pick near you!
20. Bronx Zoo – Bronx Park, the Bronx
Why I take visitors here: This is my daughter’s happy place, so she’s always anxious to show it off. If we can’t make it all the way to the Bronx (let’s face it, you need an entire day here!), we check out one of the other local zoos or the aquarium.
Why it’s great for kids: The Bronx Zoo is a world-class institution with a huge living collection and experiences that go beyond most local zoos.
Why adults love it, too: It makes kids happy—and they’re likely to learn a few things during a visit!
Pro-tip from a local mom: Admission is pay-what-you-wish on Wednesdays, but you’ll need to book tickets beginning at 5pm on Mondays.
21. American Girl New York – Rockefeller Center
Why I take visitors here: I’ve got a passel of nieces, and a tea party—dolls in tow—here is a perfect treat for girls of a certain age!
Why it’s great for kids: This meal feels special, but the food is kid-friendly.
Why adults love it, too: While there are plenty of more grown-up spots to enjoy high tea in NYC, you get a lot of bang for your buck here!
Pro-tip from a local mom: Rockefeller Center is home to multiple destination-worthy stores, so if American Girl doesn’t fit the bill, check out Nintendo New York, the Lego Store, or the aforementioned FAO Schwarz.
22. FDNY Firezone – Rockefeller Center
Why I take visitors here: When my nephews are in town, this spot is a crowd-pleaser! Climb aboard a real FDNY truck where they can flip switches, turn on lights, and steer to their heart’s content.
Why it’s great for kids: This tiny storefront is plenty of fun. Beyond the firetruck, there’s always a real firefighter to meet, and older kids can step behind the doors for a fire-safety presentation.
Why adults love it, too: This experience is completely kid-pleasing and totally FREE.
Pro-tip from a local mom: Make sure to get your FREE coloring book to take home as a souvenir!
Where We Eat in NYC When Family Is in Town
23. Koronet Pizza – Morningside Heights
My love for Koronet Pizza’s giant slices runs deep, dating back to my days as a college intern living in the city for a summer, who needed some late-night eats. It’s the pizza we ate at my son’s first birthday party, and we’ve journeyed here with countless visitors because jumbo slices always get a reaction!
More like this: With the exception of dollar-slice joints, it’s hard to go wrong with pizza in NYC. Here are our favorite slice joints.
24. Melba’s Restaurant – Harlem
We love this soul-and-comfort food classic in our own ‘hood, and even more, I love the proprietor, Melba Wilson, who famously says she was “born, bred, and buttered” in the neighborhood. She’s a huge supporter of small businesses and restaurant owners, and we love sharing her homey goodness with our families.
More like this: If you’re looking for Harlem soul food, you can’t go wrong with the grand dame of them all, Sylvia’s, or Red Rooster, the new classic from Marcus Samuelsson.
25. PopUp Bagels – Multiple Locations
These served fresh and hot from the oven bagels are our new guilty pleasure, and they’re great for feeding a crowd on the go. You’ll often find us in Union Square, ripping and dipping our order after church.
More like this: My daughter is the bagel aficionado in our house, and other spots she’ll go out of the way to eat at include Apollo Bagels and Tompkins Square Bagels. The viral stuffed bagels from Moonrise Bagel are next on our list of bagel spots to try.
26. Veniero’s Pasticceria & Cafe – East Village
My sister and I have a longstanding, guilty pleasure of gorging ourselves on Italian bakery treats, and this pastry shop has stood the test of time—recently celebrating its 130th anniversary. We like to load up our box with cannoli, lobster tails, and my personal favorite: tiramisu cake, then take it home, and nosh while we watch a chick-flick once the kids are in bed.
More like this: The aforementioned Artuso’s is a great option in the Bronx, and you can’t go wrong with a visit to Little Italy’s Ferrara Bakery.
27. Junior’s Cheesecake – Multiple Locations
It may be a little cliché, but you really can’t go wrong with this famous diner-and-dessert spot, plus who can argue with real New York cheesecake? The portions are generous and there are plenty of choices for everyone from picky kids to grandparents. If we don’t want to sit down for a full meal, we’ll hit the bakery counter for a slice (or three) to go.
More like this: There’s no real comparison, here!
Seasonal Favorite NYC Destinations for Visitors
28. Coney Island – Visit in Summer
The People’s Playground is a thrilling summertime destination, whether you visit for a beach day, opt for a visit to the New York Aquarium, hit the rides at Luna Park and Deno’s Wonderwheel Amusement Park, or just grab a hot dog at the OG Nathan’s location, this Brooklyn neighborhood is definitely worth the trek.
29. Rockefeller Center – Visit in Winter
If a Christmastime visit is in the cards, it’s hard to avoid Rockefeller Center and its glorious (if overcrowded) famous tree. Our biggest tip: Visit early in the season or early in the morning—seriously, my daughter and I have made 5am treks the past two seasons, and it’s going to be our tradition for a stunning view, without throwing any elbows. Looking for more tips for a Christmastime visit? I wrote a three-day itinerary for a holiday visit that’s worth checking out.
30. Yankee Stadium – Visit in Spring or Summer
We can walk to Yankee Stadium from our house, and the Bronx Bombers are one of the rare teams my whole family of five roots for, so summertime visits mean an evening at the ballpark. If you cheer for that other team, we won’t judge too harshly if you take your family to Citi Field instead.
31. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Visit in the Fall
My love affair with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will probably outlast my kids’ childhood, and anytime we’ve had Thanksgiving visitors, the parade has been the main attraction. Let’s face it, for visitors, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
32. Dyker Lights – Visit at Christmas
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn is a zany, over-the-top Christmas wonderland. I took my parents to visit when my now high school junior was in a stroller, and they still talk about it every Christmas. It’s definitely left an impression worthy of recommending it as an off-the-beaten-path holiday destination for visitors.
