6 nights in NYC with kids

[35and3]

Please give me things to do / not do with three kids 13,9 and 18m (plus husband!). Going in October, staying in Times Square and have five full days.

Definites for all of us: Empire state, Statue of Liberty, ground zero, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge

Kids - Friends experience

Husband - American football game

Are we already trying to pack in too much?

We did this in feb half term with our 3 children (10, 8, 6 at the time).

Hits for us : Coney Island and the NY aquarium. The fairground was shut but loved the train trip, the aquarium was brilliant and had hotdogs at Nathan’s. Top of the Rock was a surprising hit for everyone, and the Harry Potter store (by the flat iron building) was brilliant, especially if you love HP! Also, Staten Island ferry (it’s free!) and you get great Statue of Liberty views. We stayed over on Staten Island for a bit.

we did go to ground zero but didn’t do the 9/11 museum. The queues were huge, it was a bit much for the kids at their ages and it would have meant we had to miss something else so we didn’t do it.

A walk down the Highline from the Hudson yards way, grab lunch at Chelsea market. It's fab! The walk isn't too long and it's good views. The food at Chelsea market is delicious too.

The mini zoo in Central Park is small but might be good for the DC? And maybe a boat rental if they're still doing them in October! Top of the Rock is better views than the Empire State I think, it looks both over Central Park and midtown.

Even a hop on hop off bus tour might be good for the little feet, we haven't done one as we like getting our steps in - but have heard fab things.

There's an ice cream museum which has a huge indoor slide which might be a winner with them!

The M&Ms store in times square is horrendously expensive but the fun of paying over the odds for your own bag makes it worth it to me. As PP said the Harry Potter store in flatiron is amazing, two floors of fun and the butterbeer ice cream is delicious. Eataly is just next door and great for grabbing tea at!

Is a helicopter tour too adventurous? We absolutely loved it, was 100% worth the money.

Going to see a matinee show might be worth it too, the prices can be spendy but there's nothing like the atmosphere imo.

You'll have an amazing time!!

You can do all of that and more the space museum is good thing for all the family too

We did a food tour around Greenwich Village. There's lots to choose from. Kids loved getting bagels, doughnuts, pasta etc!

The kids tour of the UN was brilliant, but you do need to book in advance. The interactive maths museum was also good.

Lots of great ideas!

The Summit at One Vanderbilt was the highlight for us (kids 9 and 12)…much better views and overall experience than Empire State or Top of the Rock IMO
Subway to Brooklyn to wander around DUMBO..amazing views over to Manhattan, lunch at Time Out Market then walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to lower Manhattan
Bike hire in Central Park was a surprising hit
Natural History Museum was great for youngest who loves dinosaurs
Pizza from Joe’s in Greenwich village
Check out the City Pass for discounts on the big attractions
You’ll have an amazing time!

Rise ny - definitely

I second so much of what’s been said here but also Ride NY is great!

NY Giants or New York Jets will be at the MetLife stadium in Rutherford New Jersey on most Sundays during October, check the NFLs website for actual dates and start time. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster to name but one. This stadium can be accessed on public transport via the Meadowlands Rail service that NJ transit operate.

theres a harry potter exhibition near the empire state building