Where to go in NYC with Kids: A Mom’s Guide

Once a fashion showroom owner now turned mom and blogger/writer, Brianne Manz lives in New York City with her husband and 3 children and enjoys their fast paced city life. Her blog, Stroller in the City, boasts about city living, family travel, kids fashion and all things that are mommy. Being a mom doesn’t mean you need to lose sight of the cool stuff. Brianne has been featured on the cover of New York Family magazine, Today Show, E! News, and People Magazine to name a few. Here she gives us her guide to exploring NYC with kids...

New York City is one of the greatest cities in the world. Known for our Lady Liberty, Central Park, The MET, Frank Sinatra, pizza folds, and so much more. People say New York has an energy about it unlike anywhere else in the world. It captivates you and leaves you full of wonder. As a born and raised New Yorker I still have this feeling after 30+ years about my city, and it never loses its magic. 

A Mom’s Guide to Neighborhoods in NYC

1. Battery Park City

Battery Park City is situated along the Hudson River, and is mainly a residential neighborhood of upscale high-rise apartment buildings. There’s lots of kids, strollers, and dogs roaming the streets over here. During the workweek, its casual eateries and bars draw professionals from the nearby Financial District. On weekends, the area slows down, though locals and visitors are drawn to Brookfield Mall and Oculus which feature all kinds of shopping and restaurants. There are bike friendly paths of the riverfront park and on a nice day renting a bike is a must. In addition to the Statue of Liberty tours leaving from Battery Park City, there are also ferry boats that can take you across the river to Jersey City.

2. Tribeca

Industrial loft apartments, cobblestone streets and waterfront views define the landscape of Tribeca, a neighborhood known for art, fine dining and trendy shopping as well as being the hub of fashion and film events. Yet this neighborhood is super kid friendly. Two major parks reside in Tribeca: Hudson River Park and Washington Market Park. 

3. Financial District

Sandwiched between Battery Park City and the South Street Seaport, FiDi is the city’s buzzing financial center and home to Wall Street and tall skyscrapers. Sidewalks bustle during the week and, after work, young professionals fill the restaurants and bars of the South Street Seaport and Stone Street (super iconic street). The National September 11 Memorial and Museum, are also here. Above it all is the observatory atop One World Trade Center also known as Freedom Tower.

4. Chelsea

Chelsea  is Manhattan’s most cultivated cultural haven. Situated on the west side of downtown Manhattan, Chelsea remains a swanky neighborhood for its proximity to the popular High Line. This is a must when visiting NYC, the High Line is an elevated outdoor attraction with spectacular views and intriguing historical background. Mostly known for its art galleries, Chelsea is super walkable and home to New York’s contemporary art scene. Other neighborhood attractions include Chelsea Market, an upscale food court that sells artisanal and small-batch offerings as well as produce from New York’s upstate farm region.

5. Lower East Side

The Lower East Side (LES) may not be the most pretty part of the city, but it’s a fun area with a lot to do. Chinatown and Little Italy are right next door, which means so is great authentic foreign cuisine. There are museums and galleries sprinkled throughout the area. But the nightlife is a big attraction of the LES, with many clubs, bars, and late-night eateries staying open well into the night.

6. West Village

Right by Greenwich Village, the West Village is a great place to take a leisurely stroll, shop, and simply just hang with friends. There are so many small cute cafés, bookshops, and vintage clothing stores. It is probably the most charming neighborhood in all of New York City. The streets are lined with beautiful brownstones, and if you stroll down Perry Street, you will find Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment, or the apartment from Friends on Bedford Street. You’ll also want to stop at one of the many old fashion diners, such as the Waverly on Waverly and 6th.

7. Garment District aka Fashion District

Garment District is commonly referred by the locals as The Fashion District, as it’s home to bulk clothing shops where you can find buttons, rugs, furs, fabrics, and more. This neighborhood is pretty commercial, with lots of deliveries and trucks but great if you are in the market to source out fabrics and tap into the wholesale market.  

8. East Village

The East Village is known for its happening nightlife, old-school bars and lounges where musicians were first discovered, and hip restaurants. During the daytime you’ll see a laid-back crowd browsing mom and pop boutiques, vintage shops and tattoo parlors, and dining at casual cafes. Once the epicenter of the city’s punk scene, St. Mark’s Place now features of-the-moment fast-food eateries and souvenir shops.

9. Greenwich Village

Brownstones and bars line the streets of the gorgeous neighborhood of Greenwich Village. Known as the center of New York’s bohemian movement in the 1960s. This neighborhood is brimming with music and literary history. Bleecker Street epitomizes the mix of trendy shopping, upscale dining and iconic nightlife that makes Greenwich Village one of New York’s most vibrant hoods.

10. Upper West Side

Home to the American Museum of Natural History, the Upper West Side is a great place to live and especially with a family. One of the best parts about the Upper West Side is the ease of access to both Central Park and Riverside Park. 

11. Upper East Side

The Upper East Side borders Central Park, the city’s most famous and extensive park; Fifth Avenue, a stretch of luxury shopping; and the historic East River. The UES also encompasses smaller neighborhoods like Carnegie Hill, Lenox Hill and Yorkville. You’ll find Museum Mile, home to some of New York’s most famous museums. In addition to five-star hotels, fine dining, high-end shopping experiences, and breathtaking historic homes. 

12. Murray Hill

Murray Hill’s tree-lined streets are filled with townhouses, modern apartment buildings and businesses. It’s a popular home for recent college graduates and young professionals, who frequent the bars along Lexington and Third Avenues. Several blocks in Murray Hill are also known as “Curry Hill,” which has a high concentration of Indian restaurants.

13. Hell’s Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen is a very fun neighborhood and has an extensive theatre and restaurant culture. The newest landmark to enter Hell’s Kitchen is Hudson Yards. You’ll find lots of shops and restaurants at Hudson Yards, along with a mega-mall. The towering sculpture, aka as the Vessel is a wonderful way to see city views.

14. Flatiron

Flatiron is the inner west side of the blocks in the 20’s. The Flatiron District gets its name from the Flatiron Building, a building on 22nd and 5th that looks flat from the sides and – surprise – kind of like an iron. This popular neighborhood is kid friendly with lots of shopping on lower Fifth along with popular restaurants and are among those working in entertainment, particularly models, directors, and media moguls. 

15. Gramercy Park

Gramercy is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Manhattan. It’s downtown, but it’s almost its own silent corner. There are few tourists compared with the nearby East Village and Soho. In the middle of Gramercy is Gramercy Park, a privately owned enclave built in the 1800’s. Unless you live on the blocks facing the park, you cannot get a key and get in, but it is still gorgeous just to peak inside.

16. Meatpacking District 

The Meatpacking District is a hip commercial area on the far west side. It’s home to the Whitney Museum of American Art, high-end designer clothing stores and a stretch of the High Line, an elevated park built atop former railroad tracks. At ground level, the cobblestone streets are filled with trendy restaurants and clubs that have taken over the cavernous spaces once occupied by the meatpacking industry.

17. Midtown

Midtown Manhattan, or the area between 31st Street and 59th Street, is super touristy, so it tends to be crowded most of the day. But the neighborhood is also home to New York landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the United Nations, Rockefeller Center and Times Square. Nestled in the midst of all this fast-paced industry is the city’s famed theatre district, also known as Broadway. 

18. Seaport District

The Seaport District is New York’s original commercial hub, located on the East River in Lower Manhattan with stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the NYC skyline. The historic cobblestones of the Seaport have since been transformed into 450,000 square feet of dynamic culinary, fashion, entertainment and cultural experiences that both locals and visitors can enjoy. New favorite restaurants include Malibu Farm and The Fulton.

19. Chinatown

Chinatown is one of the most visited neighborhoods in all of New York City. It has great ethnic restaurants that are not only Chinese, including Vietnamese restaurants where you can get fish, dim sum, or a large bowl of noodle soup. The busy sidewalks are packed with souvenir stores, bubble tea shops, and markets selling everything from fresh and dried fish to herbs and spices. 

20. SoHo

What used to be the most popular artist hangout spot back in the 1960s and ’70s has turned into the fashion capital of the city. Designer boutiques, fancy chain stores and high-end art galleries make trendy SoHo a top shopping destination, especially for out-of-towners. Known for its cobblestone streets, the neighborhood is home to high-end restaurants and nightlife hotspots. During the day, street vendors sell everything from jewelry to original artwork.

21. NoLita

NoLita is a charming neighborhood right by SoHo. It has a trendy vibe, and is where a majority of people come to shop at various jewelry stores, boutiques, and designer outposts. On weekends, you’ll also be able to find street vendors selling handmade jewelry.

22. Little Italy

Little Italy welcomes a heavily tourist crowd to its high concentration of souvenir shops and traditional Italian eateries and bakeries. Mulberry Street, the main thoroughfare, turns into a pedestrian mall on summer weekends. The area celebrates its heritage each September at the busy San Gennaro festival.

23. Harlem

Harlem is world-famous for being a hub of African American heritage, and the neighborhood’s jazz clubs, soul-food restaurants and the iconic Apollo Theater remain as cultural testaments. Bordered by the Harlem River and the East River, the neighborhood occupies Upper Manhattan from about 96th Street to 155th Street. You’ll find several parks including Morningside Park, Jackie Robinson Park, Marcus Garvey Park and St Nicholas Park, each with its own stretches of greenery, as well as farmer’s markets, playgrounds, pools and other outdoor recreation activities. 

Tips For Traveling To NYC With Kids

• Most museums are free and accept donations as an entrance fee. 
• Top of the Rock offers both uptown and downtown views.
• Staten Island Ferry goes right past the Statue of Liberty if you’re looking to skip a paid tour. 
• Bowling Green, Union Square, 34th Street, 42nd Street and 72nd Street stops all have elevators, making it easier for strollers to get around town. 
• On most days you can get last minute Broadway tickets from TKTS in Times Square. 
• Most restaurants are kid friendly.
• Ferries are a great and fun way to see the city from the water (and good value).
• Uber has a car seat option at a higher fee.
• LaGuardia and Newark airports are the closest airports to New York City.
• Best to bring a lightweight travel stroller that can easily fold.
• Gratuity in NYC is between 15%-20%. 
• Often taking the subway will get you to your destination faster than taking a taxi. 
• The cuisine throughout the city definitely reflects the diversity of its people. The authentic restaurants are truly endless. 

4-day Kid-Friendly NYC Weekend Itinerary

Day 1 – Friday

• Watch a Live Show: catch The Gazillion Bubble Show bubble artistry show at the New World Stages in Hell’s Kitchen or book one of the famous Broadway shows such as Frozen or Harry Potter and The Cursed Child
• Discover the Empire State Building’s 102nd floor observatory deck. Visitors can visit galleries and exhibits displaying the history of The Empire State Building before taking an elevator upstairs. 
• Wander round Hudson Yards indoor mall

Day 2 – Saturday

• Visit the Time Out Market in Dumbo
• Discover Puppetsburg children’s puppet show in Brooklyn
• Walk the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges to see gorgeous views of New York City

Day 3 – Sunday

• Visit a museum: Worlds Beyond Earth and The Butterfly Conservatory are both currently featuring at The American Museum of Natural History
• Explore Central Park: whether you picnic at Sheep’s Meadow or ice skate in the winter, Central Park is the heart of NYC
• Find a Magnolia Bakery! Our family’s favorite treat in the city. Best known for their delicious banana pudding! 

Day 4 – Monday

• Try an interactive exhibit, like Color Factory in SoHo or the Sloomoo The Slime Institute
• Visit Pier 25 in Tribeca: such a wonderful park and has something for everyone
• Walk The Highline that spans between Gansevoort st. and 34th st. for a special above-ground perspective of Manhattan’s west side

Booking Your Family-Friendly Stay in New York City

Whether you’re looking for a country retreat upstate or a cultural break with kids in the city, you’ll find the perfect family-friendly vacation rental in New York on Kid & Coe.

Frequently Asked Questions