New York is a great destination for families all year round. If you want to visit the Big Apple with your family, you should see the following attractions since they are iconic and child-friendly:
The American Museum of Natural History
All children want to see the bones of a dinosaur, as well as the life-sized model of a blue whale. At the National Museum of Natural History, your whole family will have fun because there are wonderful exhibits for people of all ages. However, you should know that there are gifts shops at nearly every level and you might not be able to resist them.
Circle Line Semi-Circle Cruise
Although you might not have thought about a boat ride as a family activity, the Circle Line Semi-Circle Cruise is the best way to see many sights at once. There will be plenty of space for exploring and you can even rest on the cruise ship. While on the ship, you will have a great chance to see NYC’s dynamic waterfront and get a handle on its layout.
From the boat, you will have a fantastic view of the Statue of Liberty and a great opportunity to take pictures. If you are looking for short, but thrilling rides that won’t allow your kids’ attention to drift, you should take shorter speedboat rides to see Lady Liberty. If you want to see the city from a bus, you should consider tour companies such as Top View Sightseeing.
Top of the Rock
You and your family will get to enjoy a bird’s eye view of NYC from the Rock Observation Deck. Although this place is not very well known, you can see Central Park and the Empire State Building from it. When you buy timed tickets in advance, you will be able to avoid the lines that are associated with skyline viewing.
MoMA
You might be of the opinion that the modern art museum is the best place to explore with your kids, but the best museum to explore with your family is MoMA. Toddlers and babies will enjoy the art from their strollers while the older kids will enjoy an entertaining and interactive audio tour. At this location, you will find many fantastic programs for families that can be helpful and a learning experience.
MoMA offers a number of tours that will enhance your experience. If you go before opening and closing hours, you will get a private tour and experience the place before it opens to the public.
The Bronx Zoo
This zoo can keep your family entertained for a whole day. If your kids are little, the Children’s Zoo can be plenty of fun thanks to many close-up and hands-on experiences. Children of all ages will enjoy the Asia Monorail – which offers great wildlife viewing while you rest up – and the Bug Carousel. With enough planning, you will get to see all your favorite animals.
If you are looking for something that will not take up your entire day, try the Central Park Zoo, which is a safe bet for people who want something that is easily accessible.
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum
At this museum, you will experience NYC’s rich history and learn about the families that called tenement buildings home. You will be shocked by how many families lived in the small tenement buildings and will surely appreciate modern conveniences even more. Although most New Yorkers love to complain about cramped living spaces, you will see that a small 375 square foot apartment used to house entire families.
If a member of your family is in a wheelchair, you should opt for wheelchair-accessible walking tours. All tours at this museum are open to kids above the age of eight.
