Visitors Guide

19 Best Family Hotels in New York City With Perks for Kids

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As a born and bred New Yorker who is raising children here myself, my out-of-town friends always ask my advice when planning their NYC family vacation. They want to know everything: the best things to do, places to eat, museums to explore and, perhaps most important, where to stay.

New York City is, of course, loaded with hotels, many of which are kid-friendly. And while it's nice to have options, there are so many it can feel overwhelming. That's why we've compiled this list of 19 NYC hotels for families based on a combination of personal experience, trusted recommendations from friends, and great reputations. These hotels offer kid-friendly amenities such as pools, free strollers, and even bunk beds. A number of our choices are located right next to top kid attractions; some are more budget-friendly and others a splurge.

Our picks aren't all in Midtown Manhattan. We included places to stay with kids in Lower Manhattan, the Upper West Side, and Upper East Side, and even hotels that are in hot neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens.

30 Best Things to Do in Queens with Preschoolers and Toddlers

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Living in or visiting the borough of Queens is a nonstop international learning experience for little kids, filled with diverse sights, sounds and tastes—and it's super family-friendly.

It's famous for being the most ethnically diverse county in the United States where hundreds of languages are spoken daily. From eating dumplings in Flushing to feeding a goat on a farm, Queens can inspire, teach and feed the spirits of your little ones.

Children of all ages can enjoy Queens, but traveling around the city with a kid 4 or younger can be a challenge. We’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in seasonal order, so you can enjoy Queens like a king, including parks and playgrounds, museums and play spaces, the beach, and even amusement parks perfect for toddlers and preschool-age kids.

Insider's Guide to Griffith Park: More Things To Do Than Most Angelenos Know!

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Five times the size of New York’s Central Park, Griffith Park was designated as a historic-cultural monument in 2009, protecting it from future development. Angelenos should be thankful to Griffith J. Griffith, a Welsh real estate developer who gifted the land to the city in 1896 as a “place of recreation and rest for the masses.” The result for us has been access to fantastic hiking trails, a home to some of our most iconic museums, and a wealth of other family activities. Lucky Los Feliz and Burbank families can call Griffith Park their local; for the rest of us it's worth setting aside a little time to be surprised by all that Griffith Park has to offer; there are probably one or two items on this list even locals didn't know about!

Boston's New England Aquarium: Guide to What's New and What to Do with Kids

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My son loves animals of all kinds, so I knew we had to take him to the New England Aquarium as soon as he was old enough for the outing. Our trip did not disappoint! He was enthralled by the beautiful sea creatures and even got to experience some up close at the touch tanks. Here’s what I learned when we went to the Aquarium, including which exhibits are "must-sees," where the best kid-friendly dining options are, and how you can score discounts. With a new, 9,000-gallon Indo-Pacific coral reef display opening this spring, it's an especially exciting time to hit the Aquarium. Interested in more of our favorite kid-friendly Boston attractions? Check out our museum guide.

Huntington With Kids: Great Things to Do in Suffolk's Historic Village

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Just an hour train ride from Manhattan, Huntington Village is a quaint, four-seasons family destination on the north shore of Suffolk. From St. Patrick's Day to the Christmas season, Huntington Village is full of parades and festivals, not to mention other year-round staples. Museums, parks, restaurants, shops and play spaces make Huntington Village a picture perfect family day trip. 

For more family-friendly neighborhood fun, check out our guides to Port Washington, Glen Cove, Sayville and Port Jefferson. 

30 Top Things to Do in Brooklyn with Preschool Age Kids

Submitted by Sara F on

Brooklyn is full of fun experiences for little kids, whether you live here or are just looking for new adventures. From pedal boating in Prospect Park to sharing Key lime pie along the water in Red Hook, we guarantee you’ll want to take your preschooler or toddler on these 30 must-do activities.

And one of the great things about these early years is that your kids may not be in school every day, so you often can avoid the weekends and enjoy some of these Brooklyn places without crowds.

Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families

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Whether you're visiting NYC or live here year-round, seeing a Broadway show is a special family experience. Kids are sure to remember it vividly, and chances are parents won't soon forget the credit card bill. That's why it's so important to pick a production wisely, especially when bringing young children to their first Broadway performance.

While Disney juggernauts The Lion King and Aladdin are popular options, there are other kid-friendly choices that aren't as obvious, as well as attractive newcomers like Harry Potter and King Kong. We've rounded up our top Broadway musicals for families and organized them by age appropriateness. As a bonus, we've also got the scoop on how to save big bucks on tickets to some of our picks.

Peruse our event calendar for additional family theater options in NYC, or read reviews of current productions to find one that best suits your children.

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