The Intrepid Museum is a long-time favorite at my house. Though my son is grown and in college, it's still his favorite NYC museum given its collection of military history and the unique vessel it calls home—a decommissioned Essex-class aircraft carrier dating to the Second World War. So, when my younger daughter and I were invited to join a recent Operation Slumber overnight experience, we excitedly packed our bags and shipped out for an all-night adventure at one of the handful of museums offering sleepover experiences in NYC.

When it comes to the best things to do this winter in NYC, one thing is certain: Being cooped up in a tiny apartment with your kids hanging off the furniture (and you) is no way to spend the season. We know it can be hard to put on all that winter gear, head out into the cold, and hit up one of the dozens of daily kid-friendly events happening in NYC, but we're here to help. To inspire winter fun, we've compiled this list of 47 awesome things to do in NYC this winter. Our winter bucket list picks include spots where kids can run, jump, bounce, learn, create, and get cultured.

Of course, you can find more fun, seasonal ideas in our Guide to Indoor Family Fun or enjoy the great outdoors with the picks in our NYC Kids' Guide to Winter Fun.

Few places rival New York City for holiday activities, and the upcoming Christmas vacation in NYC offers families plenty of free time to sample them all. We’ve rounded up all of our favorite staycation ideas for winter break in NYC, most of which can be accessed with a subway ride.

Fill your kids' winter break in NYC with awesome museum outings, live holiday stage shows, fancy Christmas meals, and magical must-do holiday experiences. Your family might even be up for braving the crowds at popular tourist attractions like the Rockefeller Center tree and department store holiday windows.

NYC public school students are on Christmas vacation from Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026. If you need more fun things to do over the holiday break in NYC, bookmark our Family Activity Calendar, which is continuously updated as we learn about new, kid-friendly happenings.

We may be biased when we say Christmas in NYC is the most magical season of all. One reason: The city is bustling with activities and adventures for the entire family, including the Gingerbread City pop-up at the South Street Seaport. Filled with spicy aromas and spectacular, candy-coated, architectural creations, it's worth visiting if you find yourself downtown this season.

If you’re looking for unique, local gifts for your kids, NYC is brimming with possibilities. It feels great to think outside the box—and the big box retailers—by shopping local. Read on for suggestions that will delight your favorite little scientist, gamer, superhero, bookworm, card collector, or candy lover. And for more ideas, check out our Local NYC Kids' Guide to Shopping, which includes picks for top toy stores, clothing shops, and our favorite baby boutiques.

Tired, holiday-weary parents: This list of family-friendly restaurants open on Christmas in NYC is a gift to you. In the craziest of seasons, booking a reservation at one of these family-friendly NYC restaurants takes one thing off your to-do list. Most of these NYC restaurants are serving scrumptious Christmas meals in-house, but if you'd prefer to dine in the comfort of your own home, we've got you covered there, too, with a handful of restaurants that happily cater your Christmas feast.

Find plenty more seasonal picks in our NYC Kids' Guide to Holiday Fun and kid-friendly eats for any occasion—or none at all—in our Family-Friendly NYC Restaurant Guide.

If you've got a high school senior who is into the arts, listen up: TDF, the not-for-profit performing arts org, is offering FREE year-long TDF memberships to graduating high school seniors from NYC public and charter schools. So, if your kid can't wait to see everything from Broadway shows to off-Broadway performances, dance, and more—all at deeply discounted prices—read on for details on how the Class of 2026 can score this special gift.