With the help of this year’s Official New York City Family Ambassador, Curious George (one of my kids’ favorites), families can get the lowdown on all of the top attractions, cool activities, best places to eat and stay. There are even sample itineraries that can help you get the most out of your visit depending on the length of your stay. Even better: The entire visit can be planned online, from booking a hotel and making a dinner reservation to buying tickets for tours and Broadway shows.

And while it’s normal to think of Manhattan as the go-to place for fun, don’t forget about the other four boroughs. My family just went to the Bronx Zoo this past weekend, and we had as much fun as we had in Disney (really). The same goes for recent trips to Coney Island (the renovated boardwalk is gorgeous and has so much to see and do), the New York Hall of Science in Queens, the magnificent Brooklyn Botanic Garden (an awesome place to take some family photos), and Yankee Stadium (a must for those of us who want to see Derek Jeter before he retires). FYI: Families can catch a glimpse of future Jeters at Richmond County Bank Park, home of the Staten Island Yankees

Of course, everyone’s idea of a vacation is different. Luckily, NYC can cover all of the bases. Relax in the sand or surf the waves at Rockaway Beach, play a round of golf at one of the area's 10 public courses, explore one of the numerous art galleries or simply shop 'til you drop. Whatever a family wants to do, it can be found across the five boroughs.

Need more convincing? NYC & Company is also partnering with 16 cultural institutions to create a Curious George-inspired “scavenger hunt” that focuses on the five senses. Kids will be asked to find things that George might smell, taste, touch, hear or feel. Activity sheets will be distributed at participating locations—it's sure to make a fun day for little ones.

So whether it's a trip in the car, train or plane, a family vacation to NYC is sure to be a trip the entire family will be talking about for years to come.

This post was sponsored by NYC & Company, but the opinions are those solely of the author.