Manhattan City Guide: 31 Family Friendly Attractions

The island of Manhattan, one of the five boroughs in New York City, is home to close to two million people, thousands of hotels and restaurants, and tons of kid friendly activities. We’ve fortunate enough to live just a short drive from Manhattan and have enjoyed exploring many museums, theaters, sporting venues, restaurants, parks, historical sites, and cultural attractions over the past 15 years. We’ve finally put ALL of our Manhattan features in one post here!

We’re written about Manhattan before through various lenses, like this post on rainy day activities geared towards teens, this post that features holiday themed activities, and this post on where to eat in Manhattan with kids.  Some of the spots on those lists are included here, but we’ve also added several additional attractions the whole family will enjoy.

Staying local: There are dozens of lodging options throughout the island of Manhattan. We have not stayed in the city too often (we live just over an hour away), but when we do stay overnight, we always stay at Marriott properties, which we find to be clean, safe, centrally located, and staffed with friendly staff and good amenities. 

Eating in Manhattan: There is a seemingly endless, and ever changing, list of places to eat to appeal to every palette. We wrote this post a few years ago of some special spots that are especially family friendly. We also like this guide and this guide for current, up to date recommendations.

Notes: 

• We organized this list intentionally: Attractions start in the northern end of Manhattan (Washington Heights) and end at the southern part of Manhattan (Financial District). 
• All of these attractions are handicap accessible and most of them allow strollers for the toddler crew. We suggest bringing the stroller to some of the places where younger children are safer in a stroller, or might need a rest if there is a lot of walking involved.
• Some of these attractions are better suited for “older” children- in our opinion, children in upper elementary school or older given the content, engagement, or surroundings; we’ve made a note on those descriptions. 
• Many of these locations are venues that require tickets for specific events, but also offer guided tours, which is a great way to see “behind the scenes and stages” of some very famous places. Save money by purchasing multiple attractions tickets from reputable companies like CityPASS.

31 Places Kid Friendly Attractions in Manhattan:

1. The Met Cloisters, an extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features European medieval art and architecture. Opened in 1938, the four acre space includes 20 gardens and galleries filled with artifacts that date as far back as the 12th century that were saved from various churches, monasteries, and abbeys throughout Europe.
   Kids will especially love the Cuxa Cloister Gallery, the Gothic Chapel, and the unicorn tapestries.
   Travel Tips: Closed on Wednesdays; admission to either the Cloisters or the Met includes admission to the other location; special Kids and Families audio guide, exhibits are both indoors and outdoors- dress for the season; bring the stroller and wear sneakers; limited dining options on site.
   Read our full post here
   
2. The Museum of the City of New York was originally housed in Gracie Mansion and moved to its current location in 1932. There are four floors of exhibits of photographs, costumes, paintings, sculptures, toys, films, and decorative arts and several interactive rotating exhibits, all highlighting the rich history of New York City and its influence on the world.
   Kids will especially love the Changing in the Face of Democracy scavenger hunt and the New York at Its Core exhibit
   Travel Tips: Open seven days a week, with pay what you wish admission on Wednesdays, free admission for kids under age 18; daily, free docent led tours; small cafe for snacks and drinks on site; weekly StoryTimes and crafts activities for kids.
   Read our full post here
   
3. The Guggenheim art museum, opened in 1959, was designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright and is located across the street from the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park. The museum’s collection of over 600 works of art primarily includes abstract, modern and contemporary art, with many non-object pieces of art on display throughout the famous six story, spiral ramp building.
   Kids will especially love Family Activity Centers and art kits they can borrow while touring the museum exhibits.
   Travel Tips: The museum is open seven days a week; Admission is pay what you wish on Mondays; kids receive free admission on weekends; bring a stroller for the toddler set; dining options on site; be sure to check the calendar for family friendly activities like Stroller Tours and Little Guggs.
   Read our full post here.
   
4. One of the most popular art museums in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art opened in 1870 and includes over one and a half million pieces of art: paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, decorative arts, musical instruments, even costumes. The 17 departments include dozens of galleries, several of which include the entire space with furniture and architecture.
   Kids will especially love Lauder Galleries of Arms and Armor, the Temple of Dendur, and the Merten Galleries for Musical Instruments.
   Travel Tips: The museum is closed on Wednesdays; bring the stroller; dining options inside the museum; free, docent led tours available each day; lots of family friendly programs and events.
   Read our full post here

5. The American Museum of Natural History welcomed over five million visitors to its 21 interconnecting buildings and five floors of 50+ permanent collections each year. There is everything from dinosaur fossils to gems and minerals to planetariums and auditoriums with daily special events and programs. There are also several rotating exhibits each year.
   Kids will especially love the Hall of Ocean Life and Hall Hall of Biodiversity
   Travel Tips: There are several entrances to the museum; bring the stroller; free, docent led tours available each day; use the Explorer app to get around exhibits; plenty of dining options inside the museum; plan on a few exhibit halls each visit with young children- way too much to see in one day.
   Read our full post here
   
6. The oldest museum in New York City, The New York Historical was founded in the early 19th century by local merchants and politicians who wanted to preserve important artifacts after the Revolutionary War. Today, there are three floors of exhibits, including a special children’s museum, with millions of archives. Note: Since we visited, the museum has changed its name to the New York Historical.
   Kids will especially love the gallery of Tiffany lamps, replica Oval Office desk (you can sit at it!), and the DiMenna Children’s History Museum.
   Travel Tips: Open Tuesday through Sunday; daily guided tours are included in admission fees; dining options on site; tons of special events, like Story Hour.
   Read our full post here
    
7. Stationed on the West Side, the Intrepid Museum is housed inside the aircraft carrier, Intrepid, which served in WWII, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War. It was decommissioned and opened as a museum in 1982 and includes a submarine, a massive Space Shuttle Pavilion, Flight Bridge, Flight Deck with 20 aircrafts, and hanger Decks.
   Kids will especially love all the nooks and crannies to climb under, above, and through; the Space Shuttle Pavilion; the Exploreum.
   Travel Tips: Best suited for upper elementary aged children and older (tons of open spaces and uneven footing); wear sneakers; dining options on board; both indoor and outdoor exhibits.
   Read our full post here
   
8. Spycape, one of the top museums in Manhattan, is an interactive museum with tons of spy related, hands-on challenges, trivia boards, and historical exhibits that showcase famous hackers and spies.
   Kids will especially love racing the clock in the Special Ops Gallery and passing a lie detector test.
   Travel Tips: Best suited for upper elementary aged children and older; handicap accessible, wear sneakers for the challenges; small cafe inside;
   Read our full post here

9. Carnegie Hall is considered the finest acoustics concert hall in the world. Carnegie Hall opened in 1891 and now offers over 250 concerts and over 500 independently produced events, but no ballets or Broadway shows,  every year. Carnegie all offers tours that include many behind the scenes spots and tons of fun trivia the whole family will enjoy.
   Kids will especially love stepping on the stage, and swiping a throat lozenge or two while on your.
   Travel Tips: Tours are scheduled around performances but usually Monday through Saturday; tours are best suited for kids age 10 and older or younger children engaged in music; tours include museum exhibits children will enjoy.
   Read our full post here
   
10. The Paley Center for Media, originally the Museum of Broadcasting, reopened in 2007 to honor 1920s radio station, and later CBS Network, owner William S. Paley. The center’s collection includes 160,000 television and radio programs from over 70 countries. There are tons of special programs and events celebrating television and radio and seasonal activities.
    Kids will especially love the GX Gaming Studio with 20 VR stations
    Travel Tips: Open Wednesday through Sunday; no dining on site; tons of special events and programs.
    Read our full post here
    
11. Bryant Park, a nine acre park located between 5th and 6th Avenues and 42nd and 44th Streets, is one of the most popular spots in Manhattan. There are daily activities (yoga! Art classes! A reading room! Shuffleboard and ping pong!) and popular seasonal traditions like the Winter Village.  The great lawn is the perfect spot for little ones to run around and burn off energy.
    Kids will especially love riding the carousel, free concerts, and seasonal celebrations.
    Travel Tips: Free to visit; public restrooms located in the northwest end; bring the stroller.
    Read our full post here (it was our very first post!)
    
12. The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, one of 92 properties in the system of the New York Library, opened in 1911 and is one of four research centers in Manhattan. Its location next to Bryant Park makes it the most popular library in Manhattan, and has free spaces accessible to the public. Guests can take audio self guided tours and docent led tours six days a week.  There are also tons of daily free programs, many geared towards families.
    Kids will especially love the Children’ Center on the ground level and the original stuffed animals that inspired the Winnie the Pooh  series.
    Travel Tips: The library is free to visit; free, one hour guided tours are available (but reserve ahead of time- they sell out quickly!) and are best suited for kids upper elementary age and older; no dining facilities
    Read our full post here

13. Radio City Music Hall, the largest theater in the world when it opened in 1932, hosts hundreds of shows, performances, and concerts each year, most notably the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular during the holiday season. The 6,000 seat theater is accessible through a show ticket, but visitors can also go behind the scenes on a Backstage Tour.
    Kids will especially love the costume shop, elevator platforms, and possibly going on stage (based on scheduling conflicts)
    Travel Tips: Tour schedule varies based on performance schedule; tours are suited for kids ages 10 and older; tours are handicap accessible with an elevator, but otherwise involve climbing several flights of stairs; no dining on site.
    Read our full post here
    
14. Rockefeller Center, named for the son of the world’s first billionaire, John D. Rockefeller Jr., is comprised of 19 different buildings, all built in the 1930s. The 70 story “30 Rock” building is home to several NBC shows including The Today Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live. Daily, guided tours offer tons of historical trivia and architectural background of the “City within a City.”  Top of the Rock includes the 67th floor exhibit and the chance to walk out on the 69th floor terrace with Skylift and the Beam Experience.
    Kids will especially love the lower level concourse (set up for different activities each season) going on the outdoor terrace on the 69th floor (it’s super breezy!), and sitting on the famous beam.
    Travel Tips: Ticketed, daily, guided tours of the building are best suited for upper elementary aged children and older; Top of the Rock is appropriate for all ages; use restrooms before tours start; lots of dining options inside Rockefeller Center.
    Read our full post here
    
15. The Museum of Broadway, one of Manhattan’s newest museums opening in 2022, is a chronological history of the “Great White Way” with tons of memorabilia- everything from costumes and Playbills to mock ups of set design and bios of famous stars and lists of casts. Some shows have their own exhibits with interactive displays and tons of fun trivia (and soundtracks to sing along to!)
    Kids will especially love all the interactive and selfie spots- swinging on swings, crawling through tiny doors, and sitting in make up chairs.
    Travel Tips: The museum is open seven days a week with late night hours; leave strollers with coat check; no dining options on site, but plenty of restaurants nearby.
    Read our full post here
    
16. The world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden offers 365 days of entertainment, with everything from NBA Knicks and NHL Rangers games to Westminster Kennel Club dog shows to concerts and comedy shows. The arena can fit over 20,000 people depending on the event and is located adjacent to Penn Station. The daily All Access tour offers guests a chance to learn all about the history of the arena and its famous performers and athletes and go down to the floor.
    Kids will especially love sitting inside a private suite and going inside a locker room.
    Travel Tips: Reserve tickets online ahead of times, especially during holidays and weekends; use restrooms before tours start; best suited for elementary aged children and older; no dining options while on tour.
    Read our full post here

17. The Morgan Library and Museum is an annex of the home of financier Pierpont Morgan, situated in the Murray Hill section of Manhattan on Madison Avenue. With over 350,000 volumes, including dozens of first editions of many famous authors, and over one thousand volumes of documents about bookbinding, Morgan’s collection is one of the largest personal libraries in the world. The library first opened to the public in 1924 after Morgan’s death and was most recently renovated in the 2000s and now offers weekly lectures and concerts in addition to self guided and guided tours of the library.
    Kids will especially love peeking inside the vault of the West Room and walking through the Morgan Garden in warmer months.
    Travel Tips: Open Tuesday through Sunday; be sure kids grab a Family Activity Guide (or download it ahead of time); lots of weekly special events and family activities; dining options on site.
    Read our full post here
    
18. According to TripAdvisor, the Empire State Building is the #1 attraction in all of New York City. The 1,250 foot building is home to over 1,000 businesses and welcomes over four million visitors each year. It was originally built in the 1930s and has undergone several renovations, adding exhibition spaces, observation towers, and dining and shopping options. Guests can see as many as six states from the 86th floor observation deck.
    Kids will especially love pretending to be eaten by King Kong in the second floor exhibition gallery and the 86th floor observation deck (walk around the whole deck!)
    Travel Tips: There are several different ticket options– check to see what best interests your group and reserve ahead of time; plenty of shopping and dining options on site.
    Read our full post here
    
19. The National Museum of Math celebrates all things math! The museum, which opened in 2012, has dozens of interactive puzzles and challenges that test your spacial, algebraic, geometric, and counting skills and also celebrate seeing math in every aspect of life.
    Kids will especially love riding a square wheeled trike, Hoop Curves, and Polypaint
    Travel Tips: The museum is open 364 days a year; lots of special programs and activities; no dining options on site.
    Read our full post here.
    
20. The United Nations, created in 1945, has 193 states and countries as members, who meet on the Turtle Bay neighborhood campus to “settle disputes, prevent future conflicts, find solutions to global issues, and protect all humanity.” New York City has been the UN’s home since 1949 Leave time after the tour to explore the Visitors Plaza with its many sculptures and East River views.
    Kids will especially love sitting inside the conference rooms like the Security Council Room, Economic and Social Council Room, and the General Assembly Room.
    Travel Tips: Order tickets (opt for the “Children’s Tour”) ahead of time and get on property early- security is very tight at the UN and it takes a while to get to the spot where the tour starts; tours are only offered on weekdays and may be limited during UN related activities and conferences; use the restrooms before tour starts; small cafe in the lower level after the tour.
    Read our full post here
    
21. Eataly, an Italian food lovers’ dream, has three locations in Manhattan: Flatiron District, Downtown, and SoHo. Each location has fulls service restaurants (make reservations way in advance), culinary schools with public and private classes on just about anything cooking related, and tons of small shops, bakeries, and stores.
    Kids will especially love eating!!!
    Travel Tips: Book cooking classes ahead of time; come hungry and grab snacks from a variety of kiosks and small bodegas; try eating on “off peak” hours to avoid crowds.
    Read our full post here

22. The Museum of Illusions has over 40 interactive exhibits of illusions that feature kaleidoscopes, prisms, and holograms.  Each exhibit also features placards that explain the optical illusions and mathematics involved in the exhibit.
    Kids will especially love the color room and the infinity room.
    Travel Tips: Museum is open seven days a week; strollers are not allowed; lower level is not handicap accessible, but most exhibits are on the first floor; no dining options on site.
    Read our full post here
    
23. Little Island is a 2.5 acre park off Pier 55 in the Hudson River. There are two pedestrian bridges for access, a 700 seat amphitheater, walking trails, and plenty of open green space to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The island also hosts tons of seasonal and weekly programs and events- many of which are family friendly.
    Kids will especially love the open spaces to run around and the spinning discs, dance chimes, and permanent musical instruments.
    Travel Tips: The island is free to visit; amp events require tickets; bring the stroller; dining options on site.
    Read our full post here
    
24. Trinity Church and nearby St Paul’s Chapel are rich with history dating all the way back to George Washington attending service after taking the oath as president. Both churches have active congregational and weekly religious services and programs, but are open to the public to explore the beautiful chapels and grounds, which include the graves of many prominent figures.
    Kids will especially love seeing the tomb of Alexander Hamilton and admiring all the stained glass windows.
    Travel Tips: Free to visit but take note of hours centered around services; visitors must go through security checks; no dining facilities on site.
    Read our full post here
    
25. The African Burial Ground National Monument honors the millions of enslaved men, women, and children who were a part of the labor force that helped build the city in the 17th and 18th centuries and were buried on site. The six acre burial site and remains of over 400 individuals were discovered when the land was excavated in the 1990s for an office building, and the land was protected as a memorial and opened by the National Park Service in 2010. There is an outdoor memorial and indoor museum exhibits open to the public to tell the story and preserve the dignity and legacy of those buried on site.
    Kids will especially love completing a Junior Ranger booklet to earn a souvenir
    Travel Tips: Free to visit Tuesday through Sunday; both indoor and outdoor exhibits; lots of special events and programs geared towards families; no dining options on site.
    Read our full post here

26. South Street Seaport Museum was founded in 1967 to celebrate one of the busiest seaports in the world. The collection includes indoor museum exhibits, a fleet of vessels docked at Pier 16 (including the 1930 W.O. Decker tugboat, the 1885 Pioneer schooner, and the 1908 Ambrose lightship that visitors can explore) and a working printshop. The museum offers tons of seasonal boat rides and tons of weekly events and family friendly programs.
    Kids will especially love exploring the boats and watching a letterpress demonstration.
    Travel Tips: The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday; exploring the ships is seasonal; wear sneakers; plenty of dining options available throughout the Seaport; nearby playground kids will love.
    Read our full post here
    
27. Federal Hall, the site of George Washington’s inauguration in April of 1789, was also used as New York’s City Hall , a Customs House, and even gathering place for significant events like the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Today, the National Park Service oversees the space, which includes two floors of exhibits and several important artifacts like the Bible Washington used for his oath of office.
    Kids will especially love completing a Junior Ranger booklet to earn a souvenir and the storage belt used to protect gold.
    Travel Tips: Free to visit Monday through Friday and summer Saturdays; free docent led tours twice a day; no dining options on site but plenty nearby.
    Read our full post here
     
28. The National Museum of the American Indian, one of two museums (the other is in Washington DC) supported by the Smithsonian Institute, celebrates the history of indigenous people throughout the Western Hemisphere. Housed in the Alexander Hamilton US Customs House, the museum’s collections include  artifacts ranging from painting and sculptures to headdresses and diaries and poems.
    Kids will especially love the imagiNATIONS interactive exhibits on the first floor.
    Travel Tips: The museum is free to visit 364 days a year; tons of open spaces for the toddler crew to run around (but bring a stroller); no dining options on site.
    Read our full post here
    
29. Fraunces Tavern opened as a museum in 1907  with the goal of preserving the historical events that occurred on site, including George Washington’s farewell address to the Continental Army in December of 1783. Originally a private mansion, Samuel Fraunces turned it into a tavern in the 1760s. It later became the first office of the Department of Foreign Affairs, War, and Treasury. The museum’s 8,500 artifact collection includes items such as George Clinton’s sword, 40 reproduction flags from the Revolutionary War, oysters excavated on site, and even a lock of Washington’s hair.
    Kids will especially love the Hamilton scavenger hunt.
    Travel Tips: The museum is located on the 2nd and 3rd floor (handicap accessible); working tavern restaurant on the first floor; lots of special events and programs and walking tours of the area offered throughout the year.
    Read our full post here
    
30. The Statue of Liberty National Monument, a gift of friendship from France in 1886, is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. The 305 foot monument sits on Liberty Island (only accessible by a quick boat ride from the Castle Clinton checkpoint and ferry dock) and is surrounded by walking paths, museum exhibits and tons of daily programs and events, all overseen by the National Park Service. Visitors can walk up inside the pedestal and even reserve tickets for an elevator ride or hike (it’s the equivalent to 20 stories) to the crown.
    Kids will especially love the Junior Ranger program and the children themed audio tour.
    Travel Tips: Reserve tickets ahead of time and leave plenty of time for security checks and ferry rides; bring the stroller for the toddler crew; quick service dining options on Liberty Island;
    Read our full post here
    
31. Ellis Island was the first spot over 12 million immigrants visited when they arrived to America between the years of 1892 and 1954. The museum has three floors of exhibits and several daily ranger led tours, and special themed tours offered seasonally. Visitors can research the records of ancestors who checked in through Ellis Island and even check their own knowledge with the citizenship test.
    Kids will especially love the interactive exhibits and earning a Junior Ranger badge.
    Travel Tips: Reserve tickets ahead of time and leave plenty of time for security checks and ferry rides; bring the stroller for the toddler crew; quick service dining options on Liberty Island; know the names of the people you would like to research ahead of time.
    Read our full post here

Looking for other nearby City Guides you might enjoy? See our full Financial District City Guide and our Brooklyn City Guide.   And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.