10 tips for traveling to New York with kids

1/ Choose a family-friendly hotel

• When you review hotels in New York, make sure your child has their own room. This gives them a quiet space to rest and recharge. Trust me on this one—it makes a real difference.
• If your child wakes during the night, having their own room means you can comfort them without disturbing the rest of the family.

2/ Manage jet lag with children

• Flying from Europe means dealing with a significant time difference. Book a flight that arrives early in New York so your children get natural light exposure when you land. This also gives you a buffer for unexpected delays.
• Start adjusting your children to the new time zone from the moment you board. Shift meal times and sleep schedules gradually.
• Try to follow local meal times, but don’t deny your child a snack if they’re hungry before the regular mealtime.

3/ Find subway stations with elevators

• Not all New York subway stations have elevators. Navigating stairs with a stroller can quickly turn into a workout. Before confirming your hotel reservation, check that it’s served by a station with elevator access.
• Look for the wheelchair symbol on subway maps to identify stations with elevators. The official subway map shows which stations are accessible.

4/ Don’t overpack your itinerary

• Your schedule won’t look like that of a couple traveling without kids—and that’s fine. Quality time matters more than quantity. New York rewards you for slowing down. Watch the street life, sit at cafés, look up at the buildings reaching toward the sky. Cramming in too many activities often leads to frustration and exhaustion for everyone. Stay flexible.
• For customized tours and guided visits suited to all ages, feel free to contact us.

5/ Plan activities the whole family will enjoy

• With children aged 6 to 12, try the interactive detective game at Grand Central Terminal. It’s one of our most popular activities with families.
• Another way to engage kids and teens? Join our Food Tour New York. This tour explores the history of the vibrant Lower East Side through its food culture. You’ll walk the neighborhood while tasting several iconic New York specialties.
• A Brooklyn tour with a street art workshop or a tour of lower Manhattan will appeal to all ages.
• After exploring Brooklyn, consider booking a private graffiti workshop. It’s a fun way to get the whole family involved in creating a piece of art you take home. Guaranteed wow factor.
• To capture your family moments in New York, book a photo session designed specifically for families visiting the city. After all, you’re as unique as New York.
• Consider private guided tours tailored to your children’s ages. Email us to arrange your custom tour.

6/ Bring a stroller

• You’ll walk a lot in New York. A lightweight umbrella stroller is ideal—easy to fold at the airport or in restaurants.
• Consider a baby carrier as a backup. However, carrying a child all day without a stroller is physically demanding.
• If you’d rather not travel with a stroller, contact us to arrange a stroller rental in New York.

• New York has many playgrounds and carousels. Plan walks with a 20 to 30 minute stop so children can play. My favorite carousel is the Sea Glass in lower Manhattan, at the corner of Water Street and State Street. When I show families the southern tip of Manhattan, I always take them to see this beautiful sea-themed carousel.

7/ Visit a library

• New York has many free public libraries. Most have well-designed children’s areas. Some even offer free reading and music sessions once a week.
• My favorite is the library near Rockefeller Center (18 W 53 Street). It has a basement level with computers for kids, games, and activity tables. It’s perfect for this neighborhood where playgrounds are scarce or on rainy days.

8/ Stock up on supplies in New York

• People often ask me where to buy children’s food and supplies in New York. I scout ahead for stores selling baby food, diapers, wipes, and other essentials. Drug stores like Walgreens and Rite Aid carry these items and are found throughout the city. They also stock children’s first-aid products like Tylenol for fever. The pharmacist can offer advice if needed.
• Tip: Don’t overpack your luggage with children’s products. Once you locate a store near your hotel, you can buy what you need locally.

9/ Choose kid-friendly restaurants

• Look for “Kids Friendly” restaurants. Most New York restaurants welcome children with appropriate seating and often coloring activities. Note: a high chair is called a “high chair” in English.
• Changing tables are available in most restaurants. Public restrooms in parks and playgrounds are generally well-equipped.
• From experience, diners in New York are a reliable choice. They’re casual environments where active children fit right in, unlike more formal establishments.

10/ Check your family’s health coverage

• Healthcare in the United States can be expensive. Make sure your family is covered in case of accident or illness.
• If your child becomes ill, start by asking a pharmacist for advice. Depending on the severity, they can direct you to a doctor. In an emergency, call 911 from any phone. You don’t need a US phone plan—this number works instantly.