The 15 Best Things To Do In NY With Kids

legoland top things ny mom
New York is big, and the list of attractions is even bigger, stretching from the Niagara region to the tip of Manhattan. But if we had to pick, there are quite a few places that rank high on our list and will keep the whole family entertained. Step up to bat at the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum in Cooperstown, take in the views from the top of the Empire State Building, feel like an Olympian in Lake Placid, bring a 200-year-old legend to life in Sleepy Hollow, or take in the waters in Saratoga Springs. New York is unlike any other place in the world, and we found the best things to do in the state. (featured photo credit: NY MOM)

The 15 Best Things To Do In NY With Kids 

Bronx Zoo ny mom
The Bronx Zoo is one of the world’s largest metropolitan zoos, and it’s the flagship of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s collection of urban wildlife parks. Photo Credit: istock/Lya_Cattel

American Museum of Natural History

This museum is probably best known for its fossil halls—you can’t miss those giant dinosaurs, which are pretty awesome to see up close for kids and adults alike. But there’s so much more to learn and discover here, including exhibits on ocean life, gems and minerals, human evolution, and the Hayden Planetarium. If your children have seen “A Night at the Museum,” they’ll be super psyched to see the parts of the facility featured in the movie (yes, “Dum Dum” has a special spot on the 3rd floor). And the recently opened Gilder Center includes a butterfly vivarium and Invisible Worlds, an immersive experience that shows how all life on Earth is connected. 
200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024

Bronx Zoo

Whether your kids go wild for giraffes or would rather slither on over to the reptile exhibit, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic day exploring the 11,000 animals that call the Bronx Zoo home. At the Children’s Zoo, kids can get up close to a two-toed sloth or giant anteater and pet and feed the farm animals. When you need a break from walking around the expansive grounds, go for a spin on the bug carousel, ride the zoo shuttle, or watch a sea lion feeding session. 
2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460

Cooperstown

Of course, it’s the place for baseball where its humble beginnings are highlighted at the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, a must-see for fans of the game. But even if you’re only a casual fan, there’s still plenty to do here: Experience Native American art at Fenimore Art Museum, view performances in the summer at the Glimmerglass Festival, or head to Oneonta, where you can wander into a butterfly sanctuary or a science discovery center. If you want to spend time outdoors, stop by the Canoe & Kayak Rentals on Ostego Lake, take a ride on the historic train line, or step into history at historic estates like Hyde Hall and Brookwood Point. 

Empire State Building

It’s the 6th-tallest building in New York City, and it’s undoubtedly the most iconic. Ride up the elevator or take the steps if you’re feeling ambitious to the 86th and 102nd-floor observatories for a 360-degree view of the city’s famous landmarks. On clear days, you can see up to 80 miles into the distance and get a glimpse of a whopping six states. 
20 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001

The Erie Canal, aka the “Gateway to the West,” links the Atlantic with the West, and is where Great Lakes ships, canal boats, and railcars helped build and shape Buffalo, NY. Walk around the revitalized Canalside, with hundreds of events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, summer fitness classes, ice skating, children’s programming, history tours, and outdoor winter activities. Then make your way to Lockport, named for the system of locks, where you can cruise the canal on a Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise. Your boat will be raised and lowered 50 feet along the “Flight of Five” system of locks. 
Buffalo, NY 

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt 

Tucked in the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area is the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd and longest-serving president of the United States. Hyde Park was a place FDR escaped to, and it’s an ideal family spot for views, history, and wide-open spaces. Explore the Roosevelt homes, the exhibits at the nation’s first Presidential Library, and over a thousand acres of gardens and trails. While you are there, you can explore the 150-mile valley, tour stately mansions built for the Livingstons, Vanderbilts, Roosevelts, and Rockefellers, and stroll through parks and gardens designed by Calvert Vaux, Andrew Jackson Downing, Frederick Law Olmsted, and Beatrix Farrand. 
114 Estates Lane, Hyde Park, NY 12538

legoland ny resort ny mom
LEGOLAND® NY is full of rides, entertainment, and even classes. Photo Credit: NY MOM

LEGOLAND® NY Resort

You don’t have to travel to Florida to get a top-level amusement park experience—drive to Goshen, NY, for LEGO® fun for the whole family. Lego-centric kids will love the themed rooms like Pirate, Kingdom, LEGO® NINJAGO, and LEGO® Friends. Try the roller coasters, water park, or even work with a master builder, play on a castle playscape, or pal around with characters. There is also nightly entertainment during the summer, a resort-style pool, and Brick-or-Treat in the Fall.
1 LEGOLAND Boulevard, Goshen, NY 10924

New York Aquarium

At the New York Aquarium on Coney Island, more than 500 species of marine wildlife are home, ranging from playful penguins and adorable sea otters to the often misunderstood sharks. Get a front-row seat at the outdoor Aquatheater and watch sea lions bond with their trainers during an unforgettable interactive show. The Spineless exhibit offers a peek at bizarre invertebrates like Pacific octopuses, moon jellies, and the Japanese spider crab. Kids will love to don their special glasses in the 4D theater, which combines the drama of a 3D movie with built-in sensory effects. 
602 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224

New York Botanical Garden

Escape any time of year to see stunning garden displays by heading to the Bronx to visit the New York Botanical Garden. Meander around 250 acres of eye-popping and colorful landscapes encompassing lush gardens with native plants and flowers, interspersed with art installations by legendary artists. At the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, kids can stop in for afternoon drop-in activities. During the holidays, their popular train show highlights trains and landmarks made with all-natural materials. 
2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458
 
Maid of the Mist Niagara Falls ny mom
Take a ride on the Maid of the Mist for an iconic NY experience. Photo Credit: istock/Orchidpoet

Niagara Falls

See a natural wonder of the world and America’s oldest state park with adventure activities and incredible views. See the falls close up on the Maid of the Mist or step out onto the Hurricane Deck at the Cave of the Winds. You can also take walking tours with the family on Goat Island or take in the views at the Top of the Falls Restaurant. If you are feeling up for adventure, there are helicopter rides over the falls, too. No matter what season it is, Niagara Falls is for all ages.  
304 Prospect Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Olympic Center in Lake Placid 

Spending time in the Adirondacks? A visit to Lake Placid—host to the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Games—is a must for any sports fans. Back in 1980 at the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the US men’s hockey team pulled off that famous win over the Soviet Union on their way to snagging the gold. These days, the 1980 Rink Herb Brooks Arena isn’t just history—it’s alive with national and international figure skating competitions, USA Hockey events, ECAC Hockey Championships, and more. Families can enjoy indoor skating, check out the Olympic Museum, try a Stick n Puck session, or, during winter, have fun skating on the Oval.  
2608 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY 12946

Saratoga Springs

Known as a summer vacation destination for centuries, Saratoga Springs is home to the first thoroughbred horse racing track to open in the United States in 1863 and is also the oldest sporting venue in the nation. Each summer, horse racing enthusiasts and fans flock to the track to bet on horses, watch thrilling races, and take in the natural mineral springs that are said to have healing properties. Families who come for the track will find lots to do for kids, including a visit to the Saratoga Children’s Museum, Saratoga Spa State Park, where you can still see the springs, and tour the paddocks where the horses reside. 

Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown

With over 200 years of spooky lore from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Sleepy Hollow fully embraces its Headless Horseman roots — especially around Halloween. You can snap a photo at the Headless Horseman Bridge, then retrace Ichabod Crane’s legendary ride past landmarks like Philipsburg Manor, the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow, and Washington Irving’s Sunnyside — but the town offers more than ghost stories, with scenic stops at the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, grand Gilded Age tours at Lyndhurst Mansion, and the one-of-a-kind Armour-Stiner Octagon House rounding out the experience.

Storm King Art Center

If you want to introduce your kids to art, head to the Hudson Valley, where large-scale sculptures and unique commissions are displayed on over 500 acres. Open from April to December, you can view larger-than-life sculptures by artists such as Alexander Calder, John Duff, and Sue Fuller. Take a walking tour, explore the grounds by bike (rentals are on-site), get a bite at the outdoor cafe, and marvel at these amazing art pieces under the sky. 
1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY 12553

The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark

Within the Catskill Mountains, you’ll find a tropical indoor oasis with palm-fringed walkways, jungle vegetation, and endless opportunities for water-themed fun. Float down the lazy river, test out rides and slides, or walk on the Later Gator Crossing rope bridge. Count on spending a night or two here in luxury suite-only rooms and exploring all the on-site activities, such as goat yoga, archery, and murder mystery dinners.
555 Resorts World Drive, Monticello, NY 12701

 

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