Best Things to Do in New York with Kids 2026

New York City is one of the world's great family destinations, offering a density of world-class museums, iconic landmarks, and uniquely memorable experiences that is unmatched by virtually any other city on earth. For Australian families making the long journey to the US east coast, New York delivers a return on investment that justifies every hour of flight time. The city can be intimidating in scale but is, in reality, highly navigable by public transport and remarkably safe in its main tourist areas.

American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side is one of the world's greatest natural history museums, most famous for its four-storey Titanosaur dinosaur fossil cast and the Hall of Ocean Life with its life-size blue whale suspended from the ceiling. The Rose Center for Earth and Space houses a spectacular planetarium with shows narrated by major celebrities covering cosmic evolution and the solar system. The museum is enormous and cannot be seen in a single day. Prioritise the dinosaur halls, ocean life, and the Hayden Planetarium for families with children under 12. The museum's connection to the Night at the Museum film franchise makes it additionally compelling for children who have seen the films.

Central Park

Central Park is one of the world's most famous urban parks and provides families with an extraordinary array of free activities within its 843 acres in the heart of Manhattan. The Tisch Children's Zoo near 64th Street houses farm animals and red pandas that younger children enjoy. The Friedsam Memorial Carousel is one of the largest in the United States. Strawberry Fields at 72nd Street, the memorial to John Lennon, resonates with musically inclined older children. In summer, free Shakespeare in the Park performances take place in the Delacorte Theater, and the Conservatory Garden in the northeast corner is beautiful for family photographs.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island together form one of the most significant historical experiences available in the United States. The ferry from Battery Park visits both sites, and families should book tickets that include Crown access for the most complete experience, though this requires advance booking months ahead. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum documents the stories of the 12 million immigrants who passed through the facility between 1892 and 1954, many of whom are the ancestors of a substantial portion of the American population. The historical context is particularly resonant for families with European heritage.

Brooklyn Bridge Walk

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn (or the reverse) is one of New York's most accessible and iconic family experiences, entirely free and providing spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, the East River, and the neighbouring Manhattan Bridge. The walk takes about 30 minutes at a leisurely family pace. Arriving in Brooklyn, the DUMBO neighbourhood beneath the bridge has excellent pizza, the Brooklyn Bridge Park with its great playgrounds, and Jane's Carousel, a beautifully restored 1922 merry-go-round in a glass pavilion on the waterfront.

Broadway

A Broadway show is one of the defining New York City family experiences, and the selection of family-appropriate shows is excellent in 2026. The Lion King has run continuously since 1997 and remains the gold standard family Broadway experience, with spectacular costumes and staging that connects directly to a film most children know well. Hamilton, Wicked, and Aladdin are alternatives depending on availability. TKTS booths in Times Square and at South Street Seaport sell same-day tickets at significant discounts (30-50%), making Broadway more affordable than the headline ticket prices suggest. Book in advance for school holiday periods.

Practical Tips for Australian Families

New York's best family weather is May to June and September to October. July and August are hot and humid but manageable with good air conditioning. The New York City subway is the most efficient way to move between boroughs and accepts contactless payment. Children under 44 inches (112cm) in height travel free. Families with young children should consider accommodation on the Upper West Side near Central Park or in Midtown near Times Square for the best access to major attractions. The NYC Explorer Pass and New York CityPASS options provide discounts for families visiting multiple paid attractions. Portions at New York restaurants are typically enormous and children's menus are universally available.

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