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How To See The Best of NYC With Kids In Just Two Days!

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This post could contain affiliate links or be sponsored which means I earn from advertising. Also as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. More details here.

New York City is the big city. So much to see and explore. Years ago I visited the Big Apple for just a couple of days. This time around I did it again for just two days with daughter for her birthday! I’ve got some tips for seeing all the best of NYC with kids when you only have a limited amount of time. 

family travel nyc with kids

How To See The Best of NYC With Kids In Just Two Days!

Just after Christmas we surprised our daughter with a trip to NYC to celebrate her 10th birthday. Well, my husband surprised me too! I just knew about the surprise longer than she did. He booked everything.

One day in November, completely out of the blue, I started getting these emails…  my flight to LaGuardia was coming soon, reservations at a the Yotel New York City had been made, tickets to Wicked on Broadway had been purchased… I began to think that someone had stolen my credit card!

So two days after Christmas my daughter and I boarded a plane to New York City and we experienced all the magic of the Big Apple at Christmas time. I had been waiting my entire life to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in person and it finally happened!

nyc with kids rockefeller christmas tree

nyc with kids rockefeller ice skating rink

And of course we ice skated in front of the giant tree, too!

 

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Tips For What To See In New York City With Kids

What to do first? Get a CityPass. I was given a pass to try out (thanks, CityPass!) and then I purchased one for my daughter. This is a great way to see the city and save. With CityPass you can pick and choose from a list of attractions. I found that it’s a great way to stay on track, too.

Traveling with kids is definitely easier if you stick to a schedule. With CityPass you are more apt to 

Get your own CityPass HERE.  

 

 

Travel NYC With Kids – Day 1

 

 

Experience The City Views

top of the rock in rockefeller center

Confession: The view from Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center is better than the Empire State Building. Plan ahead during peak times for a line, even when you have a reserved time, but the line does move quickly.

 

 

 

Visit A Museum

giant squid american museum of natural history new york city

There are so many museums to choose from, but go with one that will appeal most to your kid’s personality. We spent a few hours at the American Museum of Natural History, but could honestly have spent much more. Have a little extra time? Take a stroll in Central Park right across the street!

 

 

 

Catch A Broadway Show

elphaba and glinda whispering wicked broadway poster

emerald city sign wicked broadway

wicked broadway playbill

There’s always something showing on Broadway that is kid friendly. Take in a matinee or plan for a late night. Just make sure to take the next morning easy if you are out late! My daughter has been wanting to see Wicked forever. It did not disappoint!

 

 

 

Look Around Times Square

i love new york hoodie in times square

Drop by Times Square before or after the Broadway show. There’s so much to see and do. It’s also something that can be taken at your own pace. While the rest of the city seems to be in a rush, make sure that you take it slow with kids. It will definitely make for a less stressful trip.

 

 

 

Travel NYC With Kids – Day 2

 

 

Go Shopping

american girl new york city store

After go, go, go the first day, spend a relaxing morning shopping for souvenirs. There are so many great stores in NYC that are kid friendly. Nintendo, LEGO, M&M World, American Girl New York City, FAO Schwarz and Harry Potter New York just to name a few!

 

 

 

Tour The Statue Of Liberty

nyc with kids statue of liberty

There is so much to see and do on the island. Even the trip by ferry out to the Statue of Liberty is a fun adventure! Have some extra time? Visit Ellis Island before heading back to the mainland.

 

 

 

9/11 Memorial

nyc with kids 911 memorial fountain

Just a short walk from Battery Park (where you’ll ferry over to the Statue of Liberty) is the area where the Twin Towers used to stand. It’s an important place to experience with your kids. To think and remember.

 

 

 

See A Unique Building

The Oculus New York City

There are so many unique buildings in New York City. You definitely want to get up close to at least just one of the popular ones before you leave. The Oculus is a huge underground shopping mall. It’s also a subway depot at World Trade Center. Right next to the 9/11 memorial and really neat to see at night when all aglow. 

 

 

Check out the other family travel ideas on the Seeing Dandy blog HERE.

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Tara

blog owner at Seeing Dandy Blog
A mom blogger for over 15 years, Tara Smith lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her audiologist husband and four kids. Her blog has been featured on local media television shows like News 4 Great Day and Show Me St. Louis, as well as in the Farmhouse Style Magazine for Country Sampler. She loves to travel, explore the Midwest, make crafts and read.

This post could contain affiliate links or be sponsored which means I earn from advertising. Also as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. More details here.

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