New York with kids

New York City with Toddlers: a Gentle 2-Day Plan and Tips

With a toddler, New York is less about ticking off sights and more about the city itself: buses, dogs, pigeons, fountains and some of the best playgrounds anywhere. Plan one outing in the morning, a nap, and one in the late afternoon.

By Play Your Trip · Updated · 3 min read

The pixel-art cover of a family's New York adventure book

Day 1 · Animals and the park

Everything here is in the south-east corner of Central Park, close together and stroller-friendly.

  1. Morning

    Central Park Zoo (opens Google Maps)

    Compact and easy with a stroller. Sea lion feedings are the highlight, and the Tisch Children's Zoo next door has animals little ones can get close to.

    Official site

  2. Morning

    Delacorte Musical Clock (opens Google Maps)

    Bronze animals play instruments and turn around the clock on the hour and half hour. Time your exit from the zoo for it.

  3. Late morning

    Heckscher Playground (opens Google Maps)

    The park's largest playground, with water features in summer, sand and climbing rocks.

  4. Midday · Lunch

    Picnic in the park

    Pick up lunch on the way in and eat on the grass. Then: nap time, back at the hotel or in the stroller.

  5. Afternoon

    Central Park Carousel (opens Google Maps)

    Big, old and beautiful. Parents can ride along.

Day 2 · Boats, books and lights

A free ferry ride with Lady Liberty, Winnie-the-Pooh at the library, and Times Square before bedtime.

  1. Morning

    Staten Island Ferry (opens Google Maps)

    Free, big, and it passes the Statue of Liberty. About 25 minutes each way; everyone gets off at St. George and walks around to board the next boat back.

    Official site

  2. Midday · Lunch

    Lunch near the library

    Bryant Park, behind the library, has tables, a carousel and famously clean restrooms.

  3. Afternoon

    Winnie-the-Pooh at the library (opens Google Maps)

    The original Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga and Tigger toys are on display in the Children's Center.

    Official site

  4. Early evening

    Times Square (opens Google Maps)

    Go at dusk, before bedtime: the lights are already on, and it's calmer than late evening.

Getting around with a stroller

  • Many subway stations have stairs only. Check for elevators before relying on a route, and expect to carry the stroller sometimes. A lightweight stroller plus a carrier is the most flexible combination.
  • Buses are slower but step-free, and toddlers love the view.
  • Children 44 inches tall or under ride free on subways and local buses with a paying adult.
  • Taxis and rideshares: car seat rules differ from home, so many families bring a travel car seat or skip cars entirely.

Restrooms and breaks

Public restrooms are scarce. Reliable ones: Bryant Park, the big museums, department stores, Grand Central's lower level, and the playground comfort stations in Central Park. Note them on your map before you set out.

More toddler-friendly places

  • Brooklyn Bridge Park: playgrounds on Pier 6 and Jane's Carousel.
  • Hudson River Park: Pier 25's playground and the waterfront path.
  • The New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn: real vintage subway cars to climb into.
  • Ancient Playground next to the Metropolitan Museum, with pyramids to climb.

Questions

Is New York stroller-friendly?

The sidewalks and parks are; the subway is mixed, because many stations have no elevator. A light, foldable stroller plus a baby carrier covers most situations.

Can toddlers go to Broadway shows?

Most Broadway theatres don't admit children under 4. Look for family shows off-Broadway and in theatres made for young audiences.