New York City Travel Recap with Kids
Visiting New York City is always an adventure but when you add kids in the mix you need to get a little creative and have more flexibility as you make your way around the city. We lived near Philadelphia for about 4 years and we’ve done trips to the Big Apple before and after we had kids. On this most recent trip, we were back visiting friends for a wedding in Philadelphia and decided to spend one night in NYC with our girls for a memorable family adventure.
We’ve learned a trick or two on these trips and I thought I would share some tips that we’ve found helpful in this New York City travel recap!
What To Bring
Inline Double Stroller: Our Britax B-Ready stroller has grown on us over the 6 years we’ve owned it and I’d say we’ve put it through to ringer. It’s been used for basic walking, running, hiking, and city traveling. Only recently we’ve added the extra seat which sits under the main seat and it’s great for toting two kids around. I know there are other inline double strollers on the market and ours is a bit outdated. This post is mainly to say that if you are traveling with two kids in the city under the age of six I’d recommend an inline double stroller versus a side-by-side or single stroller if you want to fit in as much as possible.
Kids get tired and I knew that our 6-year-old would not be able to keep up with our pace if we wanted to do all-the-things. We originally planned to take one smaller stroller and trade out the kids (putting the baby in the ring sling) when needed but I’m so glad we opted for the larger stroller since many times both needed to rest and neither of us had to wear a baby except for one time to give her some variety.
It was hot and we walked a lot so when we were on the move it was easier to keep the kids in the stroller. NYC is naturally very crowded and we were there during a national event that drew in many people to Manhattan. It would have been challenging to hold my six-year-olds hand through the crowds so she was safer in the stroller.
Be aware that using the stairs is almost inevitable and even when there might have been an elevator option it was easier to just help hold the front of the stroller and my husband held that back when we went up or downstairs. Especially when using the subway (which we avoided for the most part).
The larger stroller also gave us more room to store a completely full diaper bag under the seat and anything else we wanted to grab quickly or acquired during our day.
Ring Sling Baby Carrier: With baby number two I decided to try a ring sling since they were not really around when I had my first daughter. One reason why I wanted it was for the ease of use and how it rolls up small during traveling. There aren’t bulky straps or clips to deal with and it makes it so easy to take with and put on when we are on the go. I only used it once while we were walking the high line since she was in-between naps and I wanted her to be out from under the stroller to see what was going on and stretch a bit.
It easily fit into our backpack or under the stroller and wasn’t cumbersome getting on and off. The linen fabric is strong enough to keep her in position while we were walking but also kept us from overheating in the sun. I love this print from Wild Bird.
Packing: We stayed one night in the city so we only brought two bags. The diaper bag and a backpack. Our overnight items were in the backpack and we kept it organized using small packing cubes. We only took one change of clothes and the basic toiletries. Since we were staying at a hotel we were also able to use the toiletries supplied by the hotel.
Our baby takes formula so we only brought in three bottles and enough formula for the two days. I cleaned the bottles with dish soap at the hotel. We also had extra food pouches for the baby and our 6-year-old to give them simple healthy snack options between pizza and hot dogs. Other snacks that came in handy were rice wafers, puffs, and freeze-dried yogurt bites. We planned to eat a lot in the city but knew the kids wouldn’t enjoy some of the foods we wanted so the snack options came in handy between meals.
Wipes and Hand Sanitizer: The city is dirty and little kids touch everything. It’s hard to find a bathroom to wash hands often so having clean wipes and hand sanitizer helped. In the stroller console, we kept a bottle of Thieves Hand Purifier and Thieves Spray for cleaning hands and surfaces. I also had Thieves Wipes handy for wiping off tables when we ate. These products have safe ingredients to use around the baby so I love having them handy for the entire family on trips like this.
What To Do
Circle Line Cruise: My daughter has been wanting to see the Statue of Liberty but we didn’t have time or want to deal with kids on the whole boat ride and tour at the statue park. I looked up cheaper ways to get the best view and opted for a Circle Line Cruise. The most convenient one (time and location wise) was the Midtown dock. We arrive just 15 minutes before departure and had no problem getting tickets and seats on the boat. I was concerned that it might be hard as we were traveling just before a holiday but there was plenty of room.
Our 1-hour boat ride took us out into the Hudson River and down Manhattan to Lady Liberty. There was a live narration sharing facts about the buildings we were seeing both on the New York and the New Jersey sides. Once we approached the Statue of Liberty we slowed for a time of photos before heading back.
We chose to sit outside on the top deck as it offered the best views however the inside top deck is also great if you are near the window and offers shade and air conditioning. Our 6-year-old was entertained for most of the trip and on our way back to the dock we ended up going inside for shade to cool off where we found there were fewer people so she could have more freedom to walk around. Our 9-month-old crawler is a very wiggly, on-the-go baby and we eventually had to let her crawl on the floor. Normally I would be concerned to do this in NYC but the boat was very clean. Also, there is really only so much we could do with her and I’ve learned to not worry so much.
If you decide to ride with a stroller you simply just leave it on the bottom floor near the entrance. We took anything we wanted with us to the top floor but when we were ready we could just walk back down and be near the stroller if we wanted.
If you are military you need to purchase tickets at the ticket office however you get 50% off your admission.
The Highline: If you are looking to let the kids get some energy out and avoid the crowds head up to the Highline. This old train track is now a public walking path lined with trees, shrubs, and beautiful flowers. The views are photo-worthy and the walk is refreshing. It can get crowded in some areas where the path narrows but it’s much better than walking along the streets. Food vendors are sprinkled throughout the path as well as some more permanent options near Chelsea Market.
Chelsea Market: We love visiting Chelsea Market whenever we go to New York City. There are so many shops and food vendors to check out! I don’t think we’ve ever had the same thing twice and everything is so good. On this visit, we enjoyed tacos from Los Tacos 1 (carne asada and adobada) and a lamb kebab Miznon. It seems like each time we visit there are new places to you really can’t go wrong with the options to have.
Starbucks Reserve: If you are traveling with kids through the city then you will appreciate someone else making your coffee. The Starbucks Reserve is the perfect indoor spot to grab a specialty brew, taste test different brewing methods, and grab small bites to eat. There is informal seating on the first floor where you can watch coffee being brewed by siphon or step up to the bar in their upper balcony to try a side-by-side tasting of Knob Creek Bourbon and their cold brew made from barrel aged beans. In the lower level, you can sit and order food and watch beans being roasted in their large roasters.
I enjoyed the Nitro Mole Mocha while chatting with a barista about adding ice to my chemex when brewing for a cold brew option as she also made a fresh batch of siphoned coffee that both myself and my 6-year-old loved to watch. There is fresh, serve yourself water if you need a refreshing drink. I had my mind set on getting coffee from a small shop in town but this stop was so convenient and you can get many things here you cannot normally get at any regular Starbucks so I considered it worth the visit.
Jane’s Carousel: This restored 1922 carousel is set in Brooklyn Bridge Park with views of both the bridge and Manhattan skyline. The beautiful carousel has both horses that move up and down and ones that stay stationary. There is also bench seating on the ride. The tickets are $2 per rider. Before or after your ride you can walk the path along the river enjoying the breeze and views.
Empire Stores: While we were walking to the carousel we had some time to kill and an iced matcha latte was calling my name. We walked by Empire Stores and found FEED Shop and Café. Their mission is to provide school meals to kids so what better place to go when you are in town with your little ones.
We came back later to grab a small meal before we headed out of town and loved all the options available at Time Out Market. Our daughter was able to get a kids portion of pasta at Felice Pasta Bar and my husband and I shared a bowl of ramen from Mr. Taka. There is casual seating throughout the market and easy for kids and strollers.
Central Park: This one is obvious for so many reasons! Central Park allows you to escape the crowds and let the kids run and have freedom. Find a grassy spot to sit and rest your feet. There are so beautiful sites like The Boathouse and nearby pond and Bow Bridge. Our daughter loves the Bethesda Fountain at the end of picturesque Mall. Located within the park are Heckscher Playground and the Central Park Zoo. On this trip we actually did not make it to Central Park at all since we had other activities planned but if you are up that way it’s a great spot to stop with the kids.
Bryant Park: We thought it would be great if there was a little lounge or restaurant that was kid friendly we could stop and get a drink and late evening snack before turning in. I struggled to find something I was comfortable bringing my kids to that wasn’t a huge chain or super busy.
On our walk back to the hotel we went by Bryant Park. We were curious about stopping her earlier so we walked through the park. It was about 9:30 pm and a couple of the restaurants in the park were still open and not very busy. One cute place called Southwest Porch had simple outdoor seating and an adorable swinging bench. The bar looked well stocked and I could easily order a Manhattan to sip on during our last night in Manhattan. Of course, you can still expect outrageous prices for a not-so-fancy beverage but the vibe and location was worth it. It was just what we were looking for to relax before turning in.
Where To Stay
Embassy Suites by Hilton: We opted to stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Times Square as it was a great central location and we appreciate having an evening reception and full breakfast in the morning. We checked in later in the afternoon and were able to spend a couple of hours allowing the girls to nap and us to just relax. The room had a king size bed and pull out couch. We also requested a pack n play for the baby so she had her own bed to sleep in. As with many Manhattan hotels, the room was small but we were happy with the bed accommodations so that we all had a comfortable place to sleep.
If you have the Hilton Honors American Express Credit Card you can take advantage of your one free weekend night a year and stay at this hotel. We ended up being able to book this hotel room for free which pretty much makes this card pay for itself in one stay. If you are curious about this card and it’s perks check it out here.
TRYP Hotel NYC: We didn’t stay at this hotel however the location and accommodations at TRYP Hotel would be perfect for a family. Some of their rooms offer bunk beds and have more room for larger families staying together. There is also a restaurant on site for convenient food and drinks. They also feature a kid’s menu for the little ones. They are not far from Times Square and just a few blocks from Penn Station for easy travel in and out of the city.
Getting Around
Subway: We only used the subway ones for a round-trip ride to Brooklyn. With two kids and the stroller it’s sometimes just easier to walk and it saves us money. The subway is always a great option thought to save a bit of time and for less walking. We had the stroller so we did need to carry it up and down starts to access the station we wanted. When you go through the pay terminal you need to find the door instead of a turnstile to get your stroller through. You will still need to swipe your Metro card and have the agent buzz you through the door. Once you get to the track you can easily get your stroller on the subway train as long as it’s not full.
Uber: I went out alone for an hour to go shop at a local store while the kids rested and since we had already walked to much that day I decided to take an Uber ride back to the hotel. With the app you can call a ride and usually someone is there to pick you up within a couple minutes. Depending on traffic an Uber ride (or any car ride) isn’t always faster than walking but it’s nice for the break. Uber also offers a service to have car seats available however I have not tried this option.
Walking: We walk a lot on our trips and this time was no exception. We love seeing so much in-between stops that we would miss so much if we didn’t walk. By having the stroller and baby carrier we were able to keep a good pace and see a lot just by foot.
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