2 Day Family Weekend Itinerary in New York City with Kids

NYCNew York City
Written By Joe Borda

My wife and I have been visiting New York City together for well over 10 years. When our son was born, we were excited to return to see the city through his eyes and he’s now an official “city-kid”. I've curated a two-day weekend itinerary that includes activities for both kids and adults that packs in all the city has to offer. 

TRIPSTER TIP: Only going to NYC for the day? You can easily mix and match the activities, restaurants and shopping below to curate your perfect NYC trip.

WHERE TO STAY

TRIPSTER FAVORITE: Tempo by Hilton Time Square - You are steps away from Broadway, eateries and stores geared towards kids. The views from the rooms are some of the best in the city and being right across from the Hershey and M&M stores is sweet. My son (8 years old) raves about this hotel! He loves staying right in the center of Time Square and how “cool” it looks and feels inside.

DAY ONE ITINERARY: Central Park & Metropolitan Museum of Art

After arriving in NYC via car or train, first stop at your chosen hotel to see if your room is ready.

TRIPSTER TIP: If you find your room is not ready yet, most hotels in NYC will hold your bags for you securely. Check with the front desk to drop off your bags so you can start exploring the city.

Next - start making your way to Central Park as a quick stop before lunch. There are many things to do and see in the park - so much that you may need a second trip just to explore!

WHERE TO GRAB LUNCH: PATSY’S PIZZERIA

Our favorite things to do are climbing the natural rocks throughout the park and stopping for a swing at the Heckscher Playground while making our way to Patsy’s Pizzeria. Located at 61 W 74th St, New York, NY 10023, this pizza joint opens starting at 11:30AM on weekends. It is an approximate 40-minute walk from Time Square through Central Park - so allow time to stop along the way in the park to explore. They offer great pizza and other Italian style meals.

TRIPSTER TIP: If you have young ones with you who may not be able to walk that far, taxis and ride-shares are very easy to grab in NYC so always use that as a fallback option! 

After lunch, we always like to stop at the Belvedere Castle on the path to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The castle is smack dab in the middle of the path from Patsy’s to the MET - so it’s a great spot to stop and res. Plus it’s free to enter! You can climb the stairs and explore the three different levels of the castle and great views of Central Park.

Central Park Walking Tour Tickets are available that include stops at the Castle.

Once your castle exploration is complete, finish the path to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While you can probably spend a whole day exploring this museum, 2-3 hours at a time as been the best we can do with kids. Most recently we explored the Greek artifacts, Egyptian ruins and armory. There really is something for everyone at the MET with plenty to keep both kids and adults busy for a few hours. Note that some exhibits may not be appropriate for the youngest of visitors - so plan your route through the museum appropriately based on age-range.

Plan to book your MET tickets ahead of time to skip the line. Check availability and pricing HERE or click the nearby image.

TRIPSTER TIP: The walk back to hotel after a day of trekking to the MET will feel long and tiring. It is best at this point to grab a taxi or ride-share back to Time Square or you may end up carrying some young ones on your approx. 40 minute walk back.

When you return to your hotel, grab your room keys and relax! Everyone will be tired from the long day of walking but should be excited for dinner! There are many options when it comes to dining in New York City - even with kids! Some of our favorites are below. The best part - they are only steps away from your hotel.

Powered by GetYourGuide

WHAT’S FOR DINNER

  • Serendipity 3 Time Square - new to the area and an easy walk right off Time Square. This place was made for kids. From the colors, to the decorations to the menu items. They are known for their "frozen hot chocolates" and huge menu. Kids will also find a candy store appealing as you enter

  • Hard Rock Cafe is an iconic restaurant in Time Square. It is easy to get to and also has a fairly large menu. The location is very large so it is perfect for a larger group. They have a gift shop as well along with many historic music memorabilia throughout.

DAY ONE RECAP

Where to Stay:

Activities In Order:

Where to Eat:

DAY TWO ITINERARY: Shopping & Broadway

For day two of your NYC weekend there is a lot more fun and a lot less walking! Hopefully you and the rest of the crew had a great night’s rest in your Time Square hotel and are ready to grab some breakfast. Each of the recommended hotels have some great in-house options to grab a quick bite to eat or venture out early to enjoy a NYC staple that won’t disappoint. TIPSTER TIP: Similar to the morning of day one, if you have plans to stay in the city for the afternoon but need to check out in the morning - plan to leave your luggage with the front desk of your hotel.

BREAKFAST OPTIONS

  • Ellen's Stardust Diner is a one-of-a-kind NYC restaurant located only a 5 minute walk from Time Square. Known as the city’s premier musical theater diner, your waitstaff won’t just bring your food, they’ll perform for you too! Throughout your meal, the servers take turns performing Broadway-style songs, creating a fun and unforgettable atmosphere. Whether you stop in for breakfast, brunch, or even an early morning milkshake, Ellen’s offers plenty of classic diner favorites. You may even get a glimpse of a future Broadway star in the making!

    • Located at 1650 Broadway TIPSTER TIP: Ellen’s does not take reservations, it is first-come-first-served, so make sure to get in line early or plan enough time to wait in line and grab something eat before you move onto your next activity of the day.

  • Tempo Time Square’s Highball Breakfast & Bakery offers pastries, beverages, and light bites.

  • Hard Rock New York’s Sessions Restaurant & Bar offers a full sit-down breakfast experience.

After your breakfast of choice, you now have some decisions to make. I have a lot of options below about how you can spend your day. Options include kid-focused shopping experiences, seeing a Broadway show and other activities around Time Square or Rockefeller Center. I’d suggest picking between spending your morning in Time Square or Rockefeller Center, seeing a show in the afternoon and then grabbing dinner before heading home. You can easily mix-and-match the items below along with some other non-Broadway options that might fit your family’s style better.

ROCKEFELLER CENTER

The area surrounding Rockefeller Center is filled with some of my son’s personal favorite stores in the world and we never miss it on a trip to NYC. I have all of his favorites (plus some extra’s below) along with alternative options to shopping within the Rockefeller Area. Each of the stores listed below are centrally located within a 2-3 minutes walk of each other so you can easily split up and visit multiple stores before lunch.

  • The Lego Store (636 Fifth Avenue) offers two stores of everything Lego! If you aren’t in the market to purchase any toys this trip, it is still a good place to stop in just to admire the several Lego sculptures throughout the building. TRIPSTER TIP: During busy seasons this store will often have a line just to enter so plan to arrive early if this is a must-do activity.

  • The Nintendo Store (10 Rockefeller Plaza) offers everything die-hard Nintendo fans would want in a destination. Several trial game stations are located throughout the two-store building, including the chance to play select games on a large movie-style screen upstairs. The store offers not only video games - but toys, stuffed animals and other collectible items you won’t find anywhere else with areas dedicated to Mario, Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda and other Nintendo classics.

  • The American Girl Doll Store (75 Rockefeller Plaza) while I have never personally gone into this location, this is a must-visit for my niece who often joins us on our trips to NYC. Beyond shopping, the store offers interactive experiences including a doll salon and even a café where kids can dine alongside their dolls. It’s a spot where imaginations run wild, and even if you don’t plan on buying, the themed displays are fun to explore.

  • FAO Schwartz (30 Rockefeller Plaza) is one of New York City’s most iconic toy stores, and it’s just as cool for adults as it is for kids. From oversized teddy bears to candy counters and, of course, the giant floor piano made famous in the movie Big, it’s a place that feels more like an attraction than a shop. There are many stations where kids can try some of the newest toys out there and you can easily spend an hour in this store alone. TRIPSTER TIP: Arrive early if visiting during the holidays as the store fills quickly as it is located right next to the iconic Rockefeller Christmas Tree.

  • McNally Jackson Books Rockefeller Center (1 Rockefeller Plaza) is an independent bookstore tucked right into Rockefeller Center. We visited this for the first time on our most recent trip and find it to be a great spot to break away from the crowds and noise of the center. It offers a carefully curated selection of children’s books along with a wide range of literary favorites for adults.

Additional Rockefeller Center Attractions

Powered by GetYourGuide

TIME SQUARE

Time Square in itself is an attraction with many things to do and see right in the center of it all. There are plenty of attractions and stores within this small space to keep you busy - but keep in mind this is the most crowded area of NYC you will encounter on your trip. Kids (and adults) who have anxiety around crowded space will do much better in Rockefeller Center. Similar to Rockefeller Center, all of these stores and attractions are within a few minute walk of each other. While you’re venturing through the area, make sure to take a look up and you may just see the New Year’s ball while you’re there!

  • The Disney Store (1540 Broadway) is right in the heart of Time Square and a must-do destination for any Disney fan. This two-story Disney Store is sadly on a short list of remaining stores in the US and brings the magic of Disney to NYC. TRIPSTER TIP: The store often gets very crowded in the evening, try to head there first if you are roaming around Time Square.

  • The M&M Store (1600 Broadway) is bright, colorful, and impossible to miss. With walls of custom dispensers, fun photo ops, and exclusive merchandise, it’s a sweet stop during your Times Square shopping day. Kids can even personalize M&M’s with their names or fun messages and stand under the “Color Scanner” to find out what color M&M represents them.

  • Hershey’s Chocolate World (20 Time Square) is right in the middle of Times Square and is a sweet escape filled with oversized candy sculptures, and interactive fun. You’ll find exclusive NYC-themed Hershey’s merchandise, a wall of Hershey’s famous candy and plenty of photo opportunities. Make sure not to miss the s’mores station, especially if visiting in the winter!

Additional Time Square Attractions

Powered by GetYourGuide

GRAB LUNCH

On our Broadway-show day we always try to grab a quick lunch to make sure we don’t miss our show-time. I have a few options below that are our go-to’s around the areas you may be visiting above. Always make sure to save enough time to grab a bite before your show starts as most run 2-3 hours in length.

  • Manager a Pret (1071 Avenue of the Americas) is a grab and go style location located throughout the city for fresh sandwiches, soups and coffee. You can easily stop in and grab a few things and eat along the way as you shop and travel to your show of choice.

  • Starbucks (871 Eighth Avenue) is located in every major section of NYC and can be a quick way to grab some food if you are running late or just need something quick. This is often our go-to as we would rather spend most of our time experiencing NYC stores and attractions than at a sit-down meal for lunch.

  • Tick Tock Diner (481 8th Avenue) is a classic American diner serving all-day breakfast (pancakes, omelets, waffles) is just a short walk south of Times Square. If you do prefer a sit-down style lunch, this is the place to go. It has a large menu with many options for kids and the food often arrives fairly quickly after ordering.

BROADWAY

Every time my family visits NYC we always try to see a new Broadway show. I’ve selected six to recommend below that are recommended for kids 6+, 8+ and 12+. Always do your due-diligence and research your show of choice accordingly to your child’s preferences and your style of parenting. Also keep in mind that while most shows run 2-2:30 hours, they will have some form of intermission along with differing ranges of refreshment options. It is HIGHLY recommend that you purchase tickets ahead of time to your show of choice. You may be able to get last-minute tickets the morning of showtime but there is no guarantee your family will sit together.

  • Aladdin – New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 West 42nd Street Best for: Ages 6+
    A Disney musical that brings Agrabah to life with vibrant costumes, favorite songs like “A Whole New World,” and surprising stage effects that include a real magic carpet ride. If your child has never seen a Broadway show before, this or the Lion King are highly recommended as a first as they will be familiar with the story and music.

  • The Lion King – Minskoff Theatre, 200 West 45th Street Best for: Ages 6+
    Visually stunning use of puppetry, unforgettable music, and a classic story that transports families to the African savanna with rich colors and rhythmic energy. The show is fairly high energy and the seating area is surprisingly new and large so everyone can easily see and enjoy the show no matter what age.

  • Wicked – Gershwin Theatre, 222 West 51st Street Best for: Ages 8+
    A prequel to The Wizard of Oz, this musical offers something for everyone. The show is visually stunning and while there may be a few scary parts for the younger audience, they will enjoy the music and atmosphere the most.

  • Hadestown – Walter Kerr Theatre, West 48th Street Best for: Ages 8+
    A retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice Greek myth, this show offers live music on-stage and layered themes. Younger kids may not follow the story, but older tweens and adults will get swept up in its drama. TRIPSTER TIP: This is my personal favorite NYC show for its storytelling and use of stage lighting. If you want to get your child ready to understand the story, I highly recommend listening to this episode of Greeking Out the Podcast before your trip.

  • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Lyric Theatre, 214 West 43rd Street Best for: Ages 8+
    A visually driven production that brings the next generation of the Potter legacy to life with immersive magical stagecraft. Best for kids familiar with the books or looking for a magical theater experience that isn’t a musical.

  • & Juliet – Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 124 West 43rd Street Best for: Ages 12+
    A modern pop-song spin on Romeo & Juliet that includes catchy anthems and bold staging. It’s a fun twist for teens who enjoy pop culture and reimagined stories. Note that this is for 12 and up considering there are some mature themes and songs may include explicit lyrics.

WHAT’S FOR DINNER

As your trip wraps up you have a few options right around Time Square for dinner before leaving the city. Each of these offers a different vibe so pick what works best for you and enjoy your last few hours in NYC before heading for home. I hope you’ve found some new and exciting things to enjoy with your family when traveling to New York City for a day or two. Please leave a comment with additional ideas for others who may be traveling to NYC with family sometime soon. Keep an eye on this blog to see where we go next!

  • Gatsby’s Landing (120 W 44th St) is an art-deco style restaurant with a throwback to the 1920s. This place has a really cool vibe inside and while it seems like kids are not welcome that is not the case! We dined here during a winter visit to NYC and my son had many options to choose from their dedicated children’s menu. If you’re looking for a more “grown up” style dining experience this is the place to go.

  • Playwright Celtic Pub (732 8th Ave) is an awesome place for both adults and kids alike. It’s like being transported to an old-world style pub in Europe with the full-wooden bar and large menu of classic Celtic fare. If you’re looking to catch a game on TV while you dine this is the place for you.

Powered by GetYourGuide

DAY TWO RECAP

Shopping - Rockefeller Center Area: 

  • The Lego Store - 636 Fifth Avenue

  • The Nintendo Store - 10 Rockefeller Plaza

  • The American Girl Doll Store - 75 Rockefeller Plaza

  • FAO Schwartz - 30 Rockefeller Plaza

  • McNally Jackson Books Rockefeller Center - 1 Rockefeller Plaza

Shopping - Time Square Area:

  • Disney Store - 1540 Broadway

  • M&M Store - 1600 Broadway

  • Hershey’s Chocolate World - 20 Time Square

Family Broadway Shows:

  • Aladdin – New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 West 42nd Street Best for: Ages 6+

  • The Lion King – Minskoff Theatre, 200 West 45th Street Best for: Ages 6+

  • Wicked – Gershwin Theatre, 222 West 51st Street Best for: Ages 8+

  • Hadestown – Walter Kerr Theatre, West 48th Street Best for: Ages 8+

  • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Lyric Theatre, 214 West 43rd Street Best for: Ages 8+

  • & Juliet – Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 124 West 43rd Street Best for: Ages 12+

Alternate Activities:

Where to Eat:

INTERACTIVE MAP

Trip map courtesy of Wanderlog, a road trip planner on iOS and Android
Joe Borda
Next

Welcome to Family Tripster