NYC 3-Day Itinerary for Families

7:00-8:00 AM Breakfast & Prepare

Activity: Breakfast at hotel or grab bagels from local shop (Ess-a-Bagel, Russ & Daughters, or any corner deli).

Cost: $30-50 family

Pro tip: Eat a substantial breakfast - you'll be walking 6-7 miles today. Pack snacks and water bottles.

8:00-8:45 AM Travel to Battery Park

Activity: Subway from your hotel to Battery Park (southern tip of Manhattan). This is where Statue of Liberty ferries depart.

Strategy: Arrive 30-45 minutes before your reserved ferry time for security screening.

Cost: $2.90/ride per person (kids under 44" tall ride free)

9:00 AM-1:00 PM Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

What you'll do:

• 9:00 AM: Board ferry to Liberty Island (reserve 9-10 AM time slot - earliest available)
• 9:30-11:00 AM: Explore Liberty Island. If you reserved Crown access (climb to crown inside statue), allow 1.5 hours. Otherwise, pedestal access or grounds only = 45-60 minutes.
• 11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Ferry to Ellis Island. Explore Immigration Museum (fascinating history, interactive exhibits). Allow 1-1.5 hours.
• 12:30-1:00 PM: Ferry back to Battery Park

Why morning is best: Ferries get more crowded after 11 AM. Morning visits = smaller crowds, better photos, you're fresh (not exhausted from earlier activities).

1:00-2:00 PM Lunch in Financial District

Options near Battery Park:

• Shake Shack (Battery Park): Fast, kid-friendly burgers ($15-18/person)
• Adrienne's Pizzabar (Stone Street): Excellent NY pizza ($12-15/person)
• Financier Patisserie: Sandwiches, salads, pastries ($12-15/person)

Strategy: Eat early (1 PM) before lunch rush. Outdoor seating on Stone Street (pedestrian street) is pleasant.

2:00-2:30 PM 9/11 Memorial (Optional)

Activity: Walk to 9/11 Memorial (10-minute walk from lunch area). The outdoor memorial with reflecting pools is FREE and powerful (15-20 minute visit).

Museum option: If your kids are 10+ and interested in the history, 9/11 Museum is $82 family admission and takes 1.5-2 hours. Note: Museum is intense and emotional - better for mature tweens/teens. Younger kids may find it overwhelming.

Our recommendation: Skip museum on Day 1 (you're already tired from Statue of Liberty). See outdoor memorial only (free, 15 minutes).

2:30-3:30 PM Walk Across Brooklyn Bridge

Activity: Walk across Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn. 1.3 miles, 30-40 minutes at family pace.

Why it's amazing: Iconic NYC experience, incredible Manhattan skyline views, free, kids can handle it easily. Many families say this was a trip highlight.

Tips:

• Stay on the pedestrian path (separate from bikes)
• Stop at midpoint for photos with Manhattan skyline behind you
• Can be windy - bring light jackets

3:30-5:00 PM Explore DUMBO & Brooklyn Bridge Park

Activity: Explore DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) neighborhood at Brooklyn end of bridge.

What to do:

• Jane's Carousel: Restored 1922 carousel in glass pavilion ($2/ride) - Instagram-worthy
• Brooklyn Bridge Park: Waterfront park with Manhattan views, playgrounds, lawns
• Photo spot: Washington Street (view of Manhattan Bridge framed by buildings - iconic photo)
• Ice cream: Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (cash only, $5/cone)

Why this works: Kids get a break from intense sightseeing. Park space to run around, carousel is fun, ice cream is reward for walking bridge.

5:00-6:30 PM Return to Manhattan & Hotel Rest

Activity: Take subway back to hotel. REST for 1-1.5 hours. This is critical - everyone is tired from walking all day.

What to do at hotel: Shower, change clothes, charge phones, relax on beds. Kids can watch TV/tablets for 30 minutes. Adults can review dinner plans.

Why this matters: Evening activities are more enjoyable when everyone has recharged. Skipping this rest period leads to meltdowns at dinner.

6:30-8:00 PM Dinner in Midtown

Options near Times Square/Midtown:

• Ellen's Stardust Diner: Servers are Broadway performers who sing - fun, touristy, kids love it ($25-30/person)
• Carmine's: Family-style Italian, huge portions, near Broadway theaters ($30-35/person)
• John's Pizzeria (Times Square): Coal-fired pizza, less touristy than others ($20-25/person)

Strategy: Eat early (6:30-7 PM) to avoid peak rush. Make reservation if possible (especially Ellen's and Carmine's).

8:00-9:00 PM Times Square at Night

Activity: Walk through Times Square to see bright lights, billboards, energy. This is THE iconic NYC moment for many families.

What to expect: Extremely crowded (thousands of people), loud, overwhelming sensory experience. Kids ages 8+ generally love it. Stay 30-45 minutes, take photos, soak it in.

What to skip: Times Square restaurants (overpriced, mediocre quality), character photo ops ($20 "tips" pressured), street vendors (overpriced souvenirs).

What to do: Walk the pedestrian plazas, see the lights, visit M&M's World or Hershey's Store if kids want (free to browse, expensive if you buy).

9:00 PM Return to Hotel

End of Day 1. You've walked 6-7 miles today. Everyone will be exhausted. Take taxi/Uber back to hotel if you're staying more than 5-10 blocks from Times Square (worth the $15-20 vs subway when everyone is tired).

Day 1 totals: ~$420-550 (Statue of Liberty $160, meals $170-250, transportation $30-40, treats $60-100)

8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast & Prepare

Breakfast options: Hotel breakfast, bagel shop, or diner. Fuel up for another big walking day.

Cost: $40-60 family

9:00-11:00 AM Empire State Building

Strategy: Arrive right at 9 AM opening (or buy skip-the-line tickets online for specific 9 AM time slot). Crowds grow after 10 AM.

What you'll do: Security check → ticket validation → elevator to 86th floor observation deck (open-air) → optional 102nd floor (indoor, costs extra $30-40). Allow 1.5-2 hours total.

Why morning is best: Clearer views (less haze than afternoon), smaller crowds, you're fresh and excited.

Alternative option: Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) instead of Empire State. Similar views, less crowded, you can SEE Empire State Building in your photos. Cost similar ($40/adult, $34/child).

11:00 AM-12:00 PM Grand Central Terminal

Activity: Quick visit to Grand Central Terminal (15-20 minutes). Not a full attraction, but worth seeing.

What to see:

• Main Concourse (beautiful Beaux-Arts architecture, celestial ceiling)
• Whispering Gallery (stand in opposite corners, whisper - you can hear each other)
• Food hall downstairs (grab snacks for Central Park picnic)

12:00-12:30 PM Lunch Pickup & Travel to Central Park

Strategy: Pick up picnic lunch from Grand Central food hall or nearby deli. Bring it to Central Park (much nicer than restaurant lunch, costs less).

Lunch ideas: Sandwiches, pizza slices, salads, fruit. Grab drinks and snacks.

Travel: Walk to Central Park (15-20 minute walk north) OR subway to 59th St-Columbus Circle.

12:30-4:00 PM Central Park Exploration

Activity: Spend 3-4 hours in Central Park. This is your "breather" from intense urban sightseeing.

Recommended approach: Rent bikes ($15-20/hour, $40-60/day)

• Rental location: Bike Rent NYC (near Columbus Circle entrance)
• Route: Bike the Central Park loop (6 miles), stopping at highlights
• Stops: Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Belvedere Castle, Loeb Boathouse, Sheep Meadow
• Time: 2-3 hours biking + 1 hour at playground or lawn

Alternative without bikes:

• Walk to Bethesda Terrace (beautiful fountain, often street performers)
• Rowboat rental at Loeb Boathouse ($20/hour - romantic, fun for families)
• Central Park Zoo (small zoo, 1-2 hours, $14/adult, $9/child)
• Playgrounds (multiple throughout park - free, kids love taking a break)
• Picnic on Sheep Meadow or Great Lawn

4:00-6:00 PM Return to Hotel & Rest

Activity: Return bikes, take subway back to hotel. REST for 2 hours before Broadway show.

Why this is critical: Broadway shows start at 7-8 PM and run 2.5 hours. Everyone needs to shower, change into nicer clothes, and recharge. This break makes the evening enjoyable instead of exhausting.

What to do: Shower, change clothes (business casual for Broadway), 30-minute nap if needed, charge devices.

6:00-7:00 PM Early Dinner Near Broadway

Strategy: Eat early (6-6:30 PM) before show. Many restaurants near Broadway theaters offer pre-theater menus (faster service, good value).

Options:

• Carmine's (44th Street): Family-style Italian, huge portions, quick service for pre-theater ($25-30/person)
• Junior's (45th Street): Famous for cheesecake, burgers, comfort food ($20-25/person)
• Tony's Di Napoli: Similar to Carmine's, family-style Italian ($25-30/person)

Timing: Aim to finish dinner by 7-7:15 PM for a 7:30 or 8 PM show. Theater is 5-10 minute walk from most restaurants.

7:30-10:00 PM Broadway Show

Best shows for families with kids 8-14:

• The Lion King: Visually stunning, recognizable story, appeals to all ages (8+)
• Aladdin: Magic carpet, Genie humor, colorful and fun (8+)
• Hamilton: Teens love it, fast-paced, hip-hop musical about American history (12+)
• Wicked: Popular with tweens/teens, Wizard of Oz backstory (10+)

Ticket strategies:

• Book online 1-2 weeks ahead: Guaranteed seats, choose section, costs $150-300/ticket
• TKTS booth day-of: 20-50% discount, limited show selection, must wait in line (1 hour), seats assigned (not choice). Booth locations: Times Square, South Street Seaport.
• Lottery: Some shows offer $10-40 digital lottery tickets (enter online day-before, winners notified morning-of). Low odds but worth trying.

10:00-10:30 PM Walk Through Times Square & Return to Hotel

Activity: Walk through Times Square after show (theaters are IN Times Square area - you're already there). See it at night one more time.

Transportation home: If staying in Midtown, walk back to hotel (5-15 minutes). If farther, take taxi/Uber (everyone is tired after long day + 2.5 hour show).

Day 2 totals: ~$690-980 (Empire State $148, meals $170-230, Central Park $60-80, Broadway $300-600, transportation $20-40)

8:30-9:30 AM Breakfast & Travel to Upper West Side

Breakfast: Hotel or grab bagels/coffee near hotel.

Travel: Take subway to 81st Street stop (exits directly at museum).

9:30 AM-1:00 PM American Museum of Natural History

Strategy: Arrive right at 10 AM opening (or 9:30 AM if you pre-purchased tickets). This museum is HUGE (45 permanent halls) - you cannot see everything. Plan to spend 3-3.5 hours.

Must-see halls for families:

• Dinosaur Halls (4th floor): T-rex, Triceratops, Apatosaurus - kids' favorite (45 minutes)
• Milstein Hall of Ocean Life: 94-foot blue whale hanging from ceiling - iconic (20 minutes)
• Hayden Planetarium: Space shows (requires separate ticket $15/person, 30 minutes - worth it)
• Hall of Biodiversity: Dioramas with realistic animal displays (30 minutes)
• Butterfly Conservatory (seasonal, Oct-May): Walk-through with 500+ live butterflies ($6/person extra)

Skip if short on time: Meteorite halls, human evolution, many cultural halls (interesting but kids less engaged).

1:00-2:00 PM Lunch on Upper West Side

Options near museum:

• Shake Shack (Columbus Ave): Burgers, shakes, reliable ($15-18/person)
• Levain Bakery: Famous cookies (huge, $4-5 each) - grab for snack, not full meal
• Upper West Side diners: Tom's Restaurant, Viand Cafe (classic NYC diners, $12-18/person)

2:00-2:30 PM Travel to High Line

Activity: Take subway from Upper West Side to 14th Street (Chelsea area) for High Line park. 20-25 minute ride.

2:30-4:00 PM High Line Elevated Park Walk

What it is: 1.45-mile elevated park built on historic freight rail line. Runs above streets with gardens, art, city views. Unique NYC experience.

Strategy: Enter at 14th Street (south end), walk north to 34th Street (north end). Takes 45-60 minutes at leisurely pace with photo stops.

Why it's great for families: Car-free, safe, interesting (elevated viewpoint), not too long, leads to Chelsea Market for food.

What to expect: Crowds (it's popular), art installations, gardens, views of Hudson River and city buildings.

4:00-5:30 PM Chelsea Market

What it is: Indoor food hall in converted factory building. 35+ food vendors, shops, bakeries.

What to do: Browse, sample, snack. It's not a full meal stop (you had lunch 2-3 hours ago), but perfect for treats and exploration.

Must-try vendors:

• Li-Lac Chocolates: NYC's oldest chocolate shop
• Doughnuttery: Mini doughnuts (shareable)
• Los Tacos No. 1: Authentic Mexican tacos (if hungry)
• The Lobster Place: Seafood market with prepared foods

Time: 1-1.5 hours browsing, snacking, shopping.

5:30-7:00 PM Return to Hotel & Rest

Activity: Take subway back to hotel. Final rest period before last evening.

Alternative: If kids are begging for more, skip hotel rest and do ONE more activity:

• Intrepid Museum (aircraft carrier, Space Shuttle) - 2-3 hours, $124 family
• Walk to One World Observatory (new World Trade Center observation deck) - $42/adult, $36/child
• Return to Times Square for M&M's World, Hershey's, toy stores

7:00-8:30 PM Final Dinner

Options: Pick your family's favorite cuisine or return to a restaurant you loved earlier in the trip.

Recommendations for final NYC dinner:

• Katz's Delicatessen: Famous pastrami sandwiches, NYC institution since 1888 ($25-30/person)
• Joe's Pizza (multiple locations): Classic NY slice, no-frills, perfect ($8-12/person)
• Quality Italian (Midtown): Upscale Italian, shareable dishes ($35-45/person)

8:30-9:30 PM Final Evening Activity

Options:

• Final Times Square walk: See it one more time, say goodbye to NYC lights
• Rockefeller Center: See the plaza, especially beautiful if visiting during holidays (Christmas tree, ice skating)
• Walk neighborhoods: Stroll through Greenwich Village or SoHo if you haven't explored them
• Dessert spot: Magnolia Bakery (cupcakes), Levain Bakery (cookies), or Italian bakery in Little Italy

Day 3 totals: ~$340-490 (Museum $90, meals $200-280, treats/snacks $50-80, transportation $20-30)