Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City with Kids on the Upper East Side
Top Things to Do in New York City with Kids on the Upper East Side
1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
From knights in shining armor to an Egyptian temple you can walk through, the Met is a choose‑your‑own‑adventure for kids. Wide galleries, family guides, and plenty of benches make it manageable with strollers and multiple ages.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the city’s ultimate rainy‑day (or scorching‑day) fallback with endless discoveries—arms and armor, mummies, musical instruments, and more. The museum’s family programs and storytimes make art approachable for young travelers.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday mornings right at opening or late afternoons; avoid peak weekends and holidays.
✓ Insider Tip:
Head straight to the Arms and Armor galleries, then reward attention spans with the rooftop (seasonal) for skyline views and fresh air.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Parents call it a must with surprisingly kid‑friendly pacing; staff are helpful and bathrooms and cafes are easy to find.
2. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Frank Lloyd Wright’s spiral ramp turns museumgoing into a fun walk‑and‑look experience. The compact size, bright spaces, and vivid modern art keep kids engaged without fatigue.
✓ Why Go:
It’s architectural eye candy and an easy win for short attention spans—one continuous path with plenty to see. Family materials help spark conversations about color, shape, and feeling.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mornings on weekdays or late afternoons; check for reduced‑price hours to avoid crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ride the elevator to the top and stroll down—little legs love the gentle descent, and you won’t miss anything.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Families praise the stroller‑friendly design and quick, satisfying visit that doesn’t overwhelm.
3. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Interactive exhibits invite kids to draw, design, and experiment on giant touch tables and with hands‑on installations. The Gilded Age mansion setting adds wow factor.
✓ Why Go:
Design thinking encourages creativity and problem‑solving—perfect for budding builders and artists. Rotating exhibits keep repeat visits fresh.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid‑morning on weekdays; weekends are lively but busier.
✓ Insider Tip:
Borrow a digital pen at check‑in so kids can collect favorite objects and review them later at home.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Parents love the interactivity and manageable size; staff get high marks for engaging with children.
4. The Jewish Museum
Art and culture exhibits pair with excellent family resources and activity guides, making it easy to tailor a visit to younger viewers.
✓ Why Go:
Frequent family days and hands‑on projects introduce kids to art through music, storytelling, and making. Quiet galleries offer a calm alternative to bigger museums.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunday family hours or weekday mornings for quieter galleries.
✓ Insider Tip:
Pick up the family activity guide at the desk—scavenger‑hunt prompts keep kids focused and curious.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors appreciate the warm welcome for families and thoughtful programming that demystifies museumgoing for kids.
5. Central Park Zoo
A right‑sized zoo for little legs, with penguins, sea lions, and the charming Tisch Children’s Zoo where kids can get close to friendly farm animals.
✓ Why Go:
It’s an easy outdoor fix steps from Fifth Avenue—animals, keeper talks, and play spaces break up a museum‑heavy day on the Upper East Side.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
At opening time; animals are active and crowds are light, especially on weekdays.
✓ Insider Tip:
Time your visit for the sea lion feeding, then pop into the Children’s Zoo before naptime.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Families rave about the manageable scale and clean facilities; a favorite with toddlers through early grade school.
6. 92nd Street Y (92NY)
A neighborhood hub offering family swim, music and art classes, weekend performances, and seasonal festivals under one roof.
✓ Why Go:
Reliable, high‑quality programming gives traveling families flexible, drop‑in fun—great for burning energy on rainy or cold days.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekend mornings for family swim and drop‑in programs; check schedules in advance.
✓ Insider Tip:
Non‑members can often purchase day passes or single‑class spots—book ahead during school breaks.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Parents value the friendly staff, clean facilities, and broad age range of offerings.
7. Asphalt Green
A sprawling athletic complex with a huge indoor pool, sports fields, and kids’ classes—from swim to soccer—set right in Yorkville.
✓ Why Go:
Active kids can stretch out after museum time; short programs and open swim provide structure without committing a whole day.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Afternoons on weekdays or early weekend mornings; book classes ahead during holidays and summer.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check for family swim windows and bring a lock for the lockers to streamline your visit.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Families praise the spotless facilities and well‑run classes that keep kids moving and happy.
8. Asia Society and Museum
Thought‑provoking exhibits in an elegant townhouse setting, with family days and cultural programs that blend art, performance, and hands‑on activities.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a calm, uncrowded museum stop with a global lens—great for older kids and teens interested in history and culture.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekdays mid‑afternoon for the quietest galleries; check the calendar for family events.
✓ Insider Tip:
Combine with a stroll down 70th Street’s brownstones for a classic UES walk kids can enjoy between stops.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors note respectful staff and a peaceful pace—an oasis from busier museums nearby.
9. Mary Arnold Toys
New York’s oldest toy store delights with curated puzzles, STEM kits, and plush—perfect for souvenir hunting or a quick reward after a museum.
✓ Why Go:
Local charm beats big‑box browsing, and knowledgeable staff help match toys to ages for screen‑free downtime back at the hotel.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late mornings on weekdays; weekends get busy around lunchtime.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask for gift‑wrap and ship‑home options to travel light for the rest of your trip.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Parents love the friendly, old‑school service and high‑quality selection that lasts beyond the vacation.
10. Serendipity
A whimsical dessert institution where kids can split towering sundaes and the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate in a storybook setting.
✓ Why Go:
It’s celebratory, quintessentially New York, and an easy way to cap a culture‑filled day with a sweet memory on the UES’s southern edge.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid‑afternoon or early evening on weekdays; expect waits at peak dinner hours.
✓ Insider Tip:
Reserve ahead if possible, and consider sharing—portion sizes are large and perfect for families.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Kids beam; parents say it’s pricey but worth it for the experience and the photo‑op factor.
