New York City – Kid-Friendly Attractions

Visiting New York City is a special experience no matter what your age is. But when you’re a kid it’s even more special. The buildings seem taller. The crowds seem bigger. The lights seem brighter. It’s something you never forget.

That’s why, if you’re the parent of a young child, you should definitely consider taking them on a trip to the Big Apple. Whether you’re there for a day, a week, or a weekend, you and your little one are in store for a wonderful time.

And if you’re not familiar with the many kid-friendly attractions in New York City, don’t worry. We’ve gone ahead and put together a list of some of the best to help jump-start your research. That way you can spend less time planning your trip and more time looking forward to it. Check them out below!

Domino Park

The first kid-friendly attraction on our list is Domino Park. This idyllic, five-acre park is located along the East River in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s built on the former site of, as well as named after, the historic Domino Sugar Factory, which was in operation from 1856 to 2004.

Unlike most of the other attractions on this list, which have been around for quite a while, Domino Park is relatively new. It opened in June 2018 and has already become one of the city’s most popular gathering places.

There are points of interest all over Domino Park, but here are just a few highlights: an elevated walkway with unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline, a playground made from reclaimed sugar factory materials, two whimsical water features, and a bocce ball court.

The park is also home to Tacocina, a quick-service taco stand. Tacocina serves a number of different tacos, from chicken adobo to crispy Cotija and Jack cheese, along with sides, sweets, and drinks of both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic variety. Stop by for a quick bite, then get right back to exploring Domino Park.

Bronx Zoo

If there’s one thing all kids love, it’s animals. And if there’s one place in New York City where you should go to see them, it’s the Bronx Zoo.

Yes, the Central Park Zoo is nice too, but it’s only 6.5 acres. That’s downright puny in comparison to the Bronx Zoo, which, at a whopping 265 acres, is one of the largest zoos in the United States.

Being that it’s so large, the Bronx Zoo obviously has a lot to offer. You and your little one could easily spend an entire day there. The zoo is home to more than 600 species, from big beasts like lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!) to little creatures like chinchillas, red pandas, and penguins.

Seeing animals isn’t the only thing to do at the Bronx Zoo either. You can also ride a bug carousel, trek through a dinosaur safari, watch a sea lion feeding, and more.

Be aware, though, that some of the attractions and experiences at the Bronx Zoo cost extra. If you’d like to take part but don’t want to break your budget, go to the zoo on a Wednesday when admission is free to help offset the upcharge.

Coney Island

Ah, Coney Island, New York City’s “Nickel Empire.” Sure, one could argue that it’s seen better days, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anything there that still costs only a nickel, but there’s no place in the world quite like it.

For those unfamiliar, Coney Island is a neighborhood in the southwestern part of Brooklyn. It’s famous for its beach and boardwalk, the combination of which make Coney Island feel a world away from the urban sprawl that is the rest of New York City.

While there are plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Coney Island, two are an absolute must: You have to go for a ride on the Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster, and you have to get a hot dog from the original Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand. Preferably in that order so no one loses their lunch on the almost century-old wooden coaster.

Dylan’s Candy Bar

Dylan’s Candy Bar is, hands down, one of the sweetest shopping experiences in all of New York City. It was inspired by the classic 1971 film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, after all, and it shows.

Located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Dylan’s Candy Bar is like a real-life version of Wonka’s factory smack dab in the heart of the big city. That’s exactly what CEO and founder Dylan Lauren, daughter of fashion designer Ralph Lauren, was going for.

As if an unparalleled selection of more than 7,000 confections wasn’t Wonka-esque enough, Dylan’s Candy Bar is also decorated with giant candy-shaped statues. Talk about a sweet photo op! They also sell a variety of candy-inspired lifestyle products, including toys and stuffed animals for your little one.

In 2008, a third floor was added to the sweet superstore. This addition boosted its square footage from 10,000 to 15,000, making it the largest candy store in the world. Walk up the candy-covered staircase to the third floor and you’ll find a cafe serving more than 100 ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors, 18 different kinds of Belgian hot chocolate, and more.

Nintendo New York

Next on our list of kid-friendly attractions is another store in Manhattan, Nintendo New York. As you can tell from the name, this store is a hub for all things Nintendo. They’re the video game company responsible for famous franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and, of course, Mario. But you already knew that.

Nintendo New York is conveniently located just over a 20-minute walk from Dylan’s Candy Bar, so it’s easy to stop by both. And like Dylan’s Candy Bar, Nintendo New York is totally committed to its theme.

This 10,000-square-foot store features life-size statues of beloved Nintendo characters and even a mini museum on the second floor. On display are wow-worthy relics like a Game Boy that was blown up in the Gulf War… and still works! Also on the second floor is a massive, 15-foot screen where guests can try out the latest titles.

Of course, no visit to Nintendo New York is complete without picking up a souvenir or two. Lucky for your little gamer, they’ve got plenty to choose from, ranging from consoles and games to apparel, toys, and more.

Gulliver’s Gate

No matter how tiny your kid is, they’ll feel like a giant at Gulliver’s Gate. Named after the titular character in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, Gulliver’s Gate is a huge, 50,000-square-foot Times Square attraction that’s home to a “big little” world of miniatures.

The world within Gulliver’s Gate is a lot like our own, only in 1:87 scale. You and your child will have a blast as you discover Lilliputian versions of iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, the Great Wall, and, yes, even Times Square. Interactive features are incorporated into many of the displays as well, which can be set in motion with the turn of a key.

When your globe-spanning journey through Gulliver’s Gate comes to an end, consider commemorating your experience with a miniature version of yourself. First, step into a full-body scanner. Then, if you like how it looks, they’ll 3-D print two versions of you: one in your choice of 1:15, 1:10, or 1:08 scale, which you can keep, and another much smaller one in 1:87 scale.

Now, you can’t take the smaller of the two yous home with you, but that’s because they add it to their displays in a location of your choosing. How cool is that? This experience does cost extra, but if you and your child really enjoyed your visit to Gulliver’s Gate, it’s worth every penny.