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New York with children:practical tips and highlights

As a parent, you may already feel clammy at the thought of going to New York with your kids. All that arranging, but let's face it, it also sounds very attractive. Who wouldn't want to show this city to their kids? A weekend at a local holiday park is of course also possible. But New York with children is truly unforgettable. If you show your children the world, then a trip to America should not be missed, especially New York.

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To New York with children

It may not be ideal as a first flight to New York with children, because you spend quite a few hours in the plane. And even for very young children, such a long journey is unnecessary. They won't remember much later. But when your kids get a little older, a city break to New York is a real adventure. It does require the necessary preparation… But then you also have something. So:to New York with children? Why not!

New York with children, the City that never sleeps

There is plenty to do in The City That Never Sleeps. Both for adults and children! You may be a little hesitant at first when you think of a trip to America, especially with your kids. But New York, and Manhattan in particular, is a very safe destination. Moreover, the city is very child-friendly – ​​after all, there are also a lot of American kids !

Nice advantage:there are public toilets . throughout the city to find. Very pleasant if you travel with children who often have unpredictable bladders. Eating out with your children is not a problem at all in New York. Just keep in mind that there is not always room for a pram everywhere. There may also be queues outside. Make sure you are in before 6 o'clock, then you are ahead of the musical audience and you don't have to wait as long.

Recommended in The Big Apple for families

If you go to New York with children, you will not be bored for a second. Maybe you get heart palpitations just thinking about… Keeping your kids in line in that cosmopolitan city? But hey, you can do that at home too, right? And there are so many things to experience. Below you can see a few fun activities for when you go to New York with the family.

1. Central Park

Do you immediately get a scene from Home Alone, when you think of your children in Central Park? There is a lot to discover here! Central Park is not just a park. You will also find a gigantic playground here, and there is a zoo to visit where you can really spend a few hours.

The advantage of a visit to Central Park is that, in addition to exploring New York with children, you also provide relaxation. How about sailing a boat for the kids? And plan, for example, a nice picnic in between, you are certainly not the only one.

2. Take a bus tour or boat trip

Another fun way to discover New York with children is by taking a City Bus Tour. A nice bonus:you also have your hands free. In the meantime, you will be amazed, and you will also learn a lot about the city.

Also nice:discover the city from the water! Numerous boat trips are organised. And if you like a little speed, you can even go by speedboat!

3. Take a helicopter flight over New York with your kids

Admittedly, you have to pay some extra for it (around € 190.00), but how cool is it to see the Statue of Liberty from the air? As far as we're concerned, it's worth saving a little extra for this.

4. Visit to the Statue of Liberty

I'm sure you agree that a visit to the Statue of Liberty is a must. Make sure you order the tickets well in advance if you really want to be in the Statue of Liberty. The crown of the statue and the pedestal can be visited separately, but you should definitely book in time for a spot.

5. Get a breath of fresh air on the beach

If you want to escape the hectic pace of the city center, a visit to Coney Island is worth it. Not that there is nothing to do here, make no mistake. There is usually a fairground atmosphere so there is plenty to do. Are you in New York with your kids in the early summer? Then you have a chance that you will find the mermaid parade here.

6. Discover the museums of New York

Always fun:going to a museum with your children. And in this metropolis you will of course find a lot of them! Fun for children are, for example, Trolls the Experience, Gulliver's Gate Miniature World, and The American Museum of Natural History. Extra fun if your children are also such a fan of Night at the Museum !

Do you have espionage enthusiasts in the family and do your children think an escape room is fantastic? Then the Spyscape Espionage Museum is also fun to visit.

7. Visit one of the many playgrounds

If you are in New York with younger children, the playgrounds in between should of course not be missed. Alternate your own pleasure with that of your child and be sure to let them blow off steam regularly. Then they can join you again afterwards.

8. Ground Zero

You can skip it, but personally it would be high on my list, even if I'm in New York with my kids. A piece of history that should not be forgotten.

9. Times Square

Indispensable of course if you go to New York, your children will love this famous square full of advertisements. The walking Disney characters are great of course, but in the evening all the neon is also great. An accommodation in the heart of this city is quite expensive, so give me a quieter place to stay and then that extra helicopter flight around the statue of liberty.

10. Empire State Building

For a majestic view and fantastic photos, the Epire State Building is the place to be. To be honest, I don't know which is the best… a visit during the day or in the evening with all those beautiful lights. But you have to decide that yourself 😉 .

11. Cycling in New York

They do their best to make this metropolis bicycle-friendly, those New Yorkers, but to be honest I wouldn't think it much fun with my kids myself. If you go with a small child on the back of the bike, that is of course perfectly possible because you can then control it yourself, but I don't want the children to cycle themselves.

What do you have to arrange when you go to New York with your children?

So much for the 'fun' part… If you really want to make that trip to New York with children, there is of course a lot to arrange. But don't let that stop you! If you approach it a little cleverly, nothing can stand in the way of your adventure. What you should think about, we have listed it for you:

1. The visa

If you want to stay anywhere in The States, you need to apply for a 'Visa America'. A visa for the United States is available from € 29.95 per person. Please note:if you are going on a business trip and you are taking your family with you, you will need a special US business visa.

2. Use a discount pass in New York with the kids

If you would like to visit a lot of attractions and the like in New York, it is smart to purchase a pass for the children and yourself that provides you with discounts. There are many different passes in circulation, such as the New York City pass, the Explorer Pass and the New York pass. More information about planning your trip to New York and the various passes can be found on Eric's site.

3. Immerse yourself in the metro

Depending on how many days you are going to visit New York, it is smart to decide what you want to see and how often you plan to use the metro. If you're going to New York for a few days, it's best to just pay per ride (about $2.75 per ride, no matter where within New York). If you are staying a little longer and are going to use the metro a lot, then the
Unlimited Ride MetroCard a very interesting option. For $33.00 you can travel unlimited on the metro for 7 days.

4. Applying for an ESTA

Please note:if you go to New York with children, you will not be there with just a visa:you also have to apply for an ESTA. an ESTA
Applications can be made online via this website. With that you can travel all over America and explore the entire continent. If New York is too small for you!