Despite being a city of millions, New York may seem perpetually catered toward the young twenty-something demographic. But that is an egregious oversight. There are plenty of reasons why people of all ages enjoy the benefits of being a New Yorker (or at least a temporary one). Lest you think all the best hotspots are trendy bars and clubs, remember that New York’s best winter sights and activities are the classics: a spirited jaunt around a skating rink or a sampling of hot chocolate. Best of all, these activities are perfect for all ages in your party! Here are some of our favorite family-friendly activities for wintertime in New York (don’t forget the activities you can do with your family all year round, or activities for rainy days in New York City!).
1. Ice skating
Children love to glide (though you can expect more slipping and sliding from novices) across smooth ice. For a classic wintry day on the town, try these rinks:
- The best rink combines wide skating space with a scenic view. Perennial favorites include the rinks at Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center (which are surrounded by loads of shopping and dining opportunities), as well as the open greeneries of Central Park and Lakeside at Prospect Park. Explore more of the parkland with our helpful guide to Central Park.
- The weather can be temperamental and younger kids may not be happy campers in the cold. Never fear – Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers and Abe Stark Rink are indoors, the perfect solution for when the outside conditions are frightful but your children want to improve their figure skating techniques.
2. Enjoy the holiday season
No city captures the magic of the holidays quite like New York, with a spirit that excites children and adults alike. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree that stands proudly in the titular plaza stays illuminated between the first week of December and the first week of January. After your children marvel at the towering tree, walk a few blocks south to the window decorations at Macy’s in Herald Square. Each year the department store behemoth debuts a new theme for its windows, all of which display fanciful and elaborate designs. For the most eye-popping spectacle, you’ll have to leave the bustle of Manhattan for the suburbs of Brooklyn. The Dyker Heights neighborhood is known for a string of houses around the 86th block of 12th Avenue that decorate for a spectacle: no display is considered too flashy or outrageous. Upon returning to Manhattan, be sure to shop with the kids at the many holiday markets that pop up in time for December; Union Square and Columbus Circle are two of the biggest. Check out other yearly New York traditions too!
3. Visit kid-friendly museums
New York City is lucky to be the home of countless world-class museums. For a day of entertainment and education, they cannot be beat! The American Museum of Natural History ranks with the Met as one of the most famous galleries in the entire city. Kids will be equally amazed by the lifelike mammal exhibits as they will be by the spiraling Rose Center for Earth and Space.
The tinier members of your party will love the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for their pint-sized exhibits. Adventure-seeking children will want to stop by the New York City Fire Museum and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and parents will admire the rich history of the city’s firefighters and military, respectively. Inspire budding artists at the Children’s Museum of the Arts, or gape at the state-of-the-art galleries at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab (but make a reservation to ensure entry; it’s wildly popular). Older children may find galleries along the Museum Mile to be equally fascinating.
4. Explore the city’s zoos
Nothing gets children excited quite like a trip to the zoo. Thanks to the Wildlife Conservation Society, a network of parks across the four boroughs bring exotic nature to the Big Apple! The Central Park Zoo in Manhattan is home to a handful of creatures, including the snow monkey and Gentoo penguin. A slightly larger number of species await you at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo, which houses the dingo and Pallas’s cat. The crown jewel, however, is the Bronx Zoo. Located right off one of the busiest boulevards in the borough, this zoo boasts dozens of creatures, including some animal kingdom heavyweights: Asian elephants, giraffes, gorillas, snow leopards, lions, tigers, and grizzly bears (oh my)! Just be mindful that not all animals can be viewed in wintry weather.
5. Watch Christmas movies
From A Charlie Brown Christmas to It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas movies are popular with everyone. The perfect place to enjoy the cinematic merriment is from the sofa of your very own New York Habitat rental! Our New York vacation rentals and our New York furnished rentals are great for a family movie night. Take a look at other tips on how to enjoy a day in the city at no cost!
6. Attend kid-friendly winter events
On an evening in the first week of December, Rockefeller Center hosts its biggest spectacle: the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Keep in mind that the event is crowded and often cold, so it may be most suitable for older children. Everyone can enjoy two perennial Christmastime favorites: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (featuring a live nativity and the famous high-kicking Rockettes) as well as the New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show, which recreates New York City landmarks in meticulous toy train dioramas. To celebrate Epiphany, El Museo del Barrio organizes the Three Kings’ Day Parade (usually held annually on January 6) which honors the Hispanic heritage of the holiday and the East Harlem neighborhood. Children will also enjoy the Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown for celebrating the beginning of the lunar new year with music, larger-than-life dragons, and firecrackers. Be sure to wear red (the Chinese color of good fortune)!
7. Enjoy a delicious hot chocolate at one of the city’s best spots
After you’ve gone ice skating, what better way is there to warm up than with a mug of hot chocolate? Pick up a powder mix at any of Jacques Torres’ multiple locations across the city, or enjoy your cocoa with an assortment of chocolate bars at Chocolat Michel Cluizel. For pure indulgence, stop by the touristy Dylan’s Candy Bar to fill a grab bag with sugary sweets before you settle down with some hot cocoa. For Brooklynites, The Chocolate Room and Almondine Bakery are just the ticket, while City Bakery is legendary for its hot chocolate–they even sponsored a festival to honor the treat in February 2014!
Are you a coffee lover? We have something for you too: check out the best coffee shops in New York!
8. Sledding
Nothing can capture the thrills and joy of a snowfall quite like sledding. Some popular spots include Central Park’s Pilgrim Hill and Cedar Hill, the Upper West Side’s Riverside Park, and St. Nicholas Park, which is wedged between Harlem and Upper Manhattan. Venture into the outer boroughs for even more options, like Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Park and Prospect Park, the Bronx’s Crotona Park, and Staten Island’s Clove Lake Park. For a taste of incredible history, visit Inwood Hill Park. It’s geological makeup reveals secrets about the area’s prehistoric past. Parks are also a great place to to watch a beautiful New York sunset!
9. Cook winter recipes
Time to break out your apron and rolling pin! The holidays are a great time to practice your cooking skills, either by experimenting with new treats or by handing down family recipes. Local markets stock all the ingredients perfect for making food and memories. Cooking is also a great way to bond with your new roommate in a New York roommate share.
10. Catch a show on Broadway
Known for its glitz and bright lights, Broadway is the world’s biggest platform for showcasing new and returning productions, especially musicals. Disney’s stage productions of The Lion King and Aladdin are sure to please every member of your family. For preteens and up, you can’t go wrong with the hugely successful musical Wicked. Check each theatre’s box office for special prices or the TKTS booth for significant discounts on tickets.
What are your favorite family-friendly winter activities?
Thanks for this great list.
For those looking for more ideas, and specific dates on holiday – both Christmas and Chanukah – events in NYC + other winter activities to enjoy with your family, check out a little (long) list I put together for the family that I work for.
Large variety of items, including many that are free!
https://nynomads.com/2018/11/my-nearing-definitive-list-of-holiday-activities-to-enjoy-in-nyc-this-winter/
Thank you, Jennifer! We’re glad you enjoyed the list and our readers will enjoy your suggestions too!