The city that never sleeps is also a city that needs no introduction. Is it the greatest on earth?
According to native New Yorkers, there’s no other like it and most visitors feel the same way. It’s a fantastic adventure for older kids and teenagers but works the magic just as effectively for younger children too.
There’s always something going on and the city’s committed to raising the next cultured, educated and engaged generation. So you’ll find free or ridiculously cheap events designed for kids in every borough, reduced entry at museums and galleries and children are welcome almost everywhere.
And the best bit about New York? It’s easier than ever to get there now families can apply online for an ESTA (Electronic System Travel Authorisation) before they travel – don’t forget all kids under 16 need their own ESTA.
Direct flights to New York from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Edinburgh take just over eight hours.
It’s almost impossible not to run into a major New York event from Greenwich Village Halloween Parade to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, St. Patrick’s Day Parade or the New York Marathon.
There are over 250 museums and galleries in New York City including the Whitney, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim and MoMa.
Whether you’re a committed vegan or want to eat the best burgers on the planet, the city has over 2000 restaurants, districts defined by cooking styles and fleets of food trucks.
Choose good value family hotels in Brooklyn, Queens or The Bronx and use the world’s biggest underground network to visit Manhattan in minutes.
You can hire Citi Bikes in New York and explore dozens of safe, traffic-free cycling routes all over the city.
Some of the world’s most iconic (and filmed) sights are in New York including the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Time Square and the legendary Manhattan skyline.
Pretty much anywhere in New York has places to stay from the glitzy hotel legends in Manhattan to loft apartments in Brooklyn. Where you choose depends on your budget but, as a rule of thumb, the closer you are to Central Park the more expensive the room rate.
Manhattan’s the heart of the city and, for some, the only ‘real’ New York. It’s a relatively small area in size but packs in almost every iconic sight and also manages to make room for Central Park too. Unsurprisingly, this is also the most expensive district for hotels and, if your heart’s set on giants like The Plaza or Waldorf Astoria, you’ll find them here.
Brooklyn’s enormous. If it was a city, it would be the 4th largest in the US. But, don’t let that put you off. Less business-like and touristy than Manhattan, this is a great borough for families. It’s packed with parks and places to play, has more than its fair share of New York legends and it’s just one famous bridge away from the heart of New York too.
Brooklyn’s nearest neighbour is the borough for New York’s best Chinese food, charming and traditional Forest Hills, family friendly Astoria and Jackson Heights for affordable hotels.
The Bronx is New York City’s most northerly borough and famous for Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Gardens. Hip Hop was born in South Bronx and Fordham’s the district to pick up cool urban US brands you can get anywhere else – just for teenage travellers.
Don’t even think about driving in New York. The city’s subway has 24 lines and 496 stations making it the largest underground in the world. Trains run every 2 to 10 minutes at peak times and the network covers Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx. A single journey costs $2.75 and MetroCards can be bought at all stations – up to 3 children (under 1.12m) travel free with an adult.
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