New York City with kids is truly an adventure and in this episode, I’m sharing exactly what our recent family trip looked like, surprises and all.

I walk through how we structured our days with three kids, what worked well (hello, Central Park and the Brooklyn Transit Museum), what surprised us most (our kids’ very strong opinions about concrete vs. trees), and how we made this trip financially manageable using travel points. From navigating museums and playgrounds to handling a very long, delayed trip home, this episode is a real look at city travel with kids — the magic, the challenges, and why it’s still absolutely worth it.

What We Cover in This Episode

  • Using Hyatt and airline points to afford New York City with a family of five
  • Getting around NYC with kids using Uber, Lyft, walking, and the subway
  • Visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art with kids (and how to make it engaging)
  • Pre-trip learning using books to help kids connect with destinations
  • Building a kid-friendly walking route through Central Park
  • Exploring Brooklyn with kids, including museums and DUMBO
  • Reflections on big-city travel, sensory needs, and family takeaways

Where We Stayed

Hyatt Place New York Midtown South
A familiar, reliable option for our family: free breakfast, space that worked for NYC standards, and a great location for walking and transit. We used 86,000 Hyatt points (mostly transferred from Chase) for four nights.

Flights & Travel Points

  • Chase Ultimate Rewards: Transferred to Hyatt and Virgin Atlantic
  • Chase Travel Portal: Used to book return flights with cash & earn 5x points
  • American Express Gold Card: Monthly Uber credit
  • Marriott Bonvoy: Free account allows you to earn Marriott points on Uber rides when accounts are linked

Restaurants We Loved

2nd Avenue Deli
Classic Jewish deli and the perfect place for a big family meal. Favorites included pastrami, latkes, chicken soup, hot dogs wrapped in pastry dough, and endless half-sour pickles.

Serafina
Italian comfort food with pizzas, salads, focaccia, and great coffee. A cozy stop after a long morning at the Met.

Westville (DUMBO)
Fresh, customizable plates that worked well for a large group: salads, burritos, toasts, and veggie-focused dishes.

Fluffy NYC
A splurge-worthy treat for sculpted cotton candy. Fun, whimsical, and memorable for the kids.

Chelsea Market
A great indoor stop with lots of food options.

  • Seed & Mill: Incredible halva (tart cherry, pistachio, and cardamom were favorites)
  • Miznon: Israeli street food with plenty of veggie options (also has a kosher location)

Museums & Cultural Stops

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
A highlight of the trip. We used paper maps (still available!), kids’ guides, and pre-read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler to help the kids connect with the space. And brought snacks :)

Don’t miss:

  • Temple of Dendur (Ancient Egypt wing)
  • Armor and weapons exhibits
  • Impressionist galleries
  • American Wing courtyard with Tiffany windows

Brooklyn Transit Museum
Another of our favorite stops! This museum is housed in a former subway station with hands-on exhibits, historic subway cars, old advertisements, and space for kids to play while adults read.

Parks, Playgrounds & Outdoor Spaces

Central Park
Essential for our kids. We created our own walking tour using Google Maps and playground research.

Stops included:

  • Belvedere Castle
  • Bow Bridge
  • Bethesda Terrace & Fountain
  • Literary Walk
  • Balto Statue
  • Billy Johnson Playground – A huge hit with its granite slide, bridges, and gated design

We also discussed the history of Seneca Village, which led to meaningful conversations even without stopping at the marker.

Jane’s Carousel (DUMBO)
A beautiful, historic carousel with views of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The High Line
An elevated park built on a former rail line. Perfect for kids who like to move, explore, and observe city life from above.

Helpful notes:

  • Bathrooms at Gansevoort Street, 16th Street, and 30th Street
  • Elevators at Gansevoort & Washington, 14th Street, 23rd Street, and 30th Street

Getting Around the City

  • Uber & Lyft (often Uber XL for our family of five)
  • Walking as much as possible - you also get to see more!
  • Subway rides for longer distances
  • Checking both Uber and Lyft for price comparisons

Favorite city stroller:

Zoe Stroller (Tour Model)
Lightweight, easy to maneuver through crowds, high weight limit, and a large canopy so it's great for sensory breaks and long walking days.

Listen to the Full Episode

NYC with Kids
→ Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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