Attractions: Family Friendly

9/11 Memorial & Museum
“The National September 11 Memorial is a tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon, as well as the six people killed in the World Trade Center bombing in February 1993. “The Memorial’s twin reflecting pools are ...
American Folk Art Museum
The distinction “American” in the museum’s name refers more to where the museum is located rather than the focus of its content. The museum collection includes both American folk art and the works of international self-taught artists. To help visitors attain a better understanding of American folk art, the museum’s collection includes contributions of the many diverse groups who contributed to American culture. The collection ...
American Museum of Natural History
Take a tour of the human brain, get to know dinosaurs up close and personal, experience the Butterfly Conservatory, or marvel at the gems and minerals on display. A visit to the museum is an adventure to be sure. The permanent exhibits feature dinosaurs, gems and minerals, biodiversity, human origins, ocean life and African mammals. Don’t forget to inquire as to the special ...
Battery Park
Located on the southern tip of Manhattan, historic Battery Park, with its lovely flower gardens and waterfront, is a wonderful area to visit. Originally, it was the world’s first official immigration center, welcoming millions of people from Europe and other continents who had come to this land to start a new life. Today, Battery Park hosts summertime concerts and serves as the dock ...
Broadway Up Close Tour
Broadway Up Close tour is a personal intimate behind-the-scenes look at Broadway. Their tour guides are all part of the “show business,” experience and will give you insider info to make you see Broadway like never before! Over the years, theatre-goers have been flocking to The Great White Way for one reason: to hear a story. For an hour-and-a-half, ...
Brooklyn Bridge Park
When completed, Brooklyn Bridge Park will stretch 1.3 miles along the East River. Parts of the waterfront park already are open to the public, offering visitors a myriad of experiences. For those in need of a time out from a busy touring schedule, the Pier 1 section offers expansive lawns for picnicking, a playground, a waterfront promenade, and lush landscaping. Pier 6 adds ...
Bryant Park
Located behind the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is a welcoming oasis of natural beauty and human design. The park, which includes an array of seasonal gardens, public monuments and various amenities, is a wonderful spot to picnic, socialize or simply relax. Designed in the French classical style, the park offers visitors a truly special ride on le Carrousel. This exquisite amusement ride ...
Carnegie Hall Tours
A time-honored joke asks: How do you get to Carnegie Hall? The answer…practice, practice, practice. Indeed, the luminaries who have graced Carnegie’s stage have ascribed to such advice. However, if you want to get to Carnegie Hall without engaging in any practice at all, then Carnegie Hall Tours may be your ticket to get on and behind one of the world’s most famous ...
Castle Clinton National Monument
Located in Battery Park, the Castle Clinton National Monument was constructed as a fort to guard New York Harbor just before the War of 1812 . Over the course of 200 years, Castle Clinton has gone through several transformations. Once new defenses were built further out in the harbor, the fort was turned over to the City of New York. ...
Central Park Zoo
Connecting People to Wild Nature The Central Park Zoo is a great diversion for those looking to get away from the glare and blare of Manhattan. Nestled in Central Park, the zoo features the Tisch Children’s Zoo , which is perfect for the little adventurer who wants to get close to some furry friends. The Central Garden and Sea Lion Pool is a great ...
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Kids will love the hands-on exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM). The fun and informative exhibits focus on early childhood learning, healthy life styles, world culture and creativity. Live performances, guided tours and classes for kids and adults are all available. Exhibits constantly are changing and often will include some popular learning-based television show or favorite children’s literature. At the CMOM, ...
Circle Line Downtown
Circle Line Downtown offers thrilling, romantic and peaceful cruises of New York Harbor. Looking for something to get your pulse going, then get on the Shark Speedboat Thrill Ride. Or take the ZEPHYR Liberty Seaport Cruise, a one-of-a-kind yacht that exudes elegance and power. You’ll see some of the Big Apple’s most renowned sites, including the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, ...
Circle Line Sightseeing 42
Sightseeing cruises, Beast Rides and special adventures are all offered by Circle Line Sightseeing. Spend three hours circumnavigating the Island of Manhattan, relishing the sites and sounds of the waterway and the city. Or take a 75-minute cruise to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the World Financial Center. If you’d rather a thrill ride, during the summer you can climb ...
Ellis Island
More than 12 million immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island, the nation’s chief gateway during the years 1892 to 1924. Today, over 100 million Americans can trace their ancestry to the immigrants who crossed this island before dispersing to points all over the country. Following restoration in the 1980s, this building reopened as the Ellis Island ...
Empire State Building
Part of the majestic Manhattan skyline for 80 years, the 102-story Empire State Building stands over 1,200 feet and is the second tallest building in Manhattan. Visitors may enjoy spectacular views from both the 86th floor and 102nd floor observatories. Be sure to include the exhibit on the 80th floor that celebrates the engineering and construction feats of the Empire State Building’s architects, ...
Governors Island
Although small in size, the location of this island has assigned it a prominent place in the area’s history. In turn, it was occupied by Native American tribes, the Dutch, the British, and the Americans. The name Governors Island evolved from the British declaration that the island would be for the “benefit of His Majesty’s Governors.” However, it wasn’t until 1784 that the ...
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex offers visitors exciting experiences in science, technology and history. With the aircraft carrier Intrepid as its primary base, the museum utilizes all levels of this great, restored vessel. Commissioned in 1943, the Intrepid helped defeat Japan in World War II and was later involved in picking up astronauts after they splashed down. Today you can ...
Liberty Helicopter Sightseeing Tours
If you’d like to get a bird’s eye view of the city and its environs, then Liberty Helicopter, Sightseeing Tours are a perfect way to do just that. With a fleet of 10 topflight helicopters and an impeccable safety record, the tour service provides customers with various options. Take the New York, New York Tourto get acquainted with each of ...
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a true arts complex, offering performances in a range of disciplines including music, dance and theatre. The Center, which is also a rich resource for theatre historians, offers daily tours that include special group rates. Go behind the scenes and into the spaces that have been occupied by some of the greatest performers and artists on ...
Madame Tussauds New York
If you want to feel as if you’re surrounded by greatness, then a visit to Madame Tussauds New York should be on your to-do list. In the heart of Times Square the world-famous wax museum presents historical figures, political and world leaders, pop stars, cultural icons, record-breaking athletes, and Hollywood and TV stars in life-size replicas. There are daily sightings ...
Manhattan by Sail
The folks at Manhattan by Sail know that there is nothing else in the world like sailing. Manhattan by Sail offers its customers a unique experience when they board one of their schooners. Take the Shearwater, an 80-foot, 48-passenger that is New York’s only designated floating landmark, and you’ll feel as if you’re transported back to the era of the ...
Merchant’s House Museum
The Seabury Tredwell House was built in 1832 and occupied by the Tredwells, a merchant family from 1835 to 1933. Today, it is designated as a National Historic Landmark and is the only home in New York City to have survived intact, both inside and out, from the 19th century. The Greek Revival period rooms of the Merchant’s House show ...
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera has a history that reaches back almost 130 years. This impressive cultural resource attracts some of the finest singers, directors and designers from around the globe. The Met, which offers world-class productions of new and classic operas, calls Lincoln Center its home. Although included in the Lincoln Center Tours, the Metropolitan Opera also provides daily tours during its performance season. Tours ...
Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
Go back to a time when 61st Street was the country and the Mount Vernon Hotel was a sanctuary for those who wanted to get away from it all. Built in 1799, it first served as a carriage house and was then transformed into a hotel in 1826. Now the structure stands in the middle of the hubbub of Manhattan as one of ...
Museum at Eldridge Street
When it opened its doors in September of 1887, the Eldridge Street Synagogue became the first synagogue to be built by East European immigrants in America, many of whom initially settled on the Lower East Side. The religious sanctuary was a testament to the fact that Jewish immigrants now could worship openly and freely. Today, this National Historic Landmark offers visitors a view ...
NBC Studio Tours
Television is a part of our everyday lives and NBC continues to be a major player in the market with the long running Today Show, the unpredictable Saturday Night Live and the groundbreaking Dr.Oz Show. NBC Studio Tours started in 1933. Today’s tours take visitors through the NBC Sharp Globe Theater, Broadcast Operations and the Make-up Room. Participants can produce their own news ...
New York City Ballet
The world-class New York City Ballet is awe inspiring, breathtaking and powerful. The highest amount of technical proficiency is demanded of each dancer and the productions feature choreography by some of the most dynamic talents on the planet. First-time visitors to the ballet may want to engage in a docent-run First Position Talk, which is held prior to the start of specified performances. ...
New York City Fire Museum
The FDNY’s original museum opened as the Fire College Museum in Long Island City in 1934. In 1959 the collection was moved to the spare bay of a working firehouse at 100 Duane Street in Manhattan, where it remained until the Home Insurance Company presented its own extensive collection of fire memorabilia to the city in 1981, making a move ...
New York Hall of Science
The New York Hall of Science is a hands-on science and technology center that not only allows but encourages visitors to interact with over 450 exhibits. Housed in a building that once was a pavilion for the 1964 World’s Fair, the mission of the New York Hall of Science is to rouse one’s curiosity and unravel the secrets of science to children, parents, ...
New York Harbor Parks
New York Harbor Parks has a wide range of opportunities to offer. Throughout the year, visitors can take any and all of the self-guided walking tours: The New Amsterdam Trail explores the city’s Dutch roots; This Hallowed Ground teaches about slavery in Old New York; the New York Freedom Trail or George Washington’s New York delve into the Revolutionary War years. During the ...
New York Historical Society Museum & Library
At the New York Historical Society Museum and Library, visitors can learn about American culture through the nearly 40,000 works of art and artifacts that span four centuries. The permanent collection encompasses decorative arts, drawings, historical artifacts, paintings, and sculpture. The Underground Railroad Collection, landscape paintings from the Hudson River School, the folk art of Elie Nademan, and American Board and Table Games are ...
New York Transit Museum
Imagine New York without its extensive public transportation system. Impossible. At The New York Transit Museum, enjoy exhibits such as the Steel Stone & Backbone: Building New York’s Subways 1900-1925 and On the Streets: New York’s Trolleys and Buses. Learn about construction methods and the people who built New York’s first subway line. Explore the last 175 years of transportation ...
New York Water Taxi
Seeing New York from the deck of one of New York Water Taxis offers visitors a unique experience that one will not forget. Dazzling vistas of the iconic New York City and New Jersey skylines and intimate views of celebrated infrastructure and monuments unfold as the taxis ply the waters of the Hudson, the East River, and the bay. New York Water Taxi offers ...
One World Observatory
One World Observatory sits atop what is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, One World Trade Center. The skyscraper rises 1,776-feet above Manhattan. One World Observatory, which includes a 360-degree walkway and three-story observatory, is perched at 1,250-feet. The views are magnificent and overpowering, as visitors can see landmarks, waterways, and the majestic and always promising skyline. Look towards the ...
Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tours
Radio City Music Hall is one of New York’s iconic performance venues. Known as “the showplace of a nation,” Radio City has thrilled millions with its special performances and grand events. Famous for its precision dance corps The Rockettes, the venue plays host to the annual Christmas show, the Tony Awards, and concerts and shows by some of the world’s biggest names in ...
Rise NY
RiseNY pairs museum-style galleries with an amusement park-quality ride. Discover how NYC’s pop culture evolution helped shape Music, Fashion, TV, Theater, and more in each dedicated gallery. Then, board an extraordinary elevator experience that transports you to a spectacular virtual soaring ride! Feel the rush of wind in your hair as you “fly” over the world’s most stunning skyline. Swing ...
Rose Center for Earth and Space
The terms “state-of-the-art” and “high tech” do not do justice to the Rose Center for Earth & Space. Part of the American Museum of Natural History, the Rose Center includes the Hayden Planetarium, which is the most technologically advanced Space Theater in existence. Take a field trip to the moon, see the universe being created or search for other forms of intelligent life. ...
South Street Seaport
Located along the Lower Manhattan waterfront, the South Street Seaport is a dynamic, thriving community that’s composed of diverse shops, restaurants and attractions. Outdoor concerts, various recreation activities along the beach and waterways, a farmer’s market and street performers are all a part of the South Street Seaport experience. Enjoy a day of shopping, dining and entertainment, ride a bike or take a boat ...
Spirit of New York Cruises
THE MOST ENTERTAINING WAY TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE NEW YORK. The Spirit of New York on New York Harbor delivers the most entertaining and unique combination of dining, dancing, entertainment and spectacular views. Cruising year-round from Chelsea Piers, the Spirit of New York offers Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, Cocktail, Moonlight Cruises and much more! LET THE SPIRIT MOVE YOU. Grand buffets. Breathtaking views of ...
St Paul’s Chapel
On September 11, 2001 the World Trade Center buildings collapsed killing 2,983 people. Just across the street, St. Paul’s Chapel was to escape destruction. Although covered with debris and dust, there was no physical damage to the building. From that day through May of 2002, St. Paul’s provided meals, beds, counseling, and prayer to the firefighters, police officers, construction workers, ...
St. Johns Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine is the seat of the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. The cathedral was designed in 1888 and construction began in 1892. It is still unfinished. Magnificent architecture and beautiful stained glass windows define this Gothic Revival cathedral, the nave of which exceeds the length of two football fields. The 162-foot dome ...
Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry provides free transportation between Staten Island and Manhattan. During the workweek, the ferry transports 60,000 passengers per day and 20 million per year. The free five-mile trip on the Staten Island Ferry last 25 minutes, but it affords passengers some spectacular views of Manhattan as well as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Because of this, many visitors to ...
Summit One Vanderbilt
Summit One Vanderbilt blends elements of art, technology, architecture, and thrill to take the concept of “observation deck” to entirely new heights. There are several Viewing packages to choose from for your group. You enter Summit One Vanderbilt on level B1 where a team member will help you prepare for your experience. On the 91st-floor Observation Deck, you begin your journey ...
Tenement Museum
It is an unusual idea making a tenement into a museum. But that’s what the aptly-named Tenement Museum is. The museum, which may only be seen by guided tour, offers various programs regarding the roles of immigrants in the US. There are seven different tours with four lasting one hour and two others 90 minutes. The seventh tour is an in-depth experience lasting ...
The Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is where wondrously exotic creatures and exciting exhibitions await. Pandas, polar bears, lemurs, elephants, rhinoceros and many more amazing animals call the state-of-the-art Bronx Zoo their home. You’ll find that birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects are plentiful. There are numerous indoor and outdoor exhibits and rides. Take a trip to Tiger Mountain and learn all about these cool ...
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers exhibits of artwork from across the centuries. Works from the Post Modern era, Ancient Roman period, Impressionist movement and many other historical epochs and cultures are at the museum. Special educational programs, performances and exhibits are available. On any given day, the Metropolitan Museum of Art offers close to 30 exhibits, 14 guided tours, ...
The Museum of the City of New York
If it pertains to New York art, culture or life, then there’s a good chance you’ll find it here at the Museum of the City of New York. There are over 50,000 photographic images and numerous exhibits related to important venues, premium artists and performers, great moments, and the lives of everyday citizens and neighbors. This museum offers a portrait of the city ...
The New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden has stunning exhibitions and special events to offer visitors throughout the year. In the warmer months, visitors can tour gardens filled with roses, perennials and ornamental conifers. In late fall, a visit to the enchanting annual Holiday Train Show is a must. In March and April, the Orchid Show offers dazzling displays of over 300 different types of ...
The Skyscraper Museum
If there was ever going to be a city that had a museum dedicated to skyscrapers, it’s certainly the tall-building capital of the world—New York City. The Skyscraper Museum celebrates the amazing architectural history and heritage that defines Manhattan and the individuals who have been influential in the development of these major vertical structures. There are numerous permanent displays, including an examination of ...
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty, designed by the French artist Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States. Finished in 1884 and dedicated in 1886, Lady Liberty was designated as a National Monument in 1924. Those traveling on the waterways that surround the city can see the Statue of Liberty from various vantage points. ...
The Van Cortlandt House Museum
Frederick Van Cortlandt built the Van Cortlandt House for his family in 1748 and subsequently developed the property into a successful wheat plantation with a milling operation. Strategic in its location, during the Revolutionary War, the house was occupied in turn by the Colonial and the British armies. In 1886, the descendants of the Van Cortlandt family sold the property to the City ...
Times Square
When you think of the New York City, you think of Times Square—the crossroads of the world. They say if you stand in Times Square for one hour you’re bound to see someone you know, no matter where you’re from. Whether or not that’s true, it’s a good indication of just how busy this major intersection is. If you’re looking for discount theatre ...
Top of the Rock
The Top of the Rock offers visitors a spectacular 360-degree view of the city. The indoor decks on the 67th and 69th floors and outdoor observation deck on the 70th floor provide unobstructed views of the entire region, from the amazing city skyline to the lush green carpet of Central Park. Group rates are available for those who plan ahead. You’ll feel as ...
Union Square Park
Originally a town square, Union Square Park serves as the setting for numerous community events and various festivals. It has a long and interesting history starting from when it opened in 1839 to its redesign in 1872 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux to accommodate mass congregations of New Yorkers. In 1882, it hosted the country’s first Labor Day parade and in ...
United Nations
The United Nations has served as a beacon of hope and peace for over 60 years. Every year over 1 million people come to the United Nations’ visitor center. The UN offers various exhibits and displays and visitors have many opportunities to tour the facility and learn more about the organization. Both audio tours and guided tours are available. Groups are welcome to ...
Yankee Stadium Tours
Yankee Stadium, the House that Ruth built, is as rich in sports history as any ballpark can be. The site of more MLB World Championships than any other venue, the stadium defines winning and greatness. Yankee Stadium Tours provide fans and aficionados various tour packages. Everything starts with the Classic Tour that includes Monument Park, New York Yankees Museum, the Clubhouse and access to ...