New York City is a fun city to explore and even though it’s massive, with over 8 million people living in the city. It’s a family-friendly place to visit with activities for everyone and more than enough to explore on multiple trips.
If you’re planning a trip to the city with a toddler or children here are a few tips to make your trip easier.
Tips for Visiting New York City with a Toddler
These are things we have learned the hard way by taking our young kids to the city.
#1 Collapsable Stroller is a Must
Taking a stroller into the city is a really good idea for a couple of reasons.
First, it’s easier to keep track of your little ones in some of the crazy crowds when they are buckled into a stroller.
Second, no matter what you go to see in the city it typically involves walking, a lot of walking for little legs.
I recommend bringing a stroller that can easily collapse like an umbrella stroller or a Pockit stroller because it’s easier to maneuver a small stroller around the city. It’s also nice to be able to collapse it easily when needed for bus tours, taxi rides, etc.
We have a double umbrella stroller we use with our toddler and preschooler to make our trips into the city easier.
#2 Bring Snacks
New York City has some amazing foods you’re definitely going to want to try. But I have found that it can be hard for my kids to want to try new foods all day long. Sometimes they will take a bite then they want to eat something they are used to.
For my kids, I typically try to bring snacks and foods I know they will like to eat. Then if they aren’t feeling what we decide to eat they can enjoy the food they are used to.
#3 Bring a Blanket
For cooler days a blanket is obvious but even on warm summer days, a light blanket is a good idea. Exploring the city you spend a lot of time in the shade which is usually cooler. Even in the sun, you can use the blanket for shade.
Plus a blanket works to spread out in the park and let the kids lay on and it’s especially helpful if you need a place to lay down a little one for a diaper change.
#4 Don’t Forget Water
Bring some water so you can stay hydrated while you walk around and enjoy the city sites. We love bringing insulated water bottles so that our water stays cold and refreshing even if the day is really hot.
#5 Use Cash
Some places in the city only accept cash and from experience, we have learned paying with cash is almost always faster.
Another reason having cash is a good idea is so you can make a small purchase if needed to be able to use a restroom. Because let’s be honest you’re going to have more bathroom stops when you’re exploring with kids.
#7 Bus Tours are a Great Idea
One of our favorite ways to explore New York is taking one of the bus tours.
We have found the tours are a great way to learn about the city and see a lot of area without having to walk for miles.
With toddlers, it’s so much easier to explore smaller areas of the city on foot and leave the travel between areas to the bus!
