How to Plan the Perfect Weekend in Midtown Manhattan With Kids

There’s a great deal of fun to be had when it comes to visiting the bright lights of New York. A city vacation is always a little different and often a bit more intense than a beach or pool break. However, there’s still plenty of enjoyment to have and memories to be made, even if you need another vacation after this one.

Planning the perfect weekend in Midtown Manhattan, particularly with kids, can prove challenging. It’s often about getting the balance between organizing too much and planning too little.

Whether you have little ones running about or teenagers, there’s something for everyone to do in the city, so it’s by no means a boring place to go. Here’s everything you’ll want to do to enjoy a weekend in this city with kids.

Friday Afternoon: The Big Arrival & Bright Lights

Most people when flying to New York will typically leave in the early hours of the morning, meaning they’re unlikely to get to Manhattan until the early afternoon or mid-afternoon.

It’s a good idea to pick a location for your accommodation that’s fairly close to everything that you want to see and do, like this hotel near Rockefeller Center. By being close to all of the landmarks and popular tourist spots, you’ll find that you don’t have to do as much walking or traveling via subway or taxi as a result.

The first stop to make is to visit Times Square, ideally before the heavy evening crowds hit. That way, you can still see the bright lights without too big a crowd. It also helps in not overstimulating the young ones who are due to go to bed within a few hours.

Whilst you’re nearby, why not visit the massive, multi-level Nintendo New York store located in Rockefeller Center?

To round off the exhaustion of traveling and jet lag, dinner at a family-friendly dining spot like Ellen’s Stardust Diner is a good shout. They have singing servers, which would make for a great experience for young kids and teens.

Saturday Morning: High Views & Sweet Treats

Hopefully, at this point you’ve had a good seven hours of sleep, if not more. Jet lag may still be hitting the family somewhat, but often it’s best to just get back on the streets of NYC and start the day off early doors.

For breakfast, there’s really nothing better than a trip to your local bagel store. The bagels in New York are pretty special and therefore a must.

You can enjoy some wonderful morning views from the Top of the Rock, as well as other observation decks that will be open at this point too. It’s good to visit these in the morning so that you avoid the long lines as a result.

Interactive fun can be had in the flagship LEGO store on Fifth Avenue. If you’re someone who loves LEGO or has kids who love it, then this stop is an absolute must.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, casual eaters at the underground Plaza Food Hall are worth visiting as a family.

Saturday Afternoon: Playground Play & Broadway Magic

When planning the weekend, your Saturday afternoon might be one where you need to burn off the energy with your kids, especially the youngsters.

The Heckscher Playground is located in southern Central Park and is a great place for bringing young kids to play. You could also get lucky and catch a kid-friendly Broadway matinee show like The Lion King or Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.

For an afternoon snack and sugar injection, some giant cookies from Levain Bakery or treats from Dylan’s Candy Bar.

Sunday Morning: Interactive Museums & Trains

On your last day, your Sunday morning should consist of more lazy-day activities. The Saturday itinerary is likely to have been quite an exhaustive one, so 

Breakfast could be a switch-up from a bagel shop to the classic American diner food at any nearby diner. Explore the Intrepid Museum to see a real space shuttle and Concorde.

Take a walk through the iconic Grand Central Terminal, a place that’s been seen a lot on television and film over the years. When you’ve worked up an appetite again, grab some New York-style pizza slices at a place like Joe’s Pizza.

Essential Midtown Survival Tips For Parents

Whether you’re someone who has been to a city with your kids before or not, it’s good to know those essential survival tips to help you not only survive but thrive on this vacation.

Transit

It’s best to avoid taxis where possible, as this just ends up with you being gridlocked for long periods of time. The subway is helpful for speed, but you could also opt for buses if you have a stroller and want to see the sights from above ground.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are good to map out before you go anywhere. Mapping these clean public restrooms like major department stores to Bryant Park. This helps navigate the city and to get quick access to the bathroom when little ones need it desperately.

Pacing

When it comes to the pacing of the weekend, try to keep it fairly loose and flexible. With young kids, you don’t want to restrict yourself to activities that might be too much for you and your little ones to do after many other exhaustive activities. Plan one major activity per morning and afternoon in order to avoid meltdowns. 

Visit Midtown Manhattan with Your Kids

Midtown Manhattan and New York in general really offer a great deal of fun and excitement. It’s a city that dwarfs its tourists in tall buildings and in this sense of being on a movie set.

When it comes to Midtown, it’s a magical place when viewed through the eyes of a child. Even for youngsters, it’s a great way of seeing a part of the world that’s constantly alive.

If you’re looking for a place to visit, then New York City is the best place to go with your kids this year, so make sure to use these tips to plan ahead.