Things to do with kids on the Upper West Side
The Upper West Side may be the most kid-friendly neighborhood in New York: the Natural History Museum and the Children's Museum are two blocks apart, Central Park on one side and Riverside Park's river path on the other, and cafés and playgrounds every few blocks.
On a sunny day, into Central Park: explore the Ramble and Belvedere Castle, or cross to Conservatory Water to watch the model sailboats and climb the Alice statue; the Hippo Playground in Riverside Park has spray in summer. On rainy days, either museum, with the Natural History Museum pay-what-you-wish for residents. The balloon inflation around the museum the day before Thanksgiving is the event of the year.
- 16 places
- 11 free
- 16 stroller-friendly
- closest is 10 min away
16 places
Travel times from Upper West Side, by subway or car
Central Park: the Ramble, Belvedere Castle and Turtle Pond
5.0Manhattan · 10 min away
2.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Getting there: Subway B/C to 81 St or 1 to 79 St, then a 10-minute walk; don't drive
American Museum of Natural History
5.0Manhattan · 10 min away
3.5 h · stroller-friendly
$$$ · Getting there: Subway B/C to 81 St–Museum of Natural History; the museum entrance is right in the station
Riverside Park: Hippo Playground and the riverside path
5.0Manhattan · 10 min away
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Getting there: Subway 1 to 86 St or 96 St, then an 8-minute walk
Children's Museum of Manhattan
5.0Manhattan · 10 min away
2.5 h · stroller-friendly
$$ · Getting there: Subway 1 to 79 St or B/C to 81 St, then a 5-minute walk
Macy's Thanksgiving balloon inflation
4.0Manhattan · 10 min away
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Getting there: Subway B/C to 81 St or 1 to 79 St; the afternoon before Thanksgiving, entrance at 72 St and Columbus
Central Park: Heckscher Playground
5.0Manhattan · 15 min away
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Getting there: Subway A/C/B/D/1 to 59 St–Columbus Circle, then a 5-minute walk
Roosevelt Island Tramway
5.0Manhattan · 15 min away
2 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Getting there: Subway 4/5/6/N/R/W to 59 St–Lexington Av, then a 3-minute walk to the tram station
Central Park Zoo and Tisch Children's Zoo
5.0Manhattan · 15 min away
2.5 h · stroller-friendly
$$ · Getting there: Subway N/R/W to 5 Av–59 St, then a 5-minute walk
Central Park: Conservatory Water model boats and the Alice statue
5.0Manhattan · 15 min away
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Getting there: Subway 6 to 77 St, enter at Fifth Ave and 72 St, then a 5-minute walk
Central Park: Ancient Playground (Egyptian theme)
5.0Manhattan · 15 min away
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Getting there: Subway 4/5/6 to 86 St, then a 10-minute walk (north side of the Met)
Central Park: Conservatory Garden
4.0Manhattan · 15 min away
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Getting there: Subway 6 to 103 St or 2/3 to 110 St, then an 8-minute walk (Fifth Ave and 105 St entrance)
NYPL Stavros Niarchos Library children's floor
5.0Manhattan · 20 min away
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Getting there: Subway B/D/F/M to 42 St–Bryant Park or 7 to 5 Av; right outside the station
Ride the elevated 7 train to Flushing
5.0Queens · 20 min away
2 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Getting there: Board the 7 at Grand Central or Times Sq and ride to the last stop, Flushing–Main St, about 35 minutes
Bryant Park Winter Village and free skating rink
4.0Manhattan · 20 min away
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Getting there: Subway B/D/F/M to 42 St–Bryant Park or 7 to 5 Av; right outside the station
The High Line
4.0Manhattan · 20 min away
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Getting there: Subway A/C/E/L to 14 St–8 Av; the Gansevoort St entrance has an elevator
Hunters Point Library (skyline views)
4.0Queens · 20 min away
1 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Getting there: Subway 7 to Vernon Blvd–Jackson Av, then a 5-minute walk; NYC Ferry to Hunters Point South
💡 Good to know
- The Natural History Museum entrance is right inside the 81 St subway station, so you never go outside in the rain; be there at 10 on weekends.