10 Things You Can't Miss in New York City in Winter with Kids - NYC
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surprisingly i would say the statue of liberty is a perfect spot to explore in winter in nyc
Are you planning a trip to New York City in Winter? If so, you’re in the right place.
Winter in New York City might sound intimidating with kids, but it is actually one of the best seasons to explore the city. From Broadway shows and ice skating to world-class museums and indoor play spaces, NYC in winter is packed with unforgettable experiences that are both fun and manageable for parents.
Fewer crowds, cozy indoor attractions, and seasonal events make it easier to enjoy the city without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you are planning a holiday trip, a long weekend, or a winter break adventure, these are the 10 things you can’t miss in winter in NYC with kids!
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1. Broadway Shows
Seeing a Broadway show is one of the most magical winter experiences in New York City, especially for kids. Beat the frigid cold with family friendly shows like Aladdin and The Lion King! These shows feature colorful costumes, familiar music, and stories kids already love. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is an incredible show that we’ve seen several times, but it’s best for kids ages 8 and up due to its length and darker themes.
We made a last minute decision to see aladdin and it was so so so good!!
We’ve seen HPATTC several times, but this time it had tom felton as draco malfoy! Such a special experience!
Most Broadway theaters offer performances Tuesday through Sunday, with matinees on select days. Ticket prices typically range from $60 to $200+, but discounted tickets are often available through TKTS booths and lottery systems. For Aladdin, we went the day of the show to the ticket office and asked about discounts. We ended up getting our tickets for about $200 less than standard pricing.
Helpful tip for parents: many theaters offer free seat boosters for kids, which makes a big difference in helping them see the stage comfortably.
my griffindor and hufflepuff getting ready for the show!
2. Ice Skating
ice skating in bryant park
Ice skating is a classic NYC winter activity, and there are several great spots for families. Bryant Park Winter Village offers free admission if you bring your own skates, but rentals usually cost $18–$35 depending on the time. (We paid $63.20 for 2 skaters with rentals) It’s open daily from late October through early March. Bryant Park also offers ice bumper cars on ice. We didn’t get to do the bumpers because I didn’t realize it started after 2pm!
bryant park rink is large and there are several food options surrounding the rink - the bryant park winter village
Wollman Rink in Central Park offers beautiful skyline views and is typically open from late October to March, with admission starting around $15–$27 plus skate rental. For the iconic experience, Rockefeller Center Ice Rink is open from October through March, with tickets usually starting around $21–$54. While pricier, skating under the Christmas tree is one of the most iconic skate experiences - it’s still very high on my NYC bucket list!
ice skating in central park with the entire manhattan skyline as a back drop!
nyc in winter is very cold! each of my kids wore wool baselayers that kept them warm throughout the trip.
3. Visit The American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the best indoor winter activities for families in NYC. Kids can explore dinosaur fossils, space exhibits, ocean life, and interactive science halls—all while staying warm.
there is so much to see at the AMNH! So many of the animals come from theodore roosevelt’s collection
The museum is generally open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Admission is “pay-what-you-wish” for New York residents, and about $28 for adults and $16 for kids for visitors. Plan to spend at least 2–4 hours here, and consider reserving timed tickets online in advance during busy holiday weeks.
the subway at the musuem has a small display as well and is pretty cool to see
**The AMoNH participates in the Blue Star Museum program offering free entry for Military families (Memorial Day-Labor Day each year)
4. Play at Sloomoo
my kids were obsessed with sloomoo!!
Sloomoo Institute is a huge hit with kids who love hands-on play. This interactive slime experience lets kids touch, stretch, and even customize their own slime creations in colorful, sensory-friendly rooms. We made our own slime, got to sling shot slime, make music with slime, and even got slimed! Sloomoo was so much fun.
At sloomoo your kids will get to play with all kinds of slime, create their own slime, and even BE slimed!
Sloomoo is usually open daily, with hours varying by season, and tickets typically range from $38–$45 per person. Reservations are required.
***Your family may also like places like the Museum of Ice Cream NYC, Color Factory, and Candytopia, which offer similar immersive, photo-worthy experiences.
5. Take in the views at the Edge at Hudson Yards
the view of Manhattan from the edge
For incredible winter views without freezing the whole time, head to Edge at Hudson Yards. First you’ll walk through a museum explaining how Hudson Yards was built and then you’ll walk out on the 101st floor to floor to ceiling windows. This observation deck has glass walls, offers panoramic skyline views of Manhattan and New Jersey and a portion of the decking is made of glass. Yes, you can walk out on the glass and look down 100 floors. Inside you’ll find a coffee shop, really fun photo ops, clean bathrooms, and even ice cream!
sunset was such a great time to see the manhattan skyline
The Edge is open daily, usually from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (hours vary by season). Tickets typically start around $38 for adults and $33 for kids.
inside the edge they have clean bathrooms, fun photo ops, a coffee shop, and even ice cream
One big perk in winter is the large heated indoor space, which makes it easy to warm up between outdoor viewing sessions. The Edge also has clean bathrooms and a nice café offering coffee and ice cream, making it surprisingly family-friendly even on cold days.
views from the edge observation deck
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6. Play at CAMP
CAMP stores are part toy shop, part interactive play space, and completely designed with kids in mind. It is one of the most unique family friendly experiences in NYC. You’ll usually find locations in areas like Fifth Avenue and Brooklyn, though locations can change. We were lucky enough to visit both stores in NYC.
it may look like a coffee shop when you walk in, but behind that candy shelf is the toy store from every kid’s dream!
Inside, kids can explore themed play worlds, take part in story-based adventures, and shop for high-quality toys. My kids rode scooters, got to play with all the toys and then rate them, and the staff was so incredible.
the store is interactive and usually themed - from Bluey to peppa pig - the themes change all the time!
Hours generally run from late morning to early evening, and admission for play experiences ranges from $15–$30 depending on the theme. It’s a great winter stop when kids need to burn off energy indoors.
the kids LOVE the camp stores and we were so lucky to get to play at both in nyc
7. Harry Potter Store
the store that can’t be missed!
The Harry Potter New York is a must for young fans of the series. We’ve been 3 times and every time I love it even more! The store is full of magic. You can get a custom wand at the Wand Shop, take photos at one of the many photo opportunities like stepping into Hagrid’s boots and the London phone box! But maybe the best stop in the entire shop is the Butterbeer Bar!
butterbeer and wizard wands!
Located near Flatiron, this massive store includes themed rooms, interactive elements, and exclusive merchandise. They do have nice bathrooms in the bottom floor! It’s typically open daily from around 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with extended hours during holidays.
get fully into the magic! Be sure to scan the QR codes in the shop for interactive displays of magic
There’s no admission fee, so you can browse for free, though it’s hard to leave without buying something. Allow at least 45–60 minutes for kids to explore and take photos.
we always leave the shop with a haul of hp goodies
8. Visit the Statue of Liberty
Winter is actually a wonderful time to visit the Statue of Liberty because crowds are much smaller than in summer. Ferries operated by City Cruises run year-round and include enclosed, heated indoor seating areas, making the trip comfortable even on cold days.
Ferries usually start around 9:00 AM, and tickets range from about $24 for adults and $12 for kids. The Pedestal and Crown areas are heated, and the Statue of Liberty Museum is modern, well-designed, and fully climate-controlled.
citycruises are the only authorized retailer for the national park and yes they do run all winter!
I recommend trying to get Crown Reserve tickets. However, kids must be taller than 42" to access the crown - this policy is STRICT! If you’re child is too young or short, the Pedestal Reserve Ticket is the next best and you’ll get up close (and inside the bottom) of Lady Liberty.
the stairs to the crown are steep, but worth it! here the kids are touching the huge bolts holding the statue to the pedestal, walking up the stairs to the crown, and this is c at the windows in the crown.
Ellis Island’s museum is also indoors and fascinating for kids learning about immigration history. Unfortunately we didn’t plan enough time for both islands, so we only got to see the SoL this time. Adding Ellis Island to my NYC bucketlist!
don’t forget to get your statue of liberty junior ranger badge!
9. New York Transit Museum
we didn’t know what to expect at th new york transit museum, but were very surprised and happy with how cool it is
The New York Transit Museum is a hidden gem for families, especially in winter. The main museum is located in an abandoned subway station in Brooklyn, it features vintage subway cars, hands-on exhibits, and transportation history kids actually find interesting. I absolutely loved going inside all of the old train cars and seeing how they progressed over time.
I easily found designated stroller parking where I was able to leave our coats and winter gear. The museum has clean bathrooms and is heated!
NYTM is typically open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is around $10 for adults and $5 for kids. It’s compact, easy to navigate, and perfect for a half-day outing.
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**The NYTM participates in the Blue Star Museum program offering free entry for Military families (Memorial Day-Labor Day each year)
the entrance to the ny transit museum is an old subway station entrance! So cool! Also, don’t let the kids drive the bus!
10. Visit a National Park Site in NYC
Did you know New York City is home to over 20 National Park Service sites? It is one of the most park-rich cities in the country. Many of these locations offer indoor exhibits that are perfect for winter and escaping the cold. One of my favorites is the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site! Make sure to visit when it’s open so you can explore rooms, exhibits, and hands-on activities.
Other great options with heated indoor areas include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, Federal Hall National Memorial, General Grant Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial, African Burial ground National Monument, Stonewall National Monument and Castle Clinton National Monument.
Most NPS sites are free or low-cost, usually open between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and staffed by rangers who love answering kids’ questions.
where the rio grande meets the ocean is a gorgeous estuary
The Best of NYC with Kids
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The Best of NYC with Kids 〰️
New York City in winter proves that cold weather does not have to slow down family travel. With heated observation decks, indoor museums, Broadway shows, family friendly interactive attractions, NYC offers endless ways to create meaningful memories with your kids.
From skating in Bryant Park to exploring the Statue of Liberty National Monument, these winter experiences turn a city trip into something truly special. If you are looking for the best things to do in New York City with kids in winter, start here, pack your layers, and get ready for a family adventure you will be talking about long after the snow melts.
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