New York Family Friendly Itinerary

  • Day 1: Statue of Liberty
    40 minutes (13 miles) from John F. Kennedy International Airport

    The Statue of Liberty is a world famous statue located on Liberty Island. Visitors can take a ferry to the island and climb to the top of the statue for panoramic views of New York City.

  • Day 2: American Museum of Natural History
    30 minutes (8 miles) from the Statue of Liberty

    The American Museum of Natural History is a must-see attraction for families visiting New York. It is one of the largest museums in the world and has an impressive collection of exhibits that include dinosaur fossils and a giant blue whale.

  • Day 3: Central Park
    20 minutes (5 miles) from the American Museum of Natural History

    Central Park is a massive park located in the heart of New York City. Families can enjoy a picnic, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, or rent bicycles to explore the park's many paths and landmarks.

  • Day 4: Empire State Building
    10 minutes (3 miles) from Central Park

    At 102-stories tall, the Empire State Building boasts incredible views and is an iconic New York landmark. Visitors can choose between a regular or express ticket to explore the observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floor.

  • Day 5: Times Square
    15 minutes (3 miles) from the Empire State Building

    Times Square is one of the busiest and most popular tourist destinations in New York. Families will enjoy seeing the bright lights, street performers, shopping, and restaurants in this iconic area of the city.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Statue of Liberty (4 hours, $25)
  • American Museum of Natural History (4 hours, $23)
  • Central Park (3 hours, Free)
  • Empire State Building (3 hours, $39)
  • Times Square (3 hours, Free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $110

Transportation

Travelers visiting New York can get around by taxi, subway, bus, or bicycle. A weeklong unlimited MetroCard costs $33 and is the most affordable way to use public transportation. Taxis are readily available but can be expensive, especially during peak hours. Bike rentals are also available throughout the city and can be a fun way to explore.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to Niagara Falls or exploring Brooklyn. If you have less time, skip the Empire State Building to save money and time. Instead, consider visiting the One World Observatory, which offers similar views and is frequently less crowded.

Airports

There are three airports in New York City: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark International Airport (EWR). JFK is the largest and busiest of the three, located 13 miles southeast of Manhattan. LaGuardia is the closest to Manhattan, located just 8 miles east of the city. Newark International is located in New Jersey, approximately 16 miles southwest of Midtown Manhattan.

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