NYC: Best Things to Do in Central Park for Kids

With more than 840 acres stretching across 50 blocks, Central Park is the ultimate park, and you could spend a whole week in New York and still not see it all. More than just trees and grass (although there’s plenty of that), there’s so much to keep the kids entertained, from boating on the lake to riding the historic carousel, and even visiting a zoo or amusement park. Here’s a great map of the park’s attractions and below is a list of our favorites.

Note: Some of the park’s activities are seasonal or weather permitting, so always check the conditions before going.

Loeb Boathouse (72nd Street and Fifth Avenue)

The Loeb Boathouse offers boat rentals and lakeside dining at the Boathouse Restaurant. A fleet of 100 rowboats are available for rent seasonally, with each boat holding up to four people. Don’t feel like rowing your own boat while on vacation? Gondola tours are also available on the lake; those boats hold up to six people and can be reserved in advance.

Wollman Rink (W. 59th Street and 6th Avenue)

Ice skating is available at Central Park’s Wollman Rink in the fall and winter. There’s nothing quite like ice skating outdoors, against the New York City skyline – and with the New York City crowds! Aim to arrive early, as the rink can get very congested toward the middle of the day, and bring your own lock to avoid the exorbitant fees to rent one. Skate rentals and a concession stand are available. Note that the rink is cash only.

Victorian Gardens (W. 59th Street and 6th Avenue)

Victorian Gardens is a relatively new attraction in Central Park, just opened in 2003. It occupies Wollman Rink every summer and offers 12 rides and a variety of carnival games and food. You can pay per ride or buy the all-inclusive wristband.

Friedsam Memorial Carousel (E. 65th Street)

The famous Central Park Carousel is not just a fun ride for kids, it comes with lots of interesting historical facts that they’ll love. The carousel is actually in its fourth iteration, with the first version opening in 1871, powered by a mule and horse that walked in a hidden compartment underneath the carousel! The current carousel features 57 hand-carved horses and two decorative chariots and is more than 100 years old.

Conservatory Pond (E. 72nd Street)

This is our favorite activity at the park. The Conservatory Pond offers toy boat rentals at the adjacent Kerbs Memorial Boathouse, where you can rent a model boat and sail it on the pond using a remote. It's all very reminiscent of 19th century Paris (except the remote control part). The boathouse also features a cafe run by Le Pain Quotidien and an open patio.

Central Park Zoo (E. 64th Street and 5th Avenue)

The park houses an entire zoo, with more than 130 different species that include snow leopards and brown bears. The Central Park Zoo was actually founded in the mid-1800s, after New Yorkers started dropping off their unwanted animals at the park, and several buildings had to be constructed to house the growing population of animals. It was originally called the Central Park Menagerie and has since been renamed and renovated to create more natural habitats for the animals.

Heckscher Playground (7th Avenue and Central Park South, between 61st to 63rd Streets)

Heckscher Playground is the oldest playground in Central Park, as well as its largest. Attractions include slides, swings, seesaws, splash pads, ramps, and giant rocks for climbing, and are aimed at kids ages 6 to 12. Restrooms and snack carts are available right by the playground.

Harlem Meer (110th Street, between Fifth and Lenox Avenues)

Not many people are aware of this, but you can fish at Central Park. The catch and release program at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, bordering the Harlem Meer, includes free instructions, poles and bait, and the activity is geared toward kids ages 5 and up. A picture ID is required to borrow the poles.

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NYC: Best Broadway and Off-Broadway Shows for Kids

No city does Broadway (and off-Broadway!) quite like New York. And kids don’t have to miss out on the experience of going to the theater just because they’re younger – it’s all a matter of finding them the right show. If your kid can sit through a two-hour movie or a marathon session of Nick Jr., they can definitely handle Broadway. Here are the shows that’ll capture their interest – and keep you enthralled, too.

The Lion King (best for age 5 and up)
The Lion King provides the quintessential Broadway experience for families. It’s got everything – familiar songs, gorgeous costumes, stunning set design and effects. The opening number, where the actors parade down the aisles with the life-size animal puppetry, is a scene your kids won’t soon forget.

The Gazillion Bubble Show (best for age 3 and up)

The Gazillion Bubble Show is for anyone who likes to pop bubbles – which is, presumably, everybody. The one-hour show is great for the youngest of theater-goers, but parents will be captivated as well. There are bubble feats, sudsy science tricks, and a soapy laser light show. The best parts are when a giant wind machine blows thousands of bubbles (maybe even a gazillion) into the audience.

Blue Man Group (best for age 6 and up)

It’s hard to describe the Blue Man Group experience. It’s a rock concert, an exhilarating feast for the senses, and a wondrous display of unusual human talents all in one. Food is thrown around the tiny theater, and paint is splattered all over the stage. Giant smartphone screens are used on the set. And everyone in the audience is buried in a sea of toilet paper in the finale. Your kids will leave the theater asking if they could do it all over again.

Aladdin (best for age 5 and up)

The quick-paced, catchy songs of Aladdin and hilarious antics of the Genie are what makes this show a standout and worth every penny. It’s also got the lavish costumery and dazzling set design of a quality Broadway performance, including a truly impressive magic carpet scene that’ll leave everyone wondering how it was accomplished.  

Stomp (best for age 6 and up)

The performances given by the cast of Stomp is nothing short of amazing. You and your family will wonder how it’s possible for human beings to coordinate a show based solely on sounds and coordination. The audience participation is fun, and the energy produced in the intimate theater is downright infectious – and will stay with your kids long after they’ve left the theater.   

Frozen (best for age 5 and up)

It's hard to not sing along with the Broadway version of Frozen, which follows the movie closely and includes all of its beloved songs. What makes the show truly special, however, are all the magical effects, from a sudden outfit change for Elsa to ice shooting across the stage. Your kids (and you!) will be wondering "how did they do that?” the whole time.

Before you buy your tickets, make sure you check all the online resources for discount codes, including schooltix.com, broadwaybox.com, and playbill.com.  

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