Tips for Taking your Kids to NYC

Tips for Taking your Kids to NYC

a year ago
Hi Everyone!

For our kids' spring break this year, we decided to venture east to New York City! New York is such a special place to me, not only because my sister lives there, but also because I shot multiple aerial photos, as well as my Dogs of New York series. You can see all my NYC photography here. There is something so magical about the big apple, and Jeff and I were so excited to make unforgettable memories there with our kids and their cousins. After the experience, I decided to jot down my tips for the best things to do in NYC with kids. I hope these suggestions make planning your next adventure to NYC with kids easier so that you can enjoy everything the city has to offer!

## Where we Stayed
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We stayed at The Mark, located at 77th and Madison in the heart of one of Manhattan’s most beautiful neighborhoods, the Upper East Side. This hotel embodies elegant classical New York charm, something that I wanted our kids to experience. The neighborhood is very welcoming and walkable. When we checked into our rooms, the hotel made the kids feel extra special and welcomed them with adorable NYC cookies that had their names on them! They also got the cutest little Lingua Franca cashmere sweaters that said “The Mark” and complete with embroidered hot dog logos, a Mark signature! To top it off, the hotel setup a fun and fabulous teepee in our room! I cannot say enough about how welcoming and kid-friendly the hotel was to us, especially Max & Dove, making our stay extra special.
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This was the adorable hot dog stand they had out front, which was another favorite of the kids. How cute is this set up? On top of the chic look, the hot dogs were delicious and the perfect treat after a day of walking around the city.

## Where We Ate
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New York is known for its delicious food and endless options. It’s overwhelming to decide where to go- with or without kids! Breakfast at our hotel was always the perfect way to gear up and get ready for the day.

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We took the kids to Serendipity and they loved sharing the iconic frozen hot chocolate. I always love going there and cannot help but think of the classic romcom, Serendipity – it was truly so fun for all!

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No trip to New York is complete without a visit to the stylish quintessentially classic Ralph Lauren Polo Bar.. It was a true treat for Max and Dove to get dressed up with us for a night on the town and take in the equestrian ambiance, timeless Americana decor, and perfect mood lighting!

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For our last supper in the city, we ventured with the kids to Emmy Squared Pizza, a popular pizza restaurant known for its signature square pie. It is a very casual environment, with shareable portions, and a perfect fit for a family to share and enjoy.

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Never skimp on dessert! We of course had to get a famous Levain cookie – the kids loved them and it was the ideal treat to eat as we wandered home and wrapped up our last day.

## What we Did
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Getting around the city with kids can be fun and it is honestly easier than I expected! The kids took their first taxi rides! It was so fun to see their reactions to zipping around the city - we don’t see many in Los Angeles. The kids thought they were experts at hailing them by the end of our trip! We also used the subway and the bus, which was fun for the kids- and quick!

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We ventured to the Central Park Zoo which was such a fun outing. The kids particularly enjoyed watching the seals and were mesmerized by the grizzly bear. The zoo in the heart of an urban environment is a totally unique experience compared to what we typically see in California.

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Walking around Central Park is magical during any season. There are so many fun hidden treasures in this classic park, like this amazing Alice in Wonderland statue! It made for the perfect photo-op!

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An unexpected treat was our visit to the SUMMIT at One Vanderbilt! It made for such a great family memory. We had a blast checking out the stunning city views, and playing with the mirrors and reflective beach balls – I captured some pretty incredible videos and photos that we’ll have to cherish.

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The Natural History Museum cannot be missed with young ones! Max and Dove especially loved seeing the dinosaurs - it’s such a blast, and especially fun if you watch Night at The Museum before you go to stir up excitement.

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Another iconic New York spot that is fun to bring your kids to are the famous steps of The Met, especially to get a quintessential photo a la Gossip Girl. Our kids loved exploring all kinds of new spaces in the hustle and bustle of the city.

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We also stopped by the Guggenheim, which is built in such a unique shape and such a joy to take in while you explore the museum and all the works of art it contains.
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This was one of our favorite trips with our children yet. We made so many great memories together in this urban escape! The Mark was so accommodating and was absolutely part of what made this experience so magical and joyful! I hope these tips for the best things to do in NYC with kids inspire your next family trip. Be sure to explore my full NYC travel guide here.

XX,
Gray
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