Few cities tell America’s story like New York City. From Dutch outpost to global capital, its streets hold centuries of culture, innovation, and reinvention. Today, its five boroughs bring together world-class art, theater, parks, and food—plus enough family-friendly fun to fill a lifetime.

Iconic sights are just the start. Marvel at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, wander Central Park’s bridges and castles, and ascend a shimmering observation deck for sweeping skyline views. Fuel up on bagels, pizza, dim sum, and chocolate-chip cookies, and find excellent coffee on nearly every corner.

Practical note: public transit is your friend. Tap into the subway and buses with OMNY (fare-capping makes weeklong travel budget-friendly), and plan 20–40 minutes between most neighborhoods. Expect four seasons: winter’s festive lights, spring cherry blossoms, summer river breezes, and golden fall in the parks.

New York City

New York is a collection of worlds within blocks—art in Midtown and the Upper East Side, brownstone calm on the Upper West Side, cobblestones in the West Village, and waterfront views in Brooklyn’s DUMBO. Its energy is contagious and surprisingly kid-friendly when paced well.

• Top sights: Central Park, Times Square, The Met, American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central, the High Line, and the Statue of Liberty.
• Family favorites: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Belvedere Castle, Jane’s Carousel, and city boat rides.
• Food you shouldn’t miss: NYC bagels, thin-crust pizza, deli sandwiches, Chinatown dumplings, Italian red-sauce classics, and chewy cookies.
• Fun fact: Ellis Island once processed 12 million immigrants; you can still trace family records in the museum.

Where to stay (mid-range and up):

• Search all rentals: VRBO – New York City
• Search all hotels: Hotels.com – New York City
• Best-value Midtown pick: Pod 51 Hotel (compact rooms, great location; ideal for families who’ll be out exploring)
• Spacious suites (kitchenettes): Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square
• Classic NYC splurge: The Plaza Hotel (storybook setting by Central Park)
• Historic luxury: The St. Regis New York (old-world service, central Midtown)

Getting there: Fly into JFK, LGA, or EWR. Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical taxi costs: JFK–Manhattan ~$70–85 (flat fare plus tolls/tip), LGA–Midtown ~$30–50 (metered), EWR–Manhattan ~$70–90. Public transit from JFK via AirTrain + subway is cost-effective; allow ~60–75 minutes to Midtown.

Day 1: Arrival, Midtown Icons, and a Taste of Times Square

Afternoon: Check in, then stretch your legs around Bryant Park and the New York Public Library’s lion-guarded steps. Coffee break at Culture Espresso (buttery chocolate-chip cookies and strong espresso) or Blue Bottle Bryant Park for a smooth cold brew. Walk to Grand Central to admire the celestial ceiling and whispering gallery.

Evening: Family-friendly dinner near Times Square: try Tony’s Di Napoli (family-style Italian), Don Antonio (wood-fired pizza and fried pizza “Montanara”), or The Smith (reliable American fare with kids’ options). Cap the night with a neon stroll through Times Square and a slice from Joe’s Pizza on 40th Street or a classic cheesecake at Junior’s.

Day 2: See the City in a Day (Guided Highlights) + Broadway Night

Morning & Afternoon: Cover the greatest hits efficiently on the New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour—a family-friendly overview with a licensed guide and hop-off photo stops.

Expect landmarks like Rockefeller Center, Central Park views, the 9/11 Memorial, and more—great for first-timers. If you break for lunch near Chelsea Market, grab kid-approved bites at Los Tacos No. 1 (simple, perfect tacos), Miznon (pita magic), or Very Fresh Noodles (hand-pulled noodle soups).

Evening: Consider a Broadway show with family-friendly options (The Lion King, Aladdin, or Wicked). Pre-theater dinner in the Theater District: Bond 45 (Italian classics, big booths) or Don’t Tell Mama for a fun, musical vibe with dinner. If you prefer low-key, grab burgers and epic shakes at Black Tap.

Day 3: Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, and Historic Downtown

Morning: Start with classic bagels at Leo’s Bagels (FiDi) or Bagel Pub (nearby options) and head to Battery Park. Join the guided Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry for reserved access, insightful storytelling, and time on both islands.

Afternoon: Back on Manhattan, walk through the Financial District—see the Charging Bull, the New York Stock Exchange, and Trinity Church. Reflect at the 9/11 Memorial pools (free, outdoors). For lunch or an early dinner, Eataly Downtown (pasta and pizza under one roof) or Hudson Eats at Brookfield Place (variety for picky eaters) are easy wins.

Evening: Explore Chinatown and Little Italy. Try dumplings at Joe’s Shanghai (soup dumplings), Nom Wah Tea Parlor (historic dim sum), or Peking Duck House (shareable mains). Finish with ice cream at Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (lychee, black sesame) or Ferrara’s cannoli in Little Italy.

Day 4: Central Park, Museums, and a Sky-High Sunset

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Daily Provisions (UWS) or Joe Coffee Company. Then dive into the American Museum of Natural History—dinosaurs, the blue whale, and the Hall of Ocean Life are always hits. If you prefer art, The Met’s Egyptian galleries and Arms & Armor captivate kids and adults alike.

Afternoon: Cross Central Park via Belvedere Castle and the Turtle Pond playgrounds. For lunch, Jacob’s Pickles (big comfort-food portions; fluffy biscuits) or Shake Shack at the park’s edge. Prefer wheels? Sit back on a fun Central Park Pedicab Guided Tour—great when little legs get tired.

Evening: Time your entry for golden hour at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, an immersive, mirror-and-light-filled observation experience that wows teens and younger kids alike. Bring sunglasses for the reflections and dress for shiny floors (no heels needed).

Afterward, walk to Koreatown for dinner: Jongro BBQ (grill-at-table fun), Turntable Chicken Jazz (crispy Korean fried chicken), or Her Name is Han (home-style plates). If you’re Midtown-bound, The Smith at Bryant Park is a reliable family fallback, and Culture Espresso is nearby for a sweet cookie nightcap.

Day 5: Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO Views, and Local Markets

Morning: Walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn (aim early for space). Reward the crew with breakfast in DUMBO: Butler (buttery croissants, egg sandwiches), Almondine (French bakery), or coffee at Devoción (Colombian beans, lush plant-filled space).

Afternoon: Let the kids spin at Jane’s Carousel on the waterfront, then take in postcard views at Pebble Beach and the Time Out Market rooftop (casual lunch: Juliana’s Pizza for classic pies, Luke’s Lobster for rolls, or Pat LaFrieda burgers inside the market). If it’s a weekend, Smorgasburg (seasonal) is a field trip of street eats—everything from bao to donuts.

Evening: Shop and snack in Williamsburg (OddFellows for inventive ice cream, Lilia Café for pasta if you can snag a table, or Tacombi for tacos). Head back to Manhattan by subway for a final twilit stroll along the High Line or Hudson River Park. If you want one last skyline moment, consider a quick, budget-friendly pizza at Joe’s and a farewell walk through Rockefeller Center.

Local tips:

• Use OMNY contactless tap with the same card/phone to hit weekly fare caps—ideal for 5-day stays.
• Plan one big indoor anchor per day (museum or observation deck) and one outdoor anchor (park, bridge, boat) for balanced kid energy.
• Reservations help for popular spots; for casual eats, go early or late to dodge lines.

Optional swap-ins (weather or interests): The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (aircraft carrier + space shuttle), the High Line + Little Island combo, or a Hudson River dinner cruise for a laid-back final night. Coffee lovers can detour to Stumptown (Greenwich Village) or Variety Coffee (Williamsburg).

Book and organize: Browse hotels and apartments via Hotels.com and VRBO, and compare flights with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For timed entries and tours, the Viator options above are family-tested and time-saving.

At-a-glance Viator picks used in this plan:

• New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry
• Central Park Pedicab Guided Tours
• SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket

In five days, you’ll trace New York’s story—from Lady Liberty’s welcome to mirror-bright skyline views—while savoring bagels, pizza, and neighborhood flavors. With smart pacing and kid-friendly stops, this is a city your family will talk about for years.