There is no other city in the United States like New York City, and visiting with kids can be very overwhelming. Finding the right hotel, planning meals & activities gets overwhelming. If you're in this scenario, then this article is for you.
August 19, 2023
Visiting New York City with kids can be overwhelming. There’s no other city in the US like New York City, and planning a trip to a new place with people who need to be entertained every 15 mins can be stressful. Plus, there are routines that kids enjoy that make your life easier, and the more you can continue those routines when you’re away, the easier your life is. A lot of people visiting New York City with kids, try to book AirBnBs but that is tricky in New York City. Although some operate, any AirBnB’s that allow you to rent the entire space is not legal in New York City. You can read more about this rule on the AirBnB site here.
If this is your first time reading our blog, here’s our introduction. We are a team of NYC-based trip consultants who share our knowledge to help travelers discover the NY experiences they want. We use our shared knowledge, connections, and network to give our customers the same experience our friends and family receive when they visit.
To help you find a solid hotel for your families visit to NYC, we’ve compiled a list of family-friendly hotels in New York City. If you need a hotel recommendation or assistance building your New York City trip plans contact our team.
If your family is looking for somewhere unique to stay in New York City, look no further than Freehand New York. Offering a wide range of accommodations, from basic rooms to bunk-bed equipped options like the “Three’s Company” room, there's something for everyone. Each room also features one of a kind artwork provided by Bard College students and alumni. Families can choose from a spacious suite, a room with twin bunk over a queen bed, or two sets of twin bunks. The hotel also boasts on-site dining options like Comodo, a Smile To Go coffee shop, a location close to the iconic Flatiron District and easy access to Chelsea.
The Muse Hotel is an excellent choice for families seeking a luxurious and fun-filled stay in the Theater District. With 200 rooms to choose from, this boutique property offers plenty of space for families of all sizes. Families can enjoy a variety of amenities, including complimentary bikes and kid-sized scooters (including helmets) for exploring the city, and a nightly wine reception for grown-ups to unwind. Cribs are available upon request and as a special touch for families, kids can receive a welcome gift. The hotel also features a gym with hula hoops, providing the perfect spot for children to burn off some energy. For parents seeking a night out, babysitting services are available. The hotel is also pet-friendly, so your furry family members can come along for the fun as well.
Hotel Beacon is a fantastic option for families looking to experience the best of New York City's Upper West Side. The hotel is located in a super-family-friendly neighborhood, making it easy for families to access a variety of top family attractions, including Central Park, Lincoln Center, the Children's Museum of Manhattan, and the American Museum of Natural History. Families can choose from spacious suites that are equipped with comfortable sofas in the living room for additional sleeping arrangements. You'll also find small kitchens which are perfect for families on a budget who want to prepare groceries purchased from nearby supermarkets such as Fairway Market.
The Roxy Hotel is situated in downtown Manhattan’s bustling Tribeca neighborhood, an area known for its family-friendly atmosphere. Each room is spacious and designed for optimal comfort, boasting Hollywood-inspired mid-century decor and perfect lounging accommodations. Music buffs will be excited to know each room comes equipped with a turntable and curated selection of vinyl records. The hotel offers an array of entertainment options on-site, including a popular weekend brunch (we recommend reserving a spot ahead of your stay).
Hotel Gansevoort is a stylish and recently renovated hotel that caters to both families and trendy travelers. Located in the hip and always popular Meatpacking District, it offers easy access to popular attractions such as The High Line, Whitney Museum of American Art, Little Island. The hotel also features a heated rooftop pool, as well as providing families with complimentary sofa beds for children under 13, baby supplies like cribs, pack-and-plays, diapers, wipes, and baby lotion. It’s also close to Hudson River Park which offers bike paths, walkways and playgrounds.
Families looking for a child-friendly stay should consider the Intercontinental Times Square and Intercontinental New York Barclay hotels. The Times Square location features a Build-A-Bear Workshop package with a $30 gift card, gift pack, and tote for kids alongside its perfect midtown location. The InterContinental New York Barclay, on the other hand, offers a Pooch Package for your family pet that waives fees. They may even meet Bowie, the hotel’s pup ambassador.
Families looking for luxury accommodation can consider Lotte New York Palace, which offers spacious two-room suites, soaking tubs and surprise treats with turndown service. Spa services are available for mother-daughter mani-pedis and custom massages, and the hotel website features deals such as 50% off a second room. Babysitting services can also be arranged.
At Loews Regency New York, families can enjoy the best of both worlds: being near Central Park and its attractions including playgrounds, the Carousel and Park Zoo, while also having a comfortable and safe place to stay. The hotel's refurbished rooms come in different sizes, including both standard hotel rooms and large suites equipped with all the comforts of home. The hotel also has the Loews Loves Families program which includes amenities for children of all ages, such as child-proofing kits, lending libraries with board games and video game consoles, and the option to arrange family-friendly outings and babysitting services through the concierge.
NU Hotel, located in Brooklyn, offers families an authentic New York City experience, surrounded by four family-friendly areas including Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, and Cobble Hill. The location also lends itself to easy trips into Manhattan or Queens via the A, C, F and G subway lines. The hotel has family-friendly room options, such as the Bunkbed Room, which includes a queen bed, twin bunk beds, an eat-in area, and a chalkboard in the bathroom. The hotel also provides a range of amenities for families, such as free breakfast, Wi-Fi, loaner bikes, toddler step stools, baby bathtubs, high chairs, and a Brooklyn-themed coloring book for children.
Families seeking a central location in Midtown West and a chance to experience the bustling energy of Times Square should consider Millennium Times Square New York. The hotel offers a variety of room options, including basic rooms and family-friendly suites, all of which come with Ask Alfred Children's Concierge amenities. These amenities include check-in jelly beans, keepsake teddy bears, child-friendly toiletries and menus, and additional perks to aid in planning your family’s stay. The hotel's sister property (Millennium Hotel Broadway) is next door and also offers the same perks.
If you're looking for a family-friendly location to explore both Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Marriott Brooklyn Bridge hotel is an ideal choice. The hotel is just a few minutes away from the Brooklyn Bridge, providing easy access to numerous subway lines, attractions, neighborhoods in both downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn and a huge variety of dining options. The hotel offers various types of rooms, including 1-2 bedroom suites. All rooms come with comfortable bedding, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges as well as access to the hotel’s American Leisure Fitness Center and indoor pool.
Located just a short walk from one of NYC’s largest beaches, The Rockaway Hotel + Spa offers families a variety of room options to choose from. Families can opt for a bunk-bed room, which can be combined with a standard king room, or a suite or bungalow that comes equipped with a kitchenette. It’s truly unique location means your room may have views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Manhattan skyline. The hotel features a heated outdoor pool and saunas for catching up on your R&R as well as a concierge program.The hotel also offers a variety of activities during Family Week for those looking for a staycation.
If you're looking for a luxurious and indulgent family experience, The Peninsula in Midtown is the perfect place to stay. Both kids and adults will be treated like VIPS at this hotel, thanks to its variety of family-friendly perks and special packages. One such package is the Camp Peninsula Package, where kids can set up a cozy tent inside their parents' suite, enjoy campfire treats, a scavenger hunt, and a special turndown service. There is also the Peninsula Academy package, which offers a range of activities such as private tours of popular museums such as the Metropolitan, the MoMA and the Intrepid Museum, and behind the scenes looks at Broadway and Citi Field stadium. You can even have a private Brooklyn Bridge walking tour with a pizzeria lunch.
Families looking for an affordable stay in Midtown will find the Residence Inn Midtown East to be a great option. The hotel features rooms with two beds, a sofa bed, and in-suite kitchenettes, complete with full-size refrigerators. Guests can start their day with a complimentary hot breakfast, and children can enjoy board games in the Hearth Room. Parents will appreciate the hotel's 24-hour grocery delivery service, as well as the free pack-and-plays that are available. The hotel's location is also a bonus, as it is just a short walk from Grand Central and a short shuttle ride from Times Square.
The new Smyth Tribeca Hotel in downtown New York City offers spacious suites for families (and pets) and a variety of fun packages to enhance their stay. The Kids Camp at Smyth package includes a complimentary gift and craft set from CAMP and a fondue set for making homemade s'mores in the suite. Additionally, the hotel's Keys to the Galleries package, offered in partnership with ARTSMART, includes a two-hour art gallery tour for up to four people.
You and your loved ones can experience the best of New York City at the newly updated Row NYC hotel located across from Times Square. This stylish and centrally located hotel offers families easy on-site dining options, as well as special packages such as the Continental Breakfast Package. Guests can choose from modern and chic rooms, many of which boast breathtaking views of the city skyline.
If you're searching for comfortable and spacious accommodation for your family in the heart of New York City, look no further than the TRYP Times Square South. This hotel is conveniently located near Penn Station and offers family rooms that come equipped with bunk beds, separate queen or king beds, sleeping sofas, and refrigerators, some even have 2 bathrooms. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, flat-screen TVs, and in the TRYP Premium Family Rooms, there are two LED TVs. The hotel's proximity to train lines (Penn Station) and Times Square attractions make it the perfect spot for a family vacation in the Big Apple.
The William Vale is another great choice for families looking to explore the best of both Brooklyn and Manhattan. The hotel, located in the trendy neighborhood of Williamsburg, is just across the East River from Manhattan and offers 1-2 bedroom suites that feature floor-to-ceiling windows, smart technology, custom artwork, and open-air balconies with stunning views of the city’s iconic skyline. Families staying here can relax at the rooftop bar, play in Vale Park, an elevated public green space, or take a dip in the seasonal pool. The hotel offers a diverse range of dining options for guests, including the hotel's own award-winning eateries. One of the most popular options among families is Mister Dips, a seasonal trailer that serves up delicious burgers, waffle fries, and dairy dips from a retrofitted 1974 Airstream trailer.
Is your family looking for a unique and retro-inspired stay in New York City? Look no further than the TWA Hotel at JFK airport. This hotel offers a blast from the past with 512 '60s-inspired rooms to choose from, all decked out in mid-century modern decor. The hotel also features museum exhibits curated by the New-York Historical Society, a Twister Room, The Sunken Lounge cocktail bar for parents, a high class food hall and dining by Jean-George. Families can also make use of the heated rooftop infinity pool that’s exclusive to hotel guests and features a view of planes arriving and departing from one of JFK’s largest runways.
Our team of trip consultants builds tailored plans for travelers from around the world visiting NYC. We’ve built a wide range of plans for family trips, anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions, even for solo travelers treating themselves. Each plan is built with a 3-step process:
Step 1: Bucket your must-see attractions
Step 2: Add in restaurants, rooftops & other hidden gems
Step 3: Create a custom map and provide transportation tips, so you know the best way to navigate the city.
Click here to check out a few of our sample plans. Click here to have our team tailor your New York trip itinerary today.
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