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If you’re bringing your kids to New York, your main priority is keeping them entertained. Whether you’ve got toddlers, tweens, or teens in tow, “I’m bored” is the last thing you want to hear from your kids in the city that never sleeps.

Luckily, there is plenty to enjoy with kids of all ages in the city, especially in the family-friendly neighborhoods of the Upper West Side. If you’re visiting New York with your family in 2024, don’t miss what the UWS has to offer for kids of all ages.

From the Children’s Museum of Manhattan to the endless playgrounds in Central Park, here is our guide to kid-friendly activities on the UWS.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan offers a wide range of exhibits and activities for kids of all ages. The museum is home to five floors of interactive exhibits, offering kids the opportunity to enjoy the museum hands-on. Whether your kids are interested in art, culture, or science, each floor offers new experiences, including adventures with Dora and Diego, Dynamic H2O, PlayWorks, and an Early Learning City.

Central Park

In Central Park, you will find plenty of playgrounds and green spaces that were created with kids and families in mind. In fact, Central Park is home to 21 different playgrounds, numerous lakes and ponds, and a handful of historical spots to explore – perfect for kids of any age. Fancy escaping the city? Head to North Woods in the park; the 40-acre woodland is the largest in the park and home to the Discovery Walk for families – the perfect place to wind down while tiring the kids out.

The Beacon Theatre

The family-friendly, historic Beacon Theatre is just meters from the Hotel Beacon. Throughout the year, the Beacon offers concerts, plays, musicals, and other kid-friendly events that are suitable for all ages.

American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869 and contains over 35 million specimens of natural history. The museum is open every single day, except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day, between 10 am and 5.30 pm, and is a great day out for both adults and kids. The American Museum of Natural History is home to 45 permanent exhibition halls showing everything from a Woolly Mammoth skeleton to a butterfly vivarium.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Got kids who love space? The Intrepid Museum is as close as you will get to space without getting into a rocket! From the world’s first space shuttle to nuclear submarines and the world’s fastest commercial airliner to a supersonic spy plane – the museum is filled with sea, air, and space exhibits for the whole family to enjoy.

Good Food

After a long day of exploring, “I’m hungry, Mom” is inevitable – and luckily, the UWS is home to hundreds (if not thousands) of bakeries, ice cream parlors, coffee shops, pizzerias, taquerias, and delis to find great food at great prices. If you’ve got kids who don’t like to eat out, the Hotel Beacon on the Upper West Side offers apartment-style suites – complete with kitchenette – so you can cook home comforts and keep the whole family happy.

Traveling to the Upper West Side with your family in 2024? The Hotel Beacon is right in the heart of the action and a great choice for your family-friendly getaway.