Are you up for an adventurous day trip in the city that never sleeps?
As usual for Manhattan, there will be a lot of walking and/or public transportation involved so keep that in mind if you're traveling with small children.
Here are some exciting ideas for a Chol Hamoed trip in NYC!
There's just something about seeing your favorite celebrities, politicians, and historical figures up close - even though they're only made of wax! Take a walk and a selfie with over 200 incredibly realistic-looking wax figures in the heart of Times Square.
Great fun for older kids, ages 10 .
Price: $43.99
Location:
Hours: 10am-10pm
A truly unique, although quick, experience! This fish-themed "carousel" is exciting and enchanting with pretty under-the-sea lights and music. It's located in Battery Park, which is a great destination including grassy areas, a Hudson River promenade walk, and for having a Pesach picnic.
Great for all ages
Price: $6
Location:
Enter across from
Daily: 11am-9pm
A paint-your-own-pottery studio in Tribeca, a fun and hip area in the city. Limited seating, reservations are recommended.
Great for older kids, ages 8
Price: Studio fees: $13/adult, $9/child price of ceramic
Location:
Daily: 11am-5:30pm
Visit the powerful 9/11 Memorial, a huge sunken reflecting pool fountain where the original towers once stood. With advanced tickets you can also visit the 9/11 Museum for a comprehensive exhibit, complete with videos, images, first-hand accounts, and more.
Recommended for older children, ages 12
Price: $21
Location:
Hours:
Museum: Daily (Except Tuesdays): 9am-7pm
Memorial: Daily: 8am-8pm
Take the ferry from Battery Park (or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey) to visit both Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Ferry tickets include admission to the museums on both islands. It is recommended to use public transportation to arrive at Battery Park as parking is extremely limited. A great trip to understand the immigration process and to look up any relatives that may have come via Ellis Island. The ferry ride, beautiful park on Liberty Island, and the incredible NYC views make it a fun time for most kids.
Great for all ages.
Price: $25
Location:
Take the Ferry From
Castle Clinton, Battery Park
Hours: 9am-3pm
The High Line is an incredible, continuous greenway, atop what was once an elevated subway line! Featuring luscious plants and flowers, benches and loungers to chill and relax on, and some focal points along the route, this 1.5 mile park is a very cool destination to visit! For younger kids, bring along a scooter or stroller.
Great for families of all ages.
Price: Free
Location:
Many locations in Chelsea to enter from, see
Hours: 7am-10pm
Another iconic park in NYC not to miss. Bryant Park is a green oasis in middle of midtown, usually with interesting happenings and sights to see. The younger ones will enjoy Le Carousel, the miniature merry-go-round with beautiful vintage horses to ride on. Note that there is no playground equipment in this park. A great option to add along to your day in the city.
Great for all ages.
Price: $4 Carousel Tickets
Location:
Hours:
A photo-worthy "museum" dedicated to all of our favorite's frozen food - Ice Cream! Play in the sprinkle pool, inflatable moon bounces, and take pictures galore. Great fun for all ages. Unfortunately, no eating the treats on offer. Advanced bookings recommended.
Price: From $36.75
Location:
Hours: 9:30am-8pm
You can spend the entire day at New York City's favorite park. With multiple playground areas, lake for boating, a skating rink, and the iconic Central Park Zoo, there is no end for fun (and often free!) activities. The Heckscher Playground, Central Park Carousel, Wollman Rink, for row boat rentals, and Billy Johnson Playground are all great destinations.
From the friendly sea lions to the amazing penguin exhibit, the Central Park Zoo is a must-visit destination for kids and families, in the heart of Central Park.
Price: $14.95/Child $19.95/Adult
Location:
Hours: 10am-4:30pm
It's time to get slimed! The ultimate destination for all things slime; play with it, jump on it, make your own, and explore everything slime has to offer. A great treat for a birthday or Chol Hamoed trip, as it is on the pricier side. Whether you want to bring it into the house is up to you! Advanced tickets are recommended.
Great for all kids obsessed with slime.
Price: $48 (plus fees), includes a DIY slime
Location:
Hours: 10am-6pm
Climb aboard the massive Intrepid Ship in the NY Hudson River and learn all about America's Military, Aviation and Space History. From historic space flights, spy planes, and other military wonders, you will see incredible pieces of our history and military.
Great for older kids ages 8 .
Price: $26/Child $36/Adult Under 4 Free
Location:
Hours: 10am-5pm
A fun and educational museum made just for kids in Manhattan's Upper West Side. With lots of hands-on exhibits it is definitely a nice day's destination if you're up for the shlep!
Great for young children, 8 and under.
Price: $16.75
Location:
Hours: Daily, except Mondays 10am-5pm
An epic museum that is required visiting for every New Yorker at least once. With larger than life exhibits of natural wonders past and present, you will spend a while learning, discovering, taking great pictures, and of course walking (comfy shoes and strollers for kvetchy kids are a must!) See the gigantic Blue Whale, massive dinosaur exhibits, and new for 2024 is the incredible Butterfly Vivarium, where you can walk through a Butterfly habitat and observe them up close.
Price: Pay-What-You-Wish For NY, NJ, and CT residents. Not including ticketed exhibitions or IMAX shows.
Location:
Hours: 10am-5:30pm
Step into your favorite spy movie, only now you're the spy with a mission to complete. Immerse yourself into this interactive spy museum that will test your skills and knowledge and bring your talents to the forefront. Explore real life spy gadgets and famous spies throughout history. A new and unique experience in NYC!
Great for older children, ages 12 .
Price: $37/Child $44/Adult
Location:
Hours: 10am-8:30pm
Who's afraid of heights? Gulp. The Edge is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere! With glass walls all around and even featuring a glass floor area, you will feel as though you're literally in the sky. Located in the , a beautiful shopping and art destination.
Recommended for older children, ages 8 .
Price: $36
Location:
Hours: 9am-11pm
Literally in the Hudson River, this architectural feat of design is essentially a floating lush park! While there are some steps and areas to climb, the park is stroller friendly. Public transportation recommended.
Great for children and families of all ages.
Price: Free
Location:
Hours: 6am-11pm
Take in the city by sky! Take a tram ride from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island for an exciting yet quick trip. Use the vending machine for tram tickets or use your Metro card. Once on the island, enjoy the peace and quiet while still enjoying beautiful city views.
Price: $2.90/ride
Location:
Hours: 6 am-2am
There are some incredible animal enclosures and exhibits at the Bronx Zoo, so if you've never been it's worth checking out. Observe gorillas through a glass wall, visit The Children's Zoo where children can get up close and even feed animals, and take a ride on the Wild Asia Monorail for an incredible ride through animal habitats.
Price: $28.75/Child $37.75/Adult
Location:
Hours: 10am-5pm
Immerse yourself in the beautiful spring garden blooms at the New York Botanical Garden. Spring will bring the blossoming of many incredible plants, so if you're into all things horticulture, make your way to this 250-acre garden.
Great for all ages.
Price: NYC Residents: $4/Child $15/Adult
Location:
Hours: 10am-6pm
