Going on holiday with little ones can be daunting for most parents, whether they’re new to parenthood or seasoned veterans! Juggling unpredictable travel schedules, essential travel documents, and long-packing lists alongside a pair of young children whose mood can change at the drop of a hat (or a pacifier!) isn’t a task that every parent would be too keen to undertake!
But providing that you know how to travel with little ones, getting there can be a breeze; the challenging part is finding a destination you’ll all love. Let’s face it; all parents would love a week-long getaway to The Bahamas to melt away the day-to-day stresses of parenthood, yet The Bahamas, as beautiful as it is, isn’t necessarily known for being the best place to take children.
Instead, you’ll want a destination that compromises your needs for adult time and entertaining your little ones, a destination like New York. The Big Apple is among the best travel destinations for families with its many kid-friendly attractions, restaurants, child-friendly Broadway shows, and much more. Yet, if you still need convincing, we list several reasons why below:.
Some Of The Best Broadway Shows For Kids
The Big Apple offers much entertainment for budding thespians, some of which may even surprise their grown-up counterparts! If you’ve previously held off on taking your children to their first live performance for fear of being bored out of your skull by actors in trashy costumes and pantomime-like catchphrases, be prepared to have your mind blown by New York’s Broadway adaptions of much-loved children’s favorites like Aladdin, Matilda, The Lion King, and much more.
Head to the Minskoff Theater, New Amsterdam Theater, or any other of New York’s kid-friendly theatres to catch one of the above plays in action. Plus, these venues aren’t just limited to plays; you can expect to find opera, circus, puppetry, and much more if musicals/plays don’t tickle your fancy – yet be warned that most theatres will not let children under four years old attend a show so this might not be suitable if you have very young children!
Scrap The SUV And Use Public Transport
If you’re heading on a family getaway to New York from another state, chances are that you will be relying on your family-friendly SUV to get you there and back and get around while you’re in New York. However, in New York, there is no need for an SUV (in fact, driving is discouraged as much as possible!) since there are loads of ways to get around via public or hired transport.
In New York, you can get around using buses, trains, taxis, under/overground subways, and even ride-share applications like Uber or Lyft, which can get you where you need to go for as little as $2.75. Due to this, there is no real need for you to use your own car when you have various cost-effective transport options at your fingertips.
Another advantage of New York’s public transport system is that it serves beyond the borders of The Big Apple, meaning you and your family could visit neighboring states without the hassle of driving yourselves. Whether you’d like to catch a bus from Baltimore to NYC or vice versa, you can plan your journey using travel metasearch engines like Wanderu.
It’s A Haven For Picky Eaters
If kid-friendly food and beverage options are among your main worries when traveling, The Big Apple has your and your children’s backs. Of course, New York is known for its foodie scene, being one of the best places in the world to grab a slice of pizza or a bite of an egg sandwich, but this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t cater to the younger generation too!
Whether you’re looking for an upscale restaurant that also offers a kid’s menu, or if you’d like to take your little ones to a themed restaurant that provides entertainment while they eat – New York has a variety of kid-friendly restaurants from you to choose from.
Although you may find a few kid’s staples on the kid’s menus in New York, like chicken fingers and fries or pizza for those with picky eaters, you’ll also be able to find other culinary delights listed among them like tacos, grilled cheese sandwiches, ice cream floats, fried crepe egg rolls for more adventurous eaters.
Loads Of Scenic Parks To Run Around In
In New York City alone, there are over one-thousand playgrounds, parks, and recreational facilities for families to enjoy. Across the five boroughs, the places you can find for children range from skating rings and woodlands to swimming pools and open spaces, meaning that you don’t have to spend tons of money on fancy activities to keep your kids occupied!
From Central Park to Washington Square, there are tons of green areas for visitors to New York to choose from. Whether your kids want to let off some steam by playing some traditional park games together or if you’d like to head over to one of New York’s many delis to grab some stuff fit for a picnic in the park – the parks of New York serve as their back garden to frolic and play.
Free-For-All Family Entertainment In The Summer
Another reason New York is an excellent choice for families is because of the no-cost festivities put on during the summertime for all New Yorkers to enjoy. From gratis festivals, live music, live performances, and much more, visitors to New York can enjoy endless entertainment for the cost of absolutely nothing!
Some of the most popular events in the summer are Broadway in The Park, Summer in The Square, and Madison Square Kids, but you can always check what free events are happening in New York parks online. As they regularly change depending on the season, and weather, so, ensure you keep an eye on them to double-check what’s on when you’re in the city!
There you have it, five reasons why the Big Apple is one of the best inter-state travel destinations for families.
