New York City is one of my favorite places in the world to visit. The city’s energy is just so unlike anywhere else. And there is so much to see that it is impossible to get bored, which makes Manhattan and New York City the perfect place to visit with a baby.
So when my husband was assigned to go on a last minute work trip to the city, I didn’t hesitate too long. I decided to tag-along with our 8-month old daughter.
Where We Stayed
When visiting New York City, we decided to stay at an AirBnB in the Hell’s Kitchen/Time’s Square area.
We decided on that area due to the proximity to my husband’s client, since this was the main reason for our trip to the city.
After all, we couldn’t have picked a better location.
Rental prices were cheaper compared to other popular areas. And we were still within great walking proximity to most of Manhattan’s sights.
In addition, staying in a more residential area compared to high traffic areas such as directly on Time’s Square ensured that it wasn’t too crowded on the streets and not too loud at night.
Staying at an AirBnB compared to a hotel is our preferred method of traveling, especially with a baby. It allows us to prepare our meals in the kitchen, and it is nice to have a separate living room. This way, we can still hang out in the evenings while the baby is asleep.
The main downside of staying at an AirBnB was that it wasn’t necessarily baby-friendly.
The building did not have an elevator and the apartment was on the third floor, which made it really difficult to get out the door and back with the stroller.
Also, the apartment did not have neither a crib nor a highchair. Sometimes you can filter for these items when booking a vacation rental. But this time, since we booked last minute, we did not find an apartment that offered baby items. Therefore, we brought our own travel crib and got creative when it came to feeding our daughter, sitting on the floor together.
These are things to look out for when booking a place to stay with a baby. Sometimes a hotel could be the better option due to these conveniences.
How to get from JFK to Manhattan with a Baby
When we arrived at JFK airport, we decided to use Uber or Lyft to get to our apartment.
Previously, when visiting New York, we would always either just take the subway or a shuttle bus to save on cost.
This time, we just had a lot more luggage. We were bringing our own travel crib, the baby’s travel stroller, and her car seat in addition to all of our suitcases. So we decided it was too much luggage to take on the train or bus.
And it was in everyone’s best interest to get to the apartment as quickly and easy as possible.
If you don’t bring your own baby’s car seat, you can also hire a car service and request one. Usually, this comes with an additional charge. We decided to bring our own car seat as it was free to check-in with our airline.
How to Get Around in New York with a Baby
While New York City is huge, if you’re staying in Manhattan in a central location, chances are good you can do lots of walking with your baby. Or take the Subway to travel to all the main attractions.
While my husband was at work, me and my daughter just spent the day out and about. I was hesitant to use the subway alone with my daughter in the stroller, just because it can get quite busy. And you always have to look for elevators to take you to the tracks.
Therefore, I decided to walk all around the city, which allowed me to explore and see a lot also.
The city is quite stroller-friendly. There are sidewalks everywhere and whilst they can get quite crowded in busy areas, it is very easy to navigate Manhattan with a baby in the stroller. And you see lots of other families and strollers, too.
Some days, especially when we only went for a short outing in between naps, I used a baby carrier instead of a stroller. This made it even easier to navigate the crowded tourist areas of the city. With a baby carrier, it would also be easier to get on and off the subway without worrying about stairs or if the trains are crowded.
What to See in Manhattan, New York with a Baby
When we visited New York with our baby, I only had two full days to explore the city. There are LOTS of things to see, and most tourist attractions are very family-friendly.
On previous trips to New York, we visited plenty of museums, tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, and saw a Broadway show.
On this trip, I stuck to mainly exploring outdoor areas that were walkable and within walking distance from our apartment. And yet, they still gave me and our daughter a great New York experience. And we didn’t feel like we missed out on anything.
1. The High Line & Hudson Yards
On my first day of exploring Manhattan by foot with a baby, I decided to go to the High Line. It is an elevated linear park built on a historic freight rail line that runs along the west side of Manhattan.
The High Line and Hudson Yards are a really great area in Manhattan to explore with your baby or family for a variety of reasons:
- Scenic Views: The High Line offers fantastic views of the cityscape, including the Hudson River, surrounding neighborhoods, and iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building.
- Stroller-Friendly Path: You can easily access the High Line by elevator from a few different entry spots, which makes it perfect to explore with a stroller.
- Landscaped Gardens & Seating: The park incorporates beautifully designed gardens with a variety of plant species, trees, and flowers. You can also find various seating areas along the route where you can take breaks or feed your baby.
- Art Installations: The High Line often features temporary and permanent art installations along the park, adding an artistic touch to the surroundings.
- Play Areas: The area also offers designated play areas with features like climbing structures, slides, and water features for children. While my baby was not old enough yet to enjoy the play areas, we’ll definitely check them out next time we visit the city.
2. Times Square
Next on our list of places to go was Times Square. It was only a 10 minute walk from our apartment, which was super convenient.
Times Square is a really exciting and vibrant place and definitely a must see when you’re visiting Manhattan with your family and baby. There is so much to see, lots of bright lights and colorful billboards, music, street performers and entertainers. Your baby will get lots of stimulation, and you can spend a while exploring the shops, toy stores, and restaurants.
Times Square is also a very pedestrian-friendly zone, with designated sidewalks and pedestrian plazas. This makes it great to navigate with a stroller, as you don’t need to worry about traffic.
The downside of visiting Times Square with a baby is that it can get really crowded and noisy. There are lots and lots of tourists, and as stimulating as it is, it can easily be overstimulating for your baby. So I would recommend not going there anywhere near nap time, when your baby needs to settle down.
3. Rockefeller Center
The next day, I decided to walk a little further into the heart of Manhattan and headed straight to the Rockefeller Center.
The Rockefeller Plaza and Center are a great area to check out with your baby when you’re exploring Manhattan and New York City with a baby.
Rockefeller Plaza features a spacious outdoor plaza with plenty of room for strolling with a baby or letting them explore their surroundings. In the winter time, there is even an ice skating rink and of course the big Christmas tree to look at.
The plaza also features lots of shopping and dining opportunities and other amenities. And most importantly, you can find restrooms here with changing tables if you need them.
You can also find the tourist attraction Top of the Rock, an observation deck, right there. It offers the most amazing view of the city. We went a few years ago before we had a baby, and we enjoyed it a lot.
Unfortunately we didn’t have the time to go again on this trip, but if you’re interested in getting a panoramic view of the city, you should check it out. It is definitely accessible for families with babies as well.
4. Fifth Avenue
After visiting the Rockefeller Center, we strolled down Fifth Avenue.
It is probably one of the most famous and prestigious streets in New York City. It features upscale shopping, luxury boutiques, iconic department stores, and is a showcase for high-end fashion and cultural institutions.
Fifth Avenue is a great place for shopping in New York. But the street was incredibly busy, with lots of tourists enjoying the renowned landmarks and exploring the big shops.
So with a baby and a stroller, I decided window shopping was the only way to explore the street. But we both enjoyed it, as we got to see a lot, and once again it is a very vibrant and busy part of the city that is interesting to see. And easy to visit with a stroller.
5. Central Park
Our final destination of the day was Central Park. Walking up Fifth Avenue, we eventually hit the green heart of New York City. And it is probably one of the greatest parts to explore with a baby when visiting Manhattan.
Lush greenery, beautiful lakes, and lovely landscapes was all around. It was like stepping into a peaceful oasis right in the heart of the bustling city.
You’ll find everything you need for a family outing there. The park has wide paths that are perfect for strollers. Plus, they’ve got lots of playgrounds where your baby can have a blast and burn off some energy. And there are even designated spots for changing diapers.
Central Park is also home to a fantastic zoo. While we didn’t have time to check it out on our trip, we’ll definitely do it next time.
The park also has beautiful fountains and ponds that you can explore with your baby. They’ll be fascinated by the splashing water and all the pretty sights.
What to Bring – Must-Haves for your Trip to New York with a Baby
When traveling to Manhattan, New York, with our baby, we knew we didn’t want to bring too much. The apartment was small, and with a baby in tow you want to travel as light as possible.
Baby Essentials
When it comes to baby essentials like diapers, wipes, formula, and snacks, I wouldn’t worry too much about bringing those with you. There are stores like Walgreens at almost every corner where you can find all the baby supplies you need. And the stores are often open until super late, too.
Stroller and Baby Carrier
To get around the city, I highly recommend bringing both, a (travel) stroller and a baby carrier*. New York City involves a lot of walking. Having a stroller or baby carrier will keep your little one comfortable and allow you to navigate the city easily. And if you bring both, you can alternate, depending on what works best for you.
Portable Changing Pad
A portable changing pad* is something that should not be missing from your diaper bag. Even though there are lots of public restrooms with baby changing tables all around the city, they might not always be the cleanest. Or, you might not come across a changing table and need to get creative when it comes to changing your baby while out and about.
A portable changing pad* will come in handy in any of these occasions.
Blankets & Rain Cover
New York City weather can be unpredictable. So it’s always a great idea to bring the rain cover for your stroller or any other rain gear for your baby. Especially since you will be spending lots of time outside.
In addition, bringing a light blanket is also a fantastic idea. If it gets cold, you can use it to warm your baby. In the warmer months, you can use it e.g. when visiting Central Park, to take your baby out of the stroller and let it roam around.
The Downsides of Visiting Manhattan and New York City with a Baby
Visiting New York with our baby was a great experience. I was surprised how easy it was to navigate the city with a baby, and we got to explore quite a bit.
But going to Manhattan with a little one might not always work for everyone.
The city is incredibly busy. No matter what season, there are always lots of tourists around.
And this can be quite stressful, especially when you are out and about with a stroller. Busy sidewalks, lots of people in front of sights, full trains. It’s definitely easier to see certain parts of the city while using a baby carrier just due to the space.
In addition, lots of people means lots of noise. So if you or your baby are sensitive to lots of noise, it might not be the best idea to visit Manhattan or New York City.
Final Thoughts and Advice on Visiting Manhattan and New York City with a Baby
Get out Early
New York City is a busy place, no matter what time of day. But if your baby is an early riser like mine, it might be a good idea to get out early.
Early in the morning you probably won’t find the biggest crowds of tourists yet. This gives you and your baby more space to explore the city in peace.
Check on Google for the Busiest Times at Certain Attractions
For lots of places, Google indicates what time of day are the busiest. And waiting in line with a restless baby is definitely no fun.
So if you want to check out certain tourist attractions, it is a good idea to look for the least busy times and plan your visit around those.
Don’t Plan too Many Things to Do in One Day
New York City offers more things to do than I can count, and I wish I could see them all on every trip. But especially with a little one, it can get quite overwhelming to have a fully packed day of sightseeing.
You never know if they have a bad day with lots of teething and just want to be held. Or if all the stimulation of being in a new place is too much. Sometimes, they also just need lots of time to wiggle around. This means you might spent 2 hours at the park instead of the planned 20 minute break.
Therefore, it is better to only plan for a few things to do each day, with lots of buffer room, and then maybe make a list of bonus things to see. If you have more time to check things off of your bonus list – great! And if not, you at least didn’t set yourself up for failure but can go into the day with realistic expectations.
Eat out for Lunch instead of Dinner
If you enjoy going out to eat, think about getting our for lunch instead of dinner. Places are usually less crowded, and it might also be easier to get a reservation.
And with a little one, going out for lunch has been a much more pleasant experience compared to dinner. Lunch is usually a quicker meal, a smaller crowd, and my baby is not cranky yet with it being close to bedtime.
Conclusion
All in all, visiting Manhattan, New York, with our baby girl has been an amazing experience and went much better than I expected.
The fact alone that you can walk to a lot of places and can navigate the city with a stroller makes it perfect for a family vacation. And if you plan and prepare a little bit beforehand, you’ll be able to make great memories for a lifetime!
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