These Are Best Family Activities That Are Open in NYC Now
45 reasons to love (and explore) New York City before the end of the year
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Talk quietly at the whispering gallery at Grand Central Terminal. You go to one corner and your kiddo goes to another—and you can hear each other whisper. It’s cool. Then you can stare at the zodiac ceiling.
Get lost in the American Museum of Natural History. Dinosaurs, gigantic crystals, and a 94-foot-long blue whale, need we say more? Don’t forget to stop by The Nature of Color, a special exhibit that explores the world of color.
See part of the 1964 World’s Fair atop the aviary at the Queens Zoo in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens. You’ll also meet animals from North and South America without leaving the World’s Borough!
Climb on Alice in Wonderland in Central Park. Clamber over and hide under bronze mushrooms at Alice’s feet.
Get cultured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Priceless artifacts and works of art, mummies, and so much more make this a thrilling educational ride (metmuseum.org).
Meander through the LuminoCity Festival displays on Randall’s Island. You’ll see LED light sculptures of Insta-famous dogs and cats (including Smoothie the cat), a Mysterious Forest, and more.
Take in art at MoMA. Because everyone needs to see Monet’s “Water Lilies” in person—and there’s plenty of other colors, shapes, and awesomeness.
See the world’s tallest Hot Light at Krispy Kreme Times Square. Then see how the doughnuts are made and enjoy the special edition Big Apple doughnut, only available at this location.
Meet King Nyani, the world’s largest gorilla sculpture, in Bella Abzug Park in Hudson Yards. On display through next summer, the sculpture aims to raise awareness of the critically endangered gorilla species.
Help your kids learn fire safety at FDNY Fire Zone. Kids can climb on a realistic fire truck, try on bunker gear, meet a firefighter, and more.
Stand in awe at the Rockefeller Center tree. Official details about the 2020 Christmas tree and tree lighting ceremony have not been released as of press, but we do know that COVID-19 won’t stop this holiday tradition!
Watch a show at Puppetworks Theater in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It’s a nonprofit puppet theater with handmade wood marionettes and deep Brooklyn roots—and it’s operating at 25-percent capacity.
Head to the historic boiler room of Chelsea Market to experience ARTECHOUSE. The immersive art space will be transformed into unique expressions of Pantone’s Color of the Year 2020, Classic Blue, beginning Oct. 22.
Skate at the iconic Rockefeller Center ice rink. While the official details of its opening are still to be announced as of press, The Rink at Rockefeller Center will reopen to ice skaters this fall with guidelines in place to maintain social distancing.
Get your fill of all things sweet and sour at the Sour Patch Kids Store in Greenwich Village. Enjoy photo ops, special edition merch, and a one-of-a-kind dessert menu featuring the sour-sweet candy.
See more art at the Brooklyn Museum. No matter the exhibit, something is always bright and interesting here.
Take a moment of remembrance at the 9/11 Memorial. Then visit the museum to see artifacts, hear personal stories, and learn about the events of Sept. 11 and the aftermath.
See a miniature version of NYC at Queens Museum. The Panorama of the City of New York was originally built for the 1964 World’s Fair and is considered the crown jewel of the museum’s collection.
Visit Roosevelt Island via tram. The novelty of a tram ride over the East River combines with the wonder of visiting a built-up island with space to roam.
Explore Jewish culture, history, and traditions at the Jewish Children’s Museum. The Brooklyn institution even has an indoor mini-golf course celebrating six major Jewish life events.
Stand 100 stories above NYC when you visit the Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere! The deck features a glass floor, so you can observe the ant-like city streets below.
Go to the Central Park Zoo. A classic zoo experience in the middle of Manhattan, it’s a smaller scale than its Bronx cousin, but it still includes polar bears, seals, and snakes. Plus, the children’s section has a petting zoo.
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Dylan’s Candy Bar. Tap your inner Willy Wonka at this retail testament to sugar, which now has four NYC locations: the Upper East Side, Columbus Circle, Hudson Yards, and Soho.
