Top Museums for Kids in NYC | Where to go in NYC with Kids

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15 Top Museums for Kids in NYC+−
Top Museums for Kids in NYC to Learn History+−
Top Museums for Kids in NYC for Art+−

New York City offers families a top destination to explore. Even after exploring for 10 days, this TravelingMom still left the Big Apple without seeing all she came to see, especially the museums. So plan wisely and mix NYC’s world-class museums in daily for your trip. Read on for her list of top museums for kids in NYC.

The Guggenheim Museum. Top Museums for kids in NYC. — A Frank Lloyd Wright landmark, the Guggenheim offers an excellent art collection. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

15 Top Museums for Kids in NYC

1. American Museum of Natural History
2. The Hayden Planetarium
3. Intrepid Sea Land and Space Museum

Best Museums to Learn History
4. Statue of Liberty
5. Ellis Island Immigration Museum
6. Lower East Side Tenement Museum
7. Federal Hall National Monument
8. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Art Museums for Kids
9. Museum of Modern Art–MoMA
10. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
11. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
12. The Whitney Museum of American Art
13. The Morgan Library and Museum
14. American Folk Art Museum
15. The Frick Collection

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New York City offers a top destination for families with museums, shopping, and shows. But kids are hard to please, so how do you find the top museums for kids in NYC?

For families looking for museum fun, find museums that appeal to kids’ interests. If animals are tops, then a trip to the American Museum of Natural History is a must. For explorers and aviation buffs, a visit to the Intrepid Sea Land and Space Museum is hard to miss. Creative kids should love the MoMA and The Met, both top art museums in the world.

Everyone should visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as top museums for kids in NYC.

1. American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History is a must. — A must for kids, the American Museum of Natural History. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Central Park West At 79th St. Open from 10 a.m. To 5:45 p.m. Admission based on age, separate tickets required for Planetarium. Babies under 2 free.

A must for families with kids of all ages, my teen daughter spent hours exploring. This sprawling American Museum of Natural History lands as one of the top museums for Kids in NYC. Exploring this museum could take all day, so hit the highlights, like the Hall of Dinosaurs, “Lucy” the early human, the giant blue whale, and the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda along with the Hall of North American Mammals.

2. The Hayden Planetarium

Carve out a little time for the Hayden Planetarium (located at the American Museum of Natural History) to learn more about the world beyond our atmosphere.

TravelingMomTip: I recommend eating lunch at the Natural History Museum. The Museum Food Court on the lower level features family favorites. Reserve tickets to the Hayden Planetarium before arriving to make the best use of your time.

3. Intrepid Sea Land Space Museum

Explore the Intrepid. Top Museums for Kids in NYC. — In New York City, kids can explore the Intrepid, an aircraft carrier to see the Concorde, a supersonic jet and a retired space shuttle. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Pier 86 W.46^th St. at 11^th Avenue. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission based on age.

As a top destination for kids along with the American Museum of Natural History, this is a must for school-age kids. Don’t let the aircraft carrier throw you off; I found more than military aircraft.

Clamber across the deck of the USS Intrepid to see a retired Concorde. Then see one of the retired space shuttles, the Orbiter Enterprise, one of several on display across the U.S.

Top Museums for Kids in NYC to Learn History

New York City is packed with history, and learning history can be fun with these top museums for kids in NYC to learn history.

4. Statue of Liberty

Grab a ferry and explore the Statue of Liberty during your trip to New York City. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

New York City Harbor. Hours vary by season.

A symbol of freedom and liberty known world-wide, the Statue of Liberty sits on a 12-acre island in the middle of the New York Harbor. Learn about the construction of the statue in the museum under the statue.

5. Ellis Island Immigration Museum

A 6-year-old explores the Statue of Liberty Museum. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

New York City Harbor. Hours vary by season. Free Admission to Museum though a Statue of Liberty ferry ticket is required.

From 1892 until 1954, Ellis Island welcomed 12 million immigrants to the United States. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum walks visitors through the facility that processed close to 5,000 people a day.

Do not miss the Statue of Liberty (SOL) Museum. Whether you are local or visiting and have been to the SOL before, go back to get an in-depth look at how the SOL was built and renewed.

What Kids Say about the Statue of Liberty Museum

Sometimes the word MUSEUM can evoke blank stares and eye rolls from kids. TravelingMom publisher, Kim Orlando, took her 15 and 6-year-old cousins and the kids found it to be “a really cool museum” (their words). The 6-year-old loved that he was allowed, even encouraged, to touch everything. He got to climb onto the bronzed foot of the SOL and stick his hand up a bronzed cast of her nose. Yuk but super cool to a 6-year-old. The 15-year-old couldn’t resist the technology. One of the interactive spots required him to snap a picture of himself that was sent to a “big screen” to create a SOL. Another spot asked him to choose images that represented liberty to him and produced stats on how many people agreed with him.

Getting an up-close look at the old torch is like seeing a 9th world wonder because of its size. There is just no way to get that kind of perspective from a boat, the ground or even a helicopter.

The technology at the Statue of Liberty Museum is fantastic and the story is well designed with narrative signs and models that demonstrate the construction from the beginning in 1884 and from every angle. Museum admission is FREE but you will need to purchase a ferry ticket to get to Liberty Island. When we have visitors from out of town, we get our Liberty Island tickets from Statue Cruises.

TravelingMom Tip: Operated by Statue Cruises, the ferry departs from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. Explore the Statue of Liberty first and re-board ferry to tour Ellis Island, an additional stop.

6. Lower East Side Tenement Museum

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum walks families through immigrant’s apartments from different countries. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

Visitor Center 103 Orchard St. Open every day from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Admission based on age.

Walk through history in a preserved tenement building at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. Tour the building that housed 7,000 working-class immigrants from 1863 until 1935.

With specialized tours focusing on Irish immigrants, Jewish immigrants and sweatshop workers along with neighborhood tours, you’ll get an understanding of an immigrant’s life over a hundred years ago.

TravelingMom Tip: Most tours are best suited for kids 8 and up. No strollers allowed.

7. Federal Hall National Monument

As the first U.S. Capital and spot where George Washington took the oath of office, the Federal Hall offers history lessons for families. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

26 Wall Street. Open Monday Through Friday From 9 a.m. To 5 p.m. Free

The Federal Hall National Monument building served as the first capital of the United States, the Supreme Court, and the Executive Branch offices. George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States at Federal Hall as well.

8. The 9/11 Museum

Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Top Museums for kids in NYC. — A visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a must since most kids were born after the attacks. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

180 Greenwich St. Open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission depending on age, Kids 6 and under free.

As a former American Airlines flight attendant that lived through that horrific day, I visit the 9/11 Memorial to remember my former colleagues. The memorial is a somber space that gives visitors a place to reflect.

Walk through the 9/11 Museum to see the artifacts from the World Trade Center and the actual recording of emergency calls. Touring the museum is an emotional experience although the area around the WTC has recovered, experiencing a rebirth.

TravelingMom Tip: Please be respectful of other visitors at the Memorial and Museum.

Top Museums for Kids in NYC for Art

For some kids, art museums are a hard sell, so start with the MoMA. Work your way down the list of these top museums for kids in NYC.

For art-loving kids, work up the list, save the MoMA and The Met for last. You can become desensitized after see so many Picassos and Monets.

9. Museum of Modern Art MoMA

MoMA. Top Museums for Kids in NYC. — A glance at Van Gogh’s Starry Night is a must when visiting NYC with kids. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

11 W. 53th St. Open from 10:30 a.m. To 5:30 p.m. Admission based on age, Kids Under 16 Free

If your kids have short attention spans, head straight for the Fifth Floor. That’s where I found Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh and Dance by Henri Matisse, along with works from Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo and Pablo Picasso.

Kids under 16 get in free and the MoMA hands out guides for family visits. Walk through the gift shop for unique souvenirs.

10. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Visit The Met. Top Museums for Kids in NYC. — More than art, kids can explore different rooms and submerge themselves in art. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

1000 5^th Ave. Open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission based on age and kids 12 and under free.

At the largest art museum in the U.S., the Metropolitan Museum of Art is definitely one of the top museums in NYC for kids. You can explore all day and still not see it all. So check out the map when you enter and concentrate on your interests.

My favorites are The Temple of Dendur, the Medieval Art for its imposing display, and the American Wing. Yet don’t miss the extensive collection of European Masters.

TravelingMom Tip: Need a break? Grab a snack or light meal at any of the cafes located in The Met.

11. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

1071 5^th Ave. Open Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Closed Thursday. Admission based on age, Kids Under 12 Free

I love the Guggenheim for the architecture, originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Take the elevator to the top floor and work your way down.

TravelingMom Tip: Keep an eye on the kids who might be tempted to walk a bit too fast.

12. The Whitney Museum of American Art

99 Gansevoort St. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed on Tuesday. Admission based on age, kids under 18 are free.

Anchoring the southern end of High Line Park, The Whitney showcases contemporary art from the 20^th and 21^st century with a focus on living artists.

13. The Morgan Library and Museum

The Morgan Library. Top Museums for kids in NYC. — The Morgan Library looks like a room from Hogwarts. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

225 Madison Ave. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Monday. Admission based on age, kids under 12 are free.

My favorite space to explore is Pierpont Morgan’s three-story library, rotunda and study. The opulent interiors have to be visited to appreciate. I think the library looks like something from Hogwarts.

14. American Folk Art Museum

2 Lincoln Center. Open Monday to Thursday from 11:30 to 7 p.m., Friday from noon to 7:30 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Free

A collection of folk art from primarily self-taught artists from the 18^th century to present.

15. The Frick Collection

1 E. 70^th St. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Monday. Admission depending on age. Kids under 10 not permitted.

With a premier collection of Old Masters works along with European furnishings, The Frick offers a sensory delight for lovers of the art and interiors of the Old World.

Did we miss your favorite? Share with us in the comments your top museums for kids in NYC!

15 Best Museums for Kids in NYC