Best Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City
We love New York City. It’s less than five hours from where we live outside Washington, DC and it’s such a fun place to visit with kids, as well as teens. We loved taking the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and enjoying the night views from the top of the Empire State Building. Even just exploring the city by subway was a lot of fun.
One look online and you’ll find many hotel options all over town, even in Brooklyn and Queens. After a few visits, you may know just what part of town you want to stay in, but I personally still love and recommend staying in and around Times Square.
Yes, tourists do gravitate toward Times Square, but it’s also easy to get around with Times Square as a home base. There are lots of different subway lines in Times Square and a lot of my kids’ favorites are in Times Square too, like M&Ms World and Hershey’s Chocolate World.
Here are my picks for the best New York City family hotels. You can also click here to check out the latest deals on hotels in New York City.
New York City Family Hotels
The Kimpton Muse Hotel
The Kimpton Muse Hotel in Manhattan is in the perfect location for all of your family fun, an easy pick for my list of the best New York City family hotels. At only one block away from Times Square, this hotel is centrally located so that you can make the most of your trip to New York City. The Kimpton Muse is the perfect hotel to stay at if your vacation includes seeing a show on Broadway.
When you check into The Kimpton Muse Hotel your children will receive a customized gift that might include matchbox cars, coloring books, kid-friendly city guidebooks and more. They also offer free wi-fi and kid-sized bathrobes. For parents, there is a complimentary wine reception in the lobby from 5 to 6 pm (this is always a favorite of mine).
Ask about the “Mini Muse” program at The Kimpton Muse Hotel. This package includes a morning chocolate milk, nightly juice or sparkling cider, fun animal print bathrobes and a scavenger hunt around the hotel and nearby kid-friendly attractions. Or, check out the “Inner Artist” package, which includes a private art lesson and a clay kit for in-room fun.
Click here for more details and the latest rates at The Kimpton Muse Hotel
Parker New York
The Parker New York is another fantastic option for families. It is also centrally-located in the heart of the city and is within walking distance to over 40 theatres and dozens of shops and restaurants. The rooms are spacious and quiet — something that is difficult to find in Manhattan. As a bonus, many rooms offer excellent views of the Empire State Building and the Hudson River.
The hotel offers a gym, basketball court and an indoor pool. There are several kid-friendly dining options within the hotel’s restaurants, Norma’s and The Burger Joint, or you can check out some of the family-friendly restaurants within walking distance of one of the best New York City family hotels.
The Parker New York is just two blocks away from Central Park so your family can enjoy tennis, horseback riding and plenty of hiking and biking options within the park.
Click here for more details and the latest rates at the Parker New York.
Hotel Wales
If you have your eye on a room on the Upper East Side, book a stay with your kids at Hotel Wales. It’s within two blocks of Central Park and is close to kid-friendly restaurants, like Marco Polo Pizza Café, as well as The Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
As a bonus, Hotel Wales offers Family Suites with kitchenettes for those that are planning an extended stay and want to save a little money by cooking some of their own food. Hotel Wales also offers several specials including discounts when you book your room in advance and a package that includes museum passes for the museums on Museum Mile.
If your trip to New York is focused on visiting museums, this hotel is a great pick. Or, if shopping at American Girl Place or the Nintendo World Store is on your agenda, Hotel Wales has you covered too. It’s just a few minutes away from both places, as well as the Central Park Zoo, making Hotel Wales an easy choice for one of the most family-friendly hotels in New York City.
Click here for more details and the latest rates at Hotel Wales.
Travel Inn Hotel
If you are looking for a good budget option for your family, check into the Travel Inn Hotel. The hotel boasts a great outdoor pool (so rare in the city) that the kids will love on warm sunny days after a full day of touring around New York City.
The location of the hotel is central to the city, close to the major subway lines and within 10 minutes of Times Square. It’s located within the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood which offers many great restaurant options.
The rooms are a nice size which makes them more comfortable for a family. Rooms also boast a microwave and a mini fridge, making the Travel Inn Hotel an economical pick for those who want to bring meals and snacks back to the room.
Click here for more details and the latest rates at the Travel Inn Hotel.
Omni Berkshire Place
Just a 10 minute walk from Grand Central Station, the Omni Berkshire Place is another wonderful option for a family stay. The hotel is close to lots of family-friendly attractions, including Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center and The Museum of Modern Art
At check-in, your kids will receive a little package with some games and other fun surprises. You will also want to sign up for the free loyalty program which will give you free wi-fi access during your stay plus free beverages delivered to your room.
Start your day with the breakfast buffet at The Art of Breakfast inside the hotel or venture out to a variety of restaurants that are within easy walking distance of the hotel. You can also request a mini fridge in your room if you plan to keep any food with you at at one of the best family hotels in New York City.
For fans of American Girl dolls, ask about the American Girl Package, which includes a special doll bed, breakfast in the hotel and a special evening treat of milk and cookies with the turndown service.
Click here for more details and the latest rates at the Omni Berkshire Place.
To save money while in New York, I recommend a New York CityPASS. It’s a multi-attraction pass that combines entry to up to six attractions, including the Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Museum of Natural History. You can save up to 44% compared to buying tickets to individual attractions. When traveling as a family, the savings can be huge.
What would you add to this list of the best New York City family hotels? Let me know in the comments section below.
