NYC Family Adventure: Museums, Gaming & Street Food

Day 1

Times Square - Midtown Manhattan

Arrival Day: Times Square Exploration & Gaming Fun

Arrival at JFK Airport - Check-in at Times Square Hotel - The LEGO Store - Pick & Build Adventure - Nintendo New York - Retro Gaming Wonderland - Junior's Restaurant - Classic NYC Dinner

Day 2

Upper West Side - Central Park

Museum Day: Natural History & Central Park

Hotel Morning Start - Club Quarters Times Square - American Museum of Natural History - Dinosaur & Space Adventure - Whole Foods Market - Quick Lunch & Snack Stop - Central Park - Belvedere Castle & The Ramble Exploration - Junior's Restaurant & Cheesecake - Iconic NYC Dinner

Day 3

Upper East Side - Central Park East

Art & Culture: The Metropolitan Museum Adventure

Times Square Hotel - Morning Departure - The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Ancient Treasures Tour - Whole Foods Market - Quick Lunch Break - Central Park East Side Exploration - Junior's Restaurant - Dinner & Famous Cheesecake

Day 4

Lower Manhattan - Brooklyn Bridge - DUMBO Brooklyn

Downtown Adventure: One World & Brooklyn Bridge

Times Square Hotel - Morning Departure - One World Observatory - Sky High Experience - Berber Street Food - Quick Lunch - Brooklyn Bridge - Iconic Walk & Photo Adventure - DUMBO Brooklyn - Waterfront Exploration - Street Food Dinner - Lower Manhattan

Day 5

Midtown Manhattan - Hell's Kitchen - Hudson River Waterfront

Midtown Icons: Empire State & Intrepid Museum

Wake Up at Millennium Premier Times Square - Empire State Building Observatory Experience - Junior's Restaurant Lunch & Cheesecake - Intrepid Museum - Sea, Air & Space Adventure - Costas Latin Street Food - Quick Dinner

Day 6

Midtown Manhattan - Times Square

Flexible Day: Food Markets, Final Favorites & Farewell Dinner

Wake Up at Millennium Premier Times Square - 37th Street Food Market Lunch Adventure - National Museum of Mathematics - Interactive Exploration - Radio City Music Hall - Behind-the-Scenes Tour - Junior's Restaurant - Farewell Cheesecake Dinner

Day 7

Times Square - Midtown Manhattan - JFK Airport

Departure Day: Morning Farewell & JFK Transfer

Hotel Wake-up & Checkout - Junior's Restaurant - Farewell Brunch - Times Square - Final Family Photos - JFK Airport - Terminal Check-in

Day 1

Dec 10

Times Square - Midtown Manhattan

Arrival Day: Times Square Exploration & Gaming Fun

Arrive at JFK at 1:00 PM and transfer to Times Square hotel. After check-in and settling in, explore the immediate area with a focus on kid-friendly fun. Visit the LEGO Store at Rockefeller Center to let your son explore the massive Pick A Brick wall and check out exclusive sets. Then head to Nintendo New York for retro gaming nostalgia and hands-on demos. End the evening experiencing the energy of Times Square at night, grabbing dinner from street food vendors or a casual family restaurant.

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Relaxed

Pace Level

USD 656

Estimated Cost

Land at Arrival at JFK Airport

27.03km, 51 mins

Suggested check-in14:30(1 hour)

670m, 10 mins

Enjoy fun for1 hour 30 mins(16:00 - 17:30)

Tips: Set a budget before entering - it's easy to get carried away! The Pick A Brick wall lets you fill a cup with individual pieces, perfect for creative builders. Visit on Wednesday to avoid weekend crowds.

290m, 4 mins

Enjoy fun for1 hour 15 mins(17:45 - 19:00)

Tips: Wednesday evenings are usually less crowded than weekends. Take photos with the life-size character displays - they're Instagram-worthy! Demo stations are first-come, first-served.

830m, 12 mins

Enjoy foods for1 hour 15 mins(19:15 - 20:30)

510m, 8 mins

Day 2

Dec 11

Upper West Side - Central Park

Museum Day: Natural History & Central Park

A full day exploring one of the world's greatest natural history museums followed by Central Park adventures. Start with dinosaurs, space shows, and fascinating exhibits perfect for curious 12-year-olds, then enjoy the fresh air and scenery of Central Park. The geographic concentration (museum is right on Central Park) means minimal travel time and maximum exploration.

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Moderate

Pace Level

USD 328

Estimated Cost

Return to Hotel Morning Start - Club Quarters Times Square

4.01km, 29 mins

Enjoy fun for4 hours(10:00 - 14:00)

Tips: Pro tip: Download the museum's mobile app for interactive maps and audio guides. The T-Rex and Titanosaur are must-sees! If your son loves space, add a planetarium show ($13 extra but worth it). The museum café has decent food, or bring snacks to save money.

1.79km, 26 mins

Enjoy foods for45 mins(14:15 - 15:00)

400m, 15 mins

Enjoy fun for2 hours 15 mins(15:15 - 17:30)

Tips: Belvedere Castle offers free entry and panoramic views - great photo op! The Ramble is like a forest maze in the middle of the city. If it's too cold, head to the park's southern end toward Wollman Rink to watch ice skaters.

2.5km, 45 mins

Enjoy foods for1 hour 30 mins(18:30 - 20:00)

510m, 8 mins

Day 3

Dec 12

Upper East Side - Central Park East

Art & Culture: The Metropolitan Museum Adventure

A captivating day exploring one of the world's greatest museums with exhibits spanning 5,000 years of human creativity. The Met's vast collection will engage your 12-year-old with ancient Egyptian temples, medieval armor, and dramatic Greek sculptures. Strategic breaks and a focus on highlights ensure an enriching experience without museum fatigue. The day stays concentrated in the Upper East Side and Central Park area for minimal transit time.

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Moderate

Pace Level

USD 268

Estimated Cost

Suggested check-in08:00(1 hour)

4.25km, 32 mins

Enjoy fun for3 hours 30 mins(10:00 - 13:30)

Tips: Pro tip: Grab a museum map at entrance and highlight 3-4 must-see areas to avoid overwhelm. The Met is HUGE - trying to see everything will exhaust everyone. Take a snack break at the museum café around noon to recharge. The rooftop garden is closed in December, but the Great Hall entrance is spectacular for photos!

2.49km, 35 mins

Enjoy foods for45 mins(13:45 - 14:30)

500m, 15 mins

Enjoy fun for1 hour 45 mins(14:45 - 16:30)

Tips: December in NYC averages 35-45°F - bundle up! The park is safe and beautiful in winter, but it gets dark around 4:30 PM. Stick to main paths and you'll see other families enjoying the space. Hot chocolate vendors are often near park entrances if you need a warm-up.

2.5km, 1 hour

Enjoy foods for1 hour 30 mins(17:30 - 19:00)

310m, 5 mins

Day 4

Dec 13

Lower Manhattan - Brooklyn Bridge - DUMBO Brooklyn

Downtown Adventure: One World & Brooklyn Bridge

An exciting downtown day exploring Lower Manhattan's iconic landmarks. Start with breathtaking views from One World Observatory, then walk the legendary Brooklyn Bridge for an unforgettable NYC experience. This day takes you away from the Midtown hustle to discover the historic and modern downtown, with plenty of photo opportunities and kid-friendly activities.

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Active

Pace Level

USD 295

Estimated Cost

Return to Times Square Hotel - Morning Departure

5.99km, 25 mins

Enjoy fun for2 hours 30 mins(10:00 - 12:30)

Tips: Book tickets online in advance to skip lines! Visit the Sky Portal multiple times - your son will love the sensation of 'walking on air' 1,250 feet above the ground. The interactive City Pulse screens let you explore NYC landmarks by touching them.

700m, 15 mins

Enjoy foods for45 mins(12:45 - 13:30)

1.2km, 30 mins

Enjoy fun for1 hour 15 mins(14:00 - 15:15)

Tips: Start from the Manhattan side (near City Hall) heading to Brooklyn - this gives you the best skyline views as you walk. The bridge can be crowded, so stay on the pedestrian side (not the bike lane). Sunset timing would be magical, but afternoon works great too!

200m, 0

Enjoy fun for1 hour 15 mins(15:15 - 16:30)

Tips: Don't miss Jane's Carousel - a beautifully restored 1922 carousel in a glass pavilion (small fee, worth it for younger kids). Time Out Market Brooklyn is nearby if you need snacks or bathroom break!

3.5km, 1 hour

Enjoy foods for1 hour(17:30 - 18:30)

4.2km, 1 hour 30 mins

Day 5

Dec 14

Midtown Manhattan - Hell's Kitchen - Hudson River Waterfront

Midtown Icons: Empire State & Intrepid Museum

Experience two of NYC's most iconic attractions today. Start with the legendary Empire State Building, exploring its interactive museum and breathtaking observatory views. Then journey to the Hudson River waterfront to board the historic Intrepid aircraft carrier, where your son can explore a real space shuttle, supersonic jets, and a Cold War submarine. This day perfectly combines classic NYC landmarks with hands-on military and space history that will captivate a 12-year-old.

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Moderate

Pace Level

USD 336.5

Estimated Cost

Return to Wake Up at Millennium Premier Times Square

1.24km, 18 mins

Enjoy fun for3 hours(09:30 - 12:30)

Tips: Book tickets online in advance to skip the ticket line. Arrive right at opening (9:30 AM) to beat the crowds - mornings are much less crowded than afternoons. The 2nd floor museum is included with all tickets, so don't rush past it!

1.34km, 20 mins

Enjoy foods for1 hour(12:45 - 13:45)

1.5km, 21 mins

Enjoy fun for3 hours(14:30 - 17:30)

Tips: Don't miss the submarine tour - it's included and super cool for kids! The flight deck can be windy and cold in December, so bundle up. Download the Intrepid app for self-guided tours with audio content perfect for curious 12-year-olds.

3.89km, 35 mins

Enjoy foods for1 hour(18:00 - 19:00)

1.02km, 15 mins

Day 6

Dec 15

Midtown Manhattan - Times Square

Flexible Day: Food Markets, Final Favorites & Farewell Dinner

A relaxed final full day in NYC designed for flexibility and favorite revisits. Start with a late breakfast, explore the vibrant 37th Street Food Market for diverse lunch options, visit the interactive National Museum of Mathematics for hands-on fun, take the Radio City Music Hall tour to see behind-the-scenes of this iconic venue, and end with a special farewell dinner at Junior's Restaurant for their world-famous cheesecake. This day stays centrally located in Midtown for convenience and easy return to your hotel for packing.

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Relaxed

Pace Level

USD 315

Estimated Cost

Return to Wake Up at Millennium Premier Times Square

1.52km, 22 mins

Enjoy foods for1 hour 30 mins(11:00 - 12:30)

2.01km, 29 mins

Enjoy fun for2 hours 15 mins(13:15 - 15:30)

Tips: Don't miss the 'Math Square' interactive floor where you trigger lights and sounds with your movements - it's like a real-life video game! The square-wheeled trike on a special track is the Instagram moment your son will want to capture.

2.06km, 30 mins

Enjoy fun for1 hour(16:00 - 17:00)

Tips: The tour includes fascinating stories about performers who've graced the Great Stage. As music lovers, you'll appreciate learning about the venue's incredible acoustics and history of legendary concerts.

1km, 14 mins

Enjoy foods for2 hours(18:00 - 20:00)

310m, 5 mins

Day 7

Dec 16

Times Square - Midtown Manhattan - JFK Airport

Departure Day: Morning Farewell & JFK Transfer

Your final morning in the city that never sleeps! Enjoy a relaxed hotel breakfast, take one last stroll through the electric energy of Times Square, and savor a final NYC meal before heading to JFK for your 6:15 PM evening flight. With an evening departure, you have the whole morning and early afternoon to soak in those last moments of your family adventure.

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Relaxed

Pace Level

USD 1,379

Estimated Cost

Return to Hotel Wake-up & Checkout

310m, 5 mins

Enjoy foods for1 hour 30 mins(11:30 - 13:00)

100m, 5 mins

Enjoy fun for1 hour(13:00 - 14:00)

Tips: The TKTS red steps are perfect for family photos with the Times Square backdrop. Visit in daylight for different vibes than your nighttime explorations earlier in the trip!

17km, 1 hour

Land at JFK Airport - Terminal Check-in