Where to Stay in New York City with Family: Best Areas for Families

New York City is one of the top tourist destinations, and justly so. To give you an idea, more than 66 million people visit the city yearly. The bustling streets, the culture, food, shopping, and art scene attract millions to this free-spirited city. Personally, it’s the energy and diversity of this place that has always drawn me in.

This concrete jungle, where dreams are made, is a place of inspiration, world-famous landmarks, and excitement. If you plan to travel to this happening city with your family, a brief guide to the city will surely come in handy…like this one!

Check out these best options on where to stay in New York City with family.

Where to Stay in New York City with Family

Personally, if I ever travel with family, I consider three points.

• Area
• Budget
• Amenities (Free is better)

New York has five boroughs where many tourists stay, including The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island, further divided into more counties. So, New York would be an excellent place to start if you ever want to revisit your middle school geography class.

Best Family-Friendly Places to Stay in New York City

Nevertheless, the best family hotels in New York City are in the locations mentioned above. I’ve focused on these counties and adjoining neighborhoods to search for the best hotels for your New York family trip.

To find the best family-friendly hotels, I’ve jotted down the list with the best safety provisions, how close they are to tourist attractions, and what amenities they provide.

New York City has many hotels, so you will not have difficulty finding one. However, choosing a hotel with so many available options is confusing. Thankfully, many hotels in New York City are kid-friendly and facilitate tourists in many ways.

Some NYC hotels are cost-effective, but some places ask for a splurge. So, it depends on your budget and what you are looking for in family hotels.

Flatiron and NoMad

Flatiron and NoMad are renowned for their family-friendly environment; these areas neighbor each other. The Flatiron building is a famous landmark of New York City, while NoMad has risen in popularity in the past few years.

The area is great for kids; NoMad and Flatiron are neighborhoods separated by Madison Square Park. The area sees a rush of the crowd with trendy cafes, busy bars, and big restaurants.

The NoMad district also has a National Mathematics Museum NoMath (pun intended), which is a children’s and adults’ favorite…well, seeing as it’s about math, “favorite” might be a bit generous, but it is honestly pretty darned interesting. The area has some of the best family-friendly hotels, with The Freehand NYC being the most affordable.

The Freehand NYC – Flatiron

If you consider pocketbook-friendly hotels, this one offers large social areas and spacious rooms. The atmosphere is elevated with large plants and a touch of wood furniture.

The best part? They have three’s company and quad bunk bedrooms perfect for prominent families. Also, super reasonable if you want to save money for the price of four separate spacious rooms.

Freehand NYC is situated in the heart of the Flatiron District. It is within seven minutes distance from the excellent flatiron building. Yes, you must have seen the same one in Spiderman or Godzilla movies! Kids would love that!

Heritage Hotel New York City – Flatiron

Nothing too fancy but not a wrong choice either; you also have the Heritage Hotel New York City. Once in the city, you will often set your foot out to explore it, so if you want a quick check-in and check-out, go for Heritage Hotel – Flatiron.

Madison Square Park is only three minutes from this hotel, and you can have double, triple, quad, and family suite rooms at affordable prices. The front lobby and staff are incredibly accommodating. The small rooms provide all amenities, including a personal coffee machine.

MADE Hotel – NoMad NYC

If money is not an issue, splurge on this exquisite modern, state-of-the-art hotel in New York City. This NYC hotel has rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows with a breathtaking city view. In addition, the hotel offers coffee shops, beautiful outdoor space, and restaurants inside if you want to stay.

It is one of the best family hotels in New York, located in a safe and lively neighborhood. A little heavy on the pocket, but the hotel has plenty of offers and discounts to accommodate families.

The location offers many subway routes to tourist attractions, so you do not have to work out different ways to travel around the city. Check out bookings, reviews, and a show map of the MADE hotel.

Midtown West – Times Square

The first things that come to mind about New York are the Broadway performances, streets lined with skyscrapers, hotdog carts, and giant billboards. Times Square is the quintessential heart of New York City; I mean, if you ever visit the city and do not take a pic of the gram in Times Square, did you even go to New York?

Jokes aside, Midtown West and Times Square are the perfect places for families to stay in. Before choosing a hotel here, remember that New York sees the most tourists in this area.

So it goes without saying that Times Square is filled with expensive resorts and hotels. Only problem? They are often full, but you can still find some budget-friendly places.

In my opinion, Midtown Manhattan is probably the best place to visit if you’re a first-timer in New York. It always keeps you within 15 to 20 minutes’ distance from your hotel.

Tourist attractions like The Empire State Building, the Museum of Modern Arts (MoMA), and Times Square in Midtown East are all within the surrounding area. Although the hotels may cost you a bit, the location significantly saves your traveling costs.

Some MTA New York City Transit is close to midtown Manhattan like 34 St – Penn Station and 34 St – Herald Sq Subway Station.

Where to Stay

• Best Luxury Hotel: The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New York City
• Best Mid-Range Hotel: W New York – Time Square
• Best Budget Hotel: The Hotel At Time Square

Midtown East – New York

The birthplace of infamous artistic and historical sites like Rockefeller Centre, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, and much more. Shop at Fifth Avenue or enjoy the beautiful Manhattan skyline; the area is filled with picturesque monuments. The good thing is that it is relatively quieter than Midtown Manhattan.

In addition, you have various options for condos, hotels, and rental spaces in Midtown east. Not forgetting the East River, the place is filled with high-rise skyscrapers. Some views even stretch out to Queens. The Manhattan skyline in this area is to die for, and most hotels leverage this fact, but who’s complaining?

Hilton Garden Inn – Downtown Times Square

One of the most popular among NYC hotels, the Hilton Garden Inn is within one block of walking distance from Times Square. The place offers free Wi-Fi and spacious rooms with separate flat-screen TVs and a microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker.

Need I say more? While Central Park Zoo is about 1 mile from the hotel, the nearby attractions include Radio City Music Hall, the Museum of Arts and Design, and Rockefeller Centre of New York.

Find booking details, a city map, and reviews about the family-friendly hotel.

CitizenM New York – Times Square

In New York’s central location, this CitizenM New York hotel is only 1 minute from Times Square and 5 minutes from Central Park and Columbus Circle.

Among the best-rated hotels in New Yew York, the CitizenM is one of the most family-friendly hotels that offer rooms with a high-floor city view, and trust me, you do not want to miss out on the city view of Middletown West.

The hotel offers a contactless stay with their app, so you do not have to go to the front desk for everything. The MoodPad from CitizenM lets you control room settings for an enjoyable stay and make it one of the best places to stay in New York.

The hotel has a contemporary touch. The fun hotel is digitalized to make your stay super easy. It also has a fully-functional gym, yoga center, and a rooftop bar.

In addition, the hotel has an open bar, a 24-hour front desk, and facilities for disabled guests. For reviews, booking, and details, check here.

Millennium Times Square – Broadway Times Square

Located in the center of midtown Manhattan, this hotel is a great one to stay in for a family vacation in New York. Millineum Times Square is a Hilton affiliate hotel. The hotel is close to many tourist sites like the infamous Madame Tussauds, Broadway theatres, Majestic, and the Palace theatres.

Plus, since it is better to stay close to an airport, JFK airport is about 20 miles away. You can find better hotels than this, but it is not a bad option if you prefer to stay around the midtown west area. It also offers double rooms with a city view and ball drop view.

The hotel has free Wi-Fi, a gym, a business center, and an “Ask Alfred” children’s program, which ensures every kid who enters the hotel has a memorable experience; they give the kids plushies, snacks, and snacks kid-friendly menus. These facilities make this hotel a kid-friendly family hotel in New York.

See Related: Best Mancation Destinations Around the World

Pod 51 – Midtown East

If you are looking for a creative, fun place to stay for your family vacation in New York, Pod 51 is perfect for you. It is located in the heart of New York, so it is close to all the tourist sites like the grand central station and central park.

Moreover, it is within walking distance of about a mile to Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, and a 51st Street Lexington Avenue line.

The hotel has family-friendly accommodations with outdoor spaces like gardens and rooftops. You can also get a standard bunk bedroom with flat-screen TVs and a shared bathroom.

They have multilingual consigliere staff and provide complimentary daily tours for guests. So what more can you ask for in hotels in New York for a family vacation?

Lotte New York Palace – Midtown East New York

Located on Madison Avenue, this palace is filled with luxuries compared to other family hotels in New York. If you’re searching for where to stay in New York with a family, the hotel is located in an exceptional neighborhood inside the city center and built like a castle.

It is rare to find such traditional buildings in New York, and the Lotte New York Palace offers a spa for a relaxing experience and a fitness center.

What makes it the best family hotel is the family-friendly deals they offer. The friendly concierge hall and spacious royal suites are breathtakingly beautiful. They also have family suites with two king beds and a sleeper sofa, which can accommodate up to six guests simultaneously.

If you plan your trip around Christmas, the hotel is close to Winter Village at Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

What’s more appealing is that Lotte New York Palace gives you a luxurious experience. The tower and palace option in the heart of New York makes you feel like royalty.

They also have a Christmas tradition called “Letters to Santa,” which replies to your kid’s Christmas letters and delivers them straight to your room; it is an excellent activity for children. In this hotel, babysitting services can also be arranged. This is why this palace takes the cake for being one of the best kid-friendly family hotels in New York.

Where to Stay

• Best Luxury Hotel: The Kimberly Hotel
• Best Mid-Range Hotel: Hotel Boutique Grand Central
• Best Budget Hotel: Pod 51

Upper West- Upper East Side

It’s not just about hotels; if you need a staycation for your family vacation in New York, you can get plenty of personal spaces in the upper east side and upper west side of the city.

If you’re wondering where to stay in New York with family, you will find the upper west and east sides great for family hotels. Residential areas and some major tourist attractions surround the location.

Such as the American Museum of Natural History, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, and Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is best suited for families.

Brooklyn – New York

Brooklyn, New York County, is filled with significant tourist attractions and vibrant places such as the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, East River, and Hayden River. It’s pretty easy to get into Manhatten for sightseeing, making it one of the best places to stay outside of Manhatten. The area has a vibe of old New York with traditional limestone and granite buildings.

Of course, who can forget among the best family tourist attractions in New York City, Coney Island, and Prospect Park? Brooklyn is rich with historical landmarks and fun-filled activities for kids.

One subway from Manhattan will take you back to the streets of fresh bagels. Your family can enjoy Brooklyn’s museums, gardens, food markets, and more. Here are some of the places you can stay in Brooklyn.

The Box House – Brooklyn Downtown

If you want a homely vibe and the upscale modern look of a hotel, the Box House Hotel is precisely that. The spacious family rooms and beautifully decorated lofts overlooking New York City make this the best family hotel.

The hotel is on Box Street, connecting the Upper East Side, and is just 4 miles away from Times Square. The hotel offers a fitness center, ATM, business center, bar, and laundry facilities.

The place best accommodates a family and includes a two-bedroom duplex loft (one king bed, one queen bed, and one sofa bed). You can also get a one-bedroom suite with one queen bed, sofa bed, and terrace to enjoy the city’s midtown Manhattan view.

Check out the booking details and reviews about The Box House Hotel here.

Holiday Inn – Brooklyn, New York

Located at a central location in downtown Brooklyn, the Holiday Inn is a well-recommended place for family-friendly hotels in New York City. The hotel is the most convenient to travel to, only a km from One MetroTech Centre.

Choosing hotels close to airports is always a good idea, and JFK Airport is only 11 minutes away from this New York hotel, Holiday Inn. The hotel facilities include an indoor pool, private fitness center, restaurant, and bar. In addition, the hotel is pet-friendly and allows you to host three guests at a time.

Holiday Inn is often fully booked, but you can enjoy many discounts if you pre-book and use the flexible plans of NYC hotels.

Ace Hotel – Brooklyn, New York

One of the top-rated NYC hotels, Ace Hotel, is the best family hotel near a few popular tourist sites: Coney Island and Grand Army Plaza, 8.1 miles and 1.2 miles away from the hotel, respectively. Unsurprisingly, the Ace Hotel in New York City is near Barclays Centre and Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The rooms are spacious and modern, with windows opening to New York City. The hotel is also pet-friendly and has a fitness center, restaurant, free Wi-Fi, a bar, ATM, and facilities for disabled guests. Find booking details, a road map, and reviews about Ace Hotel.

Franklin Guesthouse – New York

If you are tired or overwhelmed by the city’s noise, this guesthouse offers peace. The hotel is in a central location and equipped with many amenities. Selected rooms have a private patio, and the deluxe loft suite has a kitchenette with a sofa bed, making it kid-friendly. In addition, all the rooms have coffee makers and free Wi-Fi.

For commuting, you have bike hire and shuttle services within walking distance of a 1-mile radius. Guests love it because of its room amenities, making it one of the best family hotels in New York City.

Henry Norman Hotel – NYC Hotels

The familiar brick wall in New York City’s signature and the Henry Norman Hotel provides a cozy, family-friendly environment with a mix of modern and classic architecture.

The rooms are more significant than most hotels and include a bathtub or a shower in the private bathroom. The hotel has various rooms, from penthouses with roof decks to loft-style rooms with a terrace and city view.

The New York hotel lobby is cozy and includes family rooms to book where you can play board games, and they have a kid-friendly environment.

Where to Stay

• Best Luxury Hotel: New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
• Best Mid-Range Hotel: Hampton Inn Brooklyn/Downtown, NY
• Best Budget Hotel: Nu Hotel

Tips for Traveling in NYC

Before we get to the real business, here are some travel pointers.

Do Your Research

A buzzphrase of the times, and worth it in this context! The city of New York can be overwhelming. So, before you travel, make sure to do your research on the places you want to visit.

Get a city map or use geolocation so you don’t get lost. Trust me; it is common to lose track of the streets and areas in a big city like this, especially when one block looks like the next.

If keeping track of street names is too harsh, keep an eye out for particular landmarks, like graffitied walls, monuments, buildings that stand out, or something else that strikes you in the city.

So just be observant, and you will find your way back!

Travel Around With Public Transport

The city is filled with people’s cars and yellow cabs, and public transportation is the best way to travel around the city. Traffic is insane in this city, and driving can be a real pain, so catch a subway, get a cab, and be wary of renting a car. That could get you stuck in traffic for like a lifetime!

Several guides show you how to navigate through the city through subways and a New York Pass, so get one yourself for your New York family trip.

Some Days are Better Than Others

New York City is one of the largest metropolises on Earth and has a population of 8.4 million. Imagine that added to the number of tourists the city sees every year!

Tourism increases yearly in New York City, making it pretty crowded on the weekends, so much so that you might not be able to enjoy and take in the natural beauty of sightseeing if you plan on weekend visits. 

If you prefer the noise and energy of crowded places, then I won’t stop you; you do you! If you want to make the most of your visit and forget the large crowds, hit up the more tourist-trap locations (e.g., the Empire State Building) in New York City during the week.

Be Careful on the Streets

If you take a family vacation in New York and travel with kids, you must be extra careful on the streets. Ramps, bike paths, and, unfortunately, even sidewalks have their risks.

The city never stops for anyone. Not only the transport but even the people are very busy. It seems like everybody is late for something, which is kind of the whole vibe of New York City; rush, rush, rush.

So, just be careful and keep an eye out when you take a stroll. I almost forgot, don’t stop in the middle of the crowd. It’s almost like a severe offense in the city as if you block the street between 4 pm and 7 pm at Brooklyn Bridge. No good comes out of that, and the locals will let you know in the colorful way New Yorkers do.

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