Your Perfect Family Day in Manhattan
If you want big views, easy walks, and food wins for every eater, this one day plan is for you. You will step on a sky deck a thousand feet above the city, wander a garden in the sky, explore a tiny island that feels like a secret park, grab lunch under one roof, peek inside a grand library with marble lions, and finish with a classic family style dinner in Times Square. The kids will spot the Statue of Liberty, count yellow cabs, and race you to the next skyline view. Let us go.
Edge at Hudson Yards
Time: 60 to 75 minutes
30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY
Kids game: find the Empire State Building and tiny boats on the river.
Book Edge tickets
The High Line
Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Enter near West 30 Street
Kids game: spot the old rails and count roof gardens.
Little Island
Time: 45 to 60 minutes
Pier 55 in Hudson River Park
Kids game: what do the tulip shaped pillars look like up close.
Chelsea Market lunch
Time: 45 to 60 minutes
75 Ninth Avenue
Food for every taste in one place.
Afternoon pick
Time: 90 to 120 minutes
Choose One World or a Circle Line cruise
Reserve One World
Book Landmarks Cruise
Bryant Park and NYPL
Time: 60 to 90 minutes
476 Fifth Avenue
Kids game: lions outside, ceiling art inside. Carousel in the park.
Carmine’s Times Square
Time: 60 to 75 minutes
200 West 44 Street
Big bowls to share. Reserve if you can.
Bonus
Time: 70 to 90 minutes
Staten Island Ferry, Whitehall Terminal
Free sunset sail with Statue views.
Edge at Hudson Yards — start with a big wow
The ride up is quick and the view hits right away. The deck has a glass floor for a safe thrill and a sloped glass wall for a family photo. Indoors you still get the view if wind picks up.
What to tell the kids: find the Empire State Building, trace the Hudson River with a finger on the glass, and count how many blue towers they can see.
Pro tip: book the first time you can. Snap your family photo before the crowd grows.
The High Line — a calm garden walk above the streets
The walk is the show. Art, gardens, and views glide by with no street crossings. Benches and overlooks give easy breaks.
What to tell the kids: look for the old rails in the path and wave to people on roof decks.
Pro tip: elevators are signed at access points. Bring a small snack and enjoy an overlook.
Little Island — a tiny park that feels like an adventure
Curvy paths loop to lookouts with river breeze and skyline photos. It is free and playful.
What to tell the kids: the island sits on tulip shaped pillars. From the lookout play I spy with boats and choppers.
Pro tip: sit on a river bench while kids loop the nearby paths. They end right back where you are.
Chelsea Market — easy lunch for every taste
No negotiations. Tacos, noodles, burgers, and sweets live under one roof. You all sit together after you choose what you want.
What to tell the kids: show them the brick walls and old factory pipes. It feels like a food hall treasure hunt.
Pro tip: if the center aisle is packed, walk to the far ends where tables open up.
Afternoon pick — big indoor views or a sit down skyline cruise
Option A: One World Observatory
No negotiations. Tacos, noodles, burgers, and sweets live under one roof. You all sit together after you choose what you want.
What to tell the kids: show them the brick walls and old factory pipes. It feels like a food hall treasure hunt.
Pro tip: if the center aisle is packed, walk to the far ends where tables open up.
Option B: Circle Line Landmarks Cruise
Everyone sits, snacks, and sees the Statue, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the skyline without another long walk.
What to tell the kids: when the boat turns by the Statue, have cameras ready. Watch for seagulls racing the boat.
Pro tip: pick a mid afternoon sailing so you are back in time for the library and dinner.
Bryant Park and the New York Public Library — culture with a side of play
The park is a soft landing spot with lawn space and a small carousel. The library next door is free and stunning.
What to tell the kids: start with the stone lions, then look up at the painted ceilings. Outside, try to spot the Empire State Building over the trees.
Pro tip: if you see a free public tour time, jump in. If not, a slow walk through the public areas still feels special.
Dinner in Times Square — Carmine’s family style Italian
Big bowls of pasta and chicken parm to share make ordering simple. The energy outside keeps kids excited for that final push of the day.
What to tell the kids: pick a favorite Times Square screen after dinner and count how many characters you see in five minutes.
Pro tip: reserve if you can.
Bonus sunset idea — Staten Island Ferry
Free, frequent, and a perfect last look at the skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Tell the kids to watch the water trail behind the boat. It looks like a shiny ribbon in the sunset.
Getting to Manhattan from Bergen County
Train
Take the Pascack Valley or Main and Bergen County Line to Secaucus, then a New York bound train to Penn Station. From Penn, walk west to Hudson Yards or ride one stop on the 7 train to 34 Street Hudson Yards.
Why it works: no tunnels, easy elevators, bathrooms and food at Penn.
Pro tip: buy in the NJ Transit app and pick off peak times with kids.
Bus
Take the 165, 167, or 168 bus or the 320 from Vince Lombardi Park and Ride to Port Authority. Walk ten minutes to Times Square or ride the subway one stop to Hudson Yards.
Park and Ride favorite: Vince Lombardi has a large daily lot and fast service to Midtown.
Pro tip: if you prefer to park by rail, Ramsey Route 17 has a large garage with frequent trains.
Drive
Easiest routes are George Washington Bridge to Henry Hudson Parkway or Lincoln Tunnel into Midtown.
Congestion note: if you exit to local streets at or below 60 Street you will pay the city congestion toll. West Side Highway and FDR are not tolled unless you exit.
Pro tip: avoid the toll by parking north of 60 Street and take a short subway ride. If you want Midtown, pre book a garage so you do not circle with kids.
Parking that just works
Park and Ride to Midtown: Vince Lombardi → 320 bus to Port Authority.
Big rail garage: Ramsey Route 17 → Secaucus → Penn Station.
Drive and park in the city: pre book a garage near your last stop and glide in with a QR code.
Time plan at a glance
Edge: 60 to 75 minutes
High Line: 30 to 45 minutes
Little Island: 45 to 60 minutes
Chelsea Market: 45 to 60 minutes
One World or Circle Line: 90 to 120 minutes
Bryant Park and NYPL: 60 to 90 minutes
Carmine’s: 60 to 75 minutes
Staten Island Ferry bonus: 70 to 90 minutes
Easy swaps and side stops
Instead of Edge: Empire State Building for a classic view that pairs well with Bryant Park and Times Square.
Instead of Little Island: Hudson River Park playgrounds at Pier 25 or Pier 51 for climbing and swings with river views.
Instead of the cruise: One World for calm indoor time with huge windows.
Instead of One World: the cruise for a seat and a snack while the skyline rolls by.
Instead of Carmine’s: Ellen’s Stardust Diner for singing servers and pure New York fun.
One more free finale: Staten Island Ferry at golden hour for a last look at the Statue and the lights.