Free And Low-Cost Family Activities In New York City This Spring

New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, is spotlighting free and affordable activities for families to enjoy in the five boroughs this spring.

“New York City is a vibrant springtime destination, with warmer weather bringing a host of family-friendly activities, from special events and museum programming to outdoor experiences and performances,” said Julie Coker, President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions. “As travelers plan their spring break trips, we’re pleased to offer affordable options for an NYC adventure that won’t break the bank.”

Suggested activities include:

Attractions, Performances & Events: 

• Spring events at City Point Brooklyn include an Easter Fest with Brooklyn Bridge Parents on April 19 featuring an Easter Bunny Meet & Greet, cookie decorating and crafts. On May 24, Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest will take place at City Point and outside on Albee Square, with activities including include hip-hop lessons, tai chi, conga drumming, arts and crafts, music lessons, face painting and more.
• See the City from above at Edge, the Empire State Building, One World Observatory, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and Top of the Rock Observation Deck—all five observatories offer free admission for children ages five and under, accompanied by an adult with a ticket.
• New Victory Theater is dedicated to bringing the performing arts to children and families. Located in the heart of Times Square, New Victory offers family workshops and performances for various age groups. This spring’s program includes MOYA, a circus hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, including a sensory-friendly performance on April 27 (tickets under $25).
• From June 4–8, the New York Philharmonic will hold free classical music concerts in parks across the five boroughs, including Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, the Great Lawn in Central Park, Cunningham Park in Queens and Prospect Park in Brooklyn, as well as an indoor concert on Staten Island.
• Family-friendly spring events at The Seaport include their annual Holi celebration held in partnership The Culture Tree and the South Street Seaport Museum on March 15; and Seaport Storytime at McNally Jackson on Saturdays at noon—ideal for children ages 3 to 8, but all are welcome.
• In Lower Manhattan’s Battery Park, Sundays at the Showbox presents free music, dance and puppet shows on Sundays from April through October.

Museums:

• Head north to the Bronx Children’s Museum, which opened in its new space in 2022 ($8 for kids and $14 for adults); or hop on the free Staten Island Ferry and visit the Staten Island Children’s Museum’s indoor and outdoor exhibits, workshops and more ($8).
• Museum of the City of New York is free for those ages 18 and under and offers free admission for all on Wednesdays. For families, the museum offers a hands-on NYC Discovery lab on weekends and story time events three times monthly.
• Museum of the Moving Image Image offers a number of family programs. This film-and-television-themed museum includes the Jim Henson Exhibition, including 47 puppets spanning Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock and more. Tickets are $20 and under, with guided tours for $5.
• The New York Hall of Science in Queens is NYC’s only hands-on science center. The museum offers free admission on Friday afternoons from 2–5pm. Make sure to reserve in advance here.
• The Whitney Museum of American Art recently announced free admission for visitors ages 25 and under, in addition to free admission for all on Fridays from 5–10pm and on the second Sunday of each month. On Free Second Sundays, the museum offers all-ages artmaking and story times by The New York Public Library.

Outdoor Activities:

• The Bronx Zoo, home to more than 11,000 animals, offers limited free admission on Wednesdays. Advance timed tickets are required; the Wednesday Ticket Store opens on Mondays at 5pm for that Wednesday’s reservations. See more details here.
• Governors Island is home to the longest slide in New York City, at 57 feet long. The island also offers a Yard Adventure Playground; a hammock grove; an urban farm, which hosts events like scavenger hunts and workshops; and more. Admission is free. The island is accessible by Governors Island Ferry ($5 roundtrip for adults and free for kids 12 and under) and NYC Ferry ($4.50 one way for adults and free for kids under 44 inches tall).
• Take a ride on one of NYC’s beautiful carousels. Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park is open Wednesday through Sunday during the spring ($3 for one adult and a child under 42 inches tall); Bryant Park’s Le Carrousel is open daily in springtime ($4); and the aquarium-themed SeaGlass Carousel is open daily in springtime ($4); and the aquarium-themed SeaGlass Carousel is located in Battery Park ($6).
• The 4,000-square-foot Pier 26 Science Playground opened last year in Hudson River Park. The marine science–focused playground encourages kids to learn about wildlife local to the Hudson River, including play structures in the shape of two sturgeon species that are native to the area.
• Pier 42 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side is home to a park and playground overlooking the East River, as well as a turf soccer field, tennis courts, half-basketball courts and more.

Dining:

• Ellen’s Stardust Diner, famous for its retro 1950s decor and singing waitstaff, offers a kids’ menu with $17 meal options for children ages 10 and under.
• Food halls are a great choice, with affordable options for the whole family. UrbanSpace operates four food halls across Manhattan with vendors spanning many cuisines; or check out Market 57 on Pier 57 for dining with a view of the Hudson River (the pier also offers free and ticketed events for families). Tangram Food Hall in Flushing has a number of delicious sweet and savory dining options and is even home to the world’s first Angry Birds Café.
• Montague Diner, which opened last year in Brooklyn Heights, has an “after-school special” on weekdays, offering kids a grilled cheese sandwich or cheese fries for $5.
• Parm’s Upper West Side, Battery Park and Downtown Brooklyn locations offer a kids menu including a “build your own” pasta or sandwich option.
• Kids eat free at select Smashburger locations on Wednesdays, with the purchase of an adult meal. The burger chain has locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.
• For more ideas, check out these 12 12 NYC Family Restaurants That Are Kid Friendly and Parent Approved.

In 2024, New York City welcomed 64.3 million travelers, generating an estimated economic impact of $79 billion, including more than $51 billion in direct spending by travelers, and supported over 388,000 leisure and hospitality jobs. The City is expecting 67.6 million travelers this year, marking a full tourism recovery.