Times Square – land of brilliant billboards, bright lights, and questionable oddities (is that Elmo standing next to a Naked Cowboy?!). However, Times Square has become a great family destination with many cool openings, family friendly activities, and experiences. Ready to cross Times Square off your bucket list? Read on as we go beyond the billboards with our top 30 list of what to discover and experience in New York City’s bustling Midtown intersection.
30 Things to see in Times Square with Kids
1. See Times Square from bleacher seats – the bleacher seating atop the TKTS booth in Times Square offers unobstructed views from an elevated seat. It’s fun to take in the action of one of the world’s busiest intersections.
2. Stop in at Hershey’s Chocolate World sweet new digs for one of their famous smores treats. The smores is served from an actual camper inside the store.
3. See the world’s tallest person, walk through a black hole, and dangle off the top of the Empire State building with this world of peculiar oddities. Home to the unbelievable, weird, and engaging – at Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square. There are over 500 exhibits to explore with the family.
6. Become a ghostbuster, fly with E.T., and hang with Beyoncé and other celebrities at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Experience.
4. Put your family portrait on candy at the M&M Experience, and then stay to explore mood scanners, rainbow candy walls, and large M&M figures.
5. Get bowled over at Bowlmor Lanes where the bowling “lounges” are themed to NYC scenes and neighborhoods.
6. Play away the day in the massive arcade (and grab a table for lunch) at Dave and Busters.
7. Fly high above Times Square (and all of NYC!) at RiseNY, a fun 4D adventure where you fly over the 5 boroughs. It’s a n experience you won’t forget.
8. Step into the magic of The Disney Store Times Square, where children can do crafts and watch free movies at the Disney Store Theater, and step inside a princess castle with magical mirrors (wave your hand in front of them and see who appears!).
9. Take a moment to stand at the crossroads of the world and marvel at the glittering New Year’s Eve Ball that sits atop One Times Square!
10. Dip into Raising Canes Flasgship – the Times Square location of the famous Chicken Finger stop has a DJ, NYC photo ops, fun merch and so much more.
12. Stop at the Statue of Francis Duffy in Duffy Square; the commanding statue commemorates Father Francis Duffy and has been standing in Times Square since 1937.
13. Take the family to the best stage in the world – a NYC Broadway Show! Money-saving tip: stop the TKTS for half-priced same-day tickets!
14. DONUT miss the Times Square Krispy Kreme location. The shop has an in-store donut factory where you can watch the donuts get glazed. (And be sure to ask about the Big Apple donut – a speciality apple treat that is only available here!).
15. See a children’s show at The New Victory Theater, NYC’s first (and only!) full-time performing theater for kids.
16. Go underground to check out the large Times Square subway art murals in the terminal.
17. If the bright billboards and lights don’t grab your attention – the Naked Cowboy will. Take an “only-in-New-York” family picture with the famous guitar-playing man who stands proudly in all-weather wearing a cowboy hat and underpants.
18. Hug Elmo (and his costumed friends) if you dare. Many costumed characters – from Elmo to Mickey and a wide range of superheroes, hang out here, begging for a picture (and a tip).
19. Salute the U.S. Army Recruiting building with a large façade with a lighted American flag for the perfect Americana picture opportunity.
20. Have a slice of the iconic New York cheesecake at the Times Square location of the famous Juniors Restaurant.
21. Watch talented servers sing and perform at Ellen’s Stardust Diner during your dinner.
22. Take a music history lesson (and some dinner) with the musician memorabilia at the Hard Rock Café location in Times Square.
23. Bring a hungry family to enjoy an Italian feast at Carmines, where all menu items are family-style (and gigantic!).
24. Go back a century of culinary history and eat in NYC’s famed Restaurant Row at one of the Theater District classics such as Joe Allen or Becco’s.
25. Enjoy the view (and get a geography lesson, too!) at The View rotating restaurant and lounge atop the Marriot Marquis Hotel.
26. Visit Midtown Comics – right off the Times Square strip, this comic book mecca has the leading selection of comic books, graphic novels, action figures, and paraphernalia.
27. Todd Otterness Playground (and any other playgrounds in that area) Aptly titled ‘Playground,’ the sculpture of a brass man has slides for legs, seats for hands, and arms a child can easily shimmy up.
28. HOPE to see some art? Grab a great family photo in front of Robert Indiana’s iconic Hope Sculpture.
29. Play a real game of Eye Spy at Spyscape – a spy museum that teaches visitors to think like a spy through interactive experiences.
30. Stop in McDonalds and take in the view! The second floor corner seat has a view that can’t be beat.
Finish exploring? Make a day of it! Midtown is only steps away from other locations – such as Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and Grand Central Station.
