New York City with a toddler: parks, museums and the subway

The subway and buses with a stroller

• Many subway stations have no elevator, only stairs. Use the MTA accessible stations list or map to plan routes that start and end at stations with elevators, and remember elevators are sometimes out of service.
• Expect to carry the stroller up and down stairs at least sometimes. A light stroller you can fold with one hand and carry by a strap makes this much easier, and a carrier is a good backup.
• Avoid weekday rush hours, when trains are packed.
• Buses are often easier with a toddler. They kneel or have ramps, and many have a designated area where strollers can stay open. Be ready to fold if the bus is crowded.

Central Park and other playgrounds

Central Park has many playgrounds, and they are a toddler's favorite part of the city. Heckscher Playground near the south end is the largest, with water play in summer. The Central Park Zoo is small and manageable with a toddler, and the Tisch Children's Zoo inside it has farm animals and climbing areas. The carousel is a classic stop.

Brooklyn Bridge Park has excellent playgrounds, including the large play area at Pier 6 with sand and water play in summer, plus lawns and views of Manhattan. Almost every neighborhood has a playground within a few blocks, which makes them easy breaks between bigger stops.

Museums that work for small children

• American Museum of Natural History: dinosaurs, the giant blue whale and dioramas at toddler eye level. Check the museum site for hands-on areas and times for young children. Go at opening and pick a few halls.
• Children's Museum of Manhattan: play spaces designed for young children. Check the museum site for its current location and hours. A good rainy morning.
• Many big museums have family programs and story times. Check calendars and book timed tickets ahead when offered.

Zoos, boats and other outings

• Bronx Zoo: large, with a Children's Zoo area and lots of walking. Plan a full morning and a nap on the ride back.
• Staten Island Ferry: a free ride with great views of the Statue of Liberty and the harbor. Many families ride over and come straight back.
• The High Line and Hudson River Park offer stroller walks, though the High Line is narrow and busy on weekends.

Taxis, rideshares and car seats

In New York City, car seat law exempts taxis and other licensed for-hire cars, so a child can legally ride on an adult's lap. Legal does not mean safe, so many parents bring a lightweight travel car seat or book a car service that provides one. Check the current rules before you rely on any option.

Where to stay with a toddler

• Upper West Side: residential, near Central Park, AMNH and the Children's Museum of Manhattan, with good subway access and many family restaurants.
• Midtown: central and close to many sights, but crowded and loud. Pick a hotel near a station with an elevator.
• Brooklyn neighborhoods like DUMBO or Brooklyn Heights: calmer, near Brooklyn Bridge Park, with easy trips into Manhattan.
• Rooms are small. Book a suite or apartment style hotel, and ask about cribs in advance.