Big City, No Problem: Kid Friendly Travel Must-Haves

Last week, I traveled to New York City with my daughter for the first time. While I grew up in NY, it had been years since my last visit—and I had never experienced it as a mom. Traveling with kids, especially when flying solo, can be overwhelming, but with the right planning, it can also be an unforgettable adventure.

Day 1: Sunset at the Empire State Building & a Surprise Swiftie Moment

Our trip kicked off with a visit to the Empire State Building to catch the sunset. It was crowded, but the views were breathtaking. Pro tip: If you’re visiting, VIP tickets are worth the splurge to skip the long lines.

On a whim, we took a buggy ride back to the hotel, and to my daughter’s delight, the driver played Taylor Swift songs the entire way. That’s when I learned she was a Swiftie!

Day 2: A Nostalgic Visit to the Museum of Natural History

The next day, we explored the American Museum of Natural History, my favorite museum growing up. Walking through its exhibits with my daughter brought back so many childhood memories—it alone made the trip to NYC worth it.

Day 3: Art, Animals & a Carriage Ride Through Central Park

Our third day was packed with must-see spots:

• The Guggenheim Museum – A beautiful space for art lovers.

• The Central Park Zoo – Small but perfect for kids.

• Horse & Carriage Ride Around Central Park – A magical experience! We opted for the 1.5-hour ride, which was the perfect length to take in the sights.

Day 4: Slime Fun & Shopping

For our final day, I surprised my daughter with tickets to the Sloomoo Institute, an interactive slime experience. If your child loves sensory play, this is a must! We ended our trip with some shopping before heading home.

Planning Ahead Made All the Difference

Even though we missed all of our dinner reservations (thanks to exhaustion from all the fun!), we still enjoyed incredible food—our hotel even had a Michelin-rated restaurant!

As a planner, I booked all our attraction tickets in advance and secured restaurant reservations before arriving. I also made sure to pack essentials for every scenario:

• Snacks for quick energy boosts

• Entertainment for travel downtime

• Wipes & first-aid supplies for sticky hands & minor scrapes

• Travel essentials for naps & comfort

NYC Family Travel Must-Haves

Here are some of my must-have items that made our trip smooth, fun, and stress-free:

TO KEEP THINGS FRESH AND CLEAN

• ALŌH Sweet Orange Bergamot + Aloe Sanitizing Hand Wipes

• WaterWipes Textured Clean Baby Wipes

• Listerine Freshburst Pocketpaks Breath Strips

• Luna Daily The Everywhere Spray-to-Wipe

IN-FLIGHT NECESSITIES

• EarPlanes by Cirrus Healthcare Ear Plugs

• JetKids Stokke BedBox

• Giapow Travel Blanket and Pillow Set, 3-in-1 Cute Plush Fruit Stuffed Hugging Pillow with Warming Hands on Both Sides

• J.L. Childress Gate Check Bag for Single & Double Strollers

TO KEEP THEM BUSY ANYWHERE

• Freebear Montessori Busy Book for Kids

• Travofun Magnetic Checkers Set

• Apple iPad

SNACKS

• YumEarth Organic Pops

• Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers, Farmhouse Cheddar Snack Packs

• Gimme Seaweed - Sea Salt

• SkinnyDipped Dark Chocolate Cocoa Almonds

• UNREAL Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars

• GoBe Kids Snack Spinner

GETTING AROUND TOWN

• UPPAbaby G-Luxe Umbrella Stroller

• Apple AirTags

• YETI Rambler Jr. with Straw Cap

• mushie Organic Muslin Baby Swaddle Blankets

OTHER MAMA NECESSITIES

• Anker 3-in-1 Portable iPhone Charger

• PreparaKit Travel First Aid Kit for Kids

• Moon Juice - Magnesi-Om, Ting, and Mini Dew Stick Set

• Alo Yoga Magnesium Reset Spray

• Travel Cosmetic Case

If you are thinking of traveling with your little one(s), but are a little apprehensive to do so don’t be! With good planning and preparation you got this mama!

DISCLOSURE: All products linked are products I personally use regularly and stand behind. With some I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Explore More