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Two years after our first trip to New York City with the kids - where we focused on Midtown classics like Central Park, Times Square, Broadway, and the American Museum of Natural History - we returned for a completely different adventure.
This time, we based ourselves downtown and spent the weekend exploring history, food, and neighborhoods, with a visit to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as the centerpiece of the trip.
Here’s how to recreate this easy and fun family weekend in NYC:
Friday Night: Arriving in Tribeca
We arrived Friday evening and met up with my friend Lydia and her kids (check out her blog and instagram). We were lucky enough to be able to stay with her parents in the Tribeca neighborhood. I was able to score free street parking (available here from Friday night through Monday morning). Parking rules in NYC can be confusing, but if you carefully read the signs and understand alternate side parking schedules, it’s possible to avoid expensive garages for a weekend. After the drive down from New Hampshire, we settled in and called it an early night.
Saturday Morning: Bagels, Coffee, and Battery Park
The next morning started the way every NYC morning should: bagels and coffee from a neighborhood shop just a short walk from the apartment.
From there, we took a casual subway ride to the World Trade Center stop and walked down toward Battery Park. Along the way, we stopped at the National September 11 Memorial to show the kids the 9/11 Memorial pools and talk a little about the history of the site.
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| Subway "rides" are the kids favorite |
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| 9-11 Memorial is free to visit |
One thing that made navigating the city easier than our last visit: the subway system now allows tap-to-pay directly with a credit card or phone. No MetroCard needed - we simply tapped our cards at the turnstiles and went.
Visiting the Statue of Liberty
We purchased ferry tickets about a week ahead of time and included access to the pedestal (“the base”) of the statue. If you’re planning a visit, make sure you book through the official ferry operator website since there are many confusing third-party ticket sites online. The official site is: Statue City Cruises
Security before boarding feels very similar to airport security, so plan a little extra time for screening. Once onboard, the ferry was crowded on the beautiful spring day, but the excitement of approaching the statue from the water made it worth it. The ferry stops first at Liberty Island, where everyone disembarks.
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| Boarding the ferry |
Climbing to the Pedestal
Our first stop was the pedestal access. We decided to climb the stairs to the observation level instead of taking the elevator, and the kids loved the challenge. The views over the harbor and skyline were incredible.
Afterward, we walked around the base of the statue and ate the lunch we had packed. Food options on the island are limited and expensive, so bringing lunch worked really well for our family.
We also spent time in the museum, where the interpretive film was surprisingly engaging. The kids completed the Junior Ranger worksheet and earned badges, which added an interactive element to the visit.
A clear day! 
Being sworn in as Jr rangers 
View from the top of the pedestal
Ellis Island
From Liberty Island, we boarded the ferry to Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and no additional ticket was required. At Ellis Island, we wandered through the historic immigration building, watched another museum film, and explored the exhibits and gift shop.
One of my kids’ favorite small details of the day: collecting National Park passport stamps. At Battery Park, Liberty Island, and Ellis Island - all separate National Park Service sites - they were able to add unique stamps to their books.
By late afternoon, we took the ferry back to Battery Park and headed toward Chinatown.
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| Ellis Island Museum |
Ice Cream, Sushi, and the High Line
We made our way to Chinatown for ice cream at the iconic Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. The unique flavors and old-school feel made it a fun stop after a long day of sightseeing.
For dinner, we grabbed Japanese food in Chelsea at Juban before heading to The High Line for an evening walk. The warm May weather made it the perfect way to wind down the day.
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| Waiting in line for ice cream in busy Chinatown |
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| Busy night on the High Line |
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| High Line Walk |
Sunday: Dim Sum and Chinatown Wandering
Sunday morning was intentionally slower. After a leisurely start, we headed to Golden Unicorn for dim sum. If you’ve never had dim sum, it’s a traditional Cantonese dining experience where servers bring around carts filled with small plates and dumplings to share. You pick dishes as they pass by your table - everything from pork buns and soup dumplings to sesame balls and sticky rice. It’s fast-paced, fun, and especially great for groups because everyone gets to try a little of everything.
After brunch, we spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon wandering Chinatown - popping into shops, browsing markets, and soaking up the energy of the neighborhood before packing up and driving back to New Hampshire.
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| Steamed dumplings at Dim Sum |
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| Chinatown |
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| Soup dumplings were a hit |
Tips for Recreating This Trip
Book Statue of Liberty Tickets Carefully: There are many unofficial ticket sellers online. Use the official ferry operator:
Statue City Cruises Official TicketsSubway Tip: NYC’s subway system now supports tap-to-pay with a credit card or phone through OMNY. No need to buy a MetroCard for a short trip.
Learn more here:
OMNY Subway Payment SystemRead Parking Signs Closely: Street parking can save a huge amount of money, but NYC parking signs are complicated. Double-check alternate side parking schedules, street cleaning rules, and meter hours before leaving your car.
Pack Lunch for Liberty Island: Food options are limited and expensive at the Statue of Liberty, so packing snacks or lunch makes the day easier and more affordable with kids.
Junior Ranger & National Park Passports: If your kids enjoy the National Parks program, bring their passports. Battery Park, Liberty Island, and Ellis Island each have their own stamp.
Lanyards: I printed my kids emergency contact cards and put them on lanyards. Since they don't have smart watches or phones, this way - if they ever got separated from me, someone could call me. It's a strategy I use for student travel trips and brought peace of mind in the busy subway!
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| Chinatown street shopping |
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