Things to do with kids in New York City

91st & Central Park West: Hippo Playground (Safari Playground)

Notes from Andy, UPPER's founder, from his own visits.

• How to get in: Enter at 90th St & Central Park West. The playground sits up on a hill near the W 93rd St entrance, looking out to the Reservoir.
• What's special: Famous for its big and small hippos. There are play canoes, climbing mounds with step climbers and slides, and a long ramp up for the littlest explorers.
• Summer: Water sprinklers in summer.
• Good for under-3s?: Yes. Soft ground for kids under 3. The Conservancy lists it for toddlers and preschoolers, and there's no sand.
• Shade and sun: Shady on the north side. Morning sun on the south (left of the entrance).
• Seating: Seats all around.
• Photo tip: Great for photos from low angles. Get down at hippo height.
• Watch out for: On weekdays 12–1, local daycares and schools use it for recess. No restrooms here, so go before you come.

What local parents say

"Perfect for kids aged 1-5, which fits our family. There is NO SAND (for those that need a sand free option). I can see the entire playground which makes it easy to keep track of my two."
Rhea M., Google review · source

"Great for younger kids (<5), ours loves the small fountain, sitting on the hippos, playing on the small slide and play structure."
Google review, Aug 2023 · source

Public rating: 4.5 on Google (153 reviews), as shown on Family Action, Oct 2026

UPPER's take: ♥♥♥♥♡ Soft ground and made for under-3s, shade on the north side, seats all around. Loses a heart: no restrooms.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Central Park Conservancy · NYC Parks

W 68th St & Central Park West: Tarr-Coyne Tots Playground

• How to get in: Central Park near W 67th–68th St (Warner LeRoy Pl). The bigger Adventure Playground is just up the hill for older siblings.
• What's special: Built for babies and new walkers: a cone climber with a tunnel and slide, baby swings, a sandbox and a summer water feature.
• Good for under-3s?: Yes, it's made for under-2s.
• Watch out for: No restrooms on site, so go before you arrive. Bring beach toys for the sandbox.

What local parents say

"Very nice playground for younger kids (2 and under). It seems to be recently renovated, with all soft ground and nice small structures for little ones to explore."
Adrian Majlis, Google review · source

"Has a park for little tots and a big park for older kids up the hill. Plenty of places to park your stroller"
Mel B., Google review · source

Public rating: 4.8 on Google (40 reviews), as shown on Family Action, Oct 2026

UPPER's take: ♥♥♥♥♡ Made for under-2s, lots of stroller parking. Loses a heart: no restrooms.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: NYC Parks · Family Action

W 81st St & Central Park West: Diana Ross Playground

• How to get in: Use the W 81st St entrance, steps from the Museum of Natural History.
• What's special: A big wooden climber with platforms, slides and tire swings in the sand, at the foot of Summit Rock, the highest natural point in the park.
• Good for under-3s?: Some of it. There are toddler swings and a water spray, but the Conservancy lists it for preschool and school-age kids.
• Shade and sun: The Conservancy calls its slopes a "verdant and shaded backdrop".
• Watch out for: No restrooms and no working drinking fountain, per NYC Parks and parent reviews. Bring water.

What local parents say

"There are no restrooms. There is plenty of shade. It is a nice playground, nothing to special. I would not travel to get here, but I would be happy if this was my neighbourhood's playground."
Adrian Majlis, Google review · source

Public rating: 4.3 on Google (452 reviews), as shown on Family Action, Oct 2026

UPPER's take: ♥♥♥♡♡ Shady, toddler swings. Loses hearts: no restrooms, and it's built for bigger kids.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Central Park Conservancy · NYC Parks

W 76th St & Riverside Drive: Neufeld (Elephant) Playground

• How to get in: Riverside Park at W 76th St.
• What's special: Elephant sprinklers that spray in warm weather, a separate toddler area, a sandbox and swings.
• Good for under-3s?: Yes. There's a separate toddler section.
• Restrooms: Public restroom with changing tables right at the playground.
• Watch out for: It's next to the West Side Highway. Restrooms close earlier in the cold months.

What local parents say

"Our favourite park in the city so far. Lots of excellent spaces for different aged children. Maybe a little light on the under 3 market for less adventurous children - but my 2 year old loved it. We had to drag her home."
Leila M., Google review · source

"The restrooms open till 4 pm during cold seasons."
Oksana S., Google review · source

Public rating: 4.6 on Google, as shown on Exa's place listing, Oct 2026

UPPER's take: ♥♥♥♥♡ Toddler section, restroom with changing tables, benches. Loses a heart: highway noise.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: NYC Parks · Restroom · Mommy Poppins

Amsterdam Ave & W 84th St: Maman (café)

• How to get in: 429 Amsterdam Ave, NY 10024.
• What's special: An easy stop after Central Park or the Museum of Natural History. Open 7:30 AM–6 PM weekdays, 8 AM–6 PM weekends.
• Good for under-3s?: Yes. High chairs, a changing table and a kids menu.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Let's Go Baby · Maman

E 67th St & Fifth Ave: Billy Johnson Playground

• How to get in: Central Park's east side at E 67th St.
• What's special: A long granite slide built into the hill, plus a sandbox, bucket swings and a spray feature.
• Shade and sun: Parents say there's lots of shade from the trees.
• Watch out for: No restrooms. Parent reviews mention rodents near the seating, so eat snacks elsewhere.

What local parents say

"the slides are made of carved rock which feels really smooth (much better than those stainless steel slides that turn into a grill in the summer sun). There is also lots of shade which is really nice on the warmer days!"
Berend Broekhoff, Google review · source

Public rating: 4.6 on Google (717 reviews), as shown on Family Action, Oct 2026

UPPER's take: ♥♥♥♡♡ Shady, sandbox and bucket swings for little ones. Loses hearts: no restrooms, more for bigger kids.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Central Park Conservancy

E 72nd St & Fifth Ave: East 72nd Street Playground

• How to get in: Just south of the E 72nd St entrance.
• What's special: A sand table, a water feature, slides and a net climber. Best for walkers and big siblings.
• Watch out for: No restrooms.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Central Park Conservancy

E 85th St & Fifth Ave: Ancient Playground

• How to get in: East side at E 85th St, right next to the Met.
• What's special: Pyramids, an obelisk and a sundial inspired by the Met's Egyptian art, with nine slides, swings and water play.
• Good for under-3s?: With help. There's a sandbox, bucket swings for babies and a gentle toddler sprinkler, but the big pyramids are for bigger kids, and it's easy to lose sight of a toddler.
• Shade and sun: Mommy Poppins says the east end is shady, with a pair of picnic tables.
• Seating: Plenty of benches around the edges (Mommy Poppins).
• Restrooms: Restrooms open 6:30 AM to dusk, year-round, and wheelchair accessible.
• Watch out for: Keep close to little ones in the pyramids and tunnels.

What local parents say

"Great playground near The Met with clean bathrooms, seating for observers and fun play structures for a variety of ages. Pro tip: there are two sides to the bathrooms. The bathrooms on the inside of the play area (not the ramp side) are usually empty."
Chelsea Kelly-Sipe, Google review · source

Public rating: 4.6 on Google (786 reviews), as shown on Family Action, Oct 2026

UPPER's take: ♥♥♥♥♡ Restrooms, benches, shade, a toddler sprinkler. Loses a heart: hard to watch under-3s in the big structures.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Central Park Conservancy · Mommy Poppins

Fifth Ave & E 105th St: Conservatory Garden

• How to get in: Fifth Ave between 104th & 106th St.
• What's special: A Quiet Zone with fall chrysanthemums. Open 8 AM–6 PM in October, 8 AM–5 PM Nov–Dec.
• Restrooms: Restrooms open 8 AM to dusk.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Central Park Conservancy

Sixth Ave & W 41st St: Bryant Park Winter Village

• How to get in: 6th Ave between 40th & 42nd St.
• What's special: Opens Wed, Oct 28. Admission to the rink is free (rentals cost extra), and the holiday shops are fun to stroll.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Bryant Park

Fifth Ave & W 50th St: Meet the Tree Day, Rockefeller Center

• What's special: Sat, Nov 7, when the tree arrives.
• Watch out for: The lighting is Dec 2, but it's very crowded with small kids. A weekday morning after is calmer.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Rockefeller Center

Park Ave S & E 20th St: Blue Bottle Coffee, Gramercy Park

• How to get in: 257 Park Ave S, NY 10010.
• Good for under-3s?: Gender-neutral changing table and room to park a stroller.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Let's Go Baby · Blue Bottle

Third Ave & E 31st St: Free toddler storytime, Kips Bay Library

• How to get in: 446 Third Ave.
• What's special: Stories, songs and wiggles for ages about 1–3. Wed, Oct 28 at 10:30 or 11 AM. Tickets from 10 AM, space for 20 kids. Roosevelt Island Library (504 Main St) runs one the same day, 10–11 AM, drop in.
• Good for under-3s?: Yes, it's made for them.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Kips Bay · Roosevelt Island · NYPL events

11th Ave & W 22nd St: Chelsea Waterside Playground

• How to get in: 181 11th Ave, NY 10011.
• What's special: Low climbers and sand by the Hudson.
• Shade and sun: Upparent's list calls out lots of shade.

What local parents say

"There's also a large sandbox and low structures for small kids to climb on."
Parent on Upparent · source

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Upparent

Gansevoort St to W 34th St: Coffee and a walk on the High Line

• What's special: Grab a drink and walk 20 minutes above the street. Free. Open 7 AM–10 PM through Nov 30, then 7 AM–8 PM.
• Watch out for: There are elevators at four spots. Check their status before you go.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: The High Line

W 13th St & the Hudson: Little Island

• How to get in: Pier 55, Hudson River Park at W 13th St.
• What's special: A slow loop over the water. Free, strollers welcome. Open 6 AM–11 PM through Oct 31, then 6 AM–9 PM.
• Restrooms: Restrooms have changing tables.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Little Island

Washington Square Arch: Children's Halloween Parade

• What's special: Sat, Oct 31, 1–4 PM. Families gather at the arch, then free trick-or-treat bags and games on W 3rd St.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: NYU

West Broadway & Franklin St: Maman, Tribeca

• How to get in: 211 W Broadway, NY 10013.
• Good for under-3s?: High chairs, a changing table and a kids menu.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Let's Go Baby · Maman

John St & Front St: Imagination Playground at Burling Slip

• What's special: Kids build with sand, water and big foam blocks.
• Watch out for: Recent reviews (2021 to 2025) say the foam blocks and shade umbrellas are often missing, so don't count on them.

What local parents say

"We took the NYC ferry to Wall St and walked a mere 2 blocks to the park. With sprinklers and sand for the kids, what more do you need to keep all happy."
SoulStrum, Google review via Family Action · source

"Rundown, no blue blocks, no umbrellas for shade. Just an empty lot with a sand pit and a fountain. Sadly not maintained well."
jennifer x, Tripadvisor review, Sep 2025 · source

Public rating: 4.1 from 220 Google reviews, via Family Action, as of Oct 2026

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Upparent · Family Action · Tripadvisor

State St & Battery Pl: SeaGlass Carousel

• What's special: You ride inside big glowing fish while the music plays.
• Good for under-3s?: Kids under 42 inches ride on a grown-up's lap. Both pay unless the child is 12 months or under. Strollers stay outside.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: The Battery · SeaGlass

Whitehall Terminal, 4 South St: Staten Island Ferry

• What's special: Free, no ticket, runs 24/7. Both terminals have elevators.
• Watch out for: Skip weekday rush hours, 6–9:30 AM and 3:30–8 PM.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Staten Island Ferry

Flatbush Ave & Empire Blvd: Prospect Park Zoo

• How to get in: Enter at Flatbush Ave & Empire Blvd.
• What's special: Small enough for short legs, with sea lions and close-up animals. Through Oct 31: 10 AM–5 PM weekdays, until 5:30 PM weekends. Buy tickets online ahead.

What local parents say

"the barn is a great place to show your little ones real sheep and goats and you can feed them as well which is fun and new experience"
Nadiia, Google review via Family Action · source

Public rating: 4.5 from 4,287 Google reviews, via Family Action, as of Oct 2026

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Prospect Park Alliance · Family Action

Flatbush Ave, Prospect Park: Lefferts Historic House

• What's special: An 18th-century farmhouse with a working garden and hands-on play. Sat–Sun and school holidays, 12–5 PM, through November.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Prospect Park Alliance

10 Grand Army Plaza: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library

• What's special: A warm, fully accessible stop on a cold morning. Opens 9 AM most days, 1–5 PM Sundays.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: BPL

150 Eastern Pkwy: Brooklyn Botanic Garden

• What's special: Wide paths for a slow stroller loop when the leaves turn. Check hours and admission before you go.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Frederick Douglass Blvd & W 114th St: CopperLeaf Bakery & Coffee, Harlem

• How to get in: 2118 Frederick Douglass Blvd, NY 10026.
• Good for under-3s?: Changing table and space for strollers.

What local parents say

"Very spacious, can fit strollers easily, with nice clean bathrooms that have changing tables."
Parent on Let's Go Baby · source

Checked Oct 23, 2026: CopperLeaf

Randall's Island: Halloween Boo Bash

• What's special: Sat, Oct 24, 12–3 PM. Free, no registration. Costumes, crafts, music and a story in the White Garden.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: NYC Parks

Central Park West: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (the 100th)

• What's special: Thu, Nov 26, from 8:30 AM. Free. Central Park West gets the balloons first, 8:30–10:30 AM.
• Watch out for: Early risers start lining up around 6 AM.

Checked Oct 23, 2026: Route tips