The temperatures are dropping and soon the snow will be falling, but that doesn’t mean you and your family need to hibernate all winter long! This is a magical time to be in New York City, whether you’ve lived here all your life, are new in town, or just visiting for the weekend.
With busy holiday celebrations and increased stress and travel, both kids and adults can benefit from outdoor exercise in the winter to keep moving and appreciate the beauty of the season. Here are some fun and family-friendly ways to get outside and explore our amazing city all winter long.
Classic NYC Activities for Families
New York City is packed with sights and attractions that it can feel completely overwhelming to plan a day out with the kids. However, there are some classic NYC activities that should be added to every family’s to-do list because they get everyone active and engaged with the city’s vibrant energy.
A walking tour is a must when you’re in New York City and also a great way to get exercise while seeing the sights. Top spots to add to your walking route include Times Square, Central Park, Yankee Stadium, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. The New York Aquarium, Bronx Zoo, and Chinatown are also fun to visit for kids and adults alike. In the wintertime, make sure to check out the fantastic store window displays set up for holiday shoppers to get in the spirit of the season.
Ice Skating Rinks in NYC
No winter in New York would be complete without a few laps around an ice skating rink. Ice skating is an affordable and accessible family activity that nearly everyone can try and enjoy. The most famous rink is the one at Rockefeller Center in Midtown East, and Wollman Rink in Central Park is an iconic spot to skate too.
However, there are also lots of other rinks to check out in other parts of the city. The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is in Midtown West, LeFrak Center at Lakeside is in Prospect Park, the WWII Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink is in Staten Island. The Lasker Rink is in Harlem, and another Harlem rink at Riverbank State Park is often uncrowded and affordable for families.
Sledding Hills in NYC
Another fun winter sport to do with kids in NYC is sledding, and fortunately, there are lots of great sledding hills here to choose from. If you’re in Manhattan or Uptown, check out Pilgrim Hill in Central Park, which is a has an iconic steep slope and a gentle end. Cedar Hill near the Metropolitan Museum of Art is another great place to enjoy a snow day with the kids. Harlem has lots of hilly parks, and the one at 135th Street in St. Nicolas Park is a popular one.
If you’re in Brooklyn, check out the sledding hill at 9th Street and Prospect Park West for hills suitable for all ages. Forest Park and Juniper Valley Park have some sledding spots in Queens, and Ewen Park is the place to be for sledding in the Bronx.
Ski Trips Near NYC
If you manage to find a free weekend in your busy winter schedule, why not take your family’s love of snow sports to the next level with a skip trip near NYC. Heading out of town for a weekend is a way to break up routine, explore the great outdoors, challenge your skills, and bond as a family.
For a quick getaway, Mountain Creek is just an hour and a half from NYC and has 167 skiable acres, although Vernon Peak is the most family-friendly one for beginners. Camelback Mountain Resort in the Poconos is only about an hour and 45 minutes from NYC, and Belleayre Mountain is about two and half hours away in the Catskills.
Snow Tubing Spots Near NYC
Don’t forget about tubing when the snow begins to fall because the New York area is also an exciting place to glide down a hill with the greatest of ease. Fortunately for families, you won’t have to drive far to find good tubing areas at ski resorts in upstate New York and New Jersey.
Mount Peter in Warwick and Holiday Mountain in Monticello are great New York resorts for tubing. Campgaw Mountain in Mahwah and Mountain Creek in Vernon have some nice tubing areas too, and both are within an hour and a half of Midtown Manhattan.
Holiday Lights Displays
No matter which holidays your family celebrates, there’s just something special about the holiday light displays illuminating the streets and parks around New York City. Rockefeller Center is the big tourist area to be over the holidays, but even seasoned New Yorkers can’t deny its beauty when the enormous Christmas tree with 45,000 LED lights, glowing bushes, and golden angels come into view.
The Dyker Heights neighborhood is a fun place to walk around between Thanksgiving and Christmas to see festive decorations and listen to carols on loudspeakers. The Winter Village at Bryant Park has lots of holiday shops, seasonal activities, a lovely display of lights and ice skating rink too. Other top spots to see the city illuminated include the Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, and the Plaza Hotel.
Central Park Ice Festival
A fun way to learn about sculpture and appreciate art with your family is to attend the Central Park Ice Festival. This is an annual festival that takes place in February in Central Park and features professional ice carvers who create masterpieces with chisels and power tools. Also on the agenda is a silent disco, where both kids and adults are encouraged to show off their best dance moves with live DJ music pumped into headphones.
This event is entirely free and outdoors, so dress warmly. Last year’s event was actually cancelled due to extreme weather, so check the Central Park Conservancy page for updates.
Safety Tips for Wintertime Activities
But no matter which activities you choose, the best ones are those that allow kids to be safe and have fun while spending time outside during the winter. To ensure that the family fun continues through springtime, here are some safety tips for wintertime activities to keep in mind as you bundle up and head out the door.
- Wear warm and wind-resistant clothing, including a coat, gloves, hat, scarf, and boots
- Walk slowly to avoid falling in snow and ice
- Wear helmets and other protective gear while engaging in winter sports
- Take a lesson for new winter sports to prevent injuries
- Apply sunscreen to exposed skin before spending time outdoors
- Learn about the symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite to avoid them
- Take breaks from outdoor play to warm up and always supervise children
- Allow extra time for travel and heed the warnings in weather reports
Anyone with kids understands that accidents do happen, but sometimes they’re caused by a negligent individual or company that puts a damper in your plans and must be brought to justice. Unfortunately, slip & falls, sidewalk accidents, and subway & bus injuries are far too common around this time of year, so don’t hesitate to contact an experienced NYC lawyer or call directly at 718-237-5586 if someone in your family has been injured to learn more about your rights.
