1. Always pack snacks! Kids constantly get hungry throughout the day and sometimes you may get stuck on a longer wait for the subway or getting to your next adventure, so have some snacks on hand at all times. It helps keep bellies full and spirits high!
2. Locate the loos! It never fails that the second you leave your apartment or hotel, someone needs to go to the bathroom. Which means that knowing where bathroom options are around the city is key! Toodle Loo is an app that you can download on your phone that shares public restrooms and will come in handy when you find yourself in a bind!
3. Slim down your schedule! Don't overpack your schedule or you might just miss out on the magic of NYC! New York is such a big city with so much to offer, and it can be easy to jam pack your schedule with all the different attractions and sights. Try to prioritize a few different attractions each day so you can fully enjoy the activities and aren't spending the majority of your time getting from one part of the itinerary to the next! Whew can that get tiring!
Which brings us to our next tip...
4. Relax, refresh, recover! Try to incorporate some down time throughout the day. This is super important, especially with kids in tow (traipsing around NYC can be a lot!) and our favorite spot to relax in the city is Central Park. Whether it's a picnic on the lawn or watching the rowboats, it's a perfect spot to slow down and soak up all that NYC has to offer!
5. Prepare for Precipitation! Always have a backup plan for unexpected rainy days. There's nothing worse than getting stuck having to quickly switch gears and frantically update your daily plans (especially on the fly) so always have a plan B for the day. There are lots of amazing museums throughout the city that are a great indoor option to help pass the time, but the Museum of Natural History is our favorite and we especially love the dinosaur exhibit. Can't recommend it enough!