So, you’re going to hit the road to New York City and you want to make sure everyone is going to enjoy themselves. That means mom and dad, and also the kids. If you’ve got young kids, you know that often your trips turn into nothing more than keeping them happy. But what if you could make everyone happy with one of the best family road trips with kids? 

The best way to do that is to take a road trip through the five boroughs, with fun stops along the way. 

Let’s Hit Manhattan

First up, we’re heading to Manhattan. And we’ll find plenty of things to do there. What’s so great about Manhattan? A whole lot of things, including Rockefeller Center, home of NBC Studios and the Rockettes. Not to mention Times Square. That means there’s plenty for the adults to love about this part of the trip as well (maybe hit a couple fun stores for the rest of your party as well?). 

Rockefeller Center – This is where you’re going to find NBC Studios, which your kids are likely to enjoy. But even more than that you’ll find The Radio City Music Hall and plenty of fun stores. The kind that kids like, like the LEGO store and Nintendo. 

Times Square – This one also has plenty of shopping, but at kid-friendly ones, like the M&M’s World and the Disney Store. They’ll be able to explore some huge stores, see all the coolest and latest products from their favorite companies, and see the huge screens and buildings that Times Square is famous for. 

Next Up, Brooklyn

This is where you’re going to find some beautiful sights as well as a fun experience, or a few. You’ll find the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory here and also Coney Island. And those are definitely two places your kids are going to want to go. You can set up an auto rental New York and be on your way in no time. (And everyone gets ice cream and rides, so it’s great for everyone!)

Brooklyn Proper – You’ll find the Brooklyn Bridge here, which is fun to look at and walk across. You’ll get to see the Manhattan skyline while you’re there, and that’s going to be the best picture you take all trip (maybe). There are playgrounds and parks here, and then the Ice Cream Factory, of course.

Coney Island – You’ll find a whole lot of fun at this park, which offers a little of everything for everyone in your party. It’s actually a boardwalk, but with all the best parts of a beach and a theme park rolled into one. You’ll get some good food, fun rides, and a beach at the same time. What could be better? 

Going for the Gold with Staten Island

Next on our not-to-miss list is Staten Island, where you can ride the ferry, check out the gardens and nature trails, or even go to the children’s museum. No matter what you’re looking for, or how old your kids are (even adults) there’s something to do here. This one could be a more relaxing day, or a more exciting one, depending on how you’re feeling at the midpoint of your trip. 

Staten Island Ferry – Take the ferry to get you where you want to go. And to get some good pictures of the Statue of Liberty. You’ll be able to explore outside once you get to your destination, with gardens, trails, parks, and more on the other side.

Children’s Museum – This isn’t just a museum full of artifacts and history. It’s a full-on play-zone for kids. There’s arts and crafts, building, games, toys, and a whole lot more. And they’ll be learning while they’re doing it. So what could be a better opportunity for the whole family? 

Royalty for a Day, With Queens

Here you’ll also have the opportunity to teach your kids without them even knowing about it. Because your family road trips won’t be complete without checking out the New York Hall of Science. And then you can have some fun watching the New York Mets (hopefully) win their next game. 

New York Hall of Science – This is another hands-on museum where kids get to play and learn in a fun environment. Everything is interactive and there’s so much to do and explore. And you can head to the Country Farm Museum from there if you want to really get into the learning (in a totally different way. 

Citi Field – This is where the Mets play, so why not check out a game and enjoy some of America’s pastime? Baseball! You can also take behind-the-scenes tours of the stadium so you really get to experience it all. You’ll get to see parts of the stadium you definitely wouldn’t any other way.

Off to the Bronx

Finally, we’re heading off to the final one of New York’s boroughs. The Bronx. This one is where you’ll see the zoo and you’ll also have another chance at a baseball game, this time with the New York Yankees! Or check out the tour options to get a closer look at history.

Bronx Zoo – With over 2.65 acres of land and over 11,000 animals from 650 different species, you’ll find something for everyone at this zoo. There’s even a petting zoo for your youngest family members (or anyone who really wants to pet a goat).

Yankee Stadium – Once again, it’s America’s pastime. And a baseball game can be a great way to cap off a great week of exploring everything New York has to offer. It’s a great way to get the whole family involved and for older members of the family there’s a whole lot to learn from the tours. You can even check out Babe Ruth’s bat and Mickey Mantle’s glove. So if you’re a baseball fan, this is a can’t miss stop on your list of family road trip ideas. You’ll love the experience. 

Hit the Road

You don’t want to miss out on anything when it comes to New York (which means you might need more than just a few days to get everywhere). But if you pick up your car rental NYC JFK and get started right away, you’re going to be more than happy. A rental car can get you where you want to go. All you need is the keys.