Iconic NYC no matter what time of year. The holidays bring the famous tree and ice-skating rink, but there's also a brand new mega LEGO store, FAO Schwarz and American Girl Place, where you can dine with your doll or schedule a hair or manicure appointment at the on-site salon. For a stellar view, visit Top of the Rock, and if you're an NBC fan, check out a tour. Don't miss the stunning Radio City Music Hall on Sixth Avenue, which offers one of our favorite behind-the-scenes tours in the city.

NYC's backyard in the center of the city, with some of the best playgrounds in town—we recommend Hecksher Playground, the Ancient Playground outside the Metropolitan Museum and Billy Johnson Playground, where the granite slides are big hits. Visit Belvedere Castle, the Zoo, or catch a show at the Swedish Marionette Cottage. Don't miss Conservatory Water, where you can watch mini sailboats float, or Strawberry Fields, the park's memorial to John Lennon.

A must-do for any visitor and native. Famously home to astounding fossils and dinosaur displays, animal dioramas, the life-size blue whale suspended in the Hall of Ocean Life and the recently renovated, and dazzling, Hall of Gems and Minerals.

This 85-acre park provides stellar, up-close views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, the East River and Downtown Manhattan. You'll find inventive playgrounds throughout the waterside park, a roller rink, athletic courts, lush plantings and open fields. Pier 6 is the place to be for a water play area, a giant "sandbox", climbing structures, Slide Mountain and Swing Valley. Fornino's Pizza is a great place to refuel and chill here.

You can ride a subway right to this beachside spot. Amusement Parks Luna Park and Deno's Wonder Wheel provide thrills, as does the famous Cyclone roller coaster. Stop by Nathan's for a famous hot dog, take a dip in the ocean if it's warm, and stroll down the boardwalk to visit the New York Aquarium and see live animal shows and a great shark exhibit. Don't miss Totonno's on Neptune Ave. for some of NYC's pizza!

Everyone should see it, and the New Year's Eve ball, at least once! Broadway theaters are close by, and touristy shopping destinations include M&M's World, LINE Friends and Hershey's Chocolate World.

Hop a ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island to see Lady Liberty up close and learn about America's immigration story.

Head to the Flatiron District to visit the new Harry Potter New York store, Italian food emporium Eataly, a primo LEGO store and the green space of Madison Square Park, home to open lawns, public art and a playground.

An incredible, free, elevated park built on defunct train tracks that spans nearly one-and-a-half miles from Gansevoort to 34th Street. At its base is the Whitney Museum of American Art—worth a visit itself—and it lets out at the luxury mall and neighborhood Hudson Yards. The park provides incredible views of the Hudson River and surrounding neighborhoods of Chelsea and beyond, is punctuated by temporary and permanent public art and features native plantings that shine no matter the season.

In a city filled with zoos, this is the big one! Top spots for kids are the Children's Zoo within the zoo, and Nature Trek, a kid-friendly version of the adult-size Tree Top Adventure here. And don't miss the Bug Carousel. Other must-sees are the Congo Gorilla Forest, Bird of Prey and Aquatic Birds, the African Plains, Baboon Reserve and World of Reptiles. Pay extra, and you can even go for a camel ride here!

Wander the winding streets of this packed and colorful downtown neighborhood. Visit famous Doyers Street for dim sum from iconic eatery Nom Wah Tea Parlor, then stop in at Ting's Gift Shop across the street for traditional Chinatown trinkets. Other spots for a real NYC experience: Wo Hop on Mott Street, Great New York Noodletown on Bowery and The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory on Bayard. Stroll down Canal Street to peruse street vendors selling NYC souvenirs and knock-offs of all kinds.

Once hipster ground zero, now a chic neighborhood with stylish residents and its own Apple Store, Williamsburg is a great area for eating, drinking, shopping and people-watching. Arrive via ferry at Marsha P. Johnson State Park and feast at the food vendor extravaganza Smorgasburg (held on Saturdays). Don't miss Domino Park for an inspired playground, water jets to cool off, and riverside seating. Shop along Bedford Avenue and if you're up for it, eat at legendary steak house Peter Luger's.

There are so many ways to explore the Met with kids. Recs for kids include the Egyptian art wing and impressive Temple of Dendur; Arms and Armor; the Roof Garden, which features a new installation every year; the Costume Institute's exhibits and the Sculpture Court. Plus: Asian, African and Oceanic art, Roman and Greek art, contemporary art, and works by so many masters, including Monet, O'Keefe, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Degas, Calder, Pollock, Goya and Van Gogh.

Dedicated to showcasing thought-provoking modern and contemporary art the museum features rotating exhibits throughout the year, as well as works by luminaries such as Van Gogh ("Starry Night" is here), Dali, Cezanne, Warhol, Seurat and Picasso. The famed Sculpture Garden is a good place to rest and recharge, and the museu offers free guides for families.

While not technically in New York City, the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey is certainly a destination in the area, especially on a day when the weather isn't cooperating. Aside from high-end shopping, activities include: DreamWorks Water Park; Nickelodeon Universe indoor amusement park; SEA LIFE aquarium; Big Snow, an indoor ski slope; two indoor mini golf courses; an ice rink and a LEGOLAND Discovery Center. (Admission to each attraction is purchased individually.)

Head to the far west side of Manhattan and climb aboard a real aircraft carrier, also a museum. In addition to rotating exhibits dedicated to travel on in the water and the air, the Intrepid is home to the space shuttle Enterprise, British Airways' Concorde, Growler, a submarine you can go inside and a Douglas F4D Skyray.

Established in 1891, this historic landmark covers 250 acres. The Everett Children's Adventure Garden offers drop-in activities on weekends, and you can grab a pamphlet here for a garden scavenger hunt. Ever-changing gardens here include and Azalea garden, rock garden, perennial garden, a seasonal walk and native plant garden. The NYBG also hosts large-scale art events (recent seasons have featured shows by Yayoi Kusama and Dale Chihuly) a well as seasonal displays.

Train-crazy kids (and adults) will love this museum, housed in an authentic 1936 subway station, complete with a working platform. In addition to a fleet of 20 vintage subway and elevated train cars, which visitors can explore, the museum has hardware and ephemera from the city's transportation history—everything from tokens and maps, to a bus you can "drive" and turnstiles of yore. Plus: exhibits on the ever-changing transport system of the city and the people who made, and use it.