New York City: Places to Stay Cool

Travel for Kids

Visiting New York City with kids this summer, be prepared for hot weather.

Manhattan has lots of super parks with water play areas to cool off.

Here’s some of our favorites.

Plus, New York Public Library is air conditioned.

Lower Manhattan

  • Battery Park – A long shady promenade with cooling breezes, shade trees, benches, extends up the Hudson River.
  • Bosque Fountain – Kids love to play in water jets and get soaked (photo above).
  • SeaGlass Carousel isn’t a water play area, but riding the carousel, it feels like you’re under the water (photo at top of the post).
  • Battery Park City – Teardrop Park – Playground has a super slide, sand and water play area, called “Water Rocks.”
  • Hudson River Park – Pier 25 (North Moore St.), find a large playground, miniature golf, and water play area.

 

Madison Square Park

  • Located on Madison Ave, between E.25 St., large playground, bring swim suits to get drenched from swirling overhead fountain.
  • Also in the park, Shake Shack with hamburgers, hot dogs, vanilla and chocolate frozen custard.

 

Central Park

  • Pat Hoffman Friedman Playground (E. 79th St. and Fifth Ave.) – Located right around the corner from Metropolitan Museum of Art, East Playground has a water play area. And much loved “Three Bears” sculpture.
  • Heckscher Playground (W. 61st- 63rd St.) – Largest playground in Central Park, lots of swings, climbing structures, and large wading pools.
  • Adventure Playground (W. 67th St.) – Water spray feature, fortress and maze play structures.
  • Diana Ross Playground (81st St. and Central Park West) – Smooth wooden climbing structure, and sprinkler water play.

 

New York Public Library

Children’s Center – Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (455 Fifth Ave.)

When you walk in, check out two big soft stuffed animal lions, Fortitude and Patience.

Go down to the Children’s Center on the lower level. It’s is a large area with children’s books for of all ages, tables and chairs, soft couches, and a separate teen center.

This is great place to spend time reading together, a perfect multi-generational activity.

A fun read about the two lions and New York City:
Where is our Library? by Josh Funk, Stevie Lewis

Library is air-conditioned, restrooms available, also jigsaw puzzles on ground floor. Open daily.


 

Find more fun things to do with kids in New York on Travel for Kids, along with New York family hotels.