Fun & Affordable New York State Activities with Kids

Adirondack Animal Land in Vails Mills, New York is a family-owned and operated park that provides a home to more than five hundred animals in natural settings. This wildlife park encompasses eighty acres of New York farmland situated within the foothills of the state’s Adirondack Mountains. Since the property is a propagation facility for wildlife, visitors can see wooly baby llamas and bottle-raised baby animals, along with dozens of other animals, such as zebras, primates, camels, and kangaroos. Guests can feed baby animals, explore a Western town from the 1800’s, have a picnic or grab lunch from the Country Kitchen, and more.

Adirondack Animal Land, 3554 State Highway 30, Vails Mills, NY 12078, Phone: 518-883-5748

The All Things Oz Museum in Chittenango, New York is where the International L. Frank Baum & All Things Oz Historical Foundation calls home. The town is the birthplace of L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The museum is managed by a dedicated staff of volunteers who are responsible for curating more than 15,000 pieces. The All Things Oz Museum exhibits between 1,200 and 1,400 pieces at any given time, including original costumes and props from musicals and movies, thousands of Oz memorabilia, Judy Garland’s autograph, and rare collectibles.

All Things Oz Museum, 219 Genesee St, Chittenango, NY 13037, Phone: 315-687-7772

The Aquarium of Niagara offers an “ocean of discovery” as the other “wet wonder” of Niagara Falls, New York. The aquarium features more than thirty exhibits, including over 1,500 animals representing around two hundred aquatic species of animals. Exhibits include the Penguin Coast exhibit, coral reefs, California sea lions, and more. The Aquarium of Niagara also offers other experiences for visitors, such as daily tidal pool, shark, and penguin feedings. The Whaling Wall, a life-sized vibrant whale painting, gives guests a look at the underwater world waiting inside the aquarium, which can be reached by the trails or the in-park trolley.

Aquarium of Niagara, 701 Whirlpool St, Niagara Falls, NY 14301, Phone: 716-285-3575

The Boldt Castle on Heart Island, situated near Alexandria Bay, New York, is one of the region’s premier attractions, located in the famous 1000 Islands. Built by millionaire hotel magnate George C. Boldt, construction of the home started in 1900 as a tribute to Boldt’s wife Louise. The castle was meant to be the couple’s summer home, but sadly, Louise died in 1904, only months before the castle’s completion. Visitors can tour Boldt Castle to see the indoor pool, George Boldt’s bedroom, and the grand staircase. The impressive and beautiful grounds are also interesting to explore and features several other structures.

Boldt Castle on Heart Island, 1 Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, Phone: 315-482-9724

The Brooklyn Children's Museum boasts the title of the first children’s museum in the world and has been one of New York City’s beloved destinations for families since the year 1899. The Crown Heights institution consists of three floors of both permanent and rotating interactive exhibits, as well as hands-on science and cultural programs, designed for children between the ages of six months and ten years, including exhibits with historical artifacts and live animals. There museum includes a special play area for kids under five years old. The Brooklyn Children's Museum is open six days a week, closed on Mondays.

Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213, Phone: 718-735-4400

The Brooklyn Wild Parrot Safari is certainly one of the most unique experiences families will find around New York City. Most people expect to find pigeons and sparrows in the trees of Brooklyn, not wild parakeets.

During the Brooklyn Wild Parrot Safari, visitors will spot flashes of bright green and hear the shrill squawk of the Monk parakeets during a unique experience that kids are sure to find a delight. The guide of Brooklyn Wild Parrot Safaris has been operating these one-of-a-kind tours since 2005, possessing patience and vast knowledge that makes him a great guide with curious kids.

The Buffalo Museum of Science in Buffalo, New York has long been a resource for answering the question of “why.” Eleven different exhibit areas make up the science museum, which include Rethink Extinct, Our Place in Space, Our Marvelous Earth, Nano, In Motion, Explore You, Explorations, Biodiversity, and Artifacts. From its captivating exhibits to knowledgeable staff to inspiring collection, the Buffalo Museum of Science is dedicated to perpetuating the question of “why” in everyone who explore its exhibit halls. Guests can find a pendulum tracking the movement of the Earth, a hive large enough to hold 80,000 bees, and much more.

Buffalo Museum of Science, 1020 Humboldt Pkwy, Buffalo, NY 14211, Phone: 716-896-5200

The Buffalo Zoo spans across approximately 23.5 acres and is the country’s third oldest zoo, established back in 1875. Housing both local wildlife and some of the most endangered, exotic wildlife in the world, the zoo is the town’s only destination for observing a broad array of domestic and exotic animals throughout the year in naturalistic habitats. Exhibits include the Rainforest Falls and Arctic Edge exhibits, as well as the Delta Sonic Heritage Farm, a replica of a farmstead during the 1850’s along the Erie Canal. Visitors can see rare Indian rhinos, sea lions, reptiles, polar bears, gorillas, and more.

Buffalo Zoo, 300 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214, Phone: 716-837-3900

The Central Park Zoo, located within New York City’s famed Central Park, and is open every single day throughout the year. The zoo is made up of three major biomes: the Polar Circle, the Temperate Territory, and the Tropic Zone. It is also home to the Tisch Children’s Zoo, where young kids can get up-close and personal with sheep, goats, and more. The Polar Circle exhibit features puffins, penguins, and harbor seals that are sure to delight guests with their antics. The Temperate Territory transports visitors to Asia where they can visit with cranes, red pandas, and snow monkeys.

64th St & 5th Ave, New York, NY 10021, Phone: 212-439-6500

The Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum shares interesting information about the cargo boats that once carried produce, coal, lumber, and grain along the Erie Canal from the west to the markets of the east. Situated in Chittenango’s Old Erie Canal State Historic Park, the museum features a three-bay excavated drydock as its main highlight, built back in 1855. Other things visitors can see at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum include model canal boats, reconstructed blacksmith and woodworking shops, excavated remains of canal boats, a reconstructed aqueduct, a sawmill, and a sunken canal boat, when there is clear water.

Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, 717 Lakeport Rd, Chittenango, NY 13037, Phone: 315-687-3801