“Hot town, summer in the city…” Good song. Not so great a feeling when the heat index is 105 degrees. There are a number of ways to deal with extreme heat in NYC with kids—you can head to a free pool, the shore, or a playground with a sprinkler. But sometimes, it’s just too darn hot. That’s when you head inside and stay inside and keep cool in an air-conditioned space. We’ve rounded up the best places to stay cool with the kids in NYC, some of which you’ve probably thought of, some maybe you haven’t, and could save your sanity and day. From play spaces, to shopping destinations, museums, and more, here’s where to head when the mercury rises.
See a double—or triple!—feature at one of our favorite family-friendly movie theaters for kids. (Hit a mutliplex, or settle in for brunch, lunch, or dinner at a dine-in theater.) They keep it nice and cool in those cinemas.
Whether it's back-to-school shopping, an early birthday present, or just because, NYC has lots of stores (and complexes) that are actually pretty fun to shop.
For a magical toy store, we like CAMP in the Flatiron District (you enter through a secret door behind a bookcase, seen here), for a huge classic, try the new FAO Schwarz in Rockefeller Center.
Yes, you have to take a boat the Liberty Island and Ellis Island (and it's a short walk to the statue) but the statue, and the massive museum on Ellis Island are air conditioned and make a nice day out. Plus, a new museum dedicated to the Statue of Liberty just opened. Read our guide to visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with kids here!
photo: Mimi O'Connor
Hit the Links at Shipwrecked Miniature Golf
This pirate-themed indoor miniature golf course prides itself on cranking the A/C when the heat is just too hot to handle. (They also recently opened some Escape Rooms on another floor if you want to give them a shot. Warning: they're not easy!)
Sort of the best of both worlds: inside, and some H20. In the city, head right for City Treehouse. In Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Children's Museum has a great water play area in its Totally Tots section.
photo: The Peninsula
Check in & Chill
Let someone else pay the A/C bill. Treat the family to a staycation and book a nice hotel room, bonus points for you if the hotel has a pool. We recommend these spots.