New York City is a great place to raise a family. It has everything you could want and more, but what are the best neighborhoods in New York for families?
When you think of New York, you probably envision skyscrapers, bright lights and busy streets. But there are also quiet neighborhoods that offer plenty of space and peace.
If you’re looking for a quiet place to raise your children, these are some of the best neighborhoods in New York for families.
Best Neighborhoods in New York for Families
1. Carrol Gardens
Carroll Gardens is a residential neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It is bounded by the Gowanus Canal on the west, Carroll Street on the east, the Prospect Expressway on the north and Court Street on the southQ .
The neighborhood is named after Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence. The area was originally farmland, but was developed during the late 19th century as a residential area for workers who commuted to Manhattan by ferry.
Today Carroll Gardens has become one of Brooklyn’s most desirable neighborhoods. Its proximity to Manhattan makes it a popular choice for families who want to live close to their offices in Midtown or Downtown Manhattan but still be able to afford a home in an urban community with many amenities.
2. Riverdale
Riverdale, which is located in the Bronx, is one of the most well-known neighborhoods in New York. It’s also one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city.
Riverdale is known for having some of the best schools in New York City and has a strong sense of community. This neighborhood has many parks and gardens, as well as beautiful views of the Hudson River and New Jersey Palisades.
If you’re looking for a place to live with your family and want to be close to nature and schools, Riverdale may be a good option for you.
3. Astoria
Astoria is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city, with a mix of cultures and ethnicities that make it an excellent choice for families. The area is also home to many young families, so you’ll find plenty of playgrounds and other family-friendly attractions.
The neighborhood has several parks that feature playgrounds, basketball courts and more. The Socrates Sculpture Park is an outdoor sculpture garden that hosts many events throughout the year, such as concerts, festivals and film screenings. Ditmars Playground is located on 21st Avenue between 24th and 25th streets, next to Ditmars Park. It features a playground with slides, swings and more.
Astoria Park has baseball fields, soccer fields and basketball courts — making it popular with athletes of all ages. It also features a dog run for those who like to walk their furry friends off-leash. The park is located on Shore Boulevard between Astoria Boulevard South and 23rd Street South in the heart of Astoria’s Greektown community (also known as Hallets Cove).
4. Park Slope
The Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn is one of the best places for families in New York City. The neighborhood has a lot to offer, from great schools and parks to an active community.
The city’s largest park—Prospect Park—is located in the heart of Park Slope. The park is home to several attractions that kids love including the Lefferts Historic House and Carousel Gardens. Families can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities like tennis, baseball, golf and ice skating.
The restaurants and shops along Fifth Avenue are great for shopping with kids. You’ll find everything from kid-friendly restaurants like Grimaldi’s Pizza (famous for its coal-fired brick oven pizza) to shops like Toys ‘R’ Us and Baby Depot where you can buy toys and baby supplies.
5. Williamsburg
Williamsburg is one of the best neighborhoods in New York for families. This hipster neighborhood features a number of fun activities for all ages, including live music, free movies and art galleries. Williamsburg also boasts a huge variety of restaurants and shops, making it an ideal place to spend an afternoon or evening.
If you’re looking for a quiet neighborhood with plenty to do, look no further than Forest Hills. This neighborhood has plenty of parks, playgrounds and museums that will keep your family entertained all day long. A few blocks away from Forest Hills lies Kew Gardens, another quiet neighborhood that’s perfect for families with children of all ages.
6. Lower East Side
The Lower East Side is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in New York City. It’s also one of the oldest, with a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. The neighborhood was once home to immigrants from Ireland and Germany, but today it’s one of the most culturally diverse places in the city. You’ll find everything from trendy restaurants and bars to traditional Jewish delis and Italian bakeries on Orchard Street — not to mention some of the best shopping in town.
The Lower East Side is also home to some great parks and playgrounds for kids. Tompkins Square Park is a perfect place for children over age 6 who want to play on a jungle gym or swing set, while younger kids can hop on a seesaw or slide at Seward Park.
7. Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is one of Manhattan’s most diverse and family-friendly neighborhoods. The neighborhood has many parks and playgrounds including Riverside Park, Carl Schurz Park and the Central Park Zoo. It also has a large variety of restaurants, bars and shops.
The Upper West Side is home to many public schools including PS 89, PS 199 and PS 6. It is also home to numerous private schools including The Buckley School, Dalton School, Horace Mann School and Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School.
The Upper West Side is a great place for families because it has everything you need within walking distance. If you need to get out of the neighborhood for a bit you can hop on the subway or bus to get downtown or uptown quickly.
8. Kips Bay
Kips Bay is an up-and-coming area in the East Midtown neighborhood of New York City. Located on the East River, Kips Bay offers easy access to public transportation and proximity to many of New York’s most popular attractions. Kips Bay is home to some of the city’s best private schools, including St. Ann’s School and Public School 41. This neighborhood also has plenty of green spaces such as Gramercy Park and Carl Schurz Park, which are great for recreation.
The Kips Bay area is known for being a family-friendly community with plenty of amenities nearby. There are multiple grocery stores and restaurants within walking distance from your Kips Bay apartment. In addition, there are several parks in the area that offer plenty of space for children to play or for parents to relax after work.
9. Soho
Soho is a vibrant neighborhood in New York City, one of the most popular places to live and shop.
This chic and trendy neighborhood is home to some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Empire State Building, Broadway theaters and upscale shopping. The streets are lined with boutiques and galleries, as well as restaurants that serve everything from French cuisine to sushi.
Soho has a lively nightlife scene with lots of clubs, bars and lounges that cater to every taste. In addition to being an excellent place for adults to have fun, Soho is also an excellent choice for families with kids because it has so much to offer them.
10. Chelsea
Chelsea is a great place to raise children, with its lively and diverse community, access to great schools and parks, and proximity to the city’s major cultural institutions. It has a lively nightlife scene with lots of restaurants and bars, as well as plenty of green space. Chelsea is also home to the High Line Park, an elevated linear park that was built on top of an old elevated subway line—it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.
Chelsea is bordered by Midtown West and Hudson Yards to the north; the West Village to its east; Hell’s Kitchen on its south; and Greenwich Village on its west.
Parents will want to make sure they’re looking at neighborhoods within Chelsea rather than just considering it as a whole. The area between Eighth Avenue and Sixth Avenue from 14th Street northward used to be known as Hell’s Kitchen; today it goes by Clinton or Midtown West. This area is mostly commercial but does include some residential buildings, including rental apartments for families who want easy access to Times Square or Penn Station for commuting into Manhattan for work each day.
