New York City overflows with things to do for families, and while you may have visited the city that never sleeps in your pre-parenthood youth, it’s a completely different experience with kids in tow. Lucky for you: I’m here to offer my parent-tested tips for the best NYC itinerary with kids for a family trip to NYC. Even locals can appreciate these picks, which are a combination of off-the-beaten-path destinations and New York City’s top attractions, all catering to a mix of ages and interests.

I’ve laid it all out in an easy-to-follow three-day NYC itinerary with kids, and while you can’t do it all in three days, you can definitely take a big bite out of the Big Apple. Read on for my top picks for things to do in on a family trip to NYC—or use these picks for a local staycation to explore some new-to-you sites and neighborhoods. You can find all our top things to do in NYC on our NYC kids’ bucket list and in our Visitors Guide to New York City.

Museum memberships can be a boon when it comes to saving money in NYC. And, after visiting NYC's top play spaces, favorite children's museums from Brooklyn to Queens, and other local fun zones, we've rounded up a handful of membership deals at popular kid-centric destinations we think are worth the investment for these cold winter months. These places keep your kids entertained and active while getting you out of the house—and the weather. Some even offer short-term museum memberships, so you only have to pay until spring arrives.

In the dead of winter, it can be daunting to schlep somewhere new every weekend, so a membership to one (or two) of your favorite kid destinations makes sense. We've already done the math so you'll know exactly how many visits it takes until these investments pay off—and whether or not the "deal" works for your family. If the math doesn't work out for you, consider buying one of the play spaces' bulk passes instead, which usually knocks a few bucks off the daily drop-in price. Looking for more options? Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Indoor Activities, which has more parent-tested destinations like our favorite local stores where kids can play for FREE.

When it comes to winter sports, NYC seems to be embroiled in a game of seasonal one-upmanship. There are dueling bumper cars on ice, rooftop ice skating rinks, and even our very own skate-and-play mashup of ice skating and gaming, but Edge New York is elevating winter fun—literally. The sky-high observation deck has just introduced Sky Skate, which allows visitors to glide across the highest ice skating rink in NYC—and the entire Western Hemisphere—as the city buzzes below.

Unlike our favorite seasonal outdoor ice skating rinks, Sky Skate is indoors, so it's an all-weather activity, though you'll want to bring along the hats, scarves, and gloves so you can step outside and take in the open-air observation deck views when you're done.