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By Nicole Frank

There is always something going on in New York City. Theatre, music, clubs. New York is referred to the city that never sleeps for a reason! Yet not all New York City events and entertainment take place at night or indoors. What's more, many of the activities and attractions are appropriate for kids and the entertainment is oftentimes free. But to take advantage of all that New York City has to offer families a bit of thought and advance planning is required.

While there is no right or wrong time of the year to visit New York City with kids, the Christmas holiday season is magical. The window decorations are amazing. Rockefeller Center's huge Christmas tree must be seen to be believed. And there are hundreds of free holiday events and moving religious services that will capture even your youngest child's interest. But it is the peak travel season and the most popular events and attractions, not to mention affordable hotel rooms, are sold-out months in advance.

New York City museums, theaters and concert halls offer unparalleled riches. Most venues offer deep discounts for students and many events are specifically geared for children. The New Victory children's theater is one such example. This genuine Broadway Theater is just for kids. Don't miss the annual Kid's Night on Broadway when children as young as 6 are welcome to attend performances otherwise reserved for adults and with the purchase of an adult ticket, their attendance is free.

Families in search of free events need not look far. The many immigrant groups, which have built the city, offer a fascinating smorgasbord of cultural experiences for tourists of all ages. Each community has an annual parade or festival featuring that culture's traditional dress, dance, music and food. From Little Italy's San Genaro festival to the colorful Caribbean Day parade, there are endless delights for the little ones.

Copyright © Nicole Frank. All rights reserved. Nicole has successfully completed 27 home exchanges. She is the author of Home Exchange Travels an informative blog on home exchange travel and travel with children and seniors.