Murray Hill Family Vacation Rentals: Space, Views & Kid Fun
Standing at the corner of 34th and Park, watching the Empire State Building catch the last light of a Tuesday afternoon while a kid on a scooter nearly takes out your ankles — that's Murray Hill in a nutshell. It's a neighborhood that doesn't announce itself loudly, which is exactly why families keep coming back. The pace is manageable, the streets are walkable, and you're closer to more of Manhattan's heavy hitters than most visitors realize.
Why Murray Hill Works for Families
Murray Hill sits between 34th and 40th Streets along the East Side, roughly between Lexington and Third Avenues. It's a residential pocket that happens to sit within walking distance of Grand Central Terminal, the New York Public Library's main branch, and Bryant Park — all genuinely great spots for kids. The 6 train runs up Lexington Avenue and gives you direct access to the Upper East Side and the Museum of Natural History with one transfer. The 4 and 5 express trains at Grand Central get you to the Bronx Zoo faster than you'd think.
The neighborhood itself moves at a human speed. There are actual grocery stores, a handful of playgrounds, and enough pizza-by-the-slice spots to keep the under-12 crowd satisfied between museum visits. Koreatown is literally a five-minute walk south on 32nd Street if you want something more interesting for dinner. Madison Square Park — with its Shake Shack and wide-open lawn — is another short walk down Madison Avenue.
The Rentals Worth Knowing About
If you're traveling with a small family or a grandparent in tow, the Spacious Midtown Master Bedroom with Empire State Building view is worth a serious look. It sleeps up to three, which covers the classic two-parents-and-a-young-kid configuration, and the amenities list reads like someone actually thought about what families need: full kitchen, in-unit laundry, A/C, and both kid-friendly and pet-friendly designations. The Empire State Building view isn't marketing fluff — from this part of Midtown, you really do get that over-the-rooftop sightline that makes New York feel like the movies. It's a shared home setup, so you're not getting the place entirely to yourselves, but the trade-off is a more local, lived-in feel that a lot of families actually prefer over a sterile hotel corridor.
For a couple traveling with a baby or toddler who needs their own space to decompress, the Spacious Midtown apartment with stunning city views is a different kind of option. This one's a whole home — exclusively prepared for guests — which means you get the full run of the apartment. It's earned 4.9 stars across 8 reviews, and the guest feedback is specific in the way that actually means something: people mention the quiet despite the central location, the rooftop access, and a host who communicates clearly and doesn't leave you guessing. The rooftop alone is worth it when you have a restless kid who needs open air without a subway ride. Grand Central is right there, and the 4/5/6 and the S shuttle put you minutes from everywhere. It also lists as kid-friendly and pet-friendly, so if your family travels with a dog, you're covered.
Both properties sit in one of the most logistically convenient parts of the city for family travel. You can browse these and compare other options directly on CasaVoya, where the Murray Hill listings are worth filtering through if you're set on this part of the East Side.
What to Do With Kids in Murray Hill
Bryant Park
A ten-minute walk west on 42nd Street puts you at Bryant Park, which is genuinely underrated as a family destination. There's a free merry-go-round, open lawn space, and the kind of low-key energy that lets everyone breathe. In winter, the skating rink is free to use if you bring your own skates.
Grand Central Terminal
Don't just pass through it — actually spend time inside. The celestial ceiling, the whispering gallery, the lower dining concourse. Kids who are into trains will love the Metro-North platforms. It's one of those New York experiences that lands differently when you have time to wander rather than rush.
The Morgan Library & Museum
On 36th and Madison, the Morgan Library is one of Manhattan's quieter museums and genuinely worth an afternoon. The architecture alone is worth the visit, and they run family programming that doesn't feel like an afterthought.
New York Public Library
The main branch on Fifth and 42nd is free, has Paddington Bear and Winnie-the-Pooh's original stuffed animals in the children's room, and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Kids old enough to appreciate a good story usually love it.
The Honest Bottom Line
Murray Hill won't hit you over the head with its personality, and that's a feature rather than a flaw when you're traveling with children. You get space, you get access, you get a neighborhood that functions like a real place instead of a theme park version of New York. The rentals here reflect that same sensibility — real apartments with real amenities, close to everything that matters, without the chaos of Times Square two avenues over.
CasaVoya Properties in Murray Hill
Spacious Midtown apartment with stunning city views
★ 4.9 · 8 reviews
Great central location in a quiet neighborhood near grand central, beautiful view from the apartment and access to rooftop space, host is very responsive friendly and provides clear helpful instructions
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