DOWNTOWN
Cool kids can explore indoor and outdoor public art, shopping, pop-ups and lots of inventive food below 14th street.
See our neighborhood map to plan, but leave time for fun discoveries in these funky streets.
Also see what's happening in the rest of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and beyond NYC plus guides to museums, pop-ups, free public art and outdoor adventures.
We'll keep updating as more places open; sign up for our email list and follow our insta for the latest.
TO DO
DeSalvio Playground
Spring Sreet &Mulberry StreetThis recently upgraded park has cool design, a big includes a big jungle gym with monkey bars atop rubber matting, lots of shaded seating area, a basketball court (with two hoops), checker board tables and sprinklers.
East Village/Lower East Side Street Art
Orchard Street between Delancey and E. Houston Lower ManhattanLook for lots of cool murals around this hip neighborhood, on walls, sliding metal gates and on the sidewalk. Current favorite include a I ❤️ NY mural at The Jones NYC (Great Jones Street & Bowery), a swing you can sit on among tulips at Bloomeffects (Bowery & Bleecker), a double-vision Mickey Mouse (Houston…
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Mural
11th Street & 1st AvenueSee a colorful three-story-tall celebrating RBG’s life and achievements by New York-based street artist “Elle.” Look for the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge among symbols representing this born-in-Brooklyn hero.
Art on the Ave: Awakening
121 Christopher StreetLook for thought-provoking art installations by local artists invacant storefront windows. The walk around the Village will include an interactive art experience, community events and an opportunity to support local businesses, bringing a sense of confidence and excitement back to the local neighborhood and economy.
his year’s theme is “Awakening,” amplifying underrepresented voices, and can…
Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit New York
299 South StreetStep inside of Van Gogh painting projected onto the walls, floors and ceilings.
* Wander through three consecutive rooms that display the same moving images of famous works that highlight brushstrokes, detail, and color, illuminating the mind of the genius, accompanied by experimental electronic music. Explore more than 300,000 cubic feet of animated projections, tiered…
Color Factory
251 Spring StreetTruly interactive colorful pop-up with fun activities and sweet treats in twelve unique rooms designed by different artists and a giant blue ball pit. An all-ages adventure for babies to grown-ups. Well designed, thoughtful and less crowded than many other pop-ups with activities, not just photo-ops (though plenty of those, and we love the strategically placed…
Arcadia Earth
718 Broadway at West 6th StreetExplore a large scale, multi-sensorial journey through underwater worlds, fantasy lands, and inspirational art installations. Powered by augmented reality, virtual reality, projection mapping, and interactive environments, learn how small lifestyle changes can have a massive impact on the future of our planet.
For every ticket sold, Arcadia Earth will plant one tree and donate to…
Sloomoo Institute
475 Broadway between Broome & Grand StreetsExplore a sensory playground centered around slime.
* Walk & crawl through an obstacle course with a vat of slime, enter a glow-in-the-dark cove, take photos with slime-inspired art, play with a slime catapult and more.
* Make custom slime at a 150-yard-long DIY bar. Choose from a variety of bases, scents, colors & so…
Museum of Ice Cream
558 Broadway at Prince StreetExplore a sweet pop-up with 13 interactive installations across 3 floors. Kid favorites include a three-story slide, hula hoops, a the game room with mini golf, jungle gyms and more and a rainbow sprinkle pool with a slide and platforms (note you can no longer actually go on or in the sprinkles). All very colorful…
South Patch Kids NYC
665 Broadway at Bond StreetCelebrate the 35th Anniversary of Sour Patch Kids with a Sweets Bar serving with waffles to cake shakes more crazy desserts featuring the candy (take-out only), create-your-own candy mix station, fun NYC-themed photo ops and limited-edition merchandise.
Masks & social distancing required (the store is spacious).
SHOWFIELDS
11 Bond StreetThe self-proclaimed “most interesting store in the world” features cool direct to consumer brands and rotating interactive art exhibits & brand-pop ups. Find a hidden fuzzy slide to a vibrant, dreamlike, fuzzy room created by Dominican American artist Uzumaki Cepeda as a safe spaces free from colorism, transphobia and homophobia. Hand sanitizer (in high-design dispensers)…
Fresh Air Sundays
466 Grand Street (at Pitt Street)Join Abrons Arts Center every other Sunday this spring for fresh air, creativity, and fun. Try outdoor drop-in workshops in Salsa, mural painting, tie-dying, and games for the whole family. Activities vary, see the online schedule for details.
Summer Kickoff: Live Music & Kids Activities
88 Essex StEnjoy live Latin music and hands-on kids activities outside Essex Market (Broome Street between Essex and Norfolks).
Rumba, salsa and bolero with legendary Cuban singer & bandleader Chino Pons and the beloved Brooklyn-based band Yotoco take the stage.
Make Wildflower Seed Bombs using locally produced compost with LES Ecology Center, or bring clothing to…
TO EAT
Joe’s Pizza
7 Carmine StreetGet a classic NY slice to go at this Greenwich Village institution (established in 1975 ), still owned and operated by 75-year-old Neapolitan native Joe Pozzuoli.
Sebastian Brecht’s Obsessive Chocolate Disorder
63 East 4th StreetTry unique, small batch, handmade chocolates and pastries, made fresh every week in a small, quirky East Village shop with rotating art on the wall. The constantly evolving menu featuring unusual and delicious combinations of flavors and textures with fun names like bob’s dark passion, the pucker and looky cookie snookie was created by the…
Dominique Ansel Bakery
189 Spring Street between Sullivan & ThompsonFrench bakery Dominique Ansel has delicious classic and post-modern pastries and specular seasonal desserts like hot chocolate with a blossoming marshmallow flower, frozen s’mores and milk in a chocolate chip cookie cup.
If you see a line down the block it’s probably for a cronut, the rightly famous croissant-doughnut hybrid pastry with flavors that change…
Shopsin’s
88 Essex StThis whimsical, family-owned restaurant features a legendary 900-item menu with dozens of wacky (and delicious) pancakes varieties filled with s’mores or mac n’cheese. Small seating area; expect waits on weekends (but lots to explore in the indoor Essex Market while you wait).
Stick With Me Sweets Bonbons
202A Mott St Soho/Tribeca/LESGorgeous bonbons in an array of colors and artisanal flavors taste as good as they look in this small Nolita chocolate shop.
Taiyaki
119 Baxter StreetUnicorn lovers can get their sweet fix with edible horns & ears in artisanal soft serve served in fish-shaped Japanese waffle cones. Smoothies in a mini unicorn pool float and seasonal creations like Christmas Tree and Easter Bunny cones also available.
Dominique Ansel Kitchen
137 Seventh Ave South between Charles & West 10thChoose from sophisticated pastries, seasonal croissants, inventive sandwiches. soups and salads at this outpost of legendary cronut source Dominique Ansel Bakery. More than 70% of the selections made, finished or assembled to order. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
Museum of Ice Cream
558 Broadway at Prince StreetExplore a sweet pop-up with 13 interactive installations across 3 floors. Kid favorites include a three-story slide, hula hoops, a the game room with mini golf, jungle gyms and more and a rainbow sprinkle pool with a slide and platforms (note you can no longer actually go on or in the sprinkles). All very colorful…
South Patch Kids NYC
665 Broadway at Bond StreetCelebrate the 35th Anniversary of Sour Patch Kids with a Sweets Bar serving with waffles to cake shakes more crazy desserts featuring the candy (take-out only), create-your-own candy mix station, fun NYC-themed photo ops and limited-edition merchandise.
Masks & social distancing required (the store is spacious).
Economy Candy
108 Rivington StreetThis family-owned LES treasure, founded in 1937 has over 2,000+ items, including chocolate covered graham crackers (with and without jelly), chocolate covered pretzels, jelly rings, bags of gummies, and unique candy bars you just can’t find anywhere else. Currently offering ‘Mystery Bags; only $10 for a whole lot of sweet, sour or chocolate surprises or…
SEAPORT/FIDI
Eataly NYC Downtown
The downtown outpost of Italian marketplace Eataly is focused on bread, but you can also find delizioso pizza, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, pasta, rotisserie chicken, chocolate, gelato and weekend kids cooking classes.
Imagination Playground
This magical interactive, transformable playground lets kids create their own play space with sand, water, giant foam blocks, mats, wagons, fabric, and crates at their fingertips. Great view of the East River. Near lots of cool public art. Bathrooms available.
Le District
Mangez on freshly made croissants, crepes, frites and more delicious treats in a French shopping district within happening Brookfield Place. Take your treat to the terrace for a view of the French-in-origin Lady Liberty.
The Greens
Book your own 14 ft. x 14 ft. mini-lawn at a new socially distanced dining destination on a rooftop overlooking the East River. Features food & beverage for on-site purchase, cabana-style lounge chairs, sun umbrellas and an amazing view.
New reservation times released Monday mornings. reservations fees are not applied to dining bill.
Ziggy
Lounge and climb on rainbow colored inventive seating options on vibrantly colored painted rebar and 27,000 feet of iridescent cord by Hou De Sousa.
Across the street from the fun Imagination Playground and the historic, cobblestoned Seaport District with cute shops and restaurants plus historic tall ships in the harbor.
WTC Street Murals
Street artists from around the world vibrantly transformed the streets surrounding 3 World Trade Center with fun, colorful murals, bringing love and joy to a place of mourning.
Peace, Love & Happiness
Cheerful sculptures by Scott Gerber, artist and founder of Tube Dude have been moved to the edge of the East River, framing dramatic views. The Heart is a perfect Valentine photo-op, accompanied by the giant Peace Sign and Smiley Face.
Nearby, climb on the geometric, rainbow colored Ziggy by Hou De Sousa and see…
Melvin Edwards: Brighter Days
See six monumental sculptures created over the span of 50 years by Melvin Edwards, whose work reimagines monumental civic sculpture by uniting abstract forms with personal symbols to address issues of race, labor, and the African Diaspora.
Pride at Brookfield Place, Anne Vieux: { float } & Tatiana Arocha
Snap a pic at two rainbow installations at Brookfield Place, Radiance (in the Winter Garden) and Chroma (on the Waterfront Terrace)
When you post your photo on social media, follow & tag @BFPLNY, $1 will be donated in support of New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center.
Try to figure out what’s…
The Statue of Liberty
Take a ferry to Liberty Island, home of the iconic statue. After a lovely 15-minute boat ride with amazing views and no crowds. Walk among paved, stroller-friendly paths and relax in shady grassy areas.
At the Statue of Liberty Museum, explore the story of the Statue’s creation, her history, and her evolving meaning to people…
Governors Island
Oasis-with-a-view Governors Island opens for the season. Lots of room to roam and play on this 172 acre former military post.
* Relax in Hammock Grove’s cozy hammocks (and say hello to sheep, new this year), find breathtaking 360-degree views in The Hills, get moving on the Play Lawns, and camp out in an Adirondack…
SuperReal
Play with giant balloons in an immersive multimedia art experience set in the grand neo-Renaissance Cunard building. Dream-like 360-degree video, lights and music evoke clouds, thunderstorms, gardens, tropical discotheques, the 1920s and so much more. The sequence loops every 45-minutes; we could have stayed there all day (lounge on giant bean bags scattered throughout the…
Seaglass Carousel
Spin under the sea in an aquatic carousel in historic Battery Park. Sit within iridescent fiberglass fish that glide through a (covered) spiraling nautilus of glass and steel. LED color-changing lighting combined with “water effect” light projectors and oceanic music create a magical underwater atmosphere for kids of all ages.
Capacity reduced to 33%; not…
One World Observatory
Elevators climb 102 stories in 47 seconds to the 102nd floor of the Freedom Tower, the tallest building in America at a symbolic 1,776 feet. Incredible views plus lots of interactive and digital features including immersive audiovisual experiences, a 14-foot wide circular glass disc with high definition footage of the streets 100 floors below and…
La Pizza & La Pasta a Colori
Experience the world of food and color at Eataly’s immersive restaurant space designed in collaboration with the Color Factory. Under a kaleidoscopic canopy, explore a diverse array of tints and tastes, from the rich golden hue of farm-fresh eggs to the emerald green of fresh DOP basil and beyond. Ceiling installation “Somewhere Out There”…
June Rites !!
Join an original hour of visually stunning and viscerally contagious live performance. Conceived as a civic ritual in dialogue with state fairs and summer solstice festivals, this piece will be an opportunity for collective reemergence into public spaces after a long, hard winter. By turns reflective, playful, somber and ecstatic, the performers and musicians of…
play:groundNYC’s The Yard
Get creative at a 50,000 square-foot adventure playground stocked with loose parts, tools and space for kids to play, imagine and dream big.
Smorgasburg WTC
Sample creative global treats from 5 vendors (More soon, starting small + safe) at an open-air food market flanked by colorful murals.
Brookfield Place Family Fitness
Join a series of fitness classes for families. Instructors rotate each Saturday; try Jazz Dance + Improvisation with Peridance (ages 11+), FUNctional Fitness with PopFit Kids (ages 5+) and Kids PopAction with STREB (ages 8-16).
Takes place outdoors on the Oval Lawn at the southeast corner of the marina. Register online in advance.
Lots of…
The Amazing Financial District Scavenger Hunt
A series of clues leads you around FiDi performing physical and mental challenges along the way.
Wear comfortable shoes and wear a mask. One member of the team should have a smart phone (either Android or iPhone).
Nu Jewish Storylab
Join the Museum of Jewish Heritage for the premiere of Nu Words’ “Nu Jewish Storylab,” a rhythm and movement exploration of Jewish children’s stories from traditional to cutting edge. Nu Words is Tracy Einstein and Richie Barshay, two music and theater artists with a passion for arts education. Their engaging performances include storytelling, poetry, drumming,…