imagiNATIONS Activity Center
Solve puzzles, perform experiments, play state-of-the-art computer simulations and find out how corn is like a dog in this interactive, family-friendly space. Explore scientific principles behind Native innovations and technologies that are so ingenious, many remain a part of our daily lives.
Krispy Kreme Times Square Flagship
Krispy Kreme Times Square Flagship 1601 Broadway at West 48th Street, New York, NYGet hot, fresh addictively delicious doughnuts 24/7 at Krispy Kreme's Times Square Flagship store. The 4,500 square-foot shop features a doughnut-making theater, a Glazed Waterfall with digital projection, a giant conveyor belt that runs throughout the store and and a doughnut themed seating area. Choose from a variety of flavors, including an exclusive Big Apple…
Levain Bakery
Levain Bakery Amsterdam 351 Amsterdam at West 77th Street, New York, NYEverything is baked on-site throughout the day at this legendary bakery, from an array of rustic breads to the world-famous, super-gooey, six-ounce cookies in five flavors: Two Chip Chocolate Chip, Walnut Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip & Oatmeal Raisin (plus a gluten-free chocolate chip option). Other options include sour…
Eataly NYC Downtown
Westfield World Trade Center Oculus 185 Greenwich Street, New York, NYThe 40,000 square feet 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 (post-pandemic) weekend kids cooking classes. Choose from five restaurants, nine take-away counters (including gelato), two caffès, and one wine bar. Shop more than 10,000 high-quality…
Conservatory Gardens
Conservatory Garden Fifth Avenue between 104th & 105th Streets Upper East Side, New York, New YorkEnter the magnificent 1894 Vanderbilt Gate to Central Park’s only formal garden, a six-acre oasis within an oasis with European charm. Climb onto the wisteria pergola in the Italianate Center Garden overlooking a yew hedges-bordered large lawn and 12-foot jet fountain. To the north, the French-style garden offers spectacular seasonal displays of tulips and Korean…
Angelina Paris NYC
Angelina Paris NYC 1050 6th Ave at West 40th Street, New York, NYTravel to Belle Epoque France at an outpost of an iconic Parisian tea room and dessert café founded in 1903. Get pastries, macarons, the iconic Angelina hot chocolate and the signature Mont-Blanc (meringue, light whipped cream, chestnut cream vermicelli) to go, or sit in the gorgeous dining room for brunch (served all day), afternoon tea,…
Alice’s Tea Cup
Alice’s Tea Cup 102 West 73rd Street at Columbus Avenue, New York, NYEnjoy scones in rotating flavors as magical as the decor, sandwiches, salads and treats with optional fairy wings and glitter at a whimsical tea house inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Choose from hundreds of teas served in charming mismatching pots and cups. Gets crowded on weekends; reservations recommended. Go early to beat the crowds (or…
Serendipity 3
Serendipity 3 225 E 60th St, New York, NYGet the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, a creamy secret blend of 14 exotic cocoas, and other decadent, over-sized desserts at this legendary restaurant and store with whimsical antique-store-meets-ice-cream-parlor decor. Heraty burgers, foot long hot dogs, mac ‘n’ cheese variations, salads and sandwiches are also available. A favorite of actors, artists and tourists for the last…
Max Brenner
Max Brenner 841 Broadway at East 13th Street, New York, NYSelect from nine hot chocolates - Italian Thick, Oreo, Peanut Butter and more - at this huge cafe and store that feels like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, with tubes of liquid chocolate criss crossing the space. Choose from a variety of creative, high-quality chocolate concoctions to fo, gift or to eat on site. Salads, paninis,…
Gilded Lady Mural
236 Fifth Avenue 236 Fifth Avenue at West 28th Street, New York, NYThe myriad of details in this colorful 97 by 40-foot mural by famed street artist Tristan Eaton on the side of a residential building on Fifth Avenue in reference the rich history of the NoMad neighborhood from the Gilded Age onward. The woman’s face is based on early 20th-century model, chorus girl and catalyst for…
Robert
Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) 2 Columbus Circle, New York, NYThis modern American restaurant atop the Museum of Arts and Design has breathtaking views of Central Park and Columbus Circle with chic, colorful decor. Kid-friendly options (at adult prices) include pasta, burgers & house-made ice cream. Tue–Fri 12 pm–8 pm Sat-Sun 11 am–9 pm
XO World & XO Play
XO WORLD (outside One World Trade Center) features a giant globe and 12 foot “Jack” from the game of Jacks (the “X” with crossed arms attached to the spoke to represent love). Created by Daniel Anderson, an internationally recognized artist inspired by children’s natural acceptance of others regardless of race, gender, age, or religious…
Museum of the City of New York
Museum of the City of New York 1220 Fifth Avenue at 105th Street, New York, NYExplore the greatest city in the world at this small museum with a big collection of theater artifacts, furniture, toys, paintings, sculpture and photos arranged into exhibits that entertain and educate all ages. HIGHLIGHTS: ✨ Dangling light installation above the spiral staircase 🌆 Multimedia New York at Its Core 🪧 Inspiring Activist New York…
Freeman Alley
Look for all sorts of tags & paste-ups at one of the most famous graffiti spots in NYC, a storied alley on the north side of Rivington Street between Bowery and Chrystie Street. The walls of former horse stables turned marble factory turned residences are crammed with images and messages. Find 'rugged clandestine colonial American…
Dubuffet Sculpture
An office tower plaza features a dynamic Jean Dubuffet sculpture and a peaceful Noguchi rock garden fountain.
Staten Island Ferry
Whitehall Terminal 4 Whitehall Street, New York, NYTake a free ferry ride from Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan to Staten Island and back for great views of The Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan & Brooklyn skylines. 25 minute trips (1 hour round trip) depart every half hour (every fifteen minutes during rush hour). Masks required. For a quicker trip, take the…
Hippo Playground
Hippo Playground, Riverside Park Riverside & 91st Street, New York, NYFrolic and splash with beloved hippo statues in this well maintained playground in lovely Riverside Park featuring swings, wooden and metal play equipment, slides, a spray shower, picnic tables, benches, sand pit, a drinking fountain, bathrooms and summer weekday art projects.
Police Officer Moira Ann Smith Playground
Madison Square Park Madison Avenue & 24th Street, New York, NYToy soldiers welcome kids to this brightly colored playground featuring water fountains, tire-swings, water-spouting alphabet blocks, turrets, slides, and a large water wheel in the northeast corner of charming Madison Square Park..
Named after Officer Moira Ann Smith, the only NYPD policewoman to be lost on September 11, 2001, the playground stands as a loving tribute to this community hero and mother.
Battery Playscape
Battery Park Battery Place (State Street & Whitehall St), New York, NYExplore a new playground with five ecology zones—Bluff, Marsh, Dune, Meadow, and Riverbed– in resilient design, post-Superstorm Sandy when the park survived the full force of the 15-foot storm surge and became a focal point of sea level rise. Lyrical patterns of water illuminate the portal, fence, and custom seating. Daylight filters through the punctuated…
Levain Bakery NOHO
Levain Bakery NOHO 340 Lafayette Street at Bleecker Street, New York, NYEverything is baked on-site throughout the day at this Noho outpost of the legendary UWS bakery, from an array of rustic breads to the world-famous, super-gooey, six-ounce cookies in four flavors: Two Chip Chocolate Chip, Walnut Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip & Oatmeal Raisin (plus a gluten-free chocolate chip…
High Line
Gansevoort Plaza Ninth Avenue at Gansevort Street, New York, NYTake a stroll on the unique public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. * Lots of nature, art installations & cool design incorporating elements of the original rail line. * Look for interesting architecture and watch taxis and pedestrians below the 10th Avenue overlook at 17th…
Dominique Ansel Workshop
Dominique Ansel Workshop 17 East 27th Street, New YorkPastry legend Dominique Ansel's newest shop is a celebration of croissants, located inside the pastry production kitchens in Flatiron. Stop in for a taste of all different types of croissants and breakfast viennoiserie - pain au chocolat, ham & Gruyère, Chocolate Hazelnut S’mores Danishes, Pistachio Swirls, Raspberry Riz au Lait Cubes, Brown Sugar DKA…
Imagination Playground
Imagination Playground at Burling Slip Front Street & South Street, New York, NYThis 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.
Bel Ami
Bel Ami 30 East 68th Street at Madison, New York, NYThis small, authentic French café and patisserie tucked away off Madison Avenue serves delicious, not-too-bitter hot chocolate, plus delicious pastries, sandwiches, macarons, hot chocolate and more. Limited seating among cute decor in a pretty historic district
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Dominique Ansel Bakery 189 Spring Street between Sullivan & Thompson, New York, NYFrench 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…
Billy Johnson Playground
Billy Johnson Playground, Central Park East 67th Street & Fifth Avenue Upper East SIde, New York, NYThis rustic playground hosts an amazing 45-foot granite slide nestled into a rocky hill, bucket and tire swings, and an amphitheater and miniature stone bridge made of natural materials like plants, stone, and wood at a child’s scale.
Essex Market
Essex Market 88 Essex St, New York, NYSample fresh, affordable, and high quality food and other items from 40+ small businesses in this Lower East Side fixture. Shop vendors with individual stories and distinctive personality for delicious treats like cupcakes from Sugar Sweet Sunshine, cheeseburger empanadas from Dominican Cravings, ube ice cream from L.E.S. Ice Cream…
Hex & Co Board Game Cafe
Hex & Co 2871 Broadway at West 112th Street, New York, NYPlay over 1000+ games, including a big kids section. Discover Star Trek Risk, Golden Girls Clue and so much more. Make new friends, watch Dungeon & Dragon tournaments and shop for new family favorites. Range of food options available including gourmet pretzels and ice cream sandwiches.
Shopsin’s
Essex Market 88 Essex St, New York, NYThis whimsical, family-owned restaurant features a legendary 900-item menu with dozens of wacky (and delicious) pancakes varieties filled everything from s'mores and mac n'cheese. Lots of savory, extravagant egg, sandwiches etc. options also. Small seating area; expect waits on weekends (but lots to explore in the indoor Essex Market while you wait). The owner…
Belvedere Castle
Central Park, Belvedere Castle Mid park around 79th Street Upper West Side, New York, NYOne of the most iconic features in Central Park, this miniature castle is located atop the huge rock outcrop known as Vista Rock, the second highest natural point in Central Park. The whimsical structure, designed by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted in 1869, provides the highest and best views of the Park and the…
Cathedral of St. John the Divine & Peace Fountain
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at West 112th Street Upper West Side, New York, New YorkThe largest Cathedral in the world, built in 1892, is open for visitors Monday-Friday 9:30 am–3 pm and Saturday–Sunday 9:30 am-5 pm. Timed tickets strongly encouraged. Explore rotating art exhibitions that span centuries, celebrating the creativity of 17th century weavers to modern painters and everything in between. 48 relief panels on the giant bronze…
Le District
Brookfield Place 220 Vesey Street, New York, NYMangez 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.
Eataly Chocolate & Gelato
Eataly Flatiron 200 Fifth Avenue at West 24th Street, New York, NYTry rich Italian hot chocolate and/or some of the best gelato in the city in a range of flavors. Shop by weight from bins of colorful Venchi bon-bons or pick up artisanal chocolate made in Italy with raw ingredients in a variety of shapes and textures according to traditional recipes, from smooth spread to crunchy…
Hex & Co Board Game Cafe UES
Hex & Co UES 1462 First Avenue at East 76th Street, New York, NYThis new outpost of the Morningside Heights mainstay Play over 1000+ games, including a big kids section. Discover Star Trek Risk, Golden Girls Clue and so much more. Make new friends, watch Dungeon & Dragon tournaments and shop for new family favorites. This location has a full kitchen (and bar) with frilled gourmet pizzas, chicken…
Ladurée Soho
Ladurée Soho 398 W Broadway, New York, NYEscape to Ladurée's pastel Parisian wonderland, where the only stress is choosing among the 25+ colorful flavors, from salted caramel to strawberry marshmallow - plus chocolate covered macarons, fancy French ice cream, macaron ice cream sandwiches, sorbets and more sweet treats. Get your treats to go or dine on casual yet sophisticated French fare including…
Smörgås Chef
Scandinavia House 58 Park Avenue at East 38th Street Midtown, New York, New YorkTry a variety of farm-to-table Scandinavian sandwiches, salads, appetizers, entrées and pastries in a nature-inspired space brimming with hygge. No kids menu and a little serene (maybe go during off hours) but all ages love those breads and meatball.
DVF x Ashley Longshore Gallery
See Ashley Longshore’s paintings of inspirational women including Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Jackie Kennedy, Marlene Dietrich, Cleopatra, Oprah, Gloria Steinem, Nina Simone, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks and Jane Goodall in a photogenic gallery at the Diane von Furstenberg store.
Storico
Caffe Storico 170 Central Park West at 77th Street, New York, NYFeast on antipasti, artisanal pastas, paninis and other Italian-inspired inventive, ingredient-driven dishes, plus mac & cheese and grilled cheese - at a classy yet kid-friendly eatery within the engaging New-York Historical Society (museum admission not required). Indoor and outdoor seating available. Look for special menu items related to current exhibits.
Mercado Little Spain
Hudson Yards 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NYExperience the delicious diversity of foods and drinks from all corners of Spain. Get a quick bite from the food kiosks around tables in a bustling area inspired by Spain's historic market halls, go tot he plaza for a picnic or sit down at full-service restaurants.
The Greens
Pier 17 89 South Street Lower Manhattan, New York, New YorkEnjoy stunning views on a rooftop overlooking the East River. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Menu includes cheeseburgers, churros, shrimp rolls, salads and more. See our guide to Seaport.