Itinerary
Grand Holiday Bazaar
Shop for the unique gifts in an indoor/outdoor market featuring 150+ hand-picked independent local artisans and dealers. Find one-of-a-kind handmade holiday decoration and giftable items, candles, skincare, fashion, vintage accessories and collectibles, handmade jewelry and furniture, rare antique silver- and glassware, and delicious artisanal chocolates and foods. 100% of Grand Bazaar NYCs profits are donated to four…
Stroller Tour Through History
Grownups and their children (up to 3 years old) explore America’s past, present, and future in a lively and interactive tour before the museum opens for the day. Includes singing, movement, texture exploration and art-making in the galleries. First & third Sunday of the month.
Yeti, Set, Snow!
An original production from the historic, cozy Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre features a young girl who teaches a sweet, snow-hating yeti with a sparkly silver cat the value of snow and friendship. A fun musical with clever staging in a magical Central Park setting. Short and sweet and a good starter shows for toddlers (though…
The Little Dancer Holiday Family Musical
A holiday family musical tells the heart warming story of 14 year old Parisian ballerina Marie, who models for Edgar Degas to help her ill grandfather. Marie’s strength inspires the cranky old artist to create something the likes of which the world has never seen before. Performed by a cast of 5 as well as a…
Discovery Walks for Families: Turtle Pond
Discover Turtle Pond — home to five species of turtles who live here year-round. Learn why they love basking in the sun on flat logs or rocks, which makes the base of Vista Rock the perfect spot for their sunbathing activities. Explore the Pond’s history and design, and hear about what it takes to maintain…
Holiday Express: All Aboard to Richard Scarry’s Busytown
Celebrate the 100th birthday of Busytown author and illustrator Richard Scarry with artwork and graphics of Scarry’s characters (like Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm) alongside historical model trains, scenic elements and toys. Dynamic displays explore the workings of the railroad, the services it provides, and the jobs required to keep people and goods moving. Hop…
New-York Historical Society Storytime: The Night Before The Night Before Christmas
Discover Richard Scarry’s whimsical holiday world n the charming library on the New-York Historical Society’s fabulously interactive children’s floor. Read The Night Before The Night Before Christmas. Create Richard Scarry puppets and play with some Busytown toys.
The Amazing Max
Enjoy a zany magic show with cool tricks and giant taco costumes. Magician Max Darwin makes objects appear out of thin air and defies the laws of physics inches from spectators’ faces. We’ve seen him perform a few times and he always leaves us laughing and marveling. Save 10% on tickets with code KID.
Jam with Jamie
Join a 45-minute music class of upbeat tunes- fun children’s songs, rock n’ roll oldies, and today’s hits. The teacher comes armed with a guitar and props/instruments for the kids to use throughout the class: shakers, scarves, a parachute and more. Pre-register for a $3 discount.
Gateway Storytime
Ages 2 to 5 can play in the Discovery Room, then explore a natural science or cultural topic with a story, song, and visit with a worksheet to a related Museum Hall. One of our favorite NYC activities–we’re even in the website’s photos. Two sessions: 10:10 & 11:10 am. Free passes available same day on…
Live Music With Dan The Music Man
Join NYC based children’s performer and guitarist Dan the Music Man for a high energy, interactive song and dance experience with guitar, shakers, scarves, bubbles, and parachute.
Living History: 18th-Century Winter Traditions
Hang out with historical interpreters and learn fascinating factoids about winter traditions in 18th-century America. Afterwards, create your own festive decorations. Also see and play with trains in Holiday Express: All Aboard to Richard Scarry’s Busytown.
Shake Shack UWS
This location of Danny Meyers’s fresh fast food empire is often a little crowded and hectic, so order your tasty burgers, hot dogs, fries and decadent frozen concretes (including a ‘Natural History Crunch-stellation’) with the Shake Shack App in advance and eat at on benches outside the Natural History Museum across the street or try…
Levain Bakery
Everything is baked on-site throughout the day at this cozy bakery, from an array of rustic breads to the world-famous six-ounce chocolate chip walnut cookie. We are constantly debating the merits of these versus the equally giant dark chocolate peanut butter chip cookies, and the whole wheat walnut raisin rolls are also yummy (and a…
Alice’s Tea Cup
Enjoy 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. Fairy wings and glitter avaialble. Gets crowded on weekends and reservations only available…
Caffe Storico
Feast on antipasti, artisanal pastas and paninis at Caffe Storico, a classy yet kid-friendly eatery within the engaging New-York Historical Society.
Grand Holiday Bazaar
Shop for the unique gifts in an indoor/outdoor market featuring 150+ hand-picked independent local artisans and dealers. Find one-of-a-kind handmade holiday decoration and giftable items, candles, skincare, fashion, vintage accessories and collectibles, handmade jewelry and furniture, rare antique silver- and glassware, and delicious artisanal chocolates and foods. 100% of Grand Bazaar NYCs profits are donated to four…
Origami Holiday Tree
Over 800 intricate origami creations decorate this unique tree. This year’s paper ornaments are inspired by special exhibition T. rex: The Ultimate Predator.Patient volunteers (who started folding for the tree in July) are on hand to teach visitors of all ages the art of origami folding. Also check out the adorable dinosaur topiaries at the…
T. rex: The Ultimate Predator
Learn about entire tyrannosaur superfamily and the amazing story of the iconic dinosaur through stunning life-sized models, fossils and casts, and engaging interactives. Visitors ages 12 and up can enjoy an immersive multiplayer virtual reality experience developed exclusively for this exhibition.
Beyond Midnight: Paul Revere
Re-examine Paul Revere’s life, who didn’t just ride horses at midnight. Learn about his accomplishments as a silversmith, printmaker, and pioneering copper manufacturer. See more than 150 objects organized by the American Antiquarian Society including Revere engravings; glimmering silver tea services; commonplace objects such as shoe buckles, thimbles, and medical tools; and important public commissions…
Holiday Express: All Aboard to Richard Scarry’s Busytown
Celebrate the 100th birthday of Busytown author and illustrator Richard Scarry with artwork and graphics of Scarry’s characters (like Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm) alongside historical model trains, scenic elements and toys. Dynamic displays explore the workings of the railroad, the services it provides, and the jobs required to keep people and goods moving. Hop…
American Museum of Natural History Discovery Room
Explore artifacts and specimens, hang-out inside a giant tree, put together puzzles, build a dinosaur fossil and conduct scientific experiments in an enclosed hands-on space. Free timed tickets are available at the Discovery Room entrance (first floor by West 77th Street). During the school year Discovery Room hours are: Monday – Thursday 1:30 p.m. –…
Origami Holiday Tree
Over 800 intricate origami creations decorate this unique tree. This year’s paper ornaments are inspired by special exhibition T. rex: The Ultimate Predator.Patient volunteers (who started folding for the tree in July) are on hand to teach visitors of all ages the art of origami folding. Also check out the adorable dinosaur topiaries at the…
DiMenna Children’s History Museum
Ride an orphan train, play a newsies video game and explore lots of other interactive exhibits in the awesome hands-on DiMenna Children’s History Museum. Search for items on printed scavenger hunt or just explore the many installations covering centuries of New York history. Lots to learn for older kids and lots to touch including a…
American Museum of Natural History Discovery Room
Explore artifacts and specimens, hang-out inside a giant tree, put together puzzles, build a dinosaur fossil and conduct scientific experiments in an enclosed hands-on space. Free timed tickets are available at the Discovery Room entrance (first floor by West 77th Street). During the school year Discovery Room hours are: Monday – Thursday 1:30 p.m. –…
Events Search and Views Navigation
List of Events
Tuesday, January 1
Caffe Storico
Feast on antipasti, artisanal pastas and paninis at Caffe Storico, a classy yet kid-friendly eatery within the engaging New-York Historical Society.
10th Annual Welling Court Mural Project
Walk though multiple blocks of 100+ murals by artists from around the corner and around the world, providing new arrays of visual experiences that change how people interact with their environment. Mural map available online.
Billy Johnson Playground
This 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.
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.
Épicerie Boulud
Chef Daniel Boulud's casual outpost is one of our favorite stops before or after Lincoln Center shows. My daughter gets a gourmet hot dog, I have a tasty salad or quiches, my son gets a hearty sandwich, we all end with colorful macarons. Counter service with limited seating; we like to go across the street to Dante Park (which usually has interesting public art) on sunny days - then come back for the artisanal gelato.
DeSalvio Playground
This 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.
Venchi Chocolate and Gelato
Find a vast selection of bon bons and bars from historic Italian chocolatier plus gelato in a a variety of chocolate and other delicious flavors. Make it even yummier with creamy base of Suprema chocolate spread or a cone dipped in seasonal sprinkles like granules of Piedmont Hazelnuts, Nougatine, Chocaviar or Raspberry. Some seating in the back surrounded by a chocolate waterfall wall or enjoy it in nearby Union Square.
Stick With Me Sweets Bonbons
Gorgeous bonbons in an array of colors and artisanal flavors taste as good as they look in this small Nolita chocolate shop.
Cones
Argentinean-style small-batch ice cream and sorbet comes in traditional and adventurous flavors including sweet potato with brie cheese, yerba mate and the popular sweet corn with cinnamon.
Uptown GRANDSCALE Mural Project
Uptown artists transformed three blocks of fencing located adjacent to the 125th Street Metro-North station into a canvas for murals that support and uplift the community.
Color Factory Circle Game
Interact with colorful dots by following painted prompts such as ‘leap up’ and ‘reach for the sun.’ Right outside the Children’s Museum of the Arts, which has a jelly bean dispenser (bring quarters) encouraging more color exploration. Both can be found on the Color Factory’s neighborhood exploration map, availble for free at 251 Spring Street.
Dubuffet Sculpture
An office tower plaza features a dynamic Jean Dubuffet sculpture and a peaceful Noguchi rock garden fountain.
Hive
Watch rainbow lights dance across hexagonal honeycomb shapes on the ceiling of the Bleecker Street Station in a light installation by Leo Villareal.
Mural Outside Fluevog
Colorful florals decorate the wall outside a shoe store with fun funky shoes. A poster with a shoe telling us to ‘Choose Love’ might lead to philosophical questions about the emotional ability of footwear.
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.
Vandal Gummy at 4WTC
Wonder at how a giant gummy bear ended up in a prison mugshot, gripping an identity placard in between his gelatin paws in this lobby installation by WhIsBe.
Eataly Chocolate & Gelato
Shop by weight from bins of colorful Venchi bon-bons or pick up some artisanal chocolate made in Italy with raw ingredients in a variety of shapes and textures according to traditional recipes, from smooth spread to crunchy bars to elegant cigars. Or sample some of the best gelato in the city in a range of flavors.
Pier 25 Playground
The longest pier in Hudson River Park hosts an awesome playground with eight different water features (including some very unpredictable fountains), rock climbing walls, swings, monkey bars, a big sandbox, geodesic-dome-shaped climbing net and more. Also explore a 18-hole miniature golf course, a snack bar, sand volleyball courts, berthing areas for historic ships and a large artificial turf lawn.
Levain Bakery UES
Everything is baked on-site throughout the day at the UES outpost of legendary bakery, from an array of rustic breads to the world-famous six-ounce chocolate chip walnut cookie. We are constantly debating the merits of these versus the equally giant dark chocolate peanut butter chip cookies, and the whole wheat walnut raisin rolls are also yummy (and a little healthier). Off-the-menu ice cream sandwich - two three-ounce cookies surrounding vanilla ice cream from Ample Hills - available on occasion, follow…
Norma’s
Availble-all-day breakfast at this nautical-themed kid-friendly hotel lobby restaurant are over-the-top and pricey - there's even a $2000 ' Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata' with caviar. Creative sweet and savory dishes in the $30+ range include Super Cheesy French Toast with caramelized onions and applewood smoked bacon, a 'Waz-Za' waffle with fruit inside and outside and crackly brûlée top, and Artychoked Eggs Benedict with truffle porcini sauce (and an artichoke heart instead of en english muffin).
Noglu
Everything is 100% gluten-free and organic at this cozy French import featuring gourmet meals, pastries and coffee. The menu changes with the seasons but you can always find classic signature dishes such as burgers (classic or vegetarian) and quiches. First floor is take-away counter service, the second floor is casual sit-down table service.
Heavenly Rest Stop
Enjoy excellent pastries, sandwiches, salads and breakfast dishes plus Melbourne-style coffee) nestled among the limestone arches of what was once a side chapel of a 1929 art-deco church, or pick up provisions for a Central Park picnic.
Chelsea Waterside Park Play Area
The newly designed play area features a giant, multi-colored, one-of-a-kind, Robinia wood pipefish plus water features incorporating limestone cattle head sculptures reclaimed from historic meatpacking district business New York Butchers’ Dressed Meat Company.
Heckscher Playground
Central Park's largest playground features a shaded area with swings and slides, a large, maze-like climber, lots of water features with tunnels, ramps and slides plus giant rocks to climb (and a bathroom). Face painters, musicians and giant bubble makers often congregate at the entrance. Closes at dusk.
Chocolat Michel Cluizel
Indulge in world renowned gourmet chocolate in a French-style café. Enjoy baked-on-site French pastries, freshly brewed specialty coffees and an assortment of chocolate bonbons and bars with a fair-trade focus. Counter service with a small, stylish seating area.