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The Best NYC Observation Deck

March 9, 2023 / New York, New York Life / 0 comment

The Best NYC Observation Deck

New York City is best seen from above! Each NYC observation deck offers spectacular views over the city plus some bonus immersive experiences.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

More than just an observation deck, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is an immersive, multi-sensory art experience with breathtaking views over Manhattan. The newest viewing platform at time of writing, SUMMIT opened in October 21, 2021, and has the best and closest views of the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building compared to any other observation deck in the city.

With mirrored walls reflecting the skyline, an installation by Yayoi Kusama, a floating orb ball room, a glass box that juts over the edge of the building and the world’s largest external glass bottomed elevator, SUMMIT has well and truly upped the game for observation decks in NYC by giving visitors endless unique photo ops as well. No binoculars.

Read more about visiting SUMMIT One Vanderbilt here.

Top of the Rock Observatory

Top of the Rock Observatory sits at the top of the Rockefeller Center in the heart of New York City. From this incredible location, the Observatory offers breathtaking views of the city including the Empire State Building and Central Park.

Top of the Rock offers outdoor viewing areas with and without glass. It’s the only NYC observation deck with an outdoor area and no glass or mesh to capture reflection and barrier-free photo ops. Binoculars are coin operated.

Read more about visiting Top of the Rock Observatory here.

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan, is an Art Deco masterpiece. Built in 1931, the skyscraper is 102-stories tall and features the highest open-air observatory in New York City.

The 86th Floor Observatory offers 360-degree views of New York and beyond. On a clear day you can see views of Central Park, The Hudson River and East River, The Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square and even the tiny The Statue of Liberty, way off in the distance.

Empire State Building has outside and inside NYC viewing platforms. Their outside observation deck has a metal grid surrounding it. Head upstairs to the next level for indoor glassed viewing area. Binoculars are free!

Read more about visiting the Empire State Building here.

One World Observatory

Climb to the top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, the One World Trade Center, in New York City. The One World Observatory is located on the 100-102 floors with breathtaking views, restaurants and exhibits on offer.

The One World Trade Center is located in Downtown Manhattan, near where the original Twin Towers in the World Trade Center complex used to stand. After the Twin Towers collapsed during the 2001 terrorist attack, the new One World Trade Center was build near to where the old towers used to stand. The footprints of the old Twin Towers have been turned into 9/11 Memorial Pool outside the new building.

There is no outside area at the Observatory, however the floor to ceiling glass windows offer are spectacular view. No Binoculars.

Read more about visiting One World Observatory here.

Read about more things to do in NYC with or without kids.

Get more tips on visiting New York City.

Best NYC Observation Deck: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

March 8, 2023 / Indoor Play, Museums & Galleries, New York, New York Life / 0 comment

Best NYC Observation Deck: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

More than just an observation deck, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is an immersive, multi-sensory art experience with breathtaking views over Manhattan.

Located on the top four floors of the new One Vanderbilt skyscraper next to Grand Central Station, the over 6,000 square meter (65,000 square foot) space, which opened October 21, 2021, has the best and closest views of the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building compared to any other observation deck in the city. The Empire State Building, which is only 8 blocks away from Summit One Vanderbilt, so the view and photo opportunities are incredible.

The SUMMIT journey starts on the ground.Underground actually, as the entrance is a level below the footpath. Instructions on how to find the entrance are here.

It’s quite a process lining up (even for timed tickets), going through security, putting on the special booties over shoes and scanning your face to connect with your wrist band for photo opportunities.

The elevator up to the 91st floor is cramped, but full of digital effects to start the immersive experience.

The 91st floor opens to Air, designed by Kenzo Digital, and the first within the installation, called Transcendence, a large mirrored space where visitors can enjoy being part of the skyline views in the mirrors surrounding them on all sides. New York is infinite in this space.

It’s hard to visit this space and get great photos with the mirrors due to the large number of people inside the space at all times. We booked the first time slot of the day and it was still completely packed and impossible to get a photo without a zillion other New Yorkers in it.

The best and easiest photos to get without your neighbour in them are by the windows overlooking the city. We visited on a dreary rainy day which wasn’t ideal for the view, however still managed to get some decent photos with the city’s famous landmarks in them.

Transcendence is continued on the next floor, where balconies overlook this space.

The next installation is Clouds (2019) by Yayoi Kusama, the artist behind the famous mirrored infinity rooms. The stainless-steel “clouds” fill the floor and encourage visitors to see new reflections and angles, meant to reinforce the feeling of infinity and perpetuity.

The most popular room follows, filled with floating silver orbs. The room is like a giant, shiny adult ball pit. The walls and floor are mirrored which can be fun to create effects in photos, but also makes it hard to get a shot without one of the many other visitors in them. For your best shot with no one else in the frame, try to head to a corner and angle the camera so as to avoid reflections from the wall that include the rest of the room.

We missed the instructions to scan our wristbands at the Unity section and didn’t realize our faces would merge with the clouds on the screen if we did. There was a lack of information and signage about this section, we just thought it was a pretty digital screen and nothing more.

Back to the view outside, a unique way to see the skyline is in Ascent, advertised as the world’s largest external glass-bottomed elevator that goes up to 1,200 feet above ground level on the outside of the building. It’s an extra $20 to go for a ride in the elevator.

Après lounge and café is at this end stage of the experience, featuring drinks and light snacks.

The final experience is Levitation, two all-glass sky boxes extend outside the building 1,063 feet over the bustling Madison Avenue. Visitors have a very limited amount of time in in the skyboxes which helpfully makes the line go fast but also makes it quite full of pressure to snap the perfect shot vs enjoy the experience of jutting out over the edge of the building.

There is a mounted camera that will take photos of your group that you can download for an additional fee. You can take your own photos however, just be quick about it before your time runs out.

Tips for visiting SUMMIT: One Vanderbilt:

Bring sunglasses. The reflective materials used throughout SUMMIT create a bright environment, especially at times of full sunlight. We visited on a very dreary day and didn’t need them, however if it was sunny I think they would be a necessity.

Dress wisely. SUMMIT features many reflective floors and recommend pants, shorts, or tights. If you wear a dress or skirt, make sure to wear shorts underneath.

Wear comfortable, non-marking shoes. Stiletto heels, work boots, cleats and certain other footwear that can damage flooring are not permitted.

Book well in advance. The experience is very popular and books out particularly in busy holiday seasons.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
Entrance located on the Main Concourse of Grand Central Terminal
Hours: Wed-Mon 9am-12am. Tuesday closed.
summitov.com

Find the best things to do in NYC with kids.

The Best Things To Do In NYC With Kids (Or Without!)

June 26, 2019 / New York / 0 comment

The Big Apple might appear to be a playground made for adults. However, the city that never sleeps also caters very well for our little ones who might similarly never rest, which makes it the perfect vaycay when you think about it! There are plenty of things to do with kids in NYC – so many so that you’ll need to extend your trip to fit them all in!

Things To Do In NYC With Kids

Upper West Side

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Located on the Upper West Side, the Children’s Museum has several levels of interactive exhibits for kids of all ages. Cafe Lalo, right across the street, was in the movie You’ve Got Mail and does an amazing frozen yoghurt with fresh berries. If you’ve got a rainy or cold day, the Children’s Museum is a perfect activity to add to your list of things to do with kids in NYC.

Read more about our experience at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan here.

American Museum Of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History is home to the largest collection of dinosaurs in the world. It’s also a great place for hot/cold days to let kids run free. Check out the Titanasaur, the 122-foot long dinosaur skeleton and the amazing blue whale suspended from the roof.

Kids will love the Discovery Room, which is a hands-on area for little ones to explore science. The room is available for certain time slots every day only.

If you have a dinosaur fan, then a visit to the AMNH absolutely must be on your list of things to do in NYC with kids.

Read about visiting the American Museum of Natural History here.

Central Park

The incredible Central Park is 843 acres of sprawling lawns, large rocks, playgrounds, gardens lakes and sculptures. There is so much to see and do in the park, for adults and also kids. It is without a double one of the best things to do with kids in NYC.

Central Park Carousel

It’s a bit pricier than the other carousels at $3 a ride for kids and adults accompanying them, but all horses go up and down and super fast. We regularly seek out carouses and New York has them in spades. Ticking them all off your travel bucket list is a really fun way to experience New York with kids.

Central Park Conservatory Water

This is the pond where you can rent little remote control sailboats boats that you’ve seen in movies, and then climb all over the nearby Alice In Wonderland statue. The sailboats are pricey to hire and are slow to navigate but lots of kids really enjoy sailing them.

Alice in Wonderland Statue

A beautiful bronze statue that kids love to climb on top of (and adults too!). Saying “hello” to Alice is a memorable way to visit New York with kids.

Hans Christian Anderson Statue

Another bronze statue in the same area.

Bethesda Fountain and Terrace

Bethesda Fountain and Terrace overlook the lake. The angel on top of the fountain is beautiful to behold. The terrace often has buskers performing.

Playgrounds

There are 16 to explore! While you might never visit them all, they are a truly local experience, and a good addition to any list of things to do with kids in NYC. Our faves are:

Heckscher Playground

The oldest playground in Central Park, Heckscher Playground is also the largest at nearly three acres. Best suited for kids aged 6-12, it features a variety of slides, swings, and seesaws, a water fixture and giant rocks for climbing.

Ancient Playground

Located just north of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the playground features pyramids, obelisk and sundial, inspired by the museum’s collection of Egyptian Art. The playground is located on 85th Street right off of Fifth Avenue. The playground features equipment for kids of all ages.

Find more playgrounds in Central Park here.

Belvedere Castle

This miniature castle offers great views of the park and also turtle spotting in the water below. The castle is currently used as a visitors centre.

Central Park Zoo

In the main part of the zoo, kids love watching the seals and penguins. The attached Tisch Children’s Zoo is where you can feed animals. There’s also an Imax theatre if it’s a hot/cold day. Kids will also love the Delacorte Music Clock, near the children’s zoo, which plays music every half hour from 8am until 5pm daily. It plays a total of 44 songs that change with the season.

Row a boat

Rent a boat at the Loeb Boathouse and row around the Central Park Lake. What an iconic experience, straight out of the movies! A really fun way to create memories in New York with kids.

Get more tips on things to do in Central Park with kids here.

Ice Skating (seasonal)

Is there a more iconic experience in New York than skating in Central Park? The Wollman Rink is located on the east side, close to the Central Park Zoo. The rick is open from late October to early April. Skate hire, bathrooms and lockers are available.

Upper East Side

Dylan’s Candy Bar

Read more about visiting Dylan’s Candy Bar here.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan’s Museum Mile, is the largest art museum in the United States and one of the world’s largest and most visited art galleries. With over two million works spread throughout seventeen departments, you could easily spend an entire day inside and still not see everything the museum has to offer.

It is very do-able with kids as it is absolutely massive and has plenty of space for strollers, with no requirement to be super quiet. You can read more about their offerings for families here.

Be sure to visit the rooftop garden if it’s open for a stunning view and their latest rooftop culture offering.

Read about visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art here.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, often called “The Guggenheim” is renowned for its spiral design by A Frank Lloyd Wright. The museum is extremely kid-friendly, with activity packs, family activity guides, Find and Flip cards and a variety of family programming including stroller tours, which we did several of. Note: kids under 12 are free. Don’t let them run down the ramp!

Read about visiting the Guggenheim here and the Guggenheim family programmes here.

Roosevelt Island

For a sunny-day outing that’s out of your regular routine, catch the sky tram to Roosevelt Island. This narrow island is situated in New York City’s East River, between Manhattan and Queens.

It’s a tiny island, running from Manhattan’s East 46th to East 85th Streets, and is only about 2 miles (3.2 km) long, making it an easily conquerable size for a fun day trip with young kids.

Read more about visiting Roosevelt Island here.

Museum of the City of New York

The Museum of the City of New York preserves and presents the history of the city, including important artefacts. They often have excellent exhibitions that are family-friendly. When we visited, the exhibition was on local author Mo Willems.

Dimenna Children’s History Museum

The Dimenna Children’s History Museum is located inside the Museum of the City of New York. It is an excellent hands-on area for kids to learn about New York City.

Read about visiting the Museum of the City of New York here.

Midtown

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

One of the largest and most influential museums of modern art in the world is also one of the most welcoming to children. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is a place to take kids to encourage their creativity, let them explore and, most importantly, have fun.

Read about visiting the MoMA here.

Ellen’s Star Dust Diner

This iconic diner with singing waitstaff is a bit of a tourist trap and the food is average, but it’s an amazing experience that the whole family will enjoy.

Read about visiting Ellen’s Star Dust Diner here.

See a Broadway Show

Seeing a Broadway show is always number one on my priority list when we visit New York City – and there are plenty of kid-friendly ones to choose from. Check here to see which kid-friendly shows are playing during your visit. I advise booking tickets in advance from Broadway.com or directly from the production’s website. You can also score cheap tickets if you’re lucky – info on how to get cheap Broadway tickets here.

When booking tickets to see a Broadway show, I highly recommend checking the age requirements and suggestions on the production’s website. Each show has it’s own requirement (meaning kids under a certain age are not permitted) and suggestions (its advised kids are a certain age or over but they will permit younger kids).

Remember that Broadway shows are aimed at entertaining adults and are long – usually around 2 hours 45 mins or 3 hours. They may contain adult language, concepts and visual content. Please consider the rest of the audience as well before taking young children into full-length Broadway shows.

Times Square

An absolute tourist trap, Times Square is a throbbing hum of people and should be approached with caution. Yes, walk through it and see the famous lights, however keep your wits about you, your bags zipped and kids tightly in hand or a stroller. There are lots of pick pockets in this area who love to target tourists.

Keep an eye out for people dressed as characters. If you take a photo with them they will harass you for money.

Disney Store

If you do visit Times Square, you must visit the Disney Store. It is absolutely massive and jam packed with everything Disney.

Hard Rock Cafe

We dined at the Hard Rock Cafe and really enjoyed the experience, despite it being a bit touristy. It’s a great place to grab dinner before a show and is packed with amazing memorabilia. They have a great range of kids meals and food the whole family will eat.

The Plaza Hotel

The Plaza Hotel is the perfect fancy outing for little girls. Take older kids to try the Eloise-themed high tea in the famous Palm Court upstairs, or enjoy a preschooler- and toddler-friendly rawther fancy tea party in the special Eloise room inside the Eloise store on the lower level of the Plaza Hotel. In our opinion, this is a classic experience and a must when visiting New York with kids.

New York Public Library

It’s free to enter this iconic library – with nearly 53 million items, the New York Public Library is the second largest public library in the United States, and fourth largest in the world. It has a great children’s section downstairs.

Read about visiting the New York Public Library here.

Bryant Park

Right behind the New York Public Library is Bryant Park. It features a fountain, lush gardens and a carousel. In winter the park has an ice skating rink and large Christmas tree. The park is a fantastic spot to sit down and eat lunch or just take a break from the busy city.

Bryant Park Carousel

Le Carrousel in Bryant Park was especially created to complement the park’s French classical style. An homage to European and American carousel traditions, the carousel is quite tiny but feature really sweet animals to ride like a rabbit and cat.

Bryant Park ice skating (Seasonal)

The ice skating rink at Bryant Park is open seasonally, along with the Winter Village. Typically the rink it open around October to April.

Rockefeller Center

The historic Rockefeller Center is a must visit – and one of the top things to do in NYC with kids in my opinion. The centre itself is magnificent to behold, and there are plenty of family-friendly activities to do there.

I love the seasonal displays leading down to the amphitheatre that holds the skating rink in winter.

Ice Skating (seasonal)

The Rink at Rockefeller is another iconic spot to ice skate during the winter months. Skate hire, bathrooms and lockers are available.

LEGO Store

The LEGO Store features incredible LEGO sculptures, pick-a-brick areas and consumer-friendly play areas.

American Girl Place

American Girl Place is the flagship store for the iconic doll brand. The store stocks the full range of American Girl dolls, clothes and accessories, a cafe and salon where girls and their dolls can get their ears pierced and receive spa treatments.

Read about visiting American Girl Place and dining at the cafe here.

FAO Schwarz

The iconic toy store re-opened in late 2018 in this new location. It’s an absolute must add to a list of things to do with kids NYC, even if you’re not planning to buy anything. Make music on the giant piano, hug a larger-than-life plushie, play with cars on the racetrack and much more.

Read about FAO Schwarz here. Thank you to Have Wheelchair Will Travel for the pics.

The Top of the Rock

Read about visiting The Top Of The Rock here.

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan, is an Art Deco masterpiece. Built in 1931, the skyscraper is 102-stories tall and features the highest open-air observatory in New York City.

Read about visiting the Empire State Building here.

Union Square

Murray’s Bagels

New York does bagels like no other city. It’s something to do with the water. My favourite place for bagels is Murray’s. Just don’t ask for it toasted.

Union Square Playground

This is a really quirky playground, featuring a gleaming hemispherical dome, checkerboard rubber flooring, slides, spiral climbers and horns that seem like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.

14 St – Union Square Station

Oddly, the station is actually fun for kids. There are lots of the quirky Tom Otterness sculptures to spot everywhere and there are always street performers, usually musicians or dancers, performing.

Flatiron

Flatiron Building

The Flatiron Building, which was originally called the Fuller Building, is a triangular 22-story, 285-foot tall building located at 175 Fifth Avenue. It might not seem like one of the top things to do in New York with kids, however in my experience kids love it because the triangular shape is so unusual.

LEGO Store

The LEGO Store is near the Flatiron Building. It is a smaller version of the Rockefeller store, featuring small play areas and plenty of LEGO sculptures.

Dylan’s Candy Bar

A small outlet, it’s worth dropping by if you can’t make it to the original Dylan’s Candy Bar uptown.

The National Museum of Mathematics

The National Museum of Mathematics or MoMath is the only hands-on science center in Manhattan. Dedicated to mathematics, the museum explores math through dynamic exhibits and fun activities. You’ll never look at math the same way again!

Read about visiting the National Museum of Mathematics here.

Madison Square

This little park has a great playground and the original Shake Shack, and is right across the road from Eataly (delicious kid-friendly place to grab lunch, coffee or gelato).

Read about things to do in Madison Square and dining at Eataly here.

Chelsea

Ample Hils Creamery

If you love ice cream then you must try Ample Hills Creamery, located near Chelsea Market. The name for the creamery came from a Walt Whitman poem, who liked to wax lyrical about what an awesome place Brooklyn was back in the 1800s (he was an early adopter). The poem goes: “I too lived. Brooklyn of ample hills was mine…” And thus, Ample Hills Creamery was born, using only the freshest local and hormone-free ingredients. The dairy and eggs come from farms in upstate New York. There are tables inside to side and enjoy your scoop.

Read about visiting Ample Hills Creamery here.

Whitney Museum of American Art

Located at the foot of the High Line, the Whitney Museum of American Art is an art museum focusing on 20th- and 21st-century American art. The Whitney is very family-friendly and their Whitney Family Programs offer interactive tours, art making workshops, and special events, with a focus on encouraging kids and adults to enjoy art together.

Read about visiting the Whitney here.

Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market is an indoor food court and office building located under the High Line. It’s a great spot to grab a bite to eat or wander through on a cold or rainy day. There are restrooms and elevators inside and the food offerings range from grab and go to sit down.

Read about visiting the Chelsea Market here.

The High Line

This public park is elevated above street level. It’s a fantastic spot to stroll above the city through greenery and public art – with a stunning view of the streets below.

The High Line was created on the former New York Central Railroad and features points of interest along the way such as sculptures and murals and plenty of trees and plants.

The entrance at 34th street and 12th avenue has a great little area thats been designed for kids to play in. There is also a ramp at this entrance.

Read about visiting the High Line here. Get information about access points including elevator access here.

SoHo

Books of Wonder

Book worms will adore New York’s oldest children’s bookstore (founded in 1980). Books of Wonder stocks a vast selection of books for kids of all ages: board books, picture books, novels, reference books, YA books, collectible first editions and rare children’s books. Pull up at a table and read away a wet and rainy day.

Read more about visiting Books of Wonder here.

Dominique Ansel Bakery

This bakery is a must-visit. The bakery was made famous by cronuts, however I prefer their made-to-order mini madeleines, which are served hot and fresh.

I also loved their cookie cup filled with milk – perfect for kids.

Read about visiting the Dominique Ansel Bakery here.

Vesuvio playground

Located right behind right behind Dominique Ansel, this is a fab playground to run off steam between eating and shopping.

Children’s Museum Of The Arts

This gorgeous SoHo facility has an all-ages drop in for their art studio, full of materials for kids to just explore and create messy masterpieces. They also have a ball room to jump in with big balls and story and music times. Older kids will love the clay studio.

Read about visiting the CMANY here.

TriBeCa

Rockefeller Park & Tom Otterness “Real World” Sculptures

A truly unique park that is worth visiting, Rockefeller Park is home to an incredible collection of Tom Otterness sculptures.

The installation, entitled “Real World” was opened in 1992. Wander though this whimsical park and enjoy the fine detail in these sculptures, which are a mix of stylised human and animal characters with reference to the financial world.

There is an excellent fenced playground near the park as well.

Washington Market Park & Playground

This beautiful park is an oasis of green in the city. The actual garden itself is fenced, and there are no further fences inside. Washington Market Park features a large playground with a section for older kids and one for younger.

There is a cute little wooden train to play on too. The park also features a butterfly garden.

Pier 25

Pier 25 is an excellent little recreation spot on the Hudson River. It features miniature golf, bathrooms, food options (seasonal) sand volleyball and play areas. The playground at Pier 25 is excellent. It was recently renovated and has eight seasonal water features.

Financial District

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum commemorates the September 11, 2001 attacks, which killed 2,977 people, and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which killed six. The Memorial Pools are free and open to the public to wander around. The museum is ticketed. We’ve been to the Memorial with our daughter when she was a baby and then as a seven-year-old. Babies and toddlers I would take with no hesitation as they are too small to understand what it’s about. Older children I would take with caution as they will want to have the circumstances of the Memorial explained. I would only take much older children into the Museum.

Read about visiting the National September 11 Memorial & Museum here.

One World Observatory

Read more about visiting the One World Observatory here.

Oculus

This incredible structure is a train station and shopping center, and I highly recommend a visit and walk inside to explore. It feels like walking inside a whale skeleton. The glass-and-steel structure was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava to look like a dove in flight.

There is also some very cool street art outside.

Fearless Girl Statue

The Fearless Girl statue has been adopted as a symbol of female empowerment. It was originally placed in front of the Charing Bull sculpture, but has since been moved in front of the stock exchange.

Imagination Playground

Imagination Playgrounds are famous for the blue, foam blocks that they have in the playgrounds for kids aged two and up to play with. They’re basically huge shapes made out of non-toxic lightweight foam.

The blocks are only one feature of this great, Nautical-themed playground. At one end lies a huge sandpit, with a ramp running over the top and a twisty slide that ends up back in the sand. In the afternoons, this section is fully shaded, so gives a great respite from the heat if you can just get your kid to stay there.

Read more about visiting the Imagination Playground here.

Statue of Liberty

The iconic Lady Liberty was a gift to the United States from France. If you want to see her up close, your options are the free Staten Island Ferry, which goes past the island but does not land on it, or the ticketed ferry which lands on the island.

You can get all the information you need on visiting the island, including tickets and how to access the crown and pedestal here. A grounds only ticket is the easiest to get – tickets to the pedestal and crown are limited and sell out very quickly in advance. Crown tickets often sell out six months in advance.

Children must be at least four (4) feet, or 1.2 meters, tall to visit the crown but there is no height requirement to visit the pedestal.

SeaGlass Carousel

Take a magical underwater spin on the SeaGlass Carousel – a fish-themed carousel in Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan Island in New York City that opened in August 2015.

Read about visiting the SeaGlass Carousel here.

Governor’s Island (seasonal)

A fun day trip during summer: catch the ferry and spend the day. Get food from the food trucks, bring a ball to kick around, lounge in the giant hammocks. They have a lot of events so look on their site for anything fun happening. Ferries go from the Financial District and Brooklyn.

Read more about our experience on Governor’s Island here.

Bronx

Bronx Zoo

It’s not as far to get to as you’d think – a fast train trip and a good option if the kids are going a bit crazy in the city. They have a fun monorail type thing where you watch all the animals around the park, a revamped kids’ zoo with a bug carousel, and a lot of space for kids to run free.

New York Botanical Garden

A great trip out of the city for the day, the New York Botanical Garden is particularly beautiful in spring when all the flowers and cherry trees are blooming. Check what’s on as they always have great exhibitions. The food is pretty average so I’d pack my own and have a picnic lunch.

The gardens are so easy to get to by train. The B, D or 4 are all nearby, and it’s a short walk from the station to the garden. The gardens are MASSIVE. There is a tram to get around, but we always walk and haven’t found it too large for strolling between each area.

Read about visiting the New York Botanical Garden here.

Brooklyn

New York Transit Museum

Climb aboard the transport of yesterday at the New York Transit Museum. There are plenty of trains and buses to pretend to drive as well as fascinating historical artifacts and information for adults.

Read about visiting the New York Transit Museum here.

Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge joins Manhattan to Brooklyn, spanning the East River. Since its completion in 1883, the bridge has become one of the city’s most famous icons. Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the best ways to explore the city’s neighbourhoods and experience breathtaking views along the way. The whole route is stroller-friendly.

Read about walking across the Brooklyn Bridge here.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

This beautiful waterfront park wraps around the Brooklyn shoreline from DUMBO to Brooklyn Heights. It has numerous sporting fields and green spaces, gardens and playgrounds spread across six piers. Bring a picnic lunch or buy lunch at one of the many restaurants along the way. Brooklyn Bridge Park is extremely stroller-friendly!

There is a toddler playground at Pier 1 that is excellent for little ones.

For older kids, the nautical-themed Main Street playground on Plymouth Street is a great bet.

Walk further along the entire length of the park if you have time to explore all of the green spaces and playground.

Pier 6 is home to a variety of playgrounds including the Water Lab, Swing Valley and Sandbox Village.

Pier 6 is also where the ferries to Governor’s Island depart.

Read about visiting Brooklyn Bridge Park here.

Jane’s Carousel

Jane’s Carousel opened in the Brooklyn Bridge Park on the East River on September 16, 2011 after a full restoration. The carousel itself actually dates back to 1922.

The carousel is cheap at only $2 a spin on our last visit. Check their opening days and hours carefully as they change seasonally.

Read about visiting Jane’s Carousel here.

DUMBO Brooklyn Eats

If you’re walking around DUMBO, be sure to check out some of the amazing cafes and restaurants in the area. I highly recommend: Jacques Torres chocolates, One Girl Cookie (they make amazing layer cake and cupcakes), Almondine (famous for croissants and fruit tarts), pizza! (Juliana’s is the best of them all), Superfine (a bar that is super kid-friendly, has a pool table and also makes amazing cocktails).

Brooklyn Children’s Museum

A bit tricky to get to due to its location in the residential area of Crown Heights, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum was founded in 1899 and is the first children’s museum in the United States (possibly also the first one worldwide).

The museum features plenty of hands-on play for kids including a brooklyn-themed area, water play and sensory room.

Read about visiting the Brooklyn Children’s Museum here.

Prospect Park

The sprawling Prospect Park was constructed between 1865 and 1895 by the same designers who created Central Park. The 585-acre park feels a lot more natural than Central Park, with plenty of foresty areas and lots of trees. The park features sporting fields, running paths and playgrounds and is simply magnificent to visit in the fall.

Attractions in Prospect Park include the bandshell, Audubon Center, the zoo and Grand Army Plaza.

Read about visiting Prospect Park here.

Children’s Corner

This area of the park is home to several features that are excellent for kids, including the historic Lefferts Historic House, Zucker Natural Exploration Area, Prospect Park Carousel (one of the few wheelchair-accessible carousels in the world) and the zoo. The Children’s Corner is located near the Willink entrance, at Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard.

Prospect Park Carousel

This beautiful 1912 carousel is only open between March and November. It features hand-carved horses, dragon-pulled chariots, a lion and a deer, and only costs $2 a ride.

Read about visiting the Prospect Park Carousel here.

Prospect Park Zoo

The Prospect Park Zoo makes up the Wildlife Conservation Society along with the Central Park Zoo, the Queens Zoo, the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium. Home to 400 animals of over 80 species in environments that have been designed to imitate their natural habitats.

Kids will love the Barn and Garden area with farm animals who can be fed grain.

Read about visiting Prospect Park Zoo here.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

A must-visit during spring when the cherry blossoms are in full, stunning bloom. The 52-acre garden is located next to Prospect Park. They have strict rules about sitting on lawns so choose where you sit wisely.

Read about visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens here.

Ample Hills Creamery

Possibly the best ice cream of all time. Crazy flavours and reasonable prices, this Brooklyn ice creamery is worth the trip to Gowanus, but you can also enjoy a scoop in Chelsea.

Read about visiting their Gowanus store here.

Coney Island

Catch the train to iconic Coney Island to people watch swim at the beach, ride the Cyclone rollercoaster or try one of Nathan’s famous hot dogs.

You can also get some of the best pizza in New York here – don’t visit Coney Island without trying a slice from Totonnos.

Read about visiting Totonnos here.

New York Aquarium

The New York Aquarium is the oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States. It opened in Castle Garden in Battery Park, Manhattan in 1896, and was relocated to the boardwalk in Coney island in 1957. The aquarium was hit hard during the 2012 hurricane and was closed afterwards for renovations (it has since reopened). It features otters, seals, sea lions, walruses and a Giant Pacific octopus.

You can read about our experience visiting the aquarium before its renovation here.

The Cloisters, Washington Heights

During the warmer months, a perfect family day trip is just north of the city at The Cloisters.

The Cloisters museum and gardens is the branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to medieval European art and architecture. The building and its gardens are located in Fort Tryon Park, in Washington Heights, just a hop, skip and a jump away on the A train. Kids will love running around the gardens and smelling the herbs in the medieval garden.

Read more about visiting the Cloisters here.

Rockaways, Queens

The Rockaways are a beachside community located around an hour and a bit from Manhattan. It’s a quiet spot, popular in summer, and is easily access by train.

Read about a day trip to the Rockaways here.

Splash Parks

There are splash parks all over the city in summer, so if you’re visiting then, bring lots of sunscreen as there are very few playgrounds with shade. Also pack shoes that the kids can run in the water in (like crocs).

Read about visiting splash parks in NYC here.

Helpful information to navigate NYC with kids

Eating Out With Kids

You can find my top list of kid-friendly restaurants in NYC here, and all of my reviews on kid-friendly restaurants here

Cupcakes

There are so. many. cupcakes. My favourites are Georgetown, Magnolia, Two Little Red Hens, Butter Lane.

What to pack

Comfortable shoes are a must. For most seasons, I suggest wearing sneakers that have already been worn in. In summer sandals can be worn – but be warned that the streets are filthy and your feet will be dirty at the end of the day.

Dress in layers as the weather can change unexpectedly. I always pack jeans, light tees, light jumpers, then a light jacket for visiting in late spring and early fall. Summer – light dresses, shorts and light tees. If you’re visiting NYC in winter, you will need some serious cold weather gear. Get suggestions on what to pack when visiting NYC in winter.

A backpack or a crossbody bag with a zip is also a must – both to prevent pick pockets and also to carry all your stuff while you’re walking many miles a day.

If you’re visiting from outside of the US you may need a power adaptor or convertor. Read more about using electronics in the USA and what adaptor you’ll need here.

Getting around

Use the subway! Get a weekly pass and take kids in either an umbrella stroller or baby carrier. Find accessible subway stations here. Up to three children 44 inches tall and under can ride for free on subways and local buses when they’re accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

If you need to get a car, call Uber and request a car seat.

Tipping

Tip a minimum of 15% for service in restaurants. You’ll also need to tip in bars, hotel staff, cabs, nail salons etc.

Looking for more ideas on things to do in NYC?

After some cheap holiday ideas around the USA? Check out this list.

11 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in NYC That Adults Will Enjoy Too

June 18, 2019 / New York, New York Food / 0 comment

New York is a city to eat your way through, one cronut at a time. It’s also the perfect spot to introduce junior diners to the finer things in life, such as ramen burgers and artisan cannolis, not to mention some of the best pizza money can buy. Enjoy your next foodie outing at one of these kid-friendly restaurants in NYC where the food is so good, you’d happily visit sans kid!

11 Kid-Friendly Restaurants In NYC That Adults Will Enjoy Too

Rosemary’s

Freshly grown and picked fare is what you’ll get from Rosemary’s, an Italian restaurant with a rooftop farm in the heart of Greenwich Village. Rosemary’s is a large restaurant where they have space to stash strollers and a rooftop garden for little ones to stroll around while waiting for food to arrive. Take them to the veggie patch to identify what’s on their plate! Kids are also offered colouring sheets and crayons on arrival. Rosemary’s is one of the best kid-friendly restaurants in NYC.

Read more about Rosemary’s here.
18 Greenwich Ave, New York

Balthazar

The famous French bistro in SoHo loves children (even the Cheerio-tossing kind). The friendly staff happily pick up dropped cutlery over and over again (even with a grin on their faces!) and bring out fresh slices of house-made bread for kids to gnaw on. The dining room is squishy to the highest degree (hello their neighbour!), so take wriggly little ones downstairs when they need a break. Let them climb into the plush armchairs outside the restrooms and make sure you snap a pic to ‘Gram the occasion: “Baby’s First Balthazar!”.

Read more about Balthazar here.
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

Brooklyn Farmacy - kid-friendly restaurants, Carroll Gardens, NYC — The perfect grilled cheese.

This beautifully restored 1920s pharmacy in Carroll Gardens is home to one of the best grilled cheeses in New York. The friendly, hip staff offer kids long pretzel sticks to gnaw on at the counter while waiting on their egg creams and malted shakes. There are plenty of quirks to love at the Farmacy, including their single high chair that may also date back to the 1920s. Strollers can be parked at the tables or left at the front door. Order grilled cheese for everyone! Brooklyn Farmacy is an absolute must-visit, and is always a top choice for a kid-friendly restaurants in NYC.

Read more about Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain here.
513 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Sugar and Plumm

With decor and a menu right out of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Sugar and Plumm is a visual delight that will please adults and kids alike. They have all the usual kid-friendly necessities (kids’ menu, high chairs, change table, stroller storage, special cups and crayons for kids), plus a gift shop that will induce a sugar high just by looking at it. The restaurant is popular so on busy weekends, order takeaway and eat at the communal table at the front of the restaurant.

Read more about Sugar and Plumm here.
377 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Table 87 Coal Oven Pizza

Some of the best pizza in Brooklyn can be found at Table 87, as it’s often called by the locals. This cosy pizzeria treats their customers like extended family members, welcoming its youngest customers with kind smiles and giant slices of pizza (sold by the pie or by the slice) dripping with house-made mozzarella. They’ll offer to cut up your slice into little bite-size pieces for the kids, too. After chowing down on their speciality margherita pizza or calzone, take the kids to run off steam at the playroom in the nearby Moxie Spot or take a stroll through Brooklyn Bridge Park. Walk down Atlantic Avenue to the playgrounds at Pier 5, then north to Brooklyn Bridge for a calorie-burning stroll with a view. Pizza is always a good choice for kids, making this one of my fave options for kid-friendly restaurants in NYC.

table87coalovenpizza.com
87 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Lucali

The legendary pizza at Lucali is worth waiting for, even with kids in tow. DO what the website suggests to minimise the wait. Show up before 5. Put your name on the list. Go for a walk. They’ll call you when your table is ready. Lucali serves thin-crust pizza to die for and is popular with locals as well as celebs. They are also kid-friendly, which isn’t surprising for a pizza joint. When we visited they gave our miss a piece of pizza dough to make her own “pizza” while we waited for our order to arrive. Kids can also watch their dinner being made. Diners can bring their own wine and beer, and the restaurant is cash only.

lucalibrooklyn.com
575 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY

Bareburger

Enjoy healthy burgers and fries at this restaurant chain where the ingredients are organic and free of pesticides and hormones. Bareburger is perfect for picky eaters with their build-your-own-burger option and the Cubby Menu provides healthy options for kids, like the quinoa veggie burger with apple slices. The menu can be coloured in with the crayons provided.

bareburger.com
Various locations

Sarabeth’s Tribeca

We love all the Sarabeth’s, but our fave is the Tribeca branch. Sarabeth’s is an elegant restaurant, the kind you would have dined at pre-kids, with the right amount of trendiness and kid-friendly atmosphere to make this a firm family-fave in Manhattan. Adults love their “Extraordinary Eggs And Omelettes” and the kids can’t get enough of the fresh pastries. Sarabeth’s also takes reservations, which makes for a super easy dining experience with no queues in sight. The Tribeca Sarabeth’s is right across the road from the gorgeous Washington Market Playground and close to the Hudson River Greenway pedestrian and bike path.

Read more about Sarabeth’s Tribeca
339 Greenwich St, New York

Read more about Sarabeth’s West
423 Amsterdam Ave, New York

Alice’s Tea Cup

Kids are welcomed at the door with their own pair of fairy wings to borrow for the occasion and a sprinkling of pixie dust, which sets the scene for the dining experience to follow. Tiny diners will love the $20 Wee Tea at Alice’s Tea Cup which includes a small pot of herbal or fruit tea (or any other beverage), one scone, any item from the Menu for the Small and the White Rabbit dark chocolate mousse. Their scones are an absolute must to try! The Alice-inspired illustrations on the walls are divine – make sure to visit the bathrooms to see them all. Kids are also given a little item to play with – on our visit it was Wix Stix. So thoughtful!

alicesteacup.com
102 W 73rd St, New York
156 E 64th St, New York

Dylan’s Candy Bar

The world’s largest confectionary emporium and lifestyle brand, Dylan’s Candy Bar is a real-life candytopia. The original flagship location on New York City’s Upper East Side features three floors of delicious treats, including a cafe on the top floor. The cafe has candy-inspired decor, including oversized cupcake booths, and well-priced, delicious food, both savoury and sweet.

Read more about Dylan’s Candy Bar
1011 Third Ave (at 60th St.) New York

The Plaza Hotel

A rawther fancy way to enjoy a day in New York City is with the Eloise afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel. The Eloise Afternoon Tea is served on exquisite china that has been hand-painted for The Plaza Hotel. It can be purchased from the gift shop downstairs if you want to take home a special souvenir. The afternoon tea includes sandwiches, savouries, scones, pastries and a big ball of pink cotton candy, plus the option to order a pink lemonade.

Read more about the Eloise afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel, 768 5th Ave, New York

Do you have a fave kid-friendly restaurant in NYC?

More things to do in Manhattan

Find more sweet spots in Manhattan here.

New York Guide: Walking Across The Brooklyn Bridge

November 26, 2018 / New York, New York Life, Outdoor Play, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Walking Across The Brooklyn Bridge

When to cross the Brooklyn Bridge
The bridge is open 24 hours a day and is safe to cross even late at night. It is however a major tourist attraction and by midday can be jam-packed with people. I suggest crossing the bridge early in the morning to avoid large crowds. It can get breezy on the bridge so bring an extra layer.

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan

The pedestrian promenade begins as indicated by the arrow on the map. if arriving by subway, catch the 4, 5, or 6 trains to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall or the J or Z trains to Chambers St. Other options are the 2 or 3 train to Park Place, the N or R train to City Hall, or the A or C train to Fulton Street

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway and Bicycle Lane start at the intersection of Tillary Street and Adams Street. The road is busy so keep a hold of small children when crossing. The closet subway stops are A, C or F to Jay Street/MetroTech Station, N, R to Court Street Station, 2/3 or 4/5 to Borough Hall Station. This entrance is completely accessible and suitable for strollers, wheelchairs and bikes.

There is another entrance closer to the foreshore which includes several stairs. To reach this entrance, catch the A or C to High Street. Walk across the large when exiting the station to reach the underpass. On the left side of the street are a set of stairs built into the bridge. They can be tricky to spot.

Safety on the Brooklyn Bridge

Keep in the pedestrian lane and watch for bikes. The pedestrian lane is narrow and if there are people who have stopped you will have to walk around them by walking across the bike lane. Be careful as you do as cyclists go extremely fast.

Time and distance over the Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is slightly over 1.1miles or 1.8 km long. It takes an average of 30 minutes to cross. 45-60 if you stop to admire the view or take lots of photos.

Enjoy seeing the sights in Brooklyn!

When you reach Brooklyn, enjoy our favourite neighbourhood with this guide of our fave places in DUMBO.

Visiting the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) New York With Kids

November 23, 2018 / Indoor Play, Museums & Galleries, New York, New York Life / 0 comment

Visiting the Museum of Modern Art (Moma) New York With Kids

Kids, especially younger ones, can be a tricky mix with an art gallery, as kids love to move and art loves to basically stand still on a wall. However, art galleries and kids can work and even be fun. Here are my tips for ensuring everyone enjoys the incredible MoMA.

Talk about what you’re going to see
Have a quick chat before you go in about what modern art is, and what they are going to see and do at the museum. Paintings! Photographs! Sculptures! A helicopter! I find it helpful to tell kids what is on offer for them to do, and then what you’re going to do that you want to do (ie look at the art!).

Discuss the rules
Also important to discuss in advance. Explain especially to younger kids why they can’t touch the art because the natural oils on our fingers can leave harmful prints. Tell them to ask before touching anything as a general rule.

Research what exhibitions are on
A quick look at the website will tell you what special exhibitions or permanent works are on display. I choose the Impressionist gallery for our visit because Cheese has read books on this art period and I knew she would be excited to see the paintings in real life.

Attend a family program
While none of these were on the day we visited, I highly recommend scheduling a visit around a family-friendly tour, art workshop, film, or activity station are offered offered seasonally on the weekends for families with kids ages 4–14. There is also the “Create Ability” program for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities. See moma.org/family for more info.

Get real about how much art kids can take
The MoMA is huge and while it’s tempting to see everything, particularly if you are visiting the city and won’t have a chance to come back, aim to spend about 30-90 mins including breaks. Longer if your kid gets obsessed with ArtLab like mine did.

Pick up free Activity Cards
The activity cards contain activities, questions and ideas for looking at pieces of art throughout the MoMA. They are available at information desks on each floor of the museum.

We loved these activity cards and they led us on a scavenger hunt throughout the museum to located the art works and then find out more about them.

Visit Art Lab
ArtLab is an interactive space that is free with museum admission. To reach it, walk across the Sculpture Garden or down the corridor on the second floor of the Museum (past Cafe 2), then downstairs to the first floor of The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building.

ArtLab lets kids and adults engage with art through hands-on activities. They can play and experiment with different materials and concepts, create masterpieces and contribute to group projects. There are activities to engage toddlers through to grade schoolers and even their parents.

Stroll through the sculpture garden
We loved the sculpture garden! as well as being visually impressive, the sculptures can be walked around or through, and several can be touched. The sculpture garden is free to access even without a ticket to the museum.

Feed the kids
Cafe 2 is the most kid-friendly dining area in the MoMA, with a kids’ menu and high chairs. Cheese ordered the pasta which came with a side of fruit, and I ordered a tomato soup.
The Sculpture Garden café also offers snacks.

Take a bathroom break
There are diaper-changing stations available in most of the bathrooms, and the dedicated family bathrooms are on Floors 1, 5, T1, and on the mezzanine
level of the Education and Research Building.

Take an audio tour
Pick up a free audio tour for kids or download the MoMA app, which has kid-friendly information.

Museum of Modern Art
Hours: Daily, 10:30am–5:30pm. Open till 8pm Fridays.
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Kids 16 and under receive free admission to the Museum.
moma.org

American Girl Place New York

November 23, 2018 / New York, New York Life, Travel, USA / 0 comment

American Girl Place New York

The American Girl dolls were released in 1986 by Pleasant Company. Made to portray eight- to eleven-year-old girls of a variety of ethnicities, the dolls are wildly popular and one step inside American Girl Place will show you why.

Located in the heart of the Rockefeller Center, the American Girl Place is all things pink and girly. Dolls and their accessories line the walls and fill the floors.

Girls (and boys!) can wander around the multi-floor store and play with the dolls that are on display, or enjoy one of the hands-on stations set up around the store, designed to engage kids.

A really fun experience for kids at the store is the American Girl Salon. Girls and their dolls can get matching hairstyles, mini manicures and get their ears pierced.

We’ve previously been to the salon at the LA store for a hairstyle and ear piercing (above) and it’s the sweetest experience – expensive, but really fun for a special occasion.

The cafe inside the store is open for brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Bring your own doll or borrow a doll from the cafe to dine with.

Each doll is given their own special chair that attaches to the table and a special dining set with placemat, plate and cup. On the back of the placemat are conversation starters, such a cute idea. Diners are welcome to take home the doll dining set.

The napkins are tied with American Girl hair ties that are also a take-home gift.

When dining at the cafe, their lunch and dinner menu has the best selection for kids, with their “Truly Me” menu for kids aged 9 and under. The menu includes a choice of refillable beverage, entrée, and dessert plus a special souvenir, for $21 per child, plus tax. The entrees offer plenty of choice for fussy little eaters, with options such as chicken tenders with fruit, a cheese burger and mini hot dog, pasta (plain or marinara), mac and cheese and pizza.

When we dined, Cheese chose the Fancy Bow-Tie Pasta with butter and
grated Parmesan, plus a breadstick. The portion size was absolutely massive – big enough for us to share it.

American Girl Place New York
75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10019
Phone: +1 877-247-5223
americangirl.com

One World Observatory, New York

November 22, 2018 / New York, New York Life, Travel, USA / 0 comment

One World Observatory, New York

I did visit New York a few months prior to the attack and went up the old Twin Towers to admire the view, so it was an emotional visit for me to return to the scene and head up the new building.

Entrance to the Observatory is on the West Plaza located alongside West Street at the Northwest corner of the World Trade Center complex.

There is usually a long queue to visit the One World Observatory so I highly suggest buying tickets online in advance. Tickets are timed, which can make it tricky to book ahead, but you can book tickets on your phone just before you’re thinking of heading up and chance that the time slot won’t be sold out. This is what we did and had no issues. We stood at the entrance, noticed the huge queue and then booked the tickets on my phone and walked straight in, past the queue, and through security.

After security, visitors walk through a really cool “bedrock” exhibition that consists of the rocks that form the base of the city.

The elevators are called “Skypods” and transport visitors 102 floors in 47 seconds. The elevator ride itself is incredible, with a video display on the walls and roof that shows the transformation of New York City from unsettled lands to today’s skyscrapers.

At the Observatory level, you’ll find special exhibits, the See Forever Theater, the obligatory green screen photo op, restaurants, bathrooms and shops.

Also at the Observatory level is the Sky Portal, which was hugely popular with Cheese. The Sky Portal is a 14-foot wide circular disco that shows high definition footage of the streets that lie 100 floor below. Not for those who are scared of heights, perhaps!

There is no outside area at the Observatory, however the floor to ceiling glass windows are absolutely massive (no other way to describe it!) and so large that they could almost not be there. Standing by the edge of the windows is quite the experience, peering 100 floors down.

We spent about 45mins-1 hour at the Observatory, which I’m told is the average visiting time.

If you’d like to purchase your souvenir photo, you can do so at the exit on the ground floor.

There are no binoculars at the Observatory which was a bit of a shame, as they are always a highlight particularly for kids.

Tips for visiting with kids

Kids under 6 are free

Strollers are allowed but you will be asked to remove your child and fold your stroller up for access to the elevators as well as the escalators within the Observatory.

Buy tickets in advance to avoid lining up.

One World Observatory, New York
Hours: Daily, 9am-9pm
Phone: +1 844-696-1776
285 Fulton St, New York, NY 10006
oneworldobservatory.com

Dylan’s Candy Bar, New York

November 22, 2018 / Manhattan Munchies, New York, New York Food, Upper East Side / 0 comment

Dylan’s Candy Bar, New York

Dylan’s Candy Bar was opened in 2001 by Dylan Lauren, of the Ralph Lauren family. The flagship store is a crazy colourful chaos reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, with an oversized lollypop tree, candy cane columns, oversized chocolate rabbit, candy-embedded stairs and kaleidoscopic candy wallpaper that you kind of want to lick (but don’t! Don’t lick the wallpaper!).

If candy is your thing then put Dylan’s on your New York bucket list. The store houses over 7,000 confections from all over the world.

The bright colours are mesmerising and the smell of sugar is dizzying. I dare any adult who enters not to embrace their inner child and make like a kid in a candy store themselves.

You can find plenty of unique gifts in the store too, from Dylan’s Candy Bar (private label) products to candy-inspired stationary, plushies, jewellery and lotions. Even fridge magnets!

I highly suggest visiting the upstairs cafe and sitting in an oversized cupcake booth. We did just that for lunch and enjoyed some very non-sweet things after our sugar binge on the floor below: Dylan’s House Salad ($9, arugula, goat cheese, breakfast radishes, grape tomatoes & a balsamic glaze) and The Kid’s Pie ($8, kid’s pizza with mozzarella & tomato sauce). The food was excellent and well priced.

The salad was huge and fresh, bursting with flavour thanks to the liberal lashing of balsamic glaze, and the kid’s pie was so massive I ended up eating half. Excellent value for lunch in New York city!

We have previously ordered the candy-inspired cocktails and they are excellent as well as pretty. The cafe makes loads of beautiful desserts and shakes if you are feeling like something sweet.

Dylan’s Candy Bar
Hours: Mon-Thur: 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat: 10am-11pm, Sunday: 10am-9pm
1011 Third Ave (at 60th St.)
New York, NY 10065
Phone: (646) 735-0078
Subway: N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6
dylanscandybar.com

Ellen’s Stardust Diner, New York

November 22, 2018 / Eat & Explore, Manhattan Munchies, Midtown, New York, New York Food, New York Life, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Ellen’s Stardust Diner is an iconic 1950s-themed diner with singing servers and a massive menu filled with American classics. Located in the heart of Times Square, your server at Ellen’s may be the next star on Broadway!

While Ellen’s may be considered a bit of a tourist trap, it’s incredibly fun and we have been several times. The food is overpriced but adequate – it’s really the great singing and lively atmosphere that are the draw card here.

Our server, after introducing herself, hopped up on the tables to belt out a Broadway classic that left us speechless. The staff here truly have extraordinary talent.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner serves up plenty of options with an absolutely massive menu. It’s an extremely popular spot, especially with tourists and tour groups, and there is usually a queue to get in that runs around the block. My advice is to come for breakfast since they open at 7am.

Not only is this a great time to visit and get a table immediately, it will also save you a few dollars on your meal. While there is an all-day breakfast menu, their dedicated breakfast menu is a different menu entirely and is served between served from 7am to 11am. It features cheaper food choices, making this a great time to go for both crowds and cost saving.

We ordered the plain Jane classic three egg omelette with tater tots ($13.50) and Joseph & The Technicolor Bagel (Yes! It’s a Rainbow Bagel, served w/ rainbow sprinkle cream cheese and tater tots, $10.50). The omelette was really flat whereas we prefer fluffy omelettes and the tater tots packed a bit of spice, which meant while I liked them, Cheese didn’t. She did however love her rainbow bagel.

I do have to mention how excellent the service is from the singing waitstaff. Not only are they amazingly talented, they are also really great at their jobs. About 30 seconds after being given a massive glass of OJ, Cheese accidentally knocked it over. Our server dashed over, cleaned it up and replaced it with another in a spill proof cup, without being asked. Really great service.

You can read about our previous experience at Ellen’s Starburst Diner here.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Hours: Daily, 7am-12am
(212) 956-5151
1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
ellensstardustdiner.com