Places to Play in Midtown West for NYC Kids: Fun Megastores, Kiddie Gyms, Bowling Alleys and a Video Game Arcade

Midtown West may not be as chock-full of traditional play spaces as neighboring Chelsea or the Upper West Side, but there are still plenty of places where kids can run around indoors. Times Square has lots of fun interactive megastores like the Disney Store and Dave & Buster's is filled with new and retro arcade games. Plus there are three bowling alleys within blocks of each other, a lovely local library, a couple of kiddie gyms and other offbeat spots to romp or hang out.

Forest Hills: Best Places for Kids to Play and Learn

Our month-long focus on Forest Hills comes to a close with a look at our favorite places for kids to play and learn in the area, both indoors and out. Forest Park, which is the neighborhood's southern border, is the go-to green space and boasts playgrounds, ball fields and a historic carousel. But there are plenty of other places for kids to romp indoors as well as get creative, play sports, cook and so much more. Here are our top class and play spots for families in Forest Hills, Queens.

Tribeca Kids' Stores: Best Toy Shops and Children's Boutiques

Play and shop and Bitz Kids. Photo courtesy of the store

We continue our month-long focus on Tribeca with a roundup of our favorite places to shop with kids in the area. Considering the neighborhood's trendy reputation, it's no wonder that its picturesque cobblestone streets are home to some of NYC's hippest children's clothing and toy boutiques, all with eye-catching window displays. Whether you're looking for eco-friendly playthings, a unique outfit for a special occasion, your tot's first pair of shoes or even celebrity-designed maternity wear, these Tribeca shops sell it all, plus so much more. Here are our top 12 places to shop with kids in Tribeca.

Favorite Family Restaurants in Queens

As a proud Queens native, I'm always looking for new ways to encourage others (including my own family) to explore my home borough. And since it's famous for being culturally diverse, a do-it-yourself food tour is a great way to get a taste of all the different neighborhoods.

Queens boasts some of the best kid-friendly restaurants in New York City—and I'm not just saying that because I was raised here. You can introduce your children to a wide variety of authentic cuisine at reasonable prices, and the portions are so big you always end up with leftovers to take home. Plus there are off-the-beaten path gems that have incredible kid appeal, like coffee house Waltz-Astoria and its family concerts and old New York soda fountains Eddie's Sweet Shop and Jahn's.

I thought about all of the places I've eaten in Queens over the years and came up with my personal list of the top ten restaurants, bakeries and ice cream parlors that are all worth schlepping the kids to, even if you live in another borough. See if your favorites made the cut and feel free to share your additions in the comments as I know there are many, many more.

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