Dyker Heights Kids Neighborhood Guide

For years I'd been hearing about the awesome Christmas displays in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. I'd seen the Flickr feeds and the YouTube videos but I didn't make the trek out there until 2011. Once I saw those jaw-dropping sights in person, I knew visiting "Dyker Lights" would become an annual family holiday tradition.

But living in upper Manhattan, Dyker Heights is a serious schlep. It's really not doable via public transportation, especially at night with kids in tow. It's better to drive there. Last year, I hitched a ride with a neighbor but this year I decided to play tourist and went on A Slice of Brooklyn's Christmas Lights & Cannoli guided bus tour. Even though my daughter and I saw many of the same houses both times, our visits were quite different. If you're considering taking the kids to Dyker Heights this holiday season but are wondering which is the best way to go, here's how the two experiences compare.

There's a reason Dyker Heights, Brooklyn feels like a swanky suburb. When it was originally developed in the late 19th century, it was marketed as exactly that, a community of stately mansions within commuting distance of the hustle and bustle of the city. Sandwiched in between the more commercial areas of Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst, the neighborhood is primarily residential and is well known for its extravagant Christmas displays, which attract a slew of locals and tourists every holiday season. But whether you visit in December or at another time of year, Dyker Heights is a lovely area to stroll through with its large single-family homes and manicured lawns. It's hard to believe you're in NYC.

While you won't find a ton of family attractions in the area, there are a few cool spots for kids, including Dyker Beach Park, CityParks Junior Golf Center, a BounceU and a bunch of delicious restaurants, bakeries and markets. Since Dyker Heights is overwhelmingly Italian, it's a great place to pick up pizza, pasta and fancy pastries. One downside: It's quite a walk from the nearest subway stops (the N or the D, depending on where you're going).

Throughout November, we'll be covering all the things there are to do, see and eat in the nabe. For the purposes of our posts, our boundaries are Interstate 278 to 14th Avenue, 65th Street to Shore Parkway. Here are our top 20 things to do on a visit to Dyker Heights.

[UPDATED: JANUARY 14, 2013]

As the parent of a hop-happy toddler, I can tell you that nothing excites my son like a big old bounce house. These inflatable favorites are a staple of outdoor festivals and street fairs but it's such a bummer waiting on a long line to then shell out $2 or more for a two-minute session. Luckily NYC is home to several bounce house play spaces. These spots offer all kinds of inflatable fun such as long bouncy slides, tunnels and obstacle courses. And best of all, they host open bounce sessions, letting your kids jump all they want for one low price.