Long Beach and The Rockaways

While Queens may not be chock-full of high-end gourmet creameries like Manhattan and Brooklyn, that doesn't mean we've only got Mister Softee. From authentic old-fashioned sofa fountains serving up insane sundaes to cool new ma-and-pa parlors like Long Island City's Malu, Queens has got its share of ice cream places worth traveling to—whether you live in the borough or are just passing through. These nine sweet spots are all family favorites for me and my brood. And if you don't dig ice cream, don't worry: Some of these shops are best known for other cold treats like Italian ices—a staple of my home borough.

Unfortunately, this park was severely damaged during Hurricane Sandy. Renovations are ongoing. We plan to go out once it's fixed up and see what has changed. As a longtime resident of Far Rockaway, Queens (or "The Rock" as we locals call it), I've been thrilled by the evolution of my neighborhood over the past few years. And now we have a brand-new, state-of-the-art green space to enjoy: Rockaway Park, which just reopened after a $30 million renovation.

Thanks to this truly stunning, mile-long, beachfront park, there's a lot more to do than just swim in the ocean. New attractions include two fantastic playgrounds; a water play area; a massive skatepark; a football field; handball and basketball courts; a running track; a performance space; picnic tables, barbecue grills; and lots of landscaped nature. Suddenly my little Queens town feels like an exotic island resort!

In between the fish sticks and temper tantrums we sometimes forget about the romance of childhood. Their joy and fascination with incredibly simple things (like my daughter's recent discovery of scotch tape) or those moments when they are so incredibly empathatic that your can feel your heart breaking. Take some time out this Valentines Day to celebrate the beautiful small moments of being a child by introducing your kids to some classics:

The Red Balloon
At just 34 minutes and with almost no dialogue, this is the perfect first movie for any kid while also being a pure joy for adults and what could be more romantic than watching a red balloon waft down the streets of Paris in 1956? The screening at the Alliance Francaise will be followed by an hour of activities and games inspired by The Red Balloon, led by Le Club Th?©??tre, Saturday Feb. 9, tickets for Non-Members $10 / Children under 12 $5. Visit the site for more information.

Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity
Though always crowded and somewhat overpriced, there was nothing I loved more as a kid than going to Serendipity and getting their frozen hot chocolate. The enormous cup is filled with deliciousness and the whole place is a kid wonderland. The wait can be ridiculously long so I suggest making reservations. And, while you are in the neighborhood, take a ride on the Roosevelt Island tram which is a cheap thrill for any kid. For the price of a subway in each direction you get a surprisingly intense ride that lasts 4 minutes!

Surf the Beach
This one is for the adventurers but if you dare, a great way to spend a winter day is to bundle up and head to the beach. There is something really magical about being on a huge empty beach in the winter and it's an amazing place to take photographs (try taking real photographs too, you remember, the ones that require film). The shells and sand are still there and will entertain most kids for hours. With the future of Coney Island up in the air, you might want to hop on the D, N, Q or F train to catch some last glimpses of the beautiful, seedy and outrageously photogenic amusement park. And if you get chilly, you can always head over to the Aquarium which is right off the boardwalk. Or, take the A train to the Rockaways where you may even be able to catch some crazy surfers. This video is proof that they are out there in the middle of freezing February.