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Zip Line and 25-Foot Climbing Tower to Open on Governors Island

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 2:00pm

Governors Island has long been one of our favorite places to play and the summer fun is about to get a lot more thrilling on the isle.

Adventures at Governors Island, a new high-octane entertainment zone boasting a zip line, 3-D climbing wall, and maze debuts this Memorial Day weekend (weather dependent), and we can't wait to check out the exhilarating attraction. Its opening will double the number of zip lines in NYC—to two.

Yankee Stadium Opens Kids Playground for All Ticket Holders

Submitted by Andy Fenwick on Wed, 05/17/2017 - 11:00am

Yankee Stadium has a new way of keeping little ones entertained during those notoriously long baseball games: a playground. Say hello to the Sunrun Kids Clubhouse. You’ll find it in the 300 level on the right field side, its entrance beneath a subtle, circular sign. Any ticketed fan can enter, but security appeared solid when we visited—there’s no entering without a child.

Most of its features skew toward kids ages 5 and under, with small slides and climbing features scattered around a baseball diamond-shaped clearing with soft, artificial flooring. For little ones, there’s space to run in the 2,850-square-foot playground space.

The stadium also made an addition for new moms. There's now "a private space for nursing mothers," with "seats and outlets for electric pumps" in the Sunrun Kids Clubhouse. Smart idea to put this next to the play area in case a nursing mom is also watching an older kid or kids.

Zip Lines and Adventure Ropes Courses for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Mon, 05/15/2017 - 11:00am

Gear up for an outdoor adventure at one of New Jersey's newest treetop obstacle courses, or buckle up for a soaring ride on a zip line. Swaying bridges, wobbly balance logs, cargo nets, high wires and rope ladders are among the features at some sky-high ropes courses, along with tree climbers and platforms built right into tree trunks. Many tree-top courses are best for older kids and teens, but some also offer tykes courses that are closer to the ground for the grade-schooler crowd.

We've rounded up some of the coolest of these zip lines and ropes courses in New Jersey, a few in Pennsylvania, and even a year-round indoor option just over the state line in Westchester. You'll find these parks at local zoos, amusement parks, down the Jersey Shore, and even at some of the Poconos family resorts.

Zip Lines, Ropes Courses, and Outdoor Adventure Parks Near NYC

Submitted by Fiona Taylor on Sun, 05/14/2017 - 3:00pm

We all need a little excitement in our lives. For some (like me), Jane's Carousel will suffice. For others (like my daughter), the idea of zip-lining through the air or tackling a ropes course is high on their to-do list. While my stomach may initially sink when I get to the top of a zip-lining platform, there are scientifically proven advantages that result from controlled risk-taking. Adventure parks help children learn problem-solving and how to work with others. Plus, it's just plain fun to play together as a family and create memories you'll never forget.

I don't think of New York City as the epicenter of adventure parks, but you can find some similar activities for kids: trapeze class, an impressive bowling alley ropes course, and yes, even one seriously high-flying outdoor zip line. But just outside the city, there are dozens of these rope and zip line courses.

We've rounded up a handful of our favorite outdoor adventure parks for a quick day trip—all within two hours drive of the city. So, if your kid is craving excitement that's a tad more wholesome than a walk through Times Square, we've got the perfect idea.