Special Occasions

Where To Enjoy High Tea in New Jersey with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Mon, 12/17/2018 - 12:00pm

If your little sweetie loves the finer things in life—and has the patience to make it through a sit-down meal—he or she may be ready to enjoy an afternoon at one of NJ's many local tea rooms. From the fine china and finger sandwiches to the tempting sweets, your little one will be enchanted during this special one-on-one mommy time. Many host sweet birthday parties, and several offer special holiday events.

7 Places to Have Afternoon Tea with Long Island Kids

Submitted by Felissa Allard on Tue, 12/11/2018 - 11:30am

When the weather is cold, enjoying a warm cup of tea with your favorite little person is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

From sampling a variety of tea flavors to tasting yummy miniature sandwiches and scones, these Long Island tea rooms offer a warm welcome in an elegant setting just in time for Hot Tea Month in January.

For more delicious fun with your little ones, check out our list of the best Long Island brunch destinations for families, or treat yourself to our roundup of the Island's most decadent dessert spots.

Best Hot Chocolate Spots Around Manhattan

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 8:00am

A cup of molten chocolaty goodness is one of the best ways to thaw out and warm up—in fact, it's one of the best things about winter and the holiday season.

We took on the heinous job of running around Manhattan taste-testing hot chocolate (don't say we've never done anything for you) and narrowed it down to nearly two dozen of our favorites. These spots are definitely worth the brief trip out into the cold, so read on for our recommendations for cafes and restaurants that have turned hot cocoa sipping into an experience not to be missed.

By the way, we've also rounded up our favorite Brooklyn hot cocoa cafes and those in Queens. Find more great eats in our NYC Restaurant Guide for Families.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 11/26/2018 - 12:06pm

Gathering around the table with family and friends to enjoy a festive meal is a hallmark of the holiday season, and one that is often enjoyed multiple times throughout the November and December months due to Thanksgiving and Christmas occurring in rapid succession. However, having two big holidays so close together can become overwhelming for even the most dedicated cook, and there's no shame in needing a break from the kitchen come Christmas Day (and no judgment on our part if you treated yourself to a Thanksgiving dinner out, too!).

We've rounded up a variety of restaurants around Houston that are opening their doors on Christmas Day, spanning everything from fancy brunches to low-key diners, so you can take a break from the kitchen and enjoy a meal out with the family. And don't forget to check out our holiday guide for more events and things to do during the season.

Best High Tea Spots in NYC to Enjoy a Cup with Kids

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 11/15/2018 - 2:10pm

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a memorable experience, afternoon tea—sometimes called high tea in New York City—can be a fun outing with kids. It's an especially great winter outing and particularly fitting during the holidays.

Several places serve high tea in New York City, with varying degrees of appropriateness for children. From the fancy Eloise Tea at the Plaza Hotel to the less frilly Russian Tea Room, there are teas—and goodies—for children of all ages and parents of all budgets. Here's our take on some of the best spots for afternoon tea with kids in NYC.

10 Restaurants for a Kid-friendly Thanksgiving Dinner: Turkey Day the Easy Way

Submitted by Audrey M on Tue, 11/06/2018 - 1:03pm

Picture your ideal Thanksgiving. Are you imagining a delicious multi-course meal shared with family and friends? Or are you imagining hours of shopping, prepping, cooking, and cleaning while the TV is blaring football, and you're not spending enough time spent with people you already don't see often enough? This could be a good year to try something new. Go out for Thanksgiving dinner—have your feast and eat it, too, while enjoying conversation with family and friends. And best of all, someone else cleans up afterward.

Indoor Party Spots with Mega Play Spaces for LI Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 10/26/2018 - 2:00pm

Birthday parties at home are great when kids are tots and a few games in the backyard are all that is needed. But as kids get older and invitations need to go out, a party venue makes things easier. Here then is our list of indoor party spots with the biggest and coolest play spaces, sure to wow the birthday kid and the partygoers.

For more birthday party ideas, see our birthday party guide for Long Island kids, with recommendations on party spots for toddlers, tweens, and more.

25 NYC Restaurants Serving Family Thanksgiving Dinner

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 10/22/2018 - 4:00pm

Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings—and to spend hours in the kitchen, right? Eh, we New Yorkers of small-space kitchens and rapid-fire takeout options often prefer to let someone else handle our annual turkey fest. Of course, in New York City we can choose from many award-winning restaurants for that amazing dinner. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a number of options in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens to make this November 22, 2018 as easy and delicious as possible.

Now, instead of deep-cleaning your apartment to host those far-flung relatives (and their expectations), you can spend the night before Thanksgiving in a more festive way—say, watching the inflation of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloons, sightseeing, or even volunteering. After all, what could be more of a New York City Thanksgiving experience than that?

Find even more family-friendly NYC eateries in our local restaurant guide. Visiting and still looking for a place to stay? Check out these top family-friendly NYC hotels, or these Midtown gems offering views of the Macy's parade.