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Of course, desirability means Battery Park City has become an affluent neighborhood of luxury apartment buildings, but anyone can enjoy the neighborhood's attractions. Local families stay connected through the Hudson River Park Mothers Group and keep up on all the area news with the Battery Park City Broadsheet.

For the purposes of this post, our geographical boundaries are Chambers Street to the north, West Street to the east, and the Hudson River to the west and south.

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Rockefeller Park has several sandboxes, making it a hit with tots and preschoolers. Photo by Jody Mercier

1. Visit Rockefeller Park

Play in one of three age-based areas and take a spin on the manual merry-go-round at the destination playground in Rockefeller Park.

The Battery Playscape is a nature-inspired playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

2. Explore Battery Playscape

Check out the Battery Playscape, a multi-level playground that will inspire, challenge, and entertain kids of all ages.

3. Cool Off at Teardrop Park

Slip down the giant slide, roll down the hill, and get wet in the geysers at Teardrop Park.

Learn to sail on a J/24 sailboat, a popular boat for beginners and experienced sailors. Photo courtesy of Manhattan Sailing School

4. Sail a Boat

Learn how to captain your own ship at Manhattan Sailing School.

5. Hang Out at Brookfield Place

After a little shopping, attend one of the many FREE family-friendly events at Brookfield Place.

6. Replenish at Hudson Eats

Hungry? One level above the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place, head to Hudson Eats. It's one of our favorite food halls for an easy meal.

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The Kowsky Park Playground is perfect for toddlers. Photo by author

7. Take Toddlers to Play

Just south of the marina and up some steps, find the Kowsky Park Playground, which isn't just one of the best toddler-specific playgrounds in Battery Park City, but one of the best in all of Manhattan.

8. Take a Moment to Reflect

Check out the Garden of Stones by Andy Goldsworthy at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

9. Get Active

Cycle, scoot, or stroll along the Hudson River on The Esplanade. Stop at the marina and grab a bite while playing some shuffleboard at Tartinery's outdoor setting.

Each Tom Otterness sculpture seems to have its own fantastic story to reveal. Photo by Tom Powel Imaging

10. Interact with Public Art

Battery Park City is filled with kid-friendly, immersive art, from the playful Tom Otterness sculptures in Penny Park (officially called The Real World) to the playground-sized, ruin-like The Upper Room, on the esplanade, off Albany Street. Don't miss Shuli Sadé’s Bird’s-Eye View, Battery Park City’s first art installation to use augmented reality.

11. Discover a Hidden Playground

Open most weekends, PS 89's playground, on Warren Street, offers toddler-friendly things to do, plus two basketball hoops.

12. Go Fishing

Find the fishes in the pretty little koi pond just south of the Nelson Rockefeller Park Playground. There are no railings, so hold toddlers by the hand!

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The revamped Battery Park City Library hosts popular storytimes and more family events. Photo courtesy of New York Public Library

13. Relax at the Library

Arrive early to snag a spot at the popular children’s programs at the Battery Park City Library, or just enjoy reading.

14. Join the New York Kids Club

Drop in on a class or join a program at the local New York Kids Club.

15. Enjoy a Meditative Respite

Explore the winding pathways and the architects-meet-artists' installation stairway (informally known as the widow’s walk) at South Cove.

Get involved in the Urban Farm to learn about sustainable farming. Photo courtesy of The Battery

16. Visit the Urban Farm

Learn about sustainable farming and enjoy tasting organic fresh foods at the Urban Farm, which is supported and maintained by students and community groups.

17. Catch a Flick

See a movie at the never-crowded Regal Battery Park Stadium 11 cinemas with its reclining seats.

18. Nosh on Snacks

Head downstairs from the movie theater to Goldman Alley to refuel at Shake Shack, Harry's Pizza, Pick a Bagel, or Wei West.

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Kids play all sorts of sports year-round on the ball fields. Photo courtesy of Battery Park City Parks

19. Play Sports

Play sports on the Battery Park City ball fields. Or climb, swing, and play basketball at Battery Park City's West Thames Park.

20. Go Ice Skating and Swimming

In winter, go ice skating at Brookfield Place's Waterfront Plaza or enjoy all-seasons swimming on a day pass to Asphalt Green or Stuyvesant High School's Community Center.

Stroll through the Irish Hunger Memorial, decked out with a bit of Irish countryside. Photo courtesy of Battery Park City Parks

21. Learn About Irish History

Enter an immersive Irish countryside at the Irish Hunger Memorial and learn about the plight of the potato famine.

22. Enjoy the View While Dining Outdoors

Dine outdoors with harbor views while the kids play within sight at Gigino, overlooking Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park.

23. Take a Spin on Magical Fish

The lower end of Battery Park City leads to all sorts of cool kids' stuff at the Battery itself, like the SeaGlass Carousel.

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Make flower wreaths at the Swedish Midsummer Festival. Photo courtesy of Battery Park City Parks

24. Attend a Festival

Experience awesome annual family events like the Battery Dance Festival, or the Swedish Midsummer Festival.

25. Learn About Architecture

Visit The Skyscraper Museum and learn about the architecture of the city at Saturday morning family programs.

Read our other posts about exploring Battery Park City with kids, or visiting another Manhattan neighborhood, such as Chelsea or the West Village.

Originally published in 2017.