MommyPoppins.com
MAKE YOUR DAY
Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact
New York City
  • Anywhere
  • New York City
  • Dallas Fort Worth
  • Atlanta
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Houston
  • Miami South Florida
  • Philadelphia
  • Washington DC
  • Orlando
  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Connecticut
  • Long Island
  • New Jersey
  • Westchester
Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact

HOME - New York City

Activity Calendar

Providers

Calendar  
  • Events

  • Virtual

  • This Week's Picks

  • Activity Providers

  • Submit an Activity

NYC Guide  
  • News & Openings

  • NYC Baby Guide

  • NYC for Preschoolers

  • Tweens & Teens

  • Neighborhood Guides

  • Parks & Playgrounds

  • Free Activities

  • Visitors' Guide to NYC

  • Restaurants

  • NYC Moving Guide

Things To Do  
  • Crafts for Kids

  • Recipes

  • Science for Kids

  • Games & Activities

  • Outdoors

  • Online & Virtual

Camps & Classes  
  • Camps Guide

  • Classes Guide

  • Preschools & Schools Guide

  • Directory

Parties & Holidays  
  • Gift Guide

  • Birthday Parties

  • Party Providers

  • Holidays

  • Best of Spring

  • Best of Summer

  • Best of Fall

  • Best of Winter

Family Travel  
  • Day Trips

  • Family Vacations

  • Theme & Water Parks

  • Resorts & Hotels

  • Adirondacks

  • Hamptons & North Fork

  • Poconos Guide

  • Jersey Shore Guide

Contact

Sign up for our free newsletters.
Brooklyn Bridge Park celebrates spring with a Kite Fest on Saturday, May 17. Photo by John Eng
Best Things To Do in NYC May 2025 with Kids
Mommy Poppins is set to host its first Family Travel Fest on Saturday, May 31 at the Atlantic Center.
Register for Travel Fest for a Chance to Win a Dreams Resorts & Spas Vacation!
Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
Jaw-Dropping New Playgrounds in NYC to Explore with Kids Now
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Strawberry picking at Bishop Farms makes for a sweet day trip.
Best Strawberry Picking Farms and Strawberry Festivals near NYC
Hop the ferry to Governors Island to explore all the island has to offer. Photo by Diana Kim
Spring Day Trips from NYC for Families
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Dinosaur Safari returns to the Bronx Zoo this spring. Photo courtesy of the zoo
51 Spring Bucket List Ideas for Kids in NYC
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Teens have the opportunity to explore arts careers and institutions with Whitney Museum Youth Insights Program. Photo by Diana Kim
Teens Can Apply Now for Summer Internships in NYC
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Best New Broadway Shows This Season Plus Can't-Miss Classics for Families
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
27 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids Guide
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by  Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
GUIDE
NYC Kids Summer Guide: 589 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things to Do
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas
FIND AND BOOK ACTIVITIES
calendar icon
This Week In
New York City
Wormy Wednesday
Randall's Island - 3:00 PM Pick
Sloomoo Institute
Sloomoo Institute - 10:00 AM
Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk
Atlantic Avenue - 12:00 PM
3D Flower Collage at Art on the Block
Art on the Block NYC - 3:30 PM
The New York Sewing Center
- various times
Locomotive Lawn Live in Riverside Park
Riverside Park South - 10:30 AM Pick
Celebrate AAPI Month at Brooklyn Children's Museum
Brooklyn Children's Museum - 3:00 PM Pick
Nature Story Time in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Education Center - 3:00 PM Pick
Free Bird by Christine Mott - Storytime at The Corner Bookstore
The Corner Bookstore - 4:00 PM Pick
Sloomoo Institute
Sloomoo Institute - 10:00 AM
Backbone at Lincoln Center
Alice Tully Hall - 1:00 PM Pick
Teens Take The Met
The Metropolitan Muserum of Art - 4:00 PM Pick
Movie Nights at Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards - 5:00 PM Pick
Clothing Swap + Open Play at Artful Souls and Wellness
Artful Souls and Wellness - 10:30 AM
Sloomoo Institute
Sloomoo Institute - 10:00 AM
Featured
Youth Soccer Workshop with Central Park Rangers FC
York College Soccer Field - 10:00 AM
Ninth Avenue International Food Festival
9th Avenue - 10:00 AM Pick
Family Fun Day at Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards - 11:00 AM Pick
Touch-a-Truck at PS 295
PS 295 - 11:00 AM Pick
Kite Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5 - 11:00 AM Pick
Featured
2025 Big Climb Metro New York at Citi Field
Citi Field - 9:00 AM
Horses & Family Fun in Central Park
Central Park - Pinebank Arch - 9:00 AM Pick
Ninth Avenue International Food Festival
9th Avenue - 10:00 AM Pick
The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Street Fair
5th Avenue - 10:00 AM Pick
Sheep Shearing Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum
Queens County Farm Museum - 10:00 AM Pick
Opening Week of Life At The Limits: Nature's Superheroes at the AMNH
American Museum of Natural History - various times Pick
Sloomoo Institute
Sloomoo Institute - 10:00 AM
Tunes & Tales for Toddlers in Teardrop Park
Teardrop Park - 3:00 PM
Tea Around Town: Pink Winter Wonderland
TopView Sightseeing Bus Stop - various times
Laser Bouce
Laser Bounce - Queens - various times
Stargazing on The High Line
The High Line - 7:30 PM Pick
Opening Week of Life At The Limits: Nature's Superheroes at the AMNH
American Museum of Natural History - various times Pick
Sloomoo Institute
Sloomoo Institute - 10:00 AM
After School Art Explorers: Drop-In Programs at the Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum - 2:30 PM
Tea Around Town: Pink Winter Wonderland
TopView Sightseeing Bus Stop - various times
SEE ALL ACTIVITIES
SUBMIT AN ACTIVITY +
Submerge: NYC Marine Science Festival at Pier 84
Hudson River Park Pier 84
Youth Soccer Workshop with Central Park Rangers FC
York College Soccer Field
2025 Big Climb Metro New York at Citi Field
Citi Field
Sign up for our free newsletters.
FOLLOW US FOR ACTIVITY PICKS, DEALS, AND GIVEAWAYS
FaceBook Instagram Twitter Pinterest YouTube
Activity Guides
  • Beaches & Lakes
  • Best Of Lists
  • Birthday Parties
  • Boats
  • Boredom Busters
  • Camps
  • Childcare
  • Christmas/Hanukkah
  • City Guides
  • City Hacks
  • Classes & Enrichment
  • Community
  • Crafts & Recipes
  • Earth Kids
  • Easter
  • Fairs & Festivals
  • Fall Activities
  • Family Travel
  • Farms & U-Pick
  • Free Activities
  • GoList
  • Halloween
  • Holidays
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Indoor Activities
  • Museums
  • News & Openings
  • Outdoors
  • Parent Talk
  • Parks & Playgrounds
  • Play Gyms & Sports Centers
  • Pools & Spray Parks
  • Preschools & Schools
  • Restaurants
  • Shows
  • Skiing & Winter Sports
  • Special Needs
  • Special Occasions
  • Sports
  • Spring Activities
  • STEM
  • Stores & Services
  • Summer Activities
  • Theme & Water Parks
  • Trains, Dinos & Heroes
  • TV, Film & Movies
  • Virtual
  • Visitors Guide
  • Weekend Events
  • Weekend Trips
  • Winter Activities
  • Zoos & Gardens
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pin It WhatsApp

Big Apple Circus: Legendarium - Awesome Acts in an Intimate Setting

11/5/12 - By Raven Snook

I've been going to see the Big Apple Circus' annual show at Lincoln Center since I was my seven-year-old daughter's age, and I admit, I'm not great with change. So last year when the troupe's veteran clown, Grandma, said goodbye, I worried that Big Apple would never be the same. And you know what? It's not—it's much better. No offense to the old girl, but an infusion of fresh blood is clearly what this circus needed. In terms of acts, pacing and overall thrills, Legendarium is one of Big Apple's freshest productions in years.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Legendarium dispenses with plot and puts the focus where it belongs: On the performers. Yes, you've probably seen other people fly high on silks, juggle balls and contort their bodies into painful looking shapes, but rarely with such ease or in such close proximity. With no seat more than 50 feet from the stage, Big Apple shows are way more intimate than those by Cirque du Soleil or Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey. If you're ringside, you can literally see the stars sweat (and smell the horses poop) but even those in the last row are treated to a fairly up close look at the action, which really keeps young kids engaged.

The theme of this year's show is the history of the circus in New York City (which also happens to be the subject of the Bard Graduate Center's current exhibit Circus and the City: New York, 1793-2010, in case you want to learn more). But jovial ringmaster John Kennedy Kane never lapses into lecture mode and keeps things moving. There really are no duds in the lineup, but my family's favorites were Emily Weisse and Menno Van Dyke, a tango/juggling duo with a meticulously choreographed routine; the outrageous bicycle tricks of the all-girl Dalian Troupe from China; contortionist/hand balancer Elayne Kramer who apparently was born without bones; enthusiastic slack wire master Zhang Fan, who did a fist pump every time he landed a trick; and the Acrobuffos, a couple of lowbrow masked clowns who took over Grandma's old spot with pratfalls, pranks and lots of audience participation.

Another reason I prefer Big Apple to Cirque du Soleil or Ringling Bros? It's less pretentious than the former and it doesn't have any wild animals like the latter, just Jenny Vidbel's domesticated horses and dogs. The pups are always a hit, and they're all rescues. Legendarium's vivid production design also deserves a special mention. Award-winning Broadway set designer John Lee Beatty, lighting designer Howell Binkley and costume designer Mirena Rada worked together to evoke various NYC landmarks, like the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a wonderful celebration of our city and a reminder of what a circus it's always been.

Big Apple Circus: Legendarium is playing through Sunday, January 13, 2013 at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, 62nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Tickets are $25-$175 but you can save up to 25% on select performances by using the Broadwaybox discount code.


Find out about other fun things to do this season in our Fall Fun Guide.

All photos courtesy of Big Apple Circus.

Places featured in this article:

Map All Locations
Close Map X
  List All Location Details

Damrosch Park
62nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, Lincoln Center, New York, NY 10023
Shows Preschoolers Kids Tweens & teens Uptown Upper West Side New York City

Featured Local Savings

Sign up for our free
newsletters.
New York City
Dallas Fort Worth
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Houston
Miami South Florida
Philadelphia
Washington DC
Orlando
Los Angeles
San Francisco Bay Area
Connecticut
Long Island
New Jersey
Westchester
MommyPoppins.com
Mommy Poppins is a family activity website that helps people find things to do with kids.
QUICK LINKS
Activities
Providers
Family Travel
CONTACT
Newsletter Subscribe
Contact
About
SITEMAP
Submit an Activity
List Your Business
Advertise with Us
© 2025 MommyPoppins. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of Use.
mp-prod4-v4.32.99
X
Enter for a Chance to Win
Register/Login if you don't want to see this popup.