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Step Into Halloween Town with NYBG’s Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail
Submitted by Kristy Etheridge on
A delightfully spooky Halloween trail is back at the New York Botanical Garden. The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail features characters from Disney’s 1993 Tim Burton movie of the same name, set against the backdrop of a dark, wooded trail.
Read on for everything you need to know about this creepily fun nighttime experience. And find more hair-raising activities across all five boroughs on our list of NYC’s best Halloween events of 2025.
Halloween and More Things To Do in NYC with Kids October 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors
Submitted by Drew Kristofik on
In October, New York City is crawling with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and, of course, trick-or-treating—so many opportunities to wear Halloween costumes! But Halloween isn't the only game in town.
We're super psyched for all the other glorious shenanigans October has in store, including the 50th annual Atlantic Antic (we'll be there, too!), snooping behind the scenes at Open House NY, and the new Calder's Circus exhibit at the Whitney. Plus, the American Museum of Natural History is bringing back its Night at the Museum sleepovers this month.
Of course, Halloween lurks at month's end, and, never fear, we have you covered when it comes to FREE Halloween fun. Find all our top picks for the spooky season in our New York City Kids' Guide to Halloween.
Top Free Halloween Events in NYC in 2025: BAMBoo!, Great PUPkin, Labubu Fest, and More
Submitted by Drew Kristofik on
What's the one way to make costume-and-candy-filled NYC Halloween events even sweeter? Make them free! In New York City, there are loads of no-cost Halloween celebrations in 2025, whether you're looking for preschooler Halloween events or you've got a teen who can't wait to be spooked.
There are no tricks here: We're giving parents the best treat of all with this roundup of free Halloween events in New York City for kids, including big annual favorites like downtown Brooklyn's BAMBoo!, the Pumpkin Pageant in Inwood, and much more. We'll even tell you how to score a free Halloween costume or two.
So, get dolled up and leave your wallets at home for these free Halloween events in New York City, and find everything from NYC's best trick-or-treating spots to splurge-worthy Halloween events in our New York City Kids' Guide to Halloween.
Kid-Friendly NYC Public Art Scavenger Hunts You Can Do Any Day
Submitted by Diana Kim on
New York City is home to some of the world's top museums and art galleries. Eye-popping art, however, isn't just limited to The Met, MoMA, and the Whitney. NYC has a thriving public outdoor art scene where you'll find both established and up-and-coming artists displaying their work in parks, on sidewalks, on buildings, and in public plazas—and admission to see these large-scale pieces is always FREE.
One of our favorite ways to see public art in NYC with kids is to embark on a scavenger hunt. Public art scavenger hunts are a great family-friendly activity that's fun, educational, and can lead you to a whole new corner of NYC.
We've rounded up our favorite neighborhoods to seek out public art in NYC, whether you're into large-scale sculptures, colorful murals and graffiti, or something else. We've even listed some picks for guided walking tours that highlight some of the stunning pieces right in our own backyard.
Check out our comprehensive NYC Kids' Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits for more family-friendly suggestions on where to see art with your kids. And, for more places to view outdoor art with kids, we've rounded up 11 outdoor art destinations near NYC.
Arte Museum Is Stunning, But Should You Visit with Kids?
Submitted by Kristy Etheridge on
Arte Museum New York is NYC's newest immersive experience, and it's completely screen-scentric. My husband and I had the chance to check out the eye-popping displays during a nighttime preview event before its grand opening.
While it made for a unique date night, we walked away with some key points for parents to consider before bringing their kids along. Read on to find out whether Arte Museum is a good fit for your next family outing, and bookmark this list of NYC's most kid-friendly museums for our favorite local culture spots to see with kids.
Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery Is a Hidden Gem for Family Fun
Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on
While a cemetery might not be the first place you think of for a family outing, Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery is an unexpected treasure for parents looking to mix history, art, and the great outdoors. With sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, fall foliage that rivals any city park, and unique events for kids and families, Green-Wood is far from spooky—it’s an inspiring, educational, and even playful destination.
Whether you’re pushing a stroller, chasing curious toddlers, or looking to spark older kids’ imaginations, here’s why Green-Wood Cemetery should be on your family’s fall adventure list. Find more green spaces to explore on this list of NYC's most underrated parks or bookmark our NYC Kids' Guide to Playgrounds and Parks for more hidden gem parks to explore.
Best Halloween Events in NYC 2025 for Kids and Families
Submitted by Drew Kristofik on
Halloween is one of the best nights to be a kid in NYC, and our 2025 list of the best Halloween events in New York City includes can't-miss Halloween activities from Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and even some top-notch picks in the 'burbs.
We've rounded up our favorite 2025 Halloween events in NYC for families, including perennial kid-pleasers, like BAMBoo!, Boo at the Zoo, and the big Village Halloween Parade.
So, read on for our curated list of the best Halloween events in New York City for kids, and start planning your spooky fun. Our Family Activity Calendar, and our New York City Kids' Halloween Guide are jam-packed with more seasonal fun, including top pumpkin patches and the best local costume stores to get you ready for the big night.
NYC Hotels with Views of the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on
Chances are you're not even thinking about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade yet. After all, we still have Halloween to get through! But anyone familiar with NYC hotels will tell families looking to book an NYC hotel room where they can watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025 to begin doing so up to a year ahead of time. If you want to score one of these NYC hotels with a view of Snoopy, Spidey, Bluey, and friends, you've got to plan in advance.
It's not just NYC tourists who splurge on hotels for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We've had many New Yorkers write in asking which NYC hotels look out on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route. While some of these NYC hotels still have availability as of this writing, call right away, as everything will likely sell out. If you do get shut out, it's worth checking closer to Thanksgiving since there are sometimes last-minute cancelations.
