New York City

Family-Friendly Restaurants near Lincoln Center for Pre-Show Eats

The Brooklyn Diner is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Photo courtesy of the diner

Though many of the restaurants and cafés surrounding Lincoln Center might seem too upscale for family dining or a quick, inexpensive snack, there are plenty of affordable, family-friendly restaurants near Lincoln Center hidden in plain sight. Most of these restaurants cater to the pre-theater crowd, know local productions and schedules, and are more than happy to make sure you're in and out with time to spare before the curtain rises.

Whether you're in the neighborhood for a concert, to see the Big Apple Circus, The Nutcracker, or just to check out the famous fountain, here are our favorite family-friendly restaurants near Lincoln Center to grab a bite without breaking the bank—or your patience.

Find more great kid-friendly eateries in our NYC Kids' Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants.

Why a Visit to the Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular Is a Seasonal Must-Do

Legoland New York has gotten a seasonal makeover with plenty of festive fun, food, and attractions during its Holiday Bricktacular.

The holiday season is officially here, and there's no better place to celebrate than Legoland New York in Goshen! This festive destination is a must-visit for your family during the season. The park has kicked off its annual Holiday Bricktacular, transforming the park into a winter wonderland for the off-season. Running through Saturday, January 3, 2026, the spectacular Legoland New York brings the fun with rides, shows, and character appearances, all sprinkled with a little holiday magic.

An added perk: Tickets are available at a discounted rate since it's the off-season. Located less than an hour from New York City, Legoland is a perfect holiday season day trip or overnight destination thanks to its on-site Legoland New York Hotel.

Read on to discover why the Holiday Bricktacular is the perfect time to visit Legoland New York, and if you're looking to explore the area, be sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Goshen.

Best Christmas Tree Lightings in NYC with Fun Activities for Kids, Plus Menorah Lightings, Too

Celebrate the start of the holiday season at Calypso, Carols, and Cocoa: The Dumbo Holiday Lighting. Photo by Hassan Mokaddam

Good news for the crowd-averse: You don't have to brave the commotion of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting to witness a fabulous Christmas tree lighting in New York City. We've rounded up a collection of local NYC Christmas tree lightings that are much less crowded and every bit as lovely, from Brooklyn and Queens to the Bronx and everywhere in between, including the biggest living tree, a tree made of traffic cones, and a ceremony with fireworks!

This year, Hanukkah begins on Wednesday, December 25, and upcoming menorah lightings include the two biggies, in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

We've got more fun things to do this holiday season in our NYC Kids' Guide to the Christmas and the Holidays, including our list of 12 must-do holiday activities and our favorite holiday lights displays across the five boroughs.

Peppa Pig Playground Coming to Legoland New York in 2025

Peppa Pig fans can play in the precious pink pigs treehouse and other well-know spots when Legoland New York's new Peppa Pig Playground opens in 2025. Photo courtesy of Legoland New York

For families with little ones who cannot get enough of Peppa Pig, Legoland New York Resort in Goshen, New York, is bringing a brand-new adventure to town in 2025. The new attraction combines the fun-filled experiences of the beloved animated series Peppa Pig with the creativity of Lego Duplo to create a unique, immersive playground at the Hudson Valley theme park.

All Aboard for These Fun Holiday Train Shows in NYC: NYBG Train Show, Grand Central, and More

The NYBG Holiday Train Show is a winter wonderland with enchanting trains and twinkling cityscapes. Photo by the author

Trains are a way of life for most New Yorkers, but come Christmastime these holiday train shows in NYC add a little sparkle to New York's favorite form of transportation as little engines and cabooses take center stage during the holiday season.

The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show is always one of our must-do Christmas events in NYC, with electric model trains whizzing by nearly 200 NYC landmarks made out of acorns, twigs, bark, berries, leaves, and other botanical bits and pieces. My family and I make it a point to go every year—it's truly a quintessential New York holiday experience. There's a reason it's No. 43 on our list of the top 100 things to do with kids in NYC.

But, the big NYBG holiday train show isn't the only holiday train show in NYC. Read on for more details on all the Christmas train shows the city has to offer this season, and, for an extra special holiday treat, take the kids on a full-size Christmas train ride with these nearby Polar Express and Santa trains.

NYC Subway Primer: How to Get Around with Kids

 Off to new adventures with an OMNY card in hand!

The New York City subway is the largest public transportation network of its kind in America with 472 stations on 25 routes, spread along 665 miles of track. Riding the subway is the fastest, easiest way to get from point A to point B in NYC, and it's a great way to travel with kids.

But, if you're not 100% familiar with the subway system, are traveling with a stroller, or hit schedule changes, it can really stink. The subway system can be a little daunting to navigate, so we've got all the info you need to ride the subway. We've also rounded up the best online resources to make it easier to get around NYC by subway, especially with kids.

If you're visiting NYC, be sure to bookmark our Visitors Guide, which includes a ton of parent-tested tips plus our top picks for the best attractions in NYC and how to make the most of a budget-friendly visit, too.

Big Top Comes to the Big Apple: Big Apple Circus and More High-Flying Shows in NYC

The Big Apple Circus has pitched its big top in Damrosch Park for a fun-filled show that's an ode to its hometown. Photo by Jody Mercier

It's easy to run away to the circus in NYC—we have so many big tops passing through town each year that you can snag a seat in the stands in any season. A trip to the circus is an exercise in joy and a great introduction to live performances for little kids. High-flying acrobats and glittering costumes are great attention grabbers!

The beloved Big Apple Circus holds its annual holiday season run, dazzling audiences at Lincoln Center with acrobats, trained poodles, magic, and more. Circus newcomer Flip Circus makes multiple stops for audiences in Forest Park and McCarren Park, while the Grand Shanghai Circus brings a taste of China to St. George on Staten Island. Come spring, Cirque du Soleil's Luzia lights up Randall's Island, and the New Victory Theater has a pair of circus troupes on its docket this season, too.

Read on for all the touring circus acts you can catch in NYC, and book your tickets for your favorite big top now to ensure you don't miss out on the action.

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