New York City

Haunt the Hudson: Spooky Day Trips near NYC for Ghostly Adventures and Paranormal Thrills

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Take in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow on a spooky fall day trip in the Hudson Valley. Photo by Darren McGee/NYS Dept. of Economic Development

Family-friendly scares abound during a fall day trip to one of these awesome haunted locations and spooky spots in the Hudson Valley, on Long Island, in New Jersey, and even right in NYC. Plan a spooky day trip the whole family can enjoy and visit eerie mansions, hear ghostly tales, and follow expert guides on tours of some creepy locations near NYC.

Although these are awesome Halloween destinations for a fall day trip near NYC, most of the locations and events on this list are available year-round, so you can enjoy a haunted adventure in any season. If this isn't enough spine-tingling fun, consider booking one of these ghost tours in New Jersey and visit our Halloween Guide for more spooky season fun.

Get Your Groove on at Xanadu the Wild New Bushwick Roller Rink that's an All-Ages Party

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Xanadu's all-ages skate parties are a perfect old-school outing with kids.

Get your roller skating groove on at Xanadu, a new roller skating hot spot with an old-school vibe that’s just opened in Bushwick, Brooklyn. With a mix of retro disco, hip-hop, and pop being spun, plus flashing lights and a classic roller skating rink setup, it marries a throwback experience with a modern club vibe.

This vibrant space brings plenty of kid-pleasing fun and is sure to become a neighborhood go-to whether you want to roller skate in NYC or just find your groove. So, get glammed up, don your neon, and check out what’s rolling at Xanadu. Find more roller skating rinks in NYC on our roundup of 13 family-friendly NYC roller rinks.

Best Dance Classes in NYC for Kids

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Kids get a great foundation in classical ballet at Dance Theatre of Harlem. Photo courtesy of Dance Theatre of Harlem

If you have a budding ballerina who's pleading for dance classes in New York City, you'll find yourself spoiled for choice, and that fact holds true across genres and genders. We've rounded up 22 studios offering kids' dance classes in NYC. Most of these New York City dance classes offer programs for boys and girls, and, in most cases, kids can study multiple styles at one studio; only a few specialize in one discipline.

For more great classes for kids, including everything from baby swim lessons to gymnastics classes, check out our New York City Classes for Kids Guide and Classes Directory.

Best NYC Birthday Party Entertainers Who Bring the Party to You

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on

Gary the Great keeps kids engaged with a magical birthday party performance. Photo courtesy of the magician

Planning a child's birthday party can be overwhelming but these birthday party entertainers make it a little easier. Whether you rent out a party room or throw a shindig in a park, these birthday party entertainers come to you in New York City.

These birthday party performers bring the fun—literally—from face painting to puppet shows, princesses to magicians, spa services to sports. These birthday party entertainers in NYC ensure your child's next milestone is truly memorable. Find more tips for planning your perfect party in our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC.

Unique Behind-the-Scenes Tours in NYC for Families

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A visit to the Museum of Broadway highlights props, costumes, and personalities who make the Great White Way shine.

There are tons of wonderful tours in New York City that give families an unforgettable experience. But, who doesn’t love to peek behind the curtain for an inside scoop? From stepping into famous pizza kitchens to exclusive looks behind the scenes of a favorite Broadway show, these behind-the-scenes tours in NYC offer a treasure trove of adventures to spark curiosity and excitement, while giving you and your kids some street cred!

So, grab your calendar and start planning an adventure to one of these behind-the-scenes New York City tours. We've got more splurge-worthy experiences for families on this list of over-the-top NYC experiences for kids.

19 Picture-Perfect Instagrammable Spots with Kids in NYC

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Coney Island offers a variety of Instagrammable spots with kids, including the beach, boardwalk, and famous amusement park rides. Photo by Jody Mercier

Whether you live on social media or post only once in a blue moon, these Instagarammable spots in NYC make a great backdrop for unforgettable family photos. We may be biased, but we think there's no better photo backdrop than New York City. With that in mind, we've rounded up our favorite Instagrammable spots for kids and families in NYC. From perfectly pink restaurants to iconic neighborhoods, over-the top eats, and lesser-known locales, the city offers no shortage of perfect backgrounds to fill up your Instagram feed.

Read on for our picks for the most Instragrammable spots with kids in NYC and find more must-visit-and-snap destinations on our New York City Kids Visitors Guide.

Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly

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For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier

Visitors to the New York City metro area have no shortage of family-friendly attractions to visit. From NYC's iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty to the sprawling Legoland New York in the Hudson Valley and Long Island's wet-and-wild Splish Splash, there are tons of can't-miss attractions near New York City for families.

Take advantage of everything the city and its suburbs offer with these unique, family-friendly experiences. Find more family must-do's in our local Visitors Guides for Families. 

40 Baby Registry Lifesavers for New York City Parents

Vanessa Leigh's picture Submitted by Vanessa Leigh on

NYC babies still need tons of gear, but these baby registry items are city-parent tested.

When crafting a baby registry in NYC, take a breath before you let your suburb-dwelling sister sell you on that giant all-terrain stroller. Remember that creating a city-friendly baby registry is a whole other ballgame. With all the subway riding and small space living urban parents do, it's important to choose baby registry items made for the many hurdles (and perks) NYC throws your way.

Wondering where to start with your baby registry wish list? Here are 40 must-have baby registry items to get you and your little New Yorker through the first year.

Want more advice on making this whole new parent thing work? Take a look at our NYC Baby Guide.

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