New York City

30 Perfect Fall Family Day Trips from NYC

Submitted by Katia on Sun, 09/15/2019 - 2:00pm

With fall upon us, we're craving more than just a change of seasons. Sometimes, fresh scenery—even for a day—can do wonders to reboot and re-energize weary New Yorkers who dodged tourists and sweltered in subways all summer.

Whether fall in your house means an afternoon harvesting nature's bounty at local farms, heading out for a hike, or something else, we've rounded up 30 spots worthy of a day trip. Some are even accessible by public transportation. Read on for our picks sure to inspire your love of the season, and find more getaways in our Day Trip and Travel Guide.

Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the US and Caribbean for Families

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 1:07pm

An all-inclusive resort, or one with extra levels of service and amenities, is almost always a boon to parents traveling with their kids. All-inclusive hotels relieve some of the pressure to entertain little ones, feed them, and even make it easier to decide what to do next during a family vacation.

We've rounded up some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, as well as here in the U.S. Of course, they don't always come cheap, so we've included a couple of more budget options, too. These soup-to-nuts getaways will please the most discerning pint-sized guests (and their paying adults).

Read on for family-friendly resorts that make vacations easy, so you can kick back, relax and just enjoy.

NYC's Only Corn Maze and More Fall Fun at the Queens Farm Museum

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 3:00pm

There aren't many better ways to get the family excited for the fall in NYC than taking the kids for a tour through a three-acre corn maze in the middle of Queens and letting their imaginations run wild. The Queens County Farm Museum's Amazing Maize Maze opens for the season September 21, and it's just one of the quintessential fall activities happening at this New York City institution.

The Amazing Maize Maze is the only corn maze in the city. My family and I have conquered lots of these mazes and can happily say that the one at the Queens County Farm Museum is just as much fun as its country counterparts. We made it through in just about one hour—even with a pair of 8-year-olds leading the way. That left us plenty of time to enjoy other farm fun. We've got some tips for how to make the most of your visit to the farm and the corn maze. But no, we aren't giving you the route. You'll still need to figure that out yourself!

Jewish Museums in NYC: 6 Cultural Spots for Kids

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 8:30am

One of the best aspects of growing up in NYC is that kids are exposed to lots of different cultures. In fact, it's not uncommon for children of all backgrounds to want to celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas, Purim and Lunar New Year—and perhaps even teach their parents how it's done.

Exploring various traditions at school and with friends is fun, but there are also many New York City institutions where you can learn about different cultures in more depth, from the Museum of Chinese in America to the Japan Society to the National Museum of the American Indian. As the Jewish high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach, here are six great NYC spots where kids can learn about Jewish culture, traditions, and history.

Harvest Fests, Pumpkin Patches, and Hayrides Right Here in NYC

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 3:30pm

If you think you need to head out of the city for an authentic fall harvest experience, we've got good news: You can pick the perfect pumpkin, go on a hayride, meet farm animals, and even get lost in a massive corn maze right here in NYC.

So if you're looking to skip the car rental, hop onto the subway instead to head out to these fall harvest festivals and pumpkin patches, all located within the five boroughs. Looking for more fall fun? Check out our NYC Fall Fun Guide for the best of the season.

Interactive 'Dr. Seuss Experience' to Tour North America

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 11:17am

Readers of all ages have probably longed to step inside the colorful and whimsical worlds that exist inside Dr. Seuss' beloved stories. Now fans can finally get their fantastical fix as "The Dr. Seuss Experience," a brand-new exhibit, tours North America. The immersive and interactive celebration of the imagination of author and illustrator Theodor Seuss Geisel is billed as a "Seuss-tacular sensory spectacle" families won't want to miss.

Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids: San Gennaro, Concerts, Monarchs

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Wed, 09/11/2019 - 4:00pm

NYC is aflutter with Monarch madness this weekend as the butterflies make their yearly migratory pitstop in the city. Learn more at the Monarch Celebration on Saturday on Randall's Island (consider it a warmup for the return of the American Museum of Natural History's popular annual butterfly exhibit, opening October 12). Creatures with a somewhat more impressive wingspan gather at the annual Raptor Fest in Central Park on Saturday. And non-winged creatures get a moment in the sun when moles invade Skirball Center in Philippe Quesne's punk rock performance. (Kids can parade with the moles through Greenwich Village on Thursday, Sept 12, at 2pm, too!)

Big celebrations include Madison Square Park's Stages in the Square on Saturday, with a packed roster of live performances, the cannoli-fueled crush that is Little Italy's San Gennaro Festival, and the start of Morningside Lights' weeklong festivities, which culminate next weekend (September 21) with the annual lantern-lit parade.

The Bronx is action-packed this weekend: Head to City Island for the Fall Arts and Crafts fair (make a day of it with dinner at one of the island's kid-friendly restaurants). Or visit Wave Hill's weekend-long family art project. All that, plus Boogie on the Blvd returns on Sunday to shut down the Grand Concourse center lanes between 162nd and 170th Streets.

Brooklyn's in party mode, too, with the Brooklyn United Back-to School extravaganza, the One Crown Heights Neighborhood Fest, and Old Stone House's annual Bike Jumble. And on Governors Island, kids can create sustainable energy machines, watch amazing WWI re-enactments, or participate in the annual African Film Fest—or all three!

As always, keep our September Go List handy, and refer to the full Mommy Poppins calendar for more fall fun!

Staten Island with Kids: Top 51 Things to Do for Families

Submitted by Nataki Hewling on Wed, 09/11/2019 - 8:05am

When you ask most New Yorkers what they know about Staten Island, they name-check the Staten Island Ferry and then just stare blankly. But as a mom raising her two sons in NYC's "forgotten borough," I know firsthand how enriching and fun Staten Island can be for families, both residents and visitors.

St. George, where you disembark from the ferry, is probably the neighborhood that feels most like the rest of NYC, with its awesome views of the downtown Manhattan skyline. Many borough attractions are located here, including the minor-league Staten Island Yankees stadium, the stunning St. George Theatre, the sobering Staten Island September 11 Memorial, the Staten Island Museum, plus lots of restaurants and quaint Victorian townhouses.

But go further inland and it's not just all malls and suburban sprawl. With almost 12,300 acres of protected parkland, Staten Island is rightly known as the greenest borough and boasts some of the most beautiful parks in the city, such as the Staten Island Greenbelt, home to the Carousel for All Children as well as living history museum Historic Richmond Town. Staten Island also has plenty of fun indoor play spaces, a great old-school roller rink, and even a trampoline park. There are lots of culture spots, too, like the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden and museums located in lovely historic homes like the Alice Austen House. And while a car is helpful in terms of getting around, we actually do have public transportation. Check out the top 51 things to do in Staten Island with kids.

Horseback Riding in NYC: Lessons and Rides for Kids

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Tue, 09/10/2019 - 4:00pm

Horseback riding in New York City? You bet! While your NYC apartment probably won't accommodate a pet pony, you can indulge your child’s love of horses without leaving town. There are several options for family-friendly horseback riding and grooming lessons, plus drop-in trail riding experiences for a unique way to experience the great outdoors in NYC.

Sadly, Claremont Riding Academy, the last remaining horse stable in Manhattan, closed in 2007 so there's no longer horseback riding in Central Park. However, there are stables in the other four boroughs that allow families to make like it's the Wild West.

5 Reasons to Visit the New Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn

Submitted by Suzy Q on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 2:03pm

Shirley Chisholm State Park opened to the public July 2019, bringing over 10 miles of new biking and hiking trails to the shores of south Brooklyn. New York City's newest state park transforms a former landfill into a lovely waterfront destination accessible from the Belt Parkway or the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Canarsie and East New York. For a look at the new park and a peek at what's next, read on.