Williamsburg

7 Family-Friendly Rooftop Hotel Pools to Visit in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 4:00pm

While we have much love for our FREE NYC pools, sometimes it's worth the splurge for a day pass to a private pool, where there are fewer rules and smaller crowds.

In summertime, the outdoor swimming options expand to include rooftop pools, thanks to NYC's creative hotel scene. Whether you're a local looking for a day pass or a tourist searching for a family-friendly hotel for an upcoming vacation, here are seven hotels with kid-friendly rooftop pools worth checking out. Some offer day passes, while others are open only to hotel guests—but even if you have to book a night, a staycation that includes a swim with a view can make a weekend into a special occasion.

10 Play Fountains Where NYC Kids Can Get Totally Soaked

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 07/07/2019 - 9:10am

While all three of my kids love to go for a dip, heading to one of NYC's public pools requires advance planning and me donning a bathing suit. Often, our summer fun is more spontaneous. For those hot summer days when we're out and about or need a last-minute distraction, I keep this list of play fountains in the back of my mind.

A more immersive experience than standard sprinkler parks, these play fountains feature shallow pools of water for wading, plus jets shooting H₂O sky high. They're the perfect place for kids to frolic and get completely doused without mommy having to go all in—literally. Best of all? They're all completely FREE.

Here are 10 fun play fountains in NYC where kids can get absolutely soaked. Most opened for the season over Memorial Day weekend, though some start flowing earlier if temperatures hit 80 degrees.

Best Brooklyn Splash Pads and Water Playgrounds for Summer Fun

Submitted by Sara F on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 2:00pm

When the sticky NYC summer heat sets in, kids need fun things to do to keep cool (bonus points if the kiddos also get a chance to burn off some energy). There’s no better solution than water playgrounds—get cool in the water, dry off to hit the other playground equipment, rinse and repeat. All afternoon.

And best of all, hitting a water playground is a FREE summer activity you can do every day. We’ve rounded up the best water features and playgrounds around Brooklyn so that you and the little ones can try a new place to spray and play every day of the week.

It's a long summer! Find more ways to keep cool with our NYC Beaches, Pools, and Water Parks Guide, which includes splash pads in other boroughs too!

5 Brooklyn Adventures Perfect for Preschoolers

Submitted by Katie Nave Freeman on Mon, 06/24/2019 - 3:47pm

A New York City day with a preschooler is likely to be full of adventure and excitement, but those short attention spans can be downright exhausting. Thankfully, the borough of Brooklyn is filled with non-stop kid fun, even for the most rambunctious little ones.

Of course, there's no shortage of fantastic zoos and gardens, museums, and playgrounds for spending a day out and about in the city, but we've developed five parent-tested, Brooklyn-based itineraries that are perfectly tailored to the younger crowd.

10 Heart-Pumping, Thrill-Seeking Activities for NYC Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 06/21/2019 - 6:49am

I've got three kids with three decidedly different personalities. Even though my youngest is just a toddler, it's clear she's a daredevil at heart, never content to sit still for long and always looking for a challenge sure to scare me. She's already got me thinking of activities to thrill her spirit—safely of course. If you've got a like-minded child who refuses to keep her feet on the ground and operates at hyper-speed, New York City is filled with activities to satisfy young thrill seekers, from rock climbing to surfing to trapeze and more. Read on for 10 activities that will get kids' hearts (and yours!) pumping.

Brooklyn Restaurants with Kid-Friendly Backyards and Patios

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 06/10/2019 - 9:20am

Brooklyn boasts its share of restaurants with sidewalk tables, but those of us with kids enjoy those eateries with more spacious outdoor dining. A backyard, picnic tables, roof decks, or sometimes even a bit of grass? We're sold!

Just in time for summer, we've rounded up of our favorite spots from across Brooklyn that feature ample outdoor space, serve delicious food, and welcome families with children. If you're in the mood for variety, we've included a mix of cuisines: Japanese, Mexican, Cuban, Southern comfort and, of course, pizza, BBQ, and New American.

Headed to Brooklyn from a surrounding area? Browse our Brooklyn Kids Guide to take full advantage of the borough while you're there, or peruse our NYC Restaurant Guide for more family-friendly eats.

Macy's July 4th Fireworks 2019: Where to See Them in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 06/09/2019 - 10:24am

Every year, Macy's annual July 4th fireworks show in New York City is an unforgettable highlight of the summer. On Thursday, July 4, 2019, fireworks will light up the sky over the East River with the Brooklyn Bridge serving as the centerpiece: About 25,000 pyrotechnic shells will be launched from its span alone, streaming skyward and creating a cascading curtain of light below the bridge, too. The event celebrates its 43rd anniversary this Independence Day.

Spectators should be able to see the fireworks from many neighborhoods in Lower Manhattan as well as parts of Brooklyn. If you're hoping to watch Macy's 4th of July Fireworks live, it's never too early to start planning your viewing strategy. Tickets for paid viewing options like Fourth of July Fireworks cruises are already on sale and going fast.

Of course, you don't need to spend a penny to see the sparklers, but there are some important things to know before you go. We've got the scoop on how to find the best places to watch, when to go, and what to bring.

And don't forget, there are frequent fireworks shows in NYC during the summer, from Coney Island to Central Park. Read our roundup of where else to see cool displays this summer, including some Fourth of July competitors.

10 New and Updated NYC Playgrounds You (Probably) Haven't Visited Yet

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 05/21/2019 - 4:00pm

Are your kids suffering from a bit of "been there, climbed that" playground fatigue at their tried-and-true favorite play spot? It may be time to explore a new romping ground. Fortunately, the NYC parks are ever changing. Here, we present 10 new (or nearly new) and updated playgrounds you probably haven't visited yet.

And of course, you can find all our favorite spots, old and new, in our Parks and Playgrounds Guide.

Best Water Playgrounds and Sprinklers for Kids in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 05/19/2019 - 9:00am

When we were growing up, New York City playgrounds had sprinklers. Now parks and playgrounds across the five boroughs have "water features"—fountains, geysers, rivers, pumps, and beautiful spraying statues. Kids just love them, and we parents prefer these newfangled playgrounds because they're pretty and cool, and make us feel as if our exorbitant NYC housing costs are justified.

Sprinkler season in NYC parks kicks into gear when the temps reach 80 degrees, although some parks may turn on water features earlier. There are hundreds of water features in NYC parks, and we've highlighted some favorites by borough: the best in Brooklyn, best of Queens, and best of the Bronx. Some are cooler (literally and figuratively) than others, and more amazing ones seem to open every year. When we first published this article in 2008, we had five favorite splashing spots. Now we're up to 27 fancy playgrounds where kids can get wet in NYC. See if your favorites made our list.

10 Underrated NYC Parks You (Probably) Haven't Visited Yet

Submitted by Raven Snook on Tue, 05/14/2019 - 4:00pm

Central Park, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park—even if you only just arrived in NYC, we probably don't need to tell you that these are all must-see green spaces. But did you know that according to the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, 14 percent of the city is parkland? That's more than 30,000 acres!

So if you're looking for a new-to-you outdoor destination to explore, we've got 10 off-the-beaten-path parks worth putting on your NYC family bucket list. Some are massive and boast a wide array of attractions for all seasons; others are small but picturesque and host popular annual events for families. With months of outdoor play weather ahead of us, check out this list and visit some of the city's best hidden gems.