Family-Friendly Building Perks You Didn't Even Know You Should Be Looking For in NYC

Sure, your cozy fourth-floor walk-up or historic, buckling-at-the-foundation brownstone has a certain amount of New York charm, but when you add kids to the mix, charm doesn't always cut it in this city. From steep stoops, to sub-par schools, to a sheer lack of space, there are plenty of not-so-family-friendly hurdles that never even cross your mind when you sign on for a pre-parenthood apartment.

"As a parent, living in New York City can definitely have its fair share of challenges," said Raphael DeNiro, when we sat down to chat about what moms and dads should really be looking for in an NYC home. With help from Douglas Elliman's DeNiro, one of the agents representing the new amenities-filled, luxury Tribeca building, 111 Murray Street, we put together a list of eight building perks you didn't even know you and your family should be looking for. (Oh, and, surprise, surprise, 111 Murray Street actually has them all...).

The Royal Hanneford Circus: An Annual Tradition that Won't Break the Bank

While circuses like Ringling Brothers, The Big Apple Circus and Cirque du Soleil are household names, the lesser-known Royal Hanneford Circus ranks on the list of must-see circuses. We took it upon ourselves to check things out at a recent visit in Westchester, N.Y., and have what you should know about its upcoming visit to Wilmington, Mass.

Read on for the inside scoop, and be sure to sign up for our newsletters to receive stories like this in your inbox!

Queens Welcomes New Fun Factory Okabaloo for NYC Kids

Astoria and Long Island City have seen a tremendous leap in child development venues over the past five years, including play spaces and sports centers. Yay! But even so, there are a few nooks and crannies of these two Queens neighborhoods that are still activity deserts, in need of family-friendly fun.

Nestled on the border of these two neighborhoods is Okabaloo, a new child-enrichment center and play space that brings art, music, and discovery to the neighborhood. Read on to find everything you need to know before you head over.

Where to Find the Easter Bunny Around Houston: The Best Photo-Ops & Breakfasts

The Easter bunny is back, and he's packed his basket full of more than just eggs. While traditional pictures at the mall are always an option, we've found a bunch of events in Houston that offer more than just your standard four-by-six family keepsake. This year take your bunny photos up a notch by incorporating some family fun and food throughout the morning to go along with them. For some extra special Easter activities, check out these events around town, including massive Easter egg hunts, crafts and games and breakfast with your favorite bunny make these Easter Bunny photo ops a hop above the rest!

For more season fun, check out our Spring Fun Guide for Houston Families!

Can You Visit Legoland on a Disney World Orlando Vacation?

Planning a theme park vacation in Orlando, Florida? Disney World and Universal are the common highlights of an Orlando trip, but there are several other tempting theme parks in the area. If your family has Lego lovers—especially if they're between the ages of 2 and 12—Legoland Florida is a great add-on to an Orlando vacation. But with only so much time and a limited budget, the big question is, "Is it possible to go to Legoland and Disney World on one trip to Orlando?"

Easter Egg Hunts Around the Philadelphia Area

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail.... As Peter Cottontail makes his way to the Delaware Valley, Philly kids should find their favorite basket and get ready to search high and low for eggs at these local Easter egg hunts. Most of these egg hunts are outdoors. In the event of questionable weather, please be sure to check directly with the organizers to see if they have a rain date (all of our event listings link to official websites). Also, make sure to click through to our events calendar for exact times since many hunts have multiple time frames based on age.

The majority of these egg hunts are FREE and are a great way to welcome spring and create Easter traditions with your kids. Be sure to also check our Easter Bunny Express post for info on special holiday train rides and our Easter Fun at Farms post featuring plenty of photo ops, animal visits, and outdoor fun.

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