There's more to trendy Williamsburg than dive bars, clubs and hipsters. North Williamsburg, or Northside, is now quite family-friendly as its artsy residents have welcomed children of their own, spawning many attractions for families that reflect the Brooklyn nabe's fashion-forward vibe, like funky baby boutiques, laid-back kid-friendly restaurants and cool live entertainment. Plus there's the beloved 35-acre McCarren Park featuring playgrounds, sports fields and a renovated pool. Although much of the neighborhood’s waterfront is currently being redeveloped, East River Park offers exceptional views of the Manhattan skyline and the Williamsburg Bridge.
Although South Williamsburg is sometimes lumped in with its northern neighbor, it’s really a separate area with its own vibe. Home to a diverse community that includes sizable Hispanic and Hasidic populations, it has fewer family businesses than its northern neighbor, but the area feels authentically New York and is worth exploring. East of the BQE, Williamsburg continues to Graham Avenue with tree-lined streets of family homes and small shops and restaurants, many owned by local Italian families.
For the purposes of this post, our geographical boundaries are the East River to Graham Avenue, and North 14th Street (cut short by McCarren Park) to Division Avenue, with Grand Street the divider between North and South Williamsburg. Here are our top 50 things to do with kids in Williamsburg.