Jody Mercier

Jody Mercier always dreamed of being a mom, and she's raised three wonderful kids in New York City. Since that job only pays in hugs, she’s spent her career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting for Sports Illustrated, espnW, and Mommy Poppins. Follow her family’s adventures on Instagram @momtakesmanhattan or reach her at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody

Central Park with Kids: 33 Fun Things To Do and Secrets to Uncover in Manhattan's Backyard

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 08/12/2022 - 1:00pm

Spread a picnic, throw a party, and just enjoy the view from Sheep Meadow during a visit to Central Park with kids. Photo via Flickr by ep jhu

Central Park was created as a respite for the teeming masses of Manhattan. The 843-acre jewel is home to woodlands, meadows, lakes, wildlife, and more than a little history. Years after its creation, Central Park still offers a reprieve to all New Yorkers. Today, more than 40 million people annually visit the lush expanses of one of the country's earliest public parks. Central Park's 21 playgrounds make it a destination for families from all over the city and the world.

Central Park isn’t a place to tire of easily. My family's daily commute to school takes us back and forth across the park—for that, I thank my lucky stars. But it's easy to lose perspective and forget how much this massive green space has to offer locals and visitors alike. With that in mind, we've rounded up 33 fun sights, scenes, and things to do in New York City's big backyard, from the obvious destination-worthy Central Park playgrounds and sledding hills to more obscure destinations.

Find more green spaces to explore in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC for Families.

Expanded Summer Streets Returns Saturday: Explore Car-Free NYC with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 7:40pm

Summer Streets returns Saturdays August 6, 13, and 20, with eight-plus miles of car-free fun running from East Harlem to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Summer Streets, easily one of our favorite NYC summer festivals, returns for a trio of car-free Saturdays on August 6, 13, and 20. And, in 2022, the miles-long Summer Streets festival extends further north than ever before, closing Park Avenue from 109th Street south.

The annual Summer Streets event gives New Yorkers more than eight miles worth of car-free summer fun to explore from East Harlem all the way south to the Brooklyn Bridge. Pedestrians, skaters, and bicyclists can enjoy six fun-filled rest stops overflowing with fun activities, giveaways, and entertainment. Most of the interactive stations are 100% FREE, so read on for all the details on this ultimate summer festival.

Jungle Animals Invade Times Square in Free New AR Experience

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 08/01/2022 - 10:43am

Concrete Jungle AR takes over Times Square with a FREE immersive AR installation for the month of August.

The term concrete jungle takes on a whole new life in NYC this month thanks to the debut of Concrete Jungle AR, a brand new augmented reality experience that's bringing a wild new look to Times Square. Debuting today, and running through August, visitors to the crossroads of the world can immerse themselves in a menagerie of wildlife roaming the city streets set against the backdrop of NYC's most iconic and brightly lit billboards and buildings.

Read on for more information on this urban safari and learn what you need to know before you visit Concrete Jungle AR. If your kids can't get enough of this new technology, be sure to explore one of these virtual reality experiences for kids in NYC.

Visiting The Metropolitan Museum with Kids: Exploring NYC's Biggest Art Museum

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 07/26/2022 - 10:04am

Gaze at modern and ancient masterpieces at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Considering visiting The Metropolitan Museum with kids? Here are our top tips for a family-friendly visit to the world-class art museum.

One Friday afternoon, my son came home from kindergarten and announced that we must visit The Met over the weekend because he had to see the Renoirs. His wonderful art teacher introduced the class to Impressionist art, and I was overjoyed.

If you're lucky enough to live down the road from a world-famous art museum, why shouldn't your whole family take advantage of the sprawling galleries, priceless pieces, and kids' activities at The Met, and explore it together? We've made countless trips to The Metropolitan Museum of Art since—it's one of our favorite museums to visit with kids in NYC—and are offering our top tips for a family-friendly visit to The Met, plus our favorite kids' activities at The Met and the top exhibits and hidden treasures to explore. Find all our top picks for cultural outings in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC.

NYC Hotels with Rooftop Pools for Your Next Family Staycation

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/15/2022 - 4:41pm

The Margaritaville Hotel boasts a tropical feel at its rooftop pool right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

Imagine a swim in a rooftop pool with a side of skyline views—there's arguably no more scenic spot for a rooftop pool than NYC. Whether you're a New Yorker looking to book a staycation or a visitor on the hunt for a family-friendly hotel in New York City, consider booking one of these hotels with rooftop pools—some of these cool hotel pools even offer day passes.

We've found eight family-friendly hotels with rooftop pools, plus one beachfront haunt, just waiting to welcome you for a cooling dip. If your travels take you further afield, consider a stay at one of these resorts with cool hotel pools in New York state.

Find the Perfect Catskills or Hudson Valley Brewery to Visit with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/15/2022 - 11:45am

The Peekskill Brewery offers brews for the adults, with kid-friendly fare like hand-cut fries and wood-fired pizzas.

With the dog days of summer upon us, parents may be dreaming of a cold brew—but where can you indulge alongside your kids? A family-friendly Hudson Valley brewery might be the answer. At these local taprooms and brewhouses, parents can enjoy locally brewed beers alongside kid-friendly perks like food truck fare, lawn games, and even enjoy some facetime with furry friends.

We've found 12 local breweries to visit in the Hudson Valley or nearby Catskills regions. If that's too far to travel today, consider supporting one of these local beer gardens or switch gears and visit a family-friendly vineyard or cider house nearby. Wherever your day takes you, cheers to a day of family fun.

Bluebird Sunapee Reinvents the Roadside Motel

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 3:30pm

Bluebird Sunapee aims provide its guests with an experience that goes beyond cozy rooms and a place to lay their heads at night. Photo courtesy of the Bluebird Sunapee

Family road trips can be a great adventure—and also a pounding headache with antsy kids in the backseat—but the newly opened Bluebird Sunapee aims to reinvigorate the family road trip by offering a well-appointed, boutique, roadside motel with welcoming service and upscale amenities waiting to greet you when you put the family car in park.

The innovative new Bluebird Sunapee, in Newbury, New Hampshire, is located steps from the banks of the beautiful Lake Sunapee and within a stone's throw of the Mount Sunapee Ski Resort, making it a perfect jumping-off point for all-seasons adventure. Its proximity to major East Coast cities—1 1/2 hours from Boston, and 4 1/2 hours from NYC—makes it an epic road trip destination for families anxious to explore the great outdoors.

So, load up the kids, brush up on your road trip games, and pack some essentials, then hit the road. Bluebird Sunapee awaits.

Best Family Resorts with Water Parks: All-Inclusive Family Resorts and More

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 07/09/2022 - 11:23am

Timber Ridge Lodge in Geneva, Wisconsin features both an indoor water park and outdoor pools.

When it comes time to book your next visit to a family resort, consider a trip to one of these great resorts with water parks. At these family resorts, the hotel can be the destination—not just a place to lay your head—thanks to larger-than-life water slides for thrill-seekers; kid-friendly, water-drenched playgrounds for tots; and lazy rivers to float on when you need a bit of relaxation yourself.

Read on for 29 family resorts with water parks. Our picks include both indoor water parks for all-seasons fun and outdoor water parks to visit this summer. They span the US from the Northeast to Hawaii and everywhere in between. We've even thrown in a few all-inclusive family resorts and Caribbean resorts with water parks as a bonus.

Looking for more family resorts with water parks? Bookmark this list of hotels with outdoor water parks or our picks for the best Orlando hotels with water parks, plus our Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks for local options closer to home.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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