Jody Mercier

When asked to illustrate her dream job as a first grader, Jody drew a picture of a mom with one kid on each hip and another clinging to her leg. All these years later, that is her reality, raising three kids in New York City. Since that gig only pays in hugs and kisses, she has spent her professional career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting topics. She's currently the regional editor overseeing the Mommy Poppins NYC, New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester sites and can be reached at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody Mercier

Pittsfield, MA with Kids: 35 Things To Do in The Berkshires Town

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/01/2022 - 1:00pm

Walk The Melville Trail or enjoy the view from the famous author's study on a visit to the Herman Melville's Arrowhead Estate in Pittsfield.

Located in the heart of The Berkshires, find the town of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. With its walkable main street draped with red, white, and blue buntings and bespeckled with the work of local artists, it's a charming mix of old and new, befitting a region that's experienced a re-birth as a regional travel destination thanks to the pandemic.

Its location is convenient for visitors from major metropolitan areas in Boston and New York City, and it manages to balance a certain small-town allure with arts, culture, recreation, and a burgeoning foodie scene to lure a variety of visitors. Whether you're heading for a hike in the hills outside of town or craving top-notch theater without big-city prices, Pittsfield has something for you. Read on for 35 things to do in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, with kids, and find more fun things to do nearby on our list of the best things to do in The Berkshires with kids. Be sure to bookmark our New England Family Travel Guide for more regional travel destinations.

Chelsea Piers with Kids: 10 Things To Do at the Waterfront Complex

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 12:30pm

Whether you scoot, stroll, run, or ride, a visit to Chelsea Piers is an action-packed adventure full of all-ages entertainment.

When it comes to fun places to play as a family, it's hard to beat Chelsea Piers. This action-packed stretch along Hudson River Park is filled with family-friendly activities. You can easily while a day away here, hitting everything from the destination-worthy Chelsea Waterside Park Playground to teeing off at the Chelsea Piers Golf Center and gliding across the ice at the Sky Rink.

Read on for 10 things to do at this all-seasons entertainment complex, which covers 28 acres from West 17th Street to West 23rd Street, and find more fun things to do nearby on our list of 50 fun things to do in Chelsea with kids.

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.

Latest posts by Jody Mercier

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