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

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Transforms the Observation Deck Experience

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 10/07/2021 - 4:00pm

Take a leap in Levitation—glass-enclosed skyboxes suspended 1,063 feet above Madison Avenue at the new SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Photo courtesy of One Vanderbilt

Observation decks seem to be multiplying in NYC, and soon New Yorkers and visitors alike will have a brand new, sky-high observation deck to take in the city views. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt officially opens to visitors on Thursday, October 21, but we got a sneak peek at this four-floor, art-and-entertainment space that aims to transform the observation deck experience.

Read on for our review of this kaleidoscope in the sky, which offers stunning views inside and out, including a unique perspective on its Midtown competitors at the Empire State Building, Edge, and Top of the Rock.

Notorious RBG Gets Her Due in New-York Historical Society Exhibition

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 10:51am

The New-York Historical Society honors the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg with an overarching exhibition profiling her life and career.

Native daughter Ruth Bader Ginsburg gets her due in a brand new exhibition at the New-York Historical Society. Based on the best-selling book and Tumblr of the same name, Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg brings the Brooklyn-born Supreme Court justice's story full-circle.

Whether your kids have a hunger for history, an interest in the law, or a feminist streak, the exhibition, which made our list of must-see museum exhibits this fall, is worth a visit.

Governors Island to Stay Open Year-Round

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 09/28/2021 - 3:00pm

Visitors to Governors Island will now be able to explore fall, winter, and spring on the isle, too. Photo courtesy of the Friends of Governors Island

Big news, New Yorkers: Governors Island, our long-time favorite summer-only destination, is now open year-round. Its expanded schedule was announced Tuesday by Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Trust for Governors Island.

While the big summer season comes to a close on Sunday, October 31, the new NYC Ferry service begins the very next day, allowing New Yorkers to enjoy the 43-acre isle 365 days a year.

Midtown Gets Spectacular New NYPL Branch With Rooftop Reading Room

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 09/20/2021 - 5:03pm

See Patience and Fortitude—in Lego form—at the newly remodeled Stavros Niarchos NYPL branch in Midtown.

You won't find Manhattan's newest, coolest rooftop hang out at a swanky eatery. Instead, this cool view comes at no cost, atop the newest NYPL. A trip to the library has never been so cool as it is with a visit to the newly remodeled Stavros Niarchos Foundation branch. Housed in the old Mid-Manhattan Library Building, and catty-corner from the main NYPL branch's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, this completely reimagined space houses 400,000 books spread over eight floors. Enviable features include the aforementioned alfresco reading room overlooking Fifth Avenue and spectacular new spaces for children and teens. Add in some inventive programming, and this new library is sure to land on our list of NYC libraries with great play spaces and children's rooms.

Read on to learn more about all the services offered at this NYPL branch.

Register Now for Free After-School Program From NYC Parks

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 09/13/2021 - 10:01am

Several NYC recreation centers open their doors to kids for after-school enrichment. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Registration for the FREE after-school program run by the Parks Department opens on Monday, September 13 for NYC kids ages 6 to 13, and we've got details on what the program offers and how to sign up.

Find more after-school classes and enrichment options in our guide to Classes and Activities in NYC for Kids.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to March Again in 2021

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 09/08/2021 - 10:16am

Confetti, characters, Tom Turkey, and more return to city streets this Thanksgiving with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo courtesy of Macy's

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is returning to the streets of NYC on Thursday, November 25, organizers and city officials announced. Following a made-for-TV spectacle in 2020, the 95th annual parade is planning a return to a more traditional parade route to kick off the 2021 holiday season.

Safety protocols will be finalized in the coming weeks, but expect to see larger-than-life helium balloons, marching bands, giant floats, and A-list celebrity performances, plus Santa Claus himself all parading down NYC's avenues.

Space-Themed Play Space Cosmic CAMP Comes to NYC City Point

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 09/07/2021 - 5:31pm

See how many black holes you can target with asteroids at Cosmic CAMP, a new intergalactic play space that's only here for a limited time.

Editor's note: This review was written when Cosmic CAMP was at the Flatiron location. It has since moved to City Point so there may be minor differences.

Grab your space suits and get ready to blast off on an all-ages family adventure. CAMP, the innovative toy store/play space is taking families on an interactive journey with Cosmic CAMP an intergalactic-themed family experience, which cultivates a sense of adventure while testing the mental mettle and physical skills of your all-ages "crew."

Read on for a sneak peek at what's in store once you open the magic door and enter the Cosmic Launch Pad.

Free Memberships Await as NYC Rec Centers Reopen

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 09/07/2021 - 12:45pm

NYC's recreation centers are reopening, bringing free memberships and after-school programs. Photo courtesy of NYC parks

New York City's recreation centers are reopening with big perks for New Yorkers—FREE citywide, one-year memberships will be doled out to all visitors who sign up between Tuesday, September 7 and the end of the year.

The news comes amidst the final week of the season for the FREE public swimming pools housed at city rec centers and marks the first time most of the 36 indoor spaces have reopened since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Jody Mercier

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