Sydney Ng

Latest posts by Sydney Ng

New Kidz Fun Palace in Queens Is Hours of Nonstop Indoor Play

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 10:00am

In the summer heat, sometimes a playground or park just won’t cut it. Queens has plenty to offer when it comes to places to cool off, whether it be a museum, an indoor playhouse, or a food hall. Corona and Jackson Heights families can add Kidz Fun Palace to that list. Open since January 2018, the cute and fun-packed indoor playspace is a welcome addition to this family-friendly neighborhood.

My son and I found ourselves at the Kidz Fun Palace in Jackson Heights on a blazing June afternoon. Read on to hear about the highlights of our visit.

Family Getaway to Hershey, PA: Hersheypark, Chocolate World, Zoo

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Thu, 05/31/2018 - 2:01pm

While there are plenty of family vacation options in our area, my family's destination of choice this year was Hershey, Pennsylvania. The town, smack dab in the center of the state, has been dubbed the Sweetest Place on Earth thanks to the region's namesake chocolate factory and iconic candy bar.

The main attraction, Hersheypark, is the perfect short-week or long weekend getaway solution for kids who aren't ready for a long car, train, or plane trip. It’s just over three hours away from the New York City area and barely two hours from Philadelphia. (Tip: Leave before dawn and the kids will sleep through half of it).

I was hesitant that my 5- and 2-year-old boys would be too small to enjoy the trip, but Hershey offers much more than just roller coasters. There's water park fun, a zoo and gardens, chocolate galore, and plenty of great places to stay, including right on site with the treat-filled amusement park. There are even additional family sights in nearby Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Here is a breakdown of the top sights to see with kids.

Top 35 Things to Do in Flushing, Queens with Kids

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 05/14/2018 - 4:35pm

The Flushing neighborhood of Queens has a bustling commercial center along Main Street filled with a wide variety of restaurants, chain stores, and culture spots like Flushing Town Hall. The north-central nabe is particularly well-known for its Chinatown section around Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue, where you'll find lots of dim sum eateries, specialty shops, and the borough's annual Lunar New Year Parade.

But Flushing, like all of Queens, is a true melting pot with residents and businesses from a multitude of diverse backgrounds. It's also home to many lovely landmarked buildings built in different eras and architectural styles. You can walk through history at the 17th-century John Bowne House, the Victorian Voelker Orth Museum, and iconic relics from two 20th-century World's Fairs held in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

We've rounded up our top 35 family-friendly things to do in Flushing, Queens, including our favorites spots to play, eat, explore, and experience with kids. We're also highlighting the major family attractions in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, such as the New York Hall of Science, Queens Museum, and Citi Field.

Laser Bounce Opens Indoor Amusement Park and Arcade in Queens

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Fri, 03/23/2018 - 11:08am

With the popularity of Netflix’s Stranger Things and nerd-comeback, I’m excited to see a resurgence in my childhood favorite hangout: the arcade. There are plenty across NYC, serving up everything from skee-ball to racing games, but we’re happy to introduce Queens’ latest addition.

Laser Bounce joined The Shops at Atlas Park, in Glendale, in February 2018. This is the second Laser Bounce location in the area; the original is located in Levittown, Long Island.

Queens Welcomes New Fun Factory Okabaloo for NYC Kids

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 9:44am

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.

Prince Tea House Arrives in Astoria for Fancy Family Eats

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Thu, 03/01/2018 - 10:01am

For the past few years, Astoria has been at the forefront of culinary trends. You can eat around the world, from Columbia and Hawaii to Egypt and Germany. But there are a few things that Astoria still hasn’t pegged yet – really good pizza, really good Chinese food, and a really good tea spot. You can finally at least cross that last one off the list.

Prince Tea House soft-opened its doors on Steinway Street in September 2017 and officially took off in November. My family and I can’t say no to teatime and had to pay a visit on a perfectly chilly and dreary afternoon.

Read on hear about our experience and what you need to know before you go with the kids.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Long Island City, Queens

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 9:25am

Long Island City is a bustling, young, up-and-coming NYC neighborhood, with plenty of growing families and loads of kid-friendly restaurants. Whether you're hitting a destination playground, having a culturally rich excursion, or going heavy in the arts-and-crafts department, finding a spot to eat is easier than you think. You'll find everything from Thai to Italian, diners to fancy artisanal food, plus great dessert spots.

Since the area is quite spread out, we've also added a pair of restaurants near two of LIC's more out-of-the-way attractions: the Noguchi Museum and Socrates Sculpture Park.

9 NYSCI Exhibits Every NYC Kid Needs To See At Least Once

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 02/06/2018 - 2:20pm

Queens natives know where to find the best pizza and the best dim sum. They know the best outdoor playgrounds and the best indoor play spaces. Knowing that the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) is one of Queens’ best places to visit with kids comes as no surprise to us. So it’s shocking to learn how many people outside of the borough haven’t ever stepped foot into NYSCI!

Serving families since 1986, NYSCI is an outstanding, educational, hands-on learning center with over 450 interactive exhibits. Some children's museums might go light on education, but NYSCI is 100% dedicated to learning and the love of science and STEM.

My family and I recently had the pleasure of returning to the museum for a guided tour of its top exhibits, so we could share with you what's new, plus all our old favorites and upcoming events. Check out permanent exhibits you can rely on one year after the next, top outdoor activities for when the weather gets a little more agreeable, and temporary events arriving for a limited time only.

Find more of NYC's latest exhibits and top art spots in our Museum Guide for Families.

Sydney Ng

Sydney Ng

Latest posts by Sydney Ng

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