Amy Meader

Latest posts by Amy Meader

39 Things To Do in Tribeca with Kids

Submitted by Amy Meader on Mon, 07/08/2024 - 12:01pm

Make a creative—and tasty—masterpiece at Cricket's Candy Creations. Photo courtesy of Cricket's Candy Creations

One of New York City's original residential neighborhoods, it's no surprise Tribeca overflows with family-friendly things to do. Tribeca was initially settled back in the 1700s, and the area became a hub of industrial and commercial activity in the 1900s, but its heyday didn't last. By post-World War II, it was a ghost town with only a few hundred residents, and block after block of empty warehouses. Thanks to all of that affordable loft space, artists and bohemians flocked to Tribeca in the 1980s and by the 2000s it had been reinvented once again as one of Manhattan's most affluent and amenity-filled areas.

Today, this unique neighborhood is in high demand with families thanks to its great public schools, the beautiful waterfront Hudson River Park, thriving locally owned businesses, kid-friendly restaurants, and a funky downtown vibe. Here's a look at our favorite things to do in Tribeca with kids, including our favorite spots to eat, play, and shop.

17 Accessible Playgrounds in NYC for Special Needs Kids

Submitted by Amy Meader on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 1:54pm

Climb aboard the Sway Fun at the accessible playground in Bloomingdale Park on Staten Island. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

There's certainly no shortage of wonderful playgrounds and parks in New York City. But when you add a child with special needs into the mix, the selection of truly great playgrounds suddenly seems much smaller. As a mom of a special needs child, I've explored quite a few of the city's playgrounds in search of the best accessible playgrounds for all children.

Happily, many of these accessible playgrounds in NYC meet or exceed the Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and there are literally hundreds of special needs-friendly playgrounds throughout NYC. Some also include accessible JennSwings, those big plastic swings that offer full-body positioning support for kids up to 125 pounds. Because the adaptive swing doesn't always appeal to my son, there need to be other attractions for a playground to be cool in his book.

I'm spotlighting 17 playgrounds I feel truly are the best for special needs kids. Not only are they accessible playgrounds (half the battle), they're fun for all ages, with and without special needs. Grab some sunblock, towels, sand toys, and running shoes and get exploring. Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC for more picks no matter your child's age or interest.

10 Best Hudson River Park Piers and Playgrounds for Kids

Submitted by Amy Meader on Tue, 06/14/2022 - 7:18pm

The Pier 25 splash pad in Hudson River Park is a guaranteed kid-pleaser. Photo by Jody Mercier

Running for four miles down Manhattan's west side, the beloved Hudson River Park is the longest waterfront park in the United States. It's packed north to south with green space, playgrounds, splash pads, inventive programming, and plenty of amenities. There are tons of family-friendly things to do from bicycling to kayaking and more.

Each of Hudson River Park's piers is a unique destination unto itself and worth exploring, from the stunning waterfront playground at Pier 25 to the Pier 40 ballfields, the inventive Little Island, and the action-packed Chelsea Piers. The green space is even the future home of Manhattan's first public beach set to debut next spring.

So, read on for the best things to do in Hudson River Park, then hop on a bike or a scooter and enjoy a daycation at this Manhattan green space. Find more places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC.

Best Dance Parties for Kids in NYC

Submitted by Amy Meader on Mon, 10/29/2018 - 4:00pm

Rock N' Roll Playhouse at Brooklyn Bowl. Photo by Marc Millman

Who doesn’t love a good family dance party for shaking off the rainy day blahs? While you could always ask Alexa to crank up the tunes in your living room, it's even more fun to hit the dance floor with kids at a venue that caters to tail-shakers of all ages. You will be dancing the day or night away with a great family fun vibe. Who can resist that?

Read on for a list of venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn where families can get their groove on.

30 Reasons Tribeca is the Most Family-Friendly Neighborhood in NYC

Submitted by Amy Meader on Fri, 10/19/2018 - 9:00am

For over a decade, parents flocked to Tribeca for top-notch schools and huge loft apartments, even if it meant giving up some of the amenities found in more established neighborhoods. There’s certainly no lack of family friendly features now! With action-packed parks, delicious restaurants, and tons of kid-approved spots and attractions, Tribeca offers the best of city living while somehow maintaining an almost small town vibe that residents can’t get enough of.

Likewise, instead of the rough loft spaces of the past, families can now opt for luxury buildings, like our sponsor 6 Cortlandt Alley, with enviable perks. This boutique condominium features a cyber doorman, a parent-approved private gym with Peloton bikes, a resident’s lounge for the whole fam, spacious storage units available for purchase, and even a cold storage room to keep up with your sanity-saving grocery delivery addiction.

With all of these offerings, families moving to Tribeca nowadays can have their cake and eat it too. Read on for some of the things that make this happening hood an out-of-this-world place to raise your kids, and learn about a rare auction offering high-end Tribeca condos at seriously marked-down prices.

The NYC Parents' Guide for Visitors: 10 NYC Must-Sees Beyond Times Square

Submitted by Amy Meader on Fri, 10/05/2018 - 3:23pm

Governors Island is a favorite destination for local NYC families. Photo courtesy of Governors Island

There are so many great things to do and see with kids in NYC, from museums to zoos to destination playgrounds, it's hard to narrow down to a reasonably sized list. But knowing what NYC families like doing best in their own hometown is a solid place to start if you're planning a visit!

As veteran New Yorkers, my family has their own list of absolute must-see and must-visit spots around the city. Some are off the beaten path, and some might be considered a bit touristy, but all of them are places we love—and love experiencing with visitors, in particular. Whether you're visiting NYC with kids for the first time or the fiftieth time, here is a list of some of the best places to go right now, as recommended by parents who live here.

Find more top sights in our NYC Visitors Guide for Families.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC Now

Submitted by Amy Meader on Thu, 09/20/2018 - 4:00pm

Kids will be wowed by the delicious all-you-can-eat spread at 02 Korean BBQ.

New York City kids live in one of the culinary capitals of the universe—and fortunately for all of us parents, some of the best new restaurants in our food-obsessed city are totally family-friendly. Whether you're headed out for a special celebratory meal as a family, eating out after a long day of family fun exploring NYC's museums and neighborhoods, or just need a break from cooking, here are some the of hottest NYC restaurants to check out with the kids.

Long Beach Island with Kids: Best Things to Eat, See, and Do

Submitted by Amy Meader on Mon, 06/25/2018 - 10:00am

The beautiful water and white sand beaches of Long Beach Island keep visitors coming back year after year. Photo courtesy of LBI

For quality family time, there are few places more magical than Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore. This 18-mile barrier island has everything you could want in a summer vacation with the kids. Whether you're after a low-key beach getaway or a high-energy, action-packed weekend trip, the Island has it all.

LBI beaches offer the best of both worlds: the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, and the calmer waters of the Barnegat Bay. My family has been coming here since I was born, so I may be biased, but this Jersey beach truly is the best place for some family fun in the sun. Often less crowded than other popular shore towns in New Jersey, it still feels like a hidden gem. Read on for top tips on visiting Long Beach Island with kids.

Latest posts by Amy Meader

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