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

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights Take Visitors on an After-Dark Safari This Season

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 11/30/2021 - 12:24pm

Walk past stunning lanterns and through tunnels of light at the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights.

The Bronx Zoo's glittering Holiday Lights have returned for another season of winter magic. While most of the zoo animals huddled in hibernation or winter holding, the zoo's grounds come to life this season with a series of sparkling, larger-than-life lantern safaris and plenty more seasonal thrills that makes this a fun destination on a cold winter's night.

If you can't make it to the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, consider a visit to one of these other seasonal light shows in city limits, and find more holiday fun in our Guide to the Holidays in NYC.

Revitalized Wollman Rink Reopens in Central Park Promising More Access for All New Yorkers

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 11/18/2021 - 10:00am

Skaters young and old were happy to be back on the ice at the revamped Wollman Rink.

Wollman Rink, the iconic ice skating rink on Central Park's south end reopened to the public this week with a brand new operating team and mission to make the rink a welcoming destination for all New Yorkers.

Read on for details about what to expect at the beloved skating rink, one of our favorite outdoor skating rinks in NYC.

4 Reasons Winnie the Pooh Is a Perfect Reintroduction to Live Theater

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 11/04/2021 - 10:04am

Winnie the Pooh and friends take the stage—in puppet form—in a charming new adaptation at Theatre Row. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made

Access to great, kid-friendly theater is one of the perks of raising kids in NYC. And while the industry has been slow to come back from the pandemic, I recently brought my 8-year-old to see the new Winnie the Pooh adaptation playing at Theatre Row, and it turned out to be just the right outing for our return to live entertainment.

Read on for our take on the show and four reasons it's a great first show, whether you're a long-time theater lover or introducing your kids to the stage for the first time.

Check Out This Retro-Fitted Pier on the East River

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 11/02/2021 - 10:31am

The retro-fitted Waterside Pier is the perfect spot for New Yorkers to take a stroll, have a picnic, or bask in the East Side’s scenic views.

In an annual rite of summer passage, NYC Parks has been revamping local swimming pools through its Cool Pools program and has now turned its brightly colored paintbrushes toward a new medium. New Wave Pier recently debuted on the East River Esplanade, giving a bright, new life to an underutilized public space.

Do You Have What it Takes to Tackle City Climb NYC's Newest Sky-High Attraction?

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 10/29/2021 - 12:03pm

Visitors ages 13+ can tackle City Climb, the highest outdoor skyscraper climbing course in the world, at Edge New York beginning Tuesday, November 9.

New Yorkers are pretty fearless, and one local attraction is aiming to capitalize on that, debuting a brand new, heart-stopping attraction. City Climb, from the team behind Edge, Hudson Yards' eye-popping observation deck allows visitors to climb to the precipice of 30 Hudson Yards before peering out over the building's facade in a thrilling, gravity-defying, open-air attraction, with nothing but 1,200+ feet of open-air between you and the ground below.

Think you—or your teen—has what it takes to conquer City Climb? Read on for all the terrifying details.

Where to See Halloween Decorations in New York City

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 10/21/2021 - 5:37pm

Come face-to-face with spooky skeletons in Queens' Bayside neighborhood. Photo by Judith Aquino

With Halloween on the horizon, city dwellers are digging out the cobwebs and showing off all the skeletons in their closets, setting up fun Halloween decorations for passersby to enjoy. Some neighborhoods go all out with spooky, sweet, creepy, and cool Halloween decorations, and we're sharing some of our favorites below.

So, enjoy the spooky sights we've found and find more ways to celebrate in our Guide to Halloween Activities.

CAMP Debuts New Hybrid Toy Store and Play Space at Garden State Plaza

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 10/19/2021 - 1:05pm

CAMP's innovative retail and interactive play space model aims to be the answer to the a family's question of "what should we do today?"

CAMP, the NYC-based family experience store that's part play space, part children's boutique is debuting a brand new 6,500-square-foot outpost in the Garden State Plaza today. Get all the details on this fun interactive shop and plus a sneak peek at the entertainment and goodies in store for visitors, including interactive play areas, arts and crafts, and plenty of super-cool, curated toys to take home.

Welcome Week Invites Visitors Back to NYPL With Free Programming

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 10/19/2021 - 10:09am

Whether you hit one of Midtown's branches, or visit a local library, there are plenty of reasons to step inside an NYPL branch during Welcome Week. Photo by author

The NYPL is flinging open its doors and beckoning New Yorkers to come inside with a series of activations meant to remind visitors of all the free services available at its branches from local neighborhood locations to destination-worthy spots, which all offer way more than shelves and shelves of books.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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