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

Dance Through Domino Park on a New Illuminated Public Art Installation

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 03/08/2021 - 11:30am

Reflect at Domino Park is fun for all ages with its light-up circles that respond to footsteps.

With one more week before daylight time savings begins, we've found something fun to light up your evenings: Domino Park has debuted a new public art display, Reflect, from artist Jen Lewin.

The installation in the park's popular summertime sprinkler area had us running, jumping, frolicking, and generally enjoying its colorful interactive nature. Read on for the details, and find more great public art to explore in Lower Manhattan, too.

Share Your Pandemic Parenting Photos for Public Art Display in Dumbo

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 03/05/2021 - 10:00am

Pandemic parenting moments take centerstage in Dumbo during a new public art exhibit honoring parents this spring. Photo by Andy Lin/courtesy Dumbo Improvement District

It's no secret parenting through a pandemic can be many things: maddening, endearing, frustrating, creative, crazy...we could keep going. But, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and the Dumbo Improvement District is counting on NYC parents to supply it with photos to fuel a new public art display in their honor.

At-Home Heroes: An Homage to Parenting Through a Pandemic runs from Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9, through Father's Day, Sunday, June 20, and you can submit your memorable parenting moments now. Chosen photos will be projected in 65-foot-by-40-foot glory on the Manhattan Bridge nightly from dusk to 10pm. Public viewing takes place from the Pearl Street Triangle.

So, start scrolling through your photostream, whether it's filled with silver linings, family resolutions, or something far messier.

Supersized Bouldering Gym Opens in Harlem

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 4:31pm

With 15,000-square-feet of space, and nearly 150 bouldering problem to solve, The Cliffs at Harlem keeps kids big and little entertained for hours.

If you're tired of your kids climbing the walls inside the apartment, we've got some good news: The Cliffs at Harlem is now open, bringing with it the city's largest bouldering gym, conveniently housed in a historic building smack dab in the middle of 125th Street.

The Cliffs at Harlem is the newest addition to The Cliffs' family, which already includes locations in Long Island City, Gowanus, and the seasonal outdoor bouldering wall in Brooklyn Bridge Park, plus locations in Westchester and Philadelphia.

Read on for our review of NYC's newest—and largest—kid-friendly rock climbing gym.

Live Performances Return to Lincoln Center With Sprawling Outdoor Setup This Spring

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 03/01/2021 - 4:04pm

Lincoln Center's Restart Stages looks to revitalize NYC's performing arts with outdoor performance and rehearsal venues. Illustration by Ceylan A. Sahin Eker

If you're craving IRL performances, we've got some good news: Lincoln Center has announced it's turning its sprawling campus into a giant outdoor performing arts center to help revive New York City's arts economy. The programming series, named Restart Stages, launches on Wednesday, April 7.

All told, 10 outdoor venues will be installed—including one dedicated to kid-friendly programming and activities—bringing world-class talent into the great outdoors with safe, welcoming venues for artists and the public alike.

Read on for more details on this exciting public arts installation, and bookmark our Event Calendar for details on performance dates once they're released.

Van Gogh Exhibit Hits NYC This Summer and Tickets Are on Sale Now

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 02/24/2021 - 10:00am

Social distancing circles make it easy to lose yourself in the art while staying 6 feet apart.

You might have seen Starry Night at MoMA or surrounded yourself with a number of original Van Goghs in one of The Met's famed galleries, but you've never seen the artist's works like this.

A brand new Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is heading to New York this June, but you'll have to act fast if you want tickets. The presale site is live, and if its other stops are any indication, they're sure to sell out fast as has happened in Paris and Toronto; it's been the hardest ticket to come by in Chicago, San Francisco, and LA, prompting months-long extensions.

Here’s everything we know about this hot new art pop-up, and why we can’t wait to Gogh.

See Pics of the New Public Beach Coming to Manhattan's West Side

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 4:20pm

New Yorkers will soon have a bit of beachfront on the Hudson River thanks to the planned Gansevoort Peninsula.

New York City may be home to 14 miles of beaches, but none of those sandy shores exist in Manhattan. That's all about to change, though. The Gansevoort Peninsula is set to open in Spring 2023, bringing with it Manhattan's first public beach, so get those sand toys ready.

Construction on the Gansevoort Peninsula is set to begin this spring. It's the latest redevelopment project from the Hudson River Trust, and when completed, will join the recently opened Pier 26, which debuted last fall, and Little Island, one of our most anticipated openings of 2021, in reshaping Manhattan's west side landscape.

Read on for more details and renderings of the spectacular—and sandy—new park.

Public Art Lights up Downtown: Electric Dandelions, Talking Heads, and More Installations

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 02/15/2021 - 4:48pm

Talking Heads forms an imposing frame to the entrance at 85 Broad Street.

With Midwinter Break upon us, we've found the perfect excuse to blow bedtime: Strike out after dark for a Lower Manhattan art crawl where you can see Electric Dandelions, Talking Heads, and more fun public art sure to brighten these long winter nights.

So bundle up and hit the cobblestoned streets for a safe night on the town. From South Street to Wall Street, here are seven pieces of outdoor public art to see downtown right now.

Of course, we've got plenty more ideas to entertain your crew this school break week (30 to be precise!), plus this giant list of what's open now in NYC for families.

What's Open Now in NYC For Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 02/12/2021 - 11:32am

The Statue of Liberty is not only open now, it's a great, crowd-free time to visit.

New Yorkers have ridden the roller coaster of the pandemic figuratively—and virtually—for nearly a year. Some of our favorite spots have closed and opened, only to close again. So, what's open now in NYC for kids? A lot, really.

We've done our best to pull together this list of family-friendly destinations in New York City that are open now. Our favorite parks and playgrounds, most of the city's top-notch kid-friendly museums, and destination-worthy tourist attractions, like the Statue of Liberty, have all reopened and are ready to welcome you and your brood—with safety top of mind.

So, read on for what's open now in NYC and bookmark this post, as we'll keep it up to date as we learn of new reopenings.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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