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Happening Now
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October 1 previews begin:
Billy Elliott, the Musical.
Yes, we know it's September, but it's our job to give you the heads-up. This Broadway show is going to be huge! We saw it in London, and it was brilliant. Warning, many f-bombs are tossed about, but they do not detract from the awe-inspiring story of a boy who just wants to dance, in spite of his coal-miner father's demands to the contrary. The choreography will make you and your grandchildren jeté all night long. At the Imperial Theatre. (Tix) Hide details
Moey Live: P is for Party.
Melissa Levis, mommy-rocker, hits the Off-Broadway stage in Moey Live: P is for Party. The interactive musical invites kids to help plan a giant gala, dance on stage, shout out answers, and win prizes for best pirate and princess costumes. Fun for all ages. At the DR2 Theatre. (Tix) Hide details
Take Me out to the Ball Game.
Then take the grandchildren to celebrate the 100th anniversary of baseball's theme songs. The exhibit is a tribute to the all-American pastime and the musicians who love it. Learn how composers and others in the entertainment industry wrote about and promoted the game. We especially enjoyed the tribute to Jane Jarvis, the longtime organist for the New York Mets. Free. At The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. (website) Hide details
The Horse.
Equine lovers of all ages can learn not only the origins of their favorite hoofed ones, but how they changed many facets of human life including warfare, transportation, and agriculture. The exhibit includes dioramas, artifacts, and interactive stations. At the American Museum of Natural History. ( website) Hide details |
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Help With This Page
In the City Guides section, you'll find the best things to do with your grandchildren. To get started, choose a city below or select from among movies, home activities or things to do in the car. Whatever you do, have loads of fun with your grandchildren.
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| | Sure, it's not kid-friendly activities that earned New York its reputation as the "city that never sleeps," but this crazy urban metropolis happens to be loads of fun with your grandchildren. —Compiled by Phoebe Assenza and Phil Green | |
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99 Miles to Philly
94 Third Ave., between 12th and 13 Sts.
New York, NY 10003
(212) 253-2700
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Let's be honest, Philadelphia style Cheesesteak sandwiches aren't the healthiest food on the planet. Gourmets and health-nuts may scoff at this combination of steak and processed cheese that's recently taken hold of New York City, but few can argue: they're delicious. Any grandchild who doesn't hail from Philadelphia or New York City won't want to miss the chance to eat a real cheesesteak and, outside of Pennsylvania, 99 Miles to Philly makes the best. When eating with pickier kids, make sure to order a "cheesesteak wit-out" to forego onions.
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11:30AM–12PM, Friday–Saturday 6AM–3:30PM
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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For kids whose experience with seafood may be limited to low-grade haddock we present A Salt & Battery. Fish & Chips are easy to make, but hard to make well, and this tiny West Village-meets-Brighton eatery (only a few barstools and a counter) proves more than up to the task. The batter dipped, deep fried cod here, while maybe not the healthiest of dishes, is a greasy, salty masterpiece. Make sure to put malt vinegar on your fries, English style; they'll taste better. For dessert, you have to order the deep-fried Mars bar because, really, how often do you get the chance to order one?
Hours: Monday–Saturday 11:30AM–10:30PM, Sundays 11:30AM–10PM
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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There's no better way to see the gorgeous Hudson Valley than from a hot air balloon. Take off from Middletown's Randall Airport (about an hour outside of NYC) and fly wherever the wind takes you. See the farmhouses, lakes and streams from far, far above. See if your granddaughter's eyesight is good enough to find your car in the airport parking lot. Don't worry if you get blown in the wrong direction, a certified pilot and crew do all the navigating, and wherever you land, a car is sent to pick you up. Each flight concludes with a traditional champagne toast, so take along some sparkling cider so your grandchildren don't feel too left out. The available photo service offers a great magnet for your fridge collection.
Info: Balloon flights start at $249 per person
Hours: May–November, two flights per day at sunrise and two hours before sunset on weekends; weekday flights when possible
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Planes
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There are certain things that grandparents are obligated to give their grandkids if their parents don't provide them. One of those things is cornbread, one of the great joys of life. Everyone loves cornbread; even notoriously picky eaters. It's sweet and it's buttery and it temporarily makes everything perfect. Acme brings hot, fresh cornbread to your table immediately after you sit down, and then, once you've become putty in their hands, they serve up solid, unpretentious Cajun food in a casual environment.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30AM-11:30PM, Friday–Saturday 11:30AM-12:30AM, Sunday 11:30AM–10PM, Brunch Saturday–Sunday 11:30AM-3:30PM
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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American Girl Place could be described as a cultural Mecca for high quality dolls and the little girls who love them. Through unwavering dedication to quality and historical accuracy, this preeminent manufacturer has grown big enough to accommodate a huge plaza in the heart of midtown. There you and your granddaughter can do it all: have a tea party or a proper meal together in the cafe and find a new butterfly catcher or bicycle for her "Samantha" doll in the shop. There is also a theater to see one of the American Girl live shows, the themes of which highlight girls' contributions to family life and society throughout history; a positive and educational Girl-Power message for your youngest. Lines can be long, especially on weekends, but the unique experience is sure to be worth the wait.
Hours: Tea Party and Café: reservations recommended, American Girl Live Show: reservations required; Hours: September-June 6 Monday–Thursday 10AM–7PM, Friday 10AM–9PM, Saturday 9AM–9PM; Sunday 9AM–7PM, June 6–June 27 Sunday 9AM–7PM, Monday–Wednesday 10AM–9PM, Thursday–Friday 10AM-9PM, Saturday 9AM–7PM, June 28–September 2 Sunday – Tuesday 9AM – 7PM, Wednesday–Saturday 9AM–9PM
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen
Kid Friendly Eats, Live Performances, Shopping
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There probably isn't a more educationally enjoyable way to spend the day in Manhattan than at the Museum of Natural History. Of course there are longtime favorites to see: dinosaur skeletons, a blue whale that's a few times bigger than your first house, and the arctic wonder of the polar bear diorama; but the museum also hosts a variety of unique, temporary exhibits year round, so you're sure to see something new. You might be drawn to Teddy Roosevelt's monument, but when traveling with grandkids, it's best to stick with the cool insects and big bones.
Info: Suggested Admissions: adults $14, ages 2–12 $8, 60+ $11, 2 and under free
Hours: daily 10AM–5:45PM
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Attractions & Landmarks, Museums & Exhibits, Shopping
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Baby Moves
139 Perry St.
New York, NY 10014
(212) 255-1685
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Founded in 2001, Baby Moves is located in the heart of New York City’s Greenwich Village. Baby Moves is what they call an interactive child development center, which sounds to me like a very nice way of calling it a playground for babies. The facilities are beautiful and well maintained and the staff are experts at stimulating the development center of your grandchild's cerebral cortex, by which we mean to say that it is fun and educational. An extensive drop-in program that emphasizes puzzles and music, specializing in age from four months to three years means you can bring your new grandchild here with no appointment.
Hours: Class times vary
Age: Toddler
Classes & Workshops
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Bamn! Automat
37 St. Mark's Place
New York, NY 10003
(888) 400-2266
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Since 1912, the Automat was a nosh haven for busy, hungry New Yorkers. Offering ready-made, simple snacks like sandwiches and hamburgers for those who didn't have time to wait for their food (or even coffee) to be prepared, Automats were as big a part of daily life as the Subway and the New York Times. With the subsequent advent of fast food, the automat's popularity dwindled, and sadly, the last automat in New York City closed in 1991. Fifteen years later, BAMN! decided to give the automat its due renaissance, and offers you and your grandchildren a chance to experience a slice of old New York along with a slice of pizza. Freshly made food is dispensed through coin-operated machines, just like the automats of yore, only with new and modern twists on American favorites like batter dipped macaroni and cheese and teriyaki miniburgers. Even though a nickel can't buy you a sandwich anymore, the BAMN! is still cheap fun.
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 11AM–2AM, Thursday-Saturday 11AM–4AM
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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Batting Practice
The Baseball Center
202 West 74th St.
New York, NY 10023
(212) 362-0344
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There's no off-season at the Upper West Side's "Baseball Center," where hitters, fielders and pitchers of all ages and skill levels can take part in camps and clinics. Although mostly reserved for enrollees of the extensive courses, this A-Class baseball center opens its batting cages to the public, and rents by the hour. Call ahead of time to reserve a spot; the center will then supply you with all the equipment you need to help your grandson practice his swing. If you prefer a more traditional game of catch, of course, you can head a few blocks over to Central Park and do it yourself. If you have your heart set on batting practice but don't have a reservation, there's the much more laid back, less crowded Astoria Sports Complex, just across the river from midtown Manhattan. Thirty-five bucks gets you a bat, a helmet and an hour of slugging away at juicy sinkers or whooshing fastballs.
Info: Batting Cage Rental: up to five people for one half-hour $50, up to five people for one hour $80
Hours: Monday-Friday 10AM–8PM, Saturday-Sunday 9AM–7PM
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Fun & Games
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These little shops are ubiquitous in Japan, and Beard Papa's is the premier cream puff ambassador to the city. Their original vanilla cream puff is a thing of beauty, but the strawberry puff is a joy forever. Think of taking your grandkids here as a cultural excursion to the Far East, only with cream filling. With four locations in the city, you have little reason not to pop in after lunch or dinner for a sweet treat.
Hours: Weekdays 7AM–8PM, Weekends 10AM–8PM
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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