Times Square With Kids 13 of the Best Things To Do This Holiday Season

 

times square with kids, times square, what to do in times square with kids, what to do in nyc with kids, manhattan kidsHappy Friday the 13th!!  I thought I’d share the top 13 activities to do with kids in Times Square timed with this occasion.  Now that the temps are dipping, parents are looking for indoor spots to entertain their kids.  And with the influx of tourists coming into the city for the Rockefeller tree and all the NY holiday lights and windows, I thought this handy list would be extra helpful.  Unlike years past when Times Square was a shady, unsafe, spot, nowadays it is so family-friendly some have even called the transformation the Disneyfication of Times Square.  And it’s time you check it out with your family!  Read on to see how you can win tickets to one of our favorite shows!!

  1. After you take your requisite Times Square pics (TKTS stadium style seating, towering, lit up buildings, pics with famous characters like Mickey and Elmo), you’ll want to be a part of the famous New Year’s ball celebration by adding your personal wish for the new year to the NYE Wishing Wall this month! nye confetti, times square nye, times square new year's eve, new year's wish Dec 3-29th (TSq Plaza 45-46  Bdwy btwn 45th-46th Sts)  It’ll only take a few minutes and it’ll be so fun to know that your wish will turn into confetti on New Year’s Eve and rain down on the hundreds of Times Square revelers! Afterwards, choose from this kid-centric list of shopping, treats, and entertainment!
  2. Slava’s Snow Show  (124 West 43rd St.)  Wow! This show is full of surprises!  From clowns who go from making you giggle while on stage to walking all over the audience seats and spraying unsuspecting audience members with water, to a snow blizzard gone wild and a bouncy ball party you’ll never forget, this show was fun for all ages.  I also enjoyed the quieter moments with beautiful music.  It’s rare when something can make me forget I’m in the chaos of Times Square and give me a meditative moment! broadway shows for kids, times square for kids, what to do with kids in nyc, what to do with kids in times squareOne lucky reader who comments below (and follows me @stylishlystella on Instagram) will win 4 tickets this Tuesday!! So easy to enter!
  3. Pip’s Island (400 W. 42nd St.) Let your little explorers don safari vests and travel through a theatrical adventure that they will surely love!  This production is Disney quality and so impressive even to adults.  If you don’t think your child will sit through a Broadway show, bring them here instead and they’ll be able to explore, find hidden objects, and become a real-life hero through it all. times square with kids, what to do in times square with kids, family friendly times square, times square
  4. Gulliver’s Travels (216 West 44th Street)Take your mini-me on a trip around the world and feel like a giant in this miniaturized exhibit!  Featuring all the major landmarks and 300 scenes worldwide, you won’t believe all the amazing detail. This is perfect for the travel enthusiast or anyone interested in miniature figurines.times square with kids, things to do in nyc with kids, things to do in times square with kids, times square with kids, gulliver's gate, miniature figurines
  5. Madame Tussauds (234 W 42nd St.) If anyone in your family is a celebrity buff or a superfan of one of the celebs featured here, this is a must-see and a quirky stop along the way through your Times Square adventure.
  6. National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey ( 226 West 44th St.)  Head underwater into a 60,000-square-foot digital tank!  Your kids will love virtually interacting with sharks while learning all about undersea life in this incredibly modern, unforgettable exhibit.  Read my full review here! times square with kids, national geographic, times square, things to do in times square with kids
  7. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not (234 W 42nd St.) My daughter loves learning about and looking at the bizarre (just like me)! And I can’t wait to take her to this place because it is chock-full of the most extreme cases.  She will love learning all the facts, standing next to the world’s tallest man, seeing videos of people doing impossible feats and will be in utter amazement, I know because I went once and was completely fascinated by all the little details I learned!
  8. Bowlmor (222 W. 44th St.) Bowlmor is the most family friendly of all the nearby bowling alleys in the area and I also recommend it for its fun decor.  Its beyond your average bowling alley!!
  9. Game out at Dave & Buster’s – (234 W 42nd St.)  Have a gamer in the family?  Take them back in time and teach them the joys of 80s arcade games like Pac Man and Frogger! Then test your skeeball skills and try out all the latest in gaming technology!  Things have come a long way! Check their website to make sure they don’t have a private event though as holidays are often booked out.
  10. Stop into the Sugar Factory (700 8th between 44th and 45th st.) If your sugar craving is strong and or you want that Instagram-able dessert, stop here  And you’ll see and taste what all the celebrities have been talking about.  Note – seating is limited but you can always sit indoors at the attached hotel lobby to finish off that double-decker dessert! ice cream sundae, best desserts in nyc, instagramable desserts, sugar factory ice cream
  11. Grab a treat at M&M’s World, (48th Street and Broadway)  Ever been to a candy store that opens til midnight?  For those that are jet lagged with kids and wondering what to do at strange hours…here’s an option that will delight the chocoholic and kid of any age.  Stop in for a quick pic with the green M&M statue of liberty and create customized M&Ms with your face, name or message.  Now isn’t THAT a fun souvenir?!
  12. Shop Line Friends (1515 Broadway) is the cutest lineup of characters from Asia and you and the kids will fall in love with this store.  Similar to Sanrio’s brand, everything is made to be extremely CUTE.  Browse around and enjoy the many photo opps…you’ll leave a fan, trust me!kawaii, teddy bear, times sq, line friends nycuare, times square with kids, what to do in times square with kids, best family activities in ny, where to shop in nyc for kids
  13. Stop at the Disney store (1540 Broadway at 45th st.) Who doesn’t love Disney?  Check out all the interactive elements like the magic mirrors and catch a free screening while there.  Disney Store

What’s your favorite idea?  I’d love to hear you share your thoughts on any of these shopping, dessert or entertainment options in Times Square! Leave a comment below and enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets to see the Slava Snow Show -make sure to follow @stylishlystella on Instagram to qualify!

And for my review on TopView bus tour, (which has a Times Square route, click here!)

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Would you like for me to do a similar list for Rockefeller Center area next??

Top, 12 Instagramable NYC Cafes Curated By A Style Blogger

There is no shortage of cafes in NYC.  So how does one pick?  If you’re going with the gram in mind, then you’ll absolutely love this list of Instagramable, cute cafes all organized by color!  What’s YOUR favorite color?  Will one of these work best for your IG aesthetic?  Let me know which place you’re most excited to check out!

RAINBOW

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1. If your favorite color is rainbow (as my 6 year old daughter says), then you will go gaga over the Flour Shop which is pretty much made for the rainbow chaser.  Rainbow sprinkles, rainbow cake, rainbow wall, rainbow floor… can’t get enough?  Go here and it will be your new happy place.  Their candy-filled cakes are pretty darn awesome too.  Check their gram cuz they oftentimes have special, seasonal decor like the heart decals or balloons arches shown here!

177 Lafayette St, New York, NY / 4.3 stars on Google Reviews /

TIFFANY BLUE

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2. Blue Box Cafe

Click here to read all about my breakfast at Tiffany’s experience and you’ll see the full review and all the photos!  This tiny jewel-box of a cafe is more of a restaurant really.  Go here with your die-hard Tiffany’s fan friend and make sure to order the afternoon tea set to get the highly Instagramable tiered set shown here!

727 5th Ave 4th Floor, New York, NY / 4 stars on Google Reviews /

3. City of Saints

Fans of Tiffany blue or seafoam green will get a real caffeine kick out of this adorable jewel of a find.  Located in Bryant Park, get a shot of espresso and a shot for the gram.  You may not want to stay long though because there are no outlets to recharge with and no wifi to post!

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 108 W 42nd St, New York, NY / 3.8 stars on Google Review /

BLUE

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4. Cafe’ Medi If Mediterranean meals are up your alley, make sure to head to the lower east side for a true blue dining experience.  Vegans and vegetarians love this place and I hear it’s an affordable, tasty stop for pasta!  I can’t wait to try it out myself.

107 Rivington St, New York / 4.2 stars on Google Reviews /

BLACK

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5. Sweatshop Coffee Brooklyn 

If minimalism is your thing and black is the ultimate in chic for you, you’ll want to snap some shots at this highly rated, small but stylish Brooklyn cafe.  With outdoor seating and killer acai bowls and avocado toast, it’s no wonder this is hugely popular with the hipster set.

232 Metropolitan Ave Williamsburg, NY / 4.5 stars on Google Reviews /

BLACK & WHITE

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6. By Chloe – Pictured here is the South Street Seaport (downtown location) but they have others.  No one has made plant-based, vegan food look so good.  And after eating so healthy, you can stop next door at their bakery and treat yourself to something unhealthy!  How convenient!

181 Front St. New York, NY / 4.2 stars on Google Review /

WHITE

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7. Woops  This tiny Tribeca cafe is the best Tribeca spot to grab your French macaron giftables! With adorable packaging and colorful, tasty treats, they are always a hit!  The mostly white decor has a chic, modern vibe and the checkered white tables just beg for your creative flat lay!

 93 Worth St, New York, NY 

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8. While We Were Young  This petite, girly restaurant is so Instagramable that it draws crowds and waits for durations of 30min- 1hour sometimes.  The most coveted seats are those plush blush banquettes pictured here but you must arrive before opening to secure those.

Avocado toast is beautifully presented and Yelp reviewers also love the chicken and waffles, truffle fries and burger!

183 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

PINK

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9. Blank Slate Cafe Want flowers in your coffee?  Come to this millennial pink Madison Ave. cafe!  Here, you can enjoy matcha must-haves, decadent desserts and of course your classic coffee and artisanal teas. Don’t be surprised if you see a bunch of bloggers dressed in pink here..

121 Madison Ave #3, New York, NY  / 4.4 stars on Google Reviews /

PINK and GREEN

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10. Cha Cha Matcha  If you want a healthier caffeine-kick, try Matcha while kicking back to tunes from Tupac!  This pink and green cafe will have you falling in love with the pure and simple ingredient.  Here, you can find it in all forms ranging from lattes to lemonade to soft serve ice cream.  Note, there are often lines at this highly Instagramable cafe and their soft serve ice creams are HUGE in portion so get one to share!  You can matcha gracias me later for that tip!

view 3 NYC locations click here details /

MULTICOLOR

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11. Citizen M Bowery Cafe and Workspace

If what you want is super-fast internet and a workspace with your caffeine kick, then head to Citizen M Hotel on Bowery!  For just $15 you can work there all day with access to: their printers, free water, bar and rooftop access!

189 Bowery, New York, NY / 4.5 stars on Yelp

instagramable nyc cafes, best nyc cafes, fashion coffee, designer coffee, coffee n clothes12. Coffee n Clothes.  Want a little Coco with your coffee?  Burberry with your bun?  Just check out all the cute cookies and fab cups of caffeine you can order from here.  Grab your favorite fashionista and revel in your shared coffee ‘n clothes obsession together!

11 Bond St. New York, NY / 4.1 stars on Google Reviews

Tell me in the comments below what cafe is at the top of YOUR must-see list!  And if there is anything else that you think should be added to this NYC list, please let me know with a comment!!

Share this blog post with a friend that you’d like to visit with!

 

 

Click HERE for the newest, all-pink Coco Chanel themed, pink cafe in Las Vegas!

For 13 pretty pink places in New York, click HERE!

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