Where to Eat with Kids in Times Square

by Mimi O'ConnorApril 14, 2019

Contrary to popular belief, Times Square is one of the best places in New York City for families to visit. Not only is there endless people-watching in Times Square itself—and more costumed characters than you can count—but the restaurants in this part of the city are particularly family-friendly. And, with the arrival this month of Pip’s Island adding to the list of must-dos, here’s a walk through this tourist fave as we pair favorite things to do in the ‘hood with a truly welcoming-to-families spot to dine in.

The Ribbon

Pair National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey—we love this immersive under-the-Pacific experience where visitors get an up-close tech-created view of a life-sized humpback whale or walk through a kelp maze—with brunch, lunch or dinner at The Ribbon. At this massive new-to-the-neighborhood restaurant, bedecked with vintage books and photos, your kids will go nuts for the burgers and fried chicken sandwiches. Just be sure to leave room for chocolate chip bread pudding and hot fudge sundaes for dessert!

National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey
226 West 44th St.
646-308-1337
Online: natgeoencounter.com

The Ribbon
220 West 44th St.
212-944-2474
Online: theribbonnyc.com

Bond 45

Bond 45 via Yelp

Pair a show at the New Victory Theater —a non-profit devoted to performing arts theater that’s for kids and families that launched the revitalization of 42nd Street when it opened in 1995—with dinner at the upbeat Bond 45—you’ll notice it right away from its bright neon sign outside, where kids of all ages are welcomed. And, with a menu of kids faves, including the most delicious (and authentic tasting) spaghetti and meatballs, pizza and burgers, there’s something for even the pickiest of little ones.

New Victory Theater
209 West 42nd St.
646-223-3010
Online: newvictory.org

Bond 45
221 West 46th Street
212-869-4545
Online: bond45.com

Brooklyn Diner

Dee L. via Yelp

Pair Gulliver’s Gate—one of the most incredible immersive walk-through exhibits where the world becomes miniature—with lunch at Brooklyn Diner where there is literally something for everyone. We’re talking comfort food, including noodle kugel ‘like mom used to make,’ pastrami mac-n-cheese and matzo ball soup. And don’t forget to try the 15-bite all-beef frank accompanied by an egg cream or, even, a noodle kugel sundae.

Gulliver’s Gate
216 West 44th St.
Online: www.gulliversgate.com

Brooklyn Diner
155 West 43rd St.
212-265-5400
Online: brooklyndiner.com

Friedman's at The Edison Hotel

TL via Yelp

Pair Madame Tussauds—the ideal place for a selfie or two with a favorite life-like wax figure and/or Ripleys Believe it or Not, which won’t disappoint thanks to its eew and gross photos of the man with the longest fingernails—with a pit stop at Friedman’s which has mastered the art of faves like mac-n-cheese, fried chicken and waffles and blueberry pancakes—served all day long.

Madame Tussauds
234 West 42nd St.
866-841-3505
Online: madametussauds.com

Ripley’s Believe it or Not
234 West 42nd St.
212-398-3133
Online: ripleysnewyork.com

Friedman’s at The Edison Hotel
228 West 47th Street
646-876-1232
Online: friedmansrestaurant.com

Ellen's Stardust Diner

https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ellens-stardust-diner-new-york?select=F-DeVVvOxfhX4IWPFzXC7w

Pair Frozen—a musical theater experience that has transformed the Disney film to much acclaim—with breakfast at the inimitable Ellen’s Stardust Diner. Here, your favorite theater kid will go bananas watching aspiring Broadway stars serenade them while selecting such faves from the kids’ menu as a cheeseburger and fries or a hot dog and fries. Note: Strollers aren’t allowed inside but there is ample parking outside the restaurant.

Frozen
St. James Theatre
246 West 44th Street
Online: www.frozenthemusical.com

Ellen’s Stardust Diner
1650 Broadway
212-956-5151
Online: ellenssardustdiner.com

The Palm

The Palm via Yelp

Pair Spyscape—an immersive spy museum that will most definitely appeal to the older kids in your life that’s just a little bit away from the Times Square hubbub—with a luxe meal at The Palm. Established in 1926, this is one steak restaurant that won’t look askance at your pack of kids walking in for lunch or dinner. Not only is sharing encouraged (and there’s no fee for asking for extra plates) at this warm and welcoming restaurant right off Eighth Avenue but there’s a wider-ranging kids menu than we’ve seen at other steakhouses (where else have you seen a filet n’ fries (a four-ounce filet with French fries or green beans) on a kids menu? Just whatever you do, save room for a bag of warm doughnuts. Not only do they come dusted with cinnamon sugar, but they’re served with chocolate and raspberry sauce for maximum dipping.

Spyscape
928 Eighth Ave.
646-585-7012
Online: www.spyscape.com

The Palm
250 West 50th St.
212-333-7256
Online: www.thepalm.com

But Wait, There's More

City Kitchen

None of those fit the bill?

Try the second floor food hall City Kitchen, (above) which offers something for everyone, from ramen to lobster rolls to to-die-for doughnuts.

Or Shake Shack, to indulge in a city favorite.

For a time warp to Victorian times, head to Lillie's on 49th Street (where we recommend the brunch).

Or hit up Junior's (of Brooklyn fame) now serving up classic diner food and giant cheesecake also in Times Square.

Got a family of pasta lovers? Head to Becco, where you can enjoy an unlimited amount of executive chef William Gallagher's three pasta creations, served tableside for $20.95 at lunch with salad and antipasto. (Dinner is $25.95).

Feature photo: City Kitchen

—Lambeth Hochwald

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Candytopia SF: Your Complete Sweet Guide

by Kate LowethSeptember 13, 2018

Unless you have been living a social media-free existence, you know that Candytopia has arrived in San Francisco and it is THE place to be. This immersive experience will bring you back to the Willy Wonka land of your childhood dreams and send you right into a sugar coma. We checked it out and think you should, too—here’s why!

The Scoop

Candytopia opened its San Francisco doors on September 6 after massive success in both Santa Monica and New York. The 16,000-square foot space is located on Market Street, right across from the Museum of Ice Cream. Scheduled to be in town through January 6, 2019, this pop-up candyland was tastefully curated by Hollywood Candy Queen Jackie Sorkin and realized by master fabricator Zac Hartog.

Tickets are available online and cost $34 for adults and $26 for children 4-12. Little ones 3 and under are free (no ticket needed). You choose a day and time for your ticket and entrances are staggered at 15-minute intervals to keep the crowds manageable. As you are welcomed into the exhibit, you are encouraged to touch the candy art as you wish. Licking is prohibited as you’ll get a mouthful of shellac.

Before you leave each room, make sure to crab the candy treat that is being given out. Pro tip: Bring a bag as there’s more free candy available than you and the kids can possibly eat while you walk through.

Traveling through the exhibit brings you from the Library (with the gummy bear-covered suit of armor) to the Art Gallery. Here you’ll find amazing portraits of iconic figures like Steve Jobs and the candy man himself, Willy Wonka. Pose next to the golden replicas of the Golden State Warriors’ winning trophies. Practice your best scream face and snap a pic in front of the depiction of Edvard Munch’s The Scream.

Want more info on the art? Peruse the Candy Facts card that is included with each art piece. Here you can find out how many gummy bears or jelly beans went into making the sculpture, how many hours it took to complete the creation and how many calories you would consume if you ate it!

A particularly fun spot for the kids to get rid of some of their candy-induced energy is in the Candy Wonderland room. Here you can swing from the ceiling and slide down a playhouse slide that’s sized just for little ones. Pop your head into the half spheres hanging from the ceiling for some auditory entertainment and rest for a bit on the candy-coated toadstools.

San Francisco Touches

Even if you have been to Candytopia in NYC or SoCal, this newest installation has a local flair that makes it unique. The Golden Gate Bridge see saw and the cable car installation are just a few of the spots you’ll want to check out.

Make sure you watch along the way for the opportunity to download the Candytopia app and have special photos sent to your phone (for free!). The Candytopia staffers are also more than willing to take that perfect shot for you so that you can include your whole gang in your Instagram story.

A Pool of Marshmallows

Perhaps the most fun for all ages is the pool of marshmallows that you can literally swim in. Don’t fear, these are foam replica marshmallows and not the sticky-sweet treats themselves. Take off your shoes and empty your pockets before you get in as it would be easy to lose your keys or cellphone in the fray. Staffers limit the number of people in the marshmallow pit to keep the crazy under control.

The Lowdown

Our verdict? Candytopia is a multi-sensory experience that kids of all ages (and parents, too) will thoroughly enjoy. There’s enough there (swings, slides, giant beach balls, CANDY TO EAT) to keep the wee ones busy and tons of interesting exhibits for the older crew. Follow these tips to make the most of your visit:

Get your tickets now! Candytopia won’t be here forever and most weekends are already sold out.
Strollers are not allowed to be used throughout the exhibit but you may park them inside while you go through.
The only bathroom is located in the Art Gallery so use it then if you need to!
You can only proceed through the exhibit in one direction so make the most of each room while you are there.
Got long hair? Bring a brush as you will likely get a head full of confetti in the Rainbow Room (consider yourself warned).
Arrive 15 minutes before your ticket time. It takes about an hour to make it through all of the rooms.
The closest parking can be found at Jessie Square, 233 Stevenson Street. Walk through the alley towards the Contemporary Jewish Museum to get to Candytopia.

Candytopia
767 Market Street
San Francisco, CA
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Online: candytopia.com

—story and photos by Kate Loweth

8 Super-Neat Factory Tours for Kids

by rtjamybondMarch 13, 2018

If you’ve exhausted every episode of “How It’s Made” and your “Curious George” is still on the hunt for more details, consider one of these nearby factory tours, where you can learn the ins-and-outs of everything from the chocolate bars to dollar bills.

Photo: Turkey Hill

Turkey Hill Ice Cream
Be a Turkey Hill ice cream maker for a day on this unforgettable tour. You’ll learn all about dairy culture, sit in a milk truck, milk a mechanical cow and even star in a Turkey Hill commercial. Most importantly, you’ll visit the Turkey Hill taste lab to create your own flavor.

301 Linden St. (Columbia, Pa)
Online: turkeyhillexperience.com

Snyder’s of Hanover
Pretzels, baby! Your kids have probably eaten hundreds of them, but here’s a chance to watch (and smell) them as they bake in a large pretzel oven. You’ll tour all the rooms where Snyder’s products are made and watch as they’re sorted and packaged. And there are plenty of free samples too!

1350 York St. (Hanover, Pa)
Online: snydersofhanover.com

SPAGnVOLA Chocolateir
Learn how cocoa beans are cultivated and harvested, and then watch those beans transform into some of the tastiest chocolate around. See how chocolate is shaped into all of your favorite candies, from truffles to bonbons to bar. Yes, you can load up on samples!

360 Main St. (Gaithersburg, Md)
Online: spagnvola.com/

Photo: Paul Reed Smith Guitars

Paul Reed Smith Guitars
Novices and experts alike will learn a lot from this detailed tour of guitar production. Walk through the production line for a sneak peak at how electric guitars, acoustic guitars and amplifiers are made and manufactured. At the end of the tour, you get to test an assortment of guitars. Don’t be surprised if your little Jimi Hendrix asks you to buy one

380 Log Canoe Cir. (Stevensville, Md)
Online: prsguitars.com

Zeke’s Coffee
Your kids don’t have to be coffee drinkers (they will be soon enough) to enjoy touring Zeke’s roastery, where coffee beans are continuously agitated by a stream of hot air to create what looks like a coffee bean fountain. You’ll watch the the beans go from the roaster to the bag, and every step in between.

3003 Montebello Ter. (Baltimore, Md)
Online: zekescoffee.com

Photo: Harper Macaw Chocolate

Harper Macaw Chocolate
Get up-close-and-personal with Harper Macaw’s chocolate-making process at this in-depth tour from a conservation-minded chocolatier. Learn how Harper Macaw works to produce the finest chocolate flavor using pre-and-post-harvest practices that are environmentally and economically sustainable. You’ll get an in-depth look at the meticulous craft of turning cocoa into edible art.

3160 Bladensburg Rd., NE
Online: harpermacaw.com

Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Next time you say to your little one, “Hey, I’m not a money factory!” you can follow that with: “but I’ll take you to see one.” At the Bureau of Printing and Engraving you can walk along a gallery overlooking the production floor as millions upon millions of dollars are made. It’s mesmerizing for grown-ups and minis alike. Sorry, no samples to take home.

14th and C Sts., S.W
Online: moneyfactory.gov

Route 11 Potato Chips
Take a chip trip to Route 11, where potato chips are hand-cooked right in front of you. While you aren’t able to walk through the factory itself, you can watch the chips in progress from large observation windows. Yes, there are plenty of yummy samples to try. Call in advance for a reservation.

11 Edwards Way (Mount Jackson, Va)
Online: rt11.com

Do you know of any other cool factory tours open to the public? Tell us in the comments section below.

—Jamy Bond

9 Destinations That Leave Us Starstruck

by Gabby CullenApril 24, 2016

Sir Richard Branson can step aside, because sending your mini-Galileo to the Milky Way has never been easier. From world-renowned institutions to intimate space settings, budding stargazers can reach the outer limits of the galaxy without leaving Planet Earth. Flip through the gallery below for nine spots worthy of your cosmos-crazed kiddo.

Adler Planetarium – Chicago, Il

Tiny stargazers will enjoy the space shows (Destination Solar System, Earth, Moon & Sun, and One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventures are favorites) showing daily in the world-class Grainger Sky Theater, but there’s edutainment everywhere at Adler Planetarium. Kids ages 3-8 can check out a Space Station and explore caves in Planet Explorers; Our Solar System invites everyone to walk through space, and the Community Design Lab will bring out the maker in every guest.

Insider Tip: Check out our insider’s guide the newest Adler exhibit: What is a Planet?

Online: adlerplanetarium.org

photo: courtesy Adler Planetarium

Did we miss your favorite planetarium? Share with us in a Comment below!

—Gabby Cullen

Social Butterfly: Where to Hang Out with Monarchs, Swallowtails and More!

by Meghan Yudes MeyersSeptember 3, 2015

Being swarmed by butterflies is nothing short of magical. Add a little “abracadabra” to your day at these exhibits and events, where you can walk among as many as millions (yes, millions!) of fluttering insects.

Photo: courtesy of Flickr

Wings of Fancy
Kids will be captivated by the array of color exhibited at this live butterfly and caterpillar exhibit which showcases species from North America, Costa Rica, Africa and Asia. Not only can you explore the lifecycle of a butterfly at these public gardens, you’ll also get tips on what to grow to create your own butterfly paradise. Housed inside a greenhouse, the exhibit can run ten degrees hotter than outdoor temps, making conditions near perfect in the early fall.

When: Open daily 10 am-4 pm through October 25
Cost: $8/ages 13 and up; $5/ages 3-12; Free/ages 2 and under
1800 Glenallan Ave. (Silver Spring, Md)
Online: montgomeryparks.org

The Great Migration
Even butterflies make rest stops; along the Monarch’s great 3,000 mile journey to Mexico the insects gather in the millions at the southern most point of the Delmarva Peninsula. The butterflies’ visit coincides with the songbirds’ and is celebrated with the annual Eastern Shore of Virginia Birding and Wildlife Festival.

When: Monarchs can be observed from early September thru late October; The Birding and Wildlife Festival runs from October 8-11
Cape Charles, Va
Online: esbirdingfestival.com

Citified Butterflies
You don’t have to leave the city to immerse yourself in a fluttering rainbow: on the Smithsonian grounds there is both an indoor and outdoor attraction. On the Ninth Street side of the National Museum of Natural History is a butterfly garden featuring four distinct habitats. Inside the museum is the Butterfly Pavilion, an encapsulated oasis housing tropical butterflies. Visitors can walk through this miniature landscape for a fee; the exhibit is free on Tuesdays (but a timed-entry ticket is required).

When: Open daily from 10:15 am to 5 pm
Cost: $6/adults; $5/ages 2-12; Free/ages 2 and under
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th St. and Constitution Ave.
Online: butterflies.si.edu

—Meghan Meyers

Root For the Other Home Team: Quakes Baseball

by LeTania Kirkland SmithJuly 12, 2015

If you have die-hard baseball fans in your house, this is the most wonderful time of the year. While Dodgers Stadium is the obvious choice for a game, there is another option. The Quakes are a minor league team based in Rancho Cucamonga where you can see future (and rehabbing current) major league stars. The intimacy of sitting behind home plate, the joy of meeting mascots and the inexpensive ticket prices make seeing the Quakes a home run.