OK, so 2016 was kind of a rough one. Plenty of New Yorkers who don’t have kids can’t wait for the calendar to flip over to a fresh year; many of us who do, are feeling particularly tired. (If you’re not, send yoga and juicing regimen, stat.) But it was not all bad. NYC welcomed lots of new spaces to play, learn, eat and generally have a blast as a family. Some are here to stay, others will depart some time in 2017, but will stick around for a bit if you missed them and want to get last looks. Read on for the Red Tri greatest hits of 2016!
Going way back to January, make-your-own-ice-cream spot Cool Mess opened on the Upper East Side.
photo: Area Kids Club
New play spaces aplenty opened doors in multiple boroughs. Busy Bodies set up shop in Clinton Hill; Good Day Play Cafe debuted in Bayside, Queens, and Area Kids Club in Carroll Gardens (where you can also co-work with childcare!) came onto the scene in October.
Rainy days in Brooklyn got a bit easier with the addition of high-concept, immersive mini golf spot Shipwrecked Miniature Golf.
photo: Michael Palma Mir
The Sugar Hill Children’s Museum premiered two new exhibits, and established itself as a fresh destination for families uptown.
photo: DUMBO Boulders
Sunny days also got a boost with the debut of DUMBO Boulders, a kid-friendly, waterside place to scale on the cheap.
photo: Bowlmor Times Square
In Times Square, mega bowling spot Bowlmor got a multi-million dollar makeover, complete with lanes done up in oh-so-NYC decor for super stylish strikes and spares.
photo: AMNH
One of NYC’s best museums, the American Museum of Natural History, got even better with a new app.
Remember this when the thaw comes — lots of fresh and fun spots to have a brew with the crew cropped up for spring and summer.
Ditto, for The Hills, a spectacular series of man-made mini mountains on Governors Island, perfect for scaling, taking in stellar views of the city and beyond, and of course, sliding down via several built-in slides.
Eataly debuted its new downtown location (featuring theme of “bread” — yum), good for a quick bite kids and adults will enjoy, food on the go, or supplies to make your own gourmand creation.
photo: Spark/Brooklyn Children’s Museum
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum opened its satellite location, Spark, a stimulating play space at the far end of Brooklyn Bridge Park.
photo: iPic Theaters
At the on the rise Seaport district, deluxe movie theater iPic premiered some extra comfy seats, delectable eats, and a full bar literally on-demand at the push of a button.
photo: Pip’s Island
Pip’s Island, a (not creepy) “Sleep No More” meets “Choose Your Own Adventure” interactive theater experience for kids debuted. (But it’s closing soon!)
photo: Koneko
Those in need of a snuggle from a furry friend scored big this year, with the debut of more than one cat café.
What was your favorite addition to the NYC family scene in 2016? Tell us in the comments below!
— Mimi O’Connor
