Where Meatpacking Mamas Shop, Eat, and Play

Just because your clubbing days are over doesn’t mean you can’t tear up the Meatpacking District. Feel like a trendsetter again (yes, even with stroller!) and explore the cobblestone streets and fashion peeps of the trendiest ‘hood in Manhattan. From tech gadgets to precious duds, we’ve found the shops that cater to the coolest families downtown. Don your stilettos and designer kicks, and head out to our fun picks!

Shop Like a Downtowner
Right on the border of Meatpacking and the West Village sits Yoya (636 Hudson Street), the stalwart boutique when it comes to designer kid’s clothing. They carry all the it brands that celebs like Julianne Moore and Sienna Miller scoop up for their lucky offspring (think Petit Bateau, Philip Lim, Mini & Maximus).

Next, hit the new UGG Australia store (405 West 14^th Street) where sheepskin boots and comfy shoes for the whole family are on offer. The baby and kids selection is impressive and the staff is family-friendly with great advice to boot, heh heh.

Right down the block you can visit the kid’s section of the Apple Store (401 West 14^th Street) on the third floor, where iPads and iPad minis are loaded with games and apps to give your kids a techie break. Insider tip: the restrooms are great so plan your pit stop here and there’s an elevator in the back to get you up and down with a stroller.

Next door to the Apple Store is Vitra (29 9^th Avenue), where you can pick up family-friendly modern classics like the Eames Elephant. If Dwell magazine is your bible and clutter is your enemy, you’ll love perusing this modern oasis.

Before you’ve spent your shopping budget for the day, don’t forget to hit Posman Books (75 9^th Avenue) with your little bookworms. Nestled within the concourse of Chelsea Market (which you should stroll through anyway!), the kids’ section of this charming bookstore is the perfect place to digest after a snack.

Where the A-List Eat
Any restaurant you pick in the Meatpacking District will be filled with interesting creative types and chic European tourists. But what’s the best place for families? We love Bill’s Bar & Burger (22 9th Avenue) for the steal of a kid’s meal that comes with a take-home sippy cup and crayons, Pastis (9 9th Avenue) for brunch and people watching, and Kava (803 Washington Street) for a mid-day espresso, yummy baked goods and a romp in the large back patio. If fine dining with a high chair is more your speed, check out Colicchio & Sons Tap Room (85 10th Avenue). You get upscale yet family-friendly eats in a gorgeous setting.

See and Be Seen…Outside
A kid can only do so much shopping, so plan your pit stops while checking out the hood. The Highline, which runs from Gansevoort Street to West 20th Street, is the obvious choice to run around and let off some steam, but we also love the hotel plaza in front of The Standard (848 Washington Street), where bright yellow seating and outdoor art sculptures make it a fun place to do a brown bag lunch and run around. If you’re looking for a true playground, the Corporal John A. Seravalli Playground at the corner of Hudson and Horatio Streets (across the street from Yoya by the way). The blacktop here is perfect for learning how to skateboard or scooter and the playground suits all ages.

Know of another must-see kid-friendly spot in the Meatpacking District? Tell us about it!

–Sarah K. Choi

Photos by Sarah K. Choi