New York Attractions Archives - Globetrotting Mommy

Pip’s Island – A …

March 27, 2019 By admin

New York City has no shortage of opportunities for young theatergoers with Broadway and off-Broadway shows, musical performances, circus acts, puppet theater and more. The Big Apple’s newest show for kids, Pip’s Island, gives kids the chance to take in a show by being part of the cast in a whirlwind interactive performance in Times Square.

Pip’s Island – A Perfect Escape for Young Theater Goers

We checked out the immersive performance in previews and it was just as fun as I remembered their 2016 pop-up show. The new space is permanent so little New Yorkers and tourists will have plenty of time to check out this fun interactive show.

All dressed up and ready to head out to Pip’s Island.

As kids arrive, they are outfitted with “costumes” consisting of explorer vests and legendarium wristbands. The immersive performance starts right away as the park ranger teaches some important dance moves and explains how they are collecting badges or “sparks” to save the island and defeat Joules Volter (aka – the bad guy).

Young explorers (and their assistant explorer adults) are then scooted off on adventure after adventure for the next hour. I don’t want to give too much away but as the cast is introduced as various characters in their unique settings (the sets are outrageous in a good way), the storyline progresses room by room with plenty of special effects and fun. Along the way, kids are participating in various team activities and problem-solving together to save the island. There may have been some bubbles, dancing and conga lines along the way or maybe that was just my imagination. Cameras are not allowed which ensures all attendees are giving the show their full attention.

The recommended age range is 4-10 and there are some dark scenes which may scare younger kids. The staff is wonderful at interacting with the kids and the parents are always within sight while the children participate in group activities.

Get your tickets at PipsIsland.com and get 10% off with code Pip10.

Times Square has a slew of family-friendly attractions and if you want to combine a show with a nearby attraction, Gulliver’s Gate is a great choice.

Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips …

May 26, 2015 By admin

Its no secret that my daughter and I love a fun amusement park. With trips to Victorian Gardens, Adventureland, Hershey Park, and Sesame Place under her belt, I knew she would love a visit to nearby Coney Island. I had not been to the famed boardwalk town since pre-Hurricane Sandy so I was equally excited for our staycation day trip. Read on for my Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island.

Family Fun, Luna Park, Rides, Deno's Wonderwheel, Coney Island, Tips, Family Travel, Beach, New York

Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

1 – Plan time for rides. I’m sure its no surprise that rides top my list of tips for visiting Coney Island. Kids of all ages will have hours of fun with a choice of several options including Luna Park, Deno’s WonderWheel Amusement Park, the B&B Carousell and the famed Cyclone. I found these smaller parks very managable, since the rides were very close together and it was pretty easy to navigate. If you want a ride that swings, speeds, bumps, spins upside down or just swivels, you’ll find it here. And, if you’re traveling with toddlers, there are quite a few slower kiddie rides. I love that you can purchase rides with several options ranging from a la carte to all-you-can-ride wristbands, and I also appreciate that non-riders can enter the amusement parks for free.

Family Fun, Coney Island, Tips, Family Travel, Nathan's Famous, It'Sugar

Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

2 – Save room for food. Coney Island is home to famed Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and they never disappoint. If you’re looking for something indoors, try Applebee’s or the new Wahlburgers (yes, Mark, Donnie, and Paul Wahlberg own this burger hotspot). There are plenty of boardwalk restaurants, bars and snack shops (think funnel cakes, ice cream and everything fried, oh my…) and specialty stores like Piece of Velvet (cupcakes and cakes) and IT’SUGAR (a candy lovers delight). And, Coney Smorgasburg launched last weekend…so there is no shortage of good eats.

Family Fun, Coney Island, Tips, Family Travel, Games, New York

Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

3 – Find the perfect activity for each kid. Coney Island really has something for everyone. If you’ve got baseball fans, check out a Brooklyn Cyclones game, some of which feature fireworks and character meetings. There are old school arcade games (yes, Zoltar!), amusement park games, circus shows and kids and adults will love a detour to the nearby New York Aquarium.

Family Fun, Coney Island, Tips, Family Travel, Beach, New York

Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

4 – Pack your beach gear. Coney Island boasts nearly three miles of family friendly beach. Bring a cooler and chairs and stay for the day or just take a quick dip and get back on the rides. With courts for beach volleyball, handball, and basketball as well as playgrounds, the beach and boardwalk offer up hours of entertainment for families. Don’t forget the sunscreen and other family friendly beach essentials.

Family Fun, Coney Island, Tips, Family Travel, Beach, New York, Events Calendar

Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

5 – Check out the special events schedule before you visit. From the famous Mermaid Parade and Luna Park’s SuperHero Day to circus performances, fireworks and karaoke, Coney Island’s summer schedule is packed with fun for the whole family.

Special thanks to the Alliance for Coney Island for inviting us to participate in Coney Island Family Blogger Day. All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Spotlight on NYC: Tours for …

March 19, 2014 By admin

New York City kids are exposed to a lot of amazing cultural experiences and its great how many of the top NYC museums cater to their tiniest visitors. If you’ve got a 4-year old, you’ve got to check out the Museum of Modern Art’s (MOMA) complimentary Tours for 4’s weekend family gallery talks.

MOMA, NYC, Art Museum, Tours for 4s, Globetrotting Mommy

Globetrotting Mommy: Spotlight on NYC: Tours for 4s at MOMA

Tickets are distributed at 10 am on a first-come, first-served basis so arrive on time. Participants are given tokens to check coats in lockers which is a nice touch. We visited in February for the Breaking the Mold: Materials and Techniques gallery talk and our group had about 10 kids and their parents. Our tour guide Shannon reviewed the rules for visiting the museum and we were on our way. We stopped at a few exhibits and the kids were asked for their thoughts along the way as the guide explained about the artwork and artists like Isa Genzken. My daughter’s favorite part was the age appropriate art projects they got to do on the floor involving designs and textures. The tour lasts about an hour and then you are free to explore on your own. Be sure to check out the Moma Art Lab where you can play, read, experiment and create your own stop-animation movies.

MOMA, NYC, Art Museum, Tours for 4s, Globetrotting Mommy

Globetrotting Mommy: Spotlight on NYC: Tours for 4s at MOMA

Upcoming weekend themes for the Tours for 4s program include:

March – Shape Shifting

April – Faces and Figures: People and Portraits

May – From Furry to Feathered: Animals in Art

If your kids are older, check out the MOMA’s A Closer Look for Kids and Tours for Tweens programs.

If you’ll be visiting NYC with kids this spring or summer, these programs would be a nice addition to your itinerary. The MOMA is centrally located near a lot of family friendly attractions and kid-friendly stores including Central Park, Rockefeller Center, FAO Schwartz, LEGO Store, American Girl Store and the Eloise Shop at the Plaza.