{"id":15171,"date":"2015-01-19T08:33:25","date_gmt":"2015-01-19T12:33:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=15171"},"modified":"2020-01-07T23:33:40","modified_gmt":"2020-01-08T03:33:40","slug":"top-10-things-do-kids-during-winter-new-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/19\/top-10-things-do-kids-during-winter-new-york\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Things to Do With Kids During Winter in New York"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15175\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Family-new-york-winter-central-park-winter-nyc.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Central Park in winter\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Central Park looks beautiful in any season, but the winter snow makes it extra picturesque<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Despite being a city of millions, New York may seem perpetually catered toward the young twenty-something demographic. But that is an egregious oversight. There are plenty of reasons why people of all ages enjoy the benefits of being a New Yorker (or at least a temporary one). Lest you think all the best hotspots are trendy bars and clubs, remember that New York\u2019s best winter sights and activities are the classics: a spirited jaunt around a skating rink or a sampling of hot chocolate. Best of all, these activities are perfect for all ages in your party! Here are some of our favorite family-friendly activities for wintertime in New York (don\u2019t forget the <a title=\"Visit New York City with the kids!\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/06\/visit-new-york-family-kids\/\">activities you can do with your family all year round<\/a>, or <a title=\"What to do in New York City on a rainy day\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/08\/visit-new-york-rainy-day\/\">activities for rainy days in New York City<\/a>!).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>1. Ice skating<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15174\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Family-new-york-winter-central-park-ice-skating-nyc.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Central Park\u2019s ice skating rink\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Many people come to Central Park in the wintertime just to glide across its famous rink <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Children love to glide (though you can expect more slipping and sliding from novices) across smooth ice. For a classic wintry day on the town, try these rinks:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The best rink combines wide skating space with a scenic view. Perennial favorites include the rinks at <strong>Bryant Park<\/strong> and <strong>Rockefeller Center<\/strong> (which are surrounded by loads of shopping and dining opportunities), as well as the open greeneries of <strong>Central Park<\/strong> and<strong> Lakeside at Prospect Park<\/strong>. Explore more of the parkland with <a title=\"Explore Central Park in New York City through the seasons!\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/18\/explore-central-park-manhattan-new-york\/\">our helpful guide to Central Park<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>The weather can be temperamental and younger kids may not be happy campers in the cold. Never fear \u2013 <strong>Sky Rink<\/strong> at <strong>Chelsea Piers<\/strong> and <strong>Abe Stark Rink<\/strong> are indoors, the perfect solution for when the outside conditions are frightful but your children want to improve their figure skating techniques.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>2. Enjoy the holiday season<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15179\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Family-new-york-winter-rockefeller-center-tree-nyc.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Rockefeller Center\u2019s Christmas tree\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Rockefeller Center\u2019s gigantic Christmas tree towers above the plaza <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>No city captures the magic of the holidays quite like New York, with a spirit that excites children and adults alike. The <strong>Rockefeller Christmas Tree <\/strong>that stands proudly in the titular plaza stays illuminated between the first week of December and the first week of January.\u00a0 After your children marvel at the towering tree, walk a few blocks south to the <strong>window decorations at Macy\u2019s<\/strong> in Herald Square. Each year the department store behemoth debuts a new theme for its windows, all of which display fanciful and elaborate designs. For the most eye-popping spectacle, you\u2019ll have to leave the bustle of Manhattan for the suburbs of Brooklyn. The Dyker Heights neighborhood is known for a string of houses around the 86th block of 12th Avenue that decorate for a spectacle: no display is considered too flashy or outrageous. Upon returning to Manhattan, be sure to shop with the kids at the many <strong>holiday markets<\/strong> that pop up in time for December; Union Square and Columbus Circle are two of the biggest. <a title=\"Top yearly events in New York\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/21\/top-yearly-events-new-york\/\">Check out other yearly New York traditions<\/a> too!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>3. Visit kid-friendly museums<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15172\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Family-new-york-winter-american-museum-natural-history-lobby-nyc.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the American Museum of Natural History \" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Authentically reconstructed dinosaur bones soar above visitors\u2019 heads at the American Museum of Natural History <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>New York City is lucky to be the home of countless world-class museums. For a day of entertainment and education, they cannot be beat! The <strong>American Museum of Natural History<\/strong> ranks with the Met as one of the most famous galleries in the entire city. Kids will be equally amazed by the lifelike mammal exhibits as they will be by the spiraling <strong>Rose Center for Earth and Space<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The tinier members of your party will love the <strong>Children\u2019s Museum of Manhattan<\/strong> and the <strong>Brooklyn Children\u2019s Museum<\/strong> for their pint-sized exhibits. Adventure-seeking children will want to stop by the <strong>New York City Fire Museum<\/strong> and the<strong> Intrepid Sea, Air &amp; Space Museum<\/strong>, and parents will admire the rich history of the city\u2019s firefighters and military, respectively. Inspire budding artists at the <strong>Children\u2019s Museum of the Arts<\/strong>, or gape at the state-of-the-art galleries at the <strong>Sony Wonder Technology Lab<\/strong> (but make a reservation to ensure entry; it\u2019s wildly popular). Older children may find galleries along the <a title=\"Explore New York\u2019s Museum Mile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/14\/explore-new-york-museum-mile\/\">Museum Mile<\/a> to be equally fascinating.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>4. Explore the city\u2019s zoos<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15178\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Family-new-york-winter-polar-bear-nyc.jpg\" alt=\"Image of a polar bear \" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>You can say hello to the ursus maritimus\u2013a.k.a. the polar bear\u2013at the Bronx Zoo<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nothing gets children excited quite like a trip to the zoo. Thanks to the Wildlife Conservation Society, a network of parks across the four boroughs bring exotic nature to the Big Apple! The <strong>Central Park Zoo<\/strong> in Manhattan is home to a handful of creatures, including the snow monkey and Gentoo penguin. A slightly larger number of species await you at Brooklyn\u2019s Prospect Park Zoo, which houses the dingo and Pallas\u2019s cat. The crown jewel, however, is the <strong>Bronx Zoo<\/strong>. Located right off one of the busiest boulevards in the borough, this zoo boasts dozens of creatures, including some animal kingdom heavyweights: Asian elephants, giraffes, gorillas, snow leopards, lions, tigers, and grizzly bears (oh my)! Just be mindful that not all animals can be viewed in wintry weather.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>5. Watch Christmas movies<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From <em>A Charlie Brown Christmas<\/em> to <em>It\u2019s a Wonderful Life<\/em>, Christmas movies are popular with everyone. The perfect place to enjoy the cinematic merriment is from the sofa of your very own New York Habitat rental! <a title=\"Vacation rentals in New York\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/new-york-apartment\/vacation\">Our New York vacation rentals<\/a> and <a title=\"Furnished apartments in New York\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/new-york-apartment\/furnished\">our New York furnished rentals<\/a> are great for a family movie night. Take a look at other tips on <a title=\"Top 10 free things to see &amp; do in New York City!\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/10\/14\/top-10-free-things-see-do-new-york\/\">how to enjoy a day in the city at no cost<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>6. Attend kid-friendly winter events<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15177\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Family-new-york-winter-lunar-new-year-parade-nyc.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the Lunar New Year Parade\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Chinatown becomes center stage for the Lunar New Year Parade <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>On an evening in the first week of December, Rockefeller Center hosts its biggest spectacle: the annual <strong>Christmas tree lighting ceremony<\/strong>. Keep in mind that the event is crowded and often cold, so it may be most suitable for older children. Everyone can enjoy two perennial Christmastime favorites: The <strong>Radio City Christmas Spectacular<\/strong> (featuring a live nativity and the famous high-kicking <strong>Rockettes<\/strong>) as well as the New York Botanical Garden\u2019s <strong>Holiday Train Show<\/strong>, which recreates New York City landmarks in meticulous toy train dioramas. To celebrate Epiphany, El Museo del Barrio organizes the <strong>Three Kings&#8217; Day Parade<\/strong> (usually held annually on January 6) which honors the Hispanic heritage of the holiday and the East Harlem neighborhood. Children will also enjoy the <strong>Lunar New Year Parade<\/strong> in Chinatown for celebrating the beginning of the lunar new year with music, larger-than-life dragons, and firecrackers. Be sure to wear red (the Chinese color of good fortune)!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>7. Enjoy a delicious hot chocolate at one of the city\u2019s best spots<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15176\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Family-new-york-winter-jacques-torres-chocolates-nyc.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Jacques Torres\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Jacques Torres offers delicious chocolates <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>After you\u2019ve gone ice skating, what better way is there to warm up than with a mug of hot chocolate? Pick up a powder mix at any of <strong>Jacques Torres<\/strong>\u2019 multiple locations across the city, or enjoy your cocoa with an assortment of chocolate bars at <strong>Chocolat Michel Cluizel<\/strong>. For pure indulgence, stop by the touristy <strong>Dylan\u2019s Candy Bar<\/strong> to fill a grab bag with sugary sweets before you settle down with some hot cocoa. For Brooklynites, <strong>The Chocolate Room<\/strong> and <strong>Almondine Bakery<\/strong> are just the ticket, while <strong>City Bakery<\/strong> is legendary for its hot chocolate\u2013they even sponsored a festival to honor the treat in February 2014!<\/p>\n<p>Are you a coffee lover? We have something for you too: <a title=\"Top 10 coffee shops in New York City\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/24\/top-10-coffee-shops-new-york\/\">check out the best coffee shops in New York<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>\u00a08. Sledding<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nothing can capture the thrills and joy of a snowfall quite like sledding. Some popular spots include <strong>Central Park\u2019s Pilgrim Hill<\/strong> and <strong>Cedar Hill<\/strong>, the Upper West Side\u2019s Riverside Park, and <strong>St. Nicholas Park<\/strong>, which is wedged between Harlem and Upper Manhattan. Venture into the outer boroughs for even more options, like <strong>Brooklyn\u2019s Fort Greene Park <\/strong>and<strong> Prospect Park<\/strong>, the Bronx\u2019s <strong>Crotona Park<\/strong>, and <strong>Staten Island\u2019s Clove Lake Park<\/strong>. For a taste of incredible history, visit <strong>Inwood Hill Park<\/strong>. It&#8217;s geological makeup reveals secrets about the area\u2019s prehistoric past. Parks are also a great place to to <a title=\"Top 5 spots to watch the sunset in New York\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/29\/top-5-spots-watch-sunset-new-york\/\">watch a beautiful New York sunset<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>9. Cook winter recipes<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Time to break out your apron and rolling pin! The holidays are a great time to practice your cooking skills, either by experimenting with new treats or by handing down family recipes. Local markets stock all the ingredients perfect for making food and memories. Cooking is also a great way to bond with your new roommate in a <a title=\"Search rooms for rent in New York City\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/new-york-apartment\/roommate-share\">New York roommate share<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>10. Catch a show on Broadway<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15173\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Family-new-york-winter-broadway-nyc.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Broadway\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Broadway is the heart of the world\u2019s theatre<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Known for its glitz and bright lights, Broadway is the world\u2019s biggest platform for showcasing new and returning productions, especially musicals. Disney\u2019s stage productions of <em>The Lion King<\/em> and <em>Aladdin<\/em> are sure to please every member of your family. For preteens and up, you can\u2019t go wrong with the hugely successful musical <em>Wicked<\/em>. Check each theatre\u2019s box office for special prices or the TKTS booth for significant discounts on tickets.<\/p>\n<p>What are your favorite family-friendly winter activities?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite being a city of millions, New York may seem perpetually catered toward the young twenty-something demographic. But that is an egregious oversight. There are&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15171"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15171"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20842,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15171\/revisions\/20842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}