manhattan Archives - Jersey Kids

August 25, 2024August 25, 2024

Mercer Labs With Kids

If you haven’t heard of Mercer Labs, you’re not alone. Formally Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology opened in March, a collaboration between Israeli artist Roy Nachum and real estate developer Michael Cayre. The idea is to be a “place where the traditional hierarchies between art, architecture, design, technology and culture are dissolved,” the New York Times quoted from a news release (I couldn’t find the news release).

In the Limitless exhibit in this 36,000 square foot space, you’ll visit 15 rooms with multimedia and sensory experiences, climbing up and down stairs between the floors (of course there’s an elevator if needed). In the initial space, which was one of the least interesting, you’ll put on shoe covers and look at a digital moving object that looks like of like a space rock.

February 6, 2024February 6, 2024

Review: Tea Around Town with kids

Pop songs reconceived as chamber music are piped through the bus speakers as the children double fist sweet tea in travel mugs and miniature chocolate mousse pastries.

My girls, aged 5 years and 364 days, and 11, lounged against a banquet covered with a soft pink throw as the double-decker bus navigated the canyons of Midtown Manhattan. A tour guide shared a few factual tidbits, then broke out into song (and she could actually sing).

I don’t really remember what she talked about, and neither do the kids. The city information seemed beside the point on TopView’s “Tea Around Town” tour bus.

The upper deck of Tea Around Town. Photo by Anne Miller.

December 17, 2023December 17, 2023

New York Transit Museum Holiday Train Show

Something the kids and adults will all like: the New York Transit Museum holiday train show. It’s at Grand Central Station’s transit museum store through February 2024.

New York Transit Museum holiday train show. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

You’ll find a city within a city, with miniature electric railroads running over, through, and beneath some landmarks you’ll recognize. There are tracks at several levels, great for young kids who can see many of them from their own eye level.

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023

Visiting the Tin Building in New York City

When you’re down in the Seaport area, or maybe making a specific trip to the Seaport area, make sure the Tin Building is a destination and you have time to explore (and eat). It’s maybe not the best place to take the kids for a meal (it’s pricey) but there is an awesome candy store (also pricey) and it’s gorgeous to look at.

The Tin Building at the NY Seaport. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

November 27, 2023December 17, 2023

Holiday Scenes From NYC 2023

We did our annual NYC excursion on Black Friday to see the lights, the windows and the crowds. This post shares some random things we saw.

Bryant Park 2023. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

We headed to the Bryant Park Winter Village to see the holiday shops. They have a lovely tree. In addition to the skating rink, they have igloos you can rent out, and nearby curling as well (not on ice). In January they’ll have on-ice bumper cars you can rent! As always it’s crowded.

November 27, 2023November 27, 2023

2023 NYC Holiday Windows: Bergdorf Goodman & Bloomingdale’s

This post is one of two about the 2023 NYC holiday windows. This is the Bergdorf Goodman & Bloomingdale’s edition. Click here for the 2023 NYC Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue window post.

Bergdorf Goodman 2023 NYC holiday windows

Bergdorf Goodman windows 2023. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

The theme of the 2023 Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows is “Isn’t it brilliant?” and you’ll see in the next set of pictures all the brilliant reflections. The window above is “first light” and has two giant roosters and disco balls and a bedazzled llama and other farm animals.

November 26, 2023November 27, 2023

2023 NYC Holiday Windows: Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue

The NYC holiday windows are up, and here’s what you can expect to see. This post has 2023 NYC holiday windows: Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, and you’ll find the Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale’s windows in another post.

2023 NYC holiday windows: Macy’s

Macy’s windows 2023. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

November 15, 2023November 15, 2023

Review: The Balloon Museum With Kids in NYC

The Balloon Museum arrived in New York City in late October 2023 and will be in Manhattan at least through mid-January 2024. We went to check out the Balloon Museum With Kids in NYC so you can decide if you want to go too.

The Balloon Museum is on South Street near the Manhattan Bridge. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

While the name is Balloon Museum, it might be more appropriate to say “Inflatables Exhibit that is Instagram-friendly,” but that does not have the same ring to it. When I think of balloons, I think of fragile airy floating things that are ready to pop, and most of the balloons in the exhibit seem more sturdy. Granted, they should be since you can touch many of them. And some are just balloon-shaped or balloon-inspired.

March 21, 2023March 22, 2023

Museum of Broadway With Kids

You know you’re going to a museum about Broadway when you have to buy your ticket through Telecharge, and you pay a $4 service charge plus tax for the privilege! That said, I’ve wanted to go since I heard this was opening. I brought a friend who grew up in the area and is a huge Broadway fan, with stories going back decades. Should you visit the Museum of Broadway with kids? Read on.

The Museum of Broadway opened in November 2022, and it is on 45^th Street, just off Times Square. It’s across the street from RISE, another newcomer to the tourist scene.

The Museum of Broadway on 45th Street, at Times Square. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

February 18, 2023February 18, 2023

Edward Hopper at the Whitney With Kids

The Edward Hopper exhibit is only at the Whitney Museum in NYC through March 5, 2023. Don’t miss it! You still have a few weekends left. If you want to visit the Hopper at the Whitney with kids, here’s what you’ll find.

Hopper exhibit at the Whitney. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Don’t forget to pick up the lovely activity guide for kids to do at the exhibit. The book will keep them more interested, with opportunities to sketch and to look at the artwork with information aimed at their age level. We saw the booklets at the coat check, but I’m sure they have them elsewhere too.