Uptown Neighborhood Guide

Museums, great parks, and tons of family-centric services and amenities make Uptown Manhattan a fabulous place to visit as well as to live in Manhattan. The Museum of Natural History is always named as a family favorite, but the Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art can also be great for kids with their free family programs and the Children's Museum of Manhattan is another favorite. For more adventures, Central Park could keep you busy for a lifetime, but you'd be missing out if you didn't extend your explorations to Riverside Park and other fun play places like the Glass Garden and the new Central Children's Library.

Latest news from the area

Nov 18 2009

Family Friendly Restaurants Near Rockefeller Center

Wanda contacted me via twitter looking for recommendations of where to eat before going to see the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular with her family. Since I've been meaning to write about family friendly restaurants in Midtown for ages I figured I'd just answer her here.

For over a decade I worked right across the street from Rockefeller Center and, like anyone who works near there knows, the food choices can be down-right depressing. (Oh, wait, maybe that was just my job.) But there are some good choices if you know where to look for them, from special occasion restaurants to quick and inexpensive eats.

Here are my top picks for kid-friendly places to eat near Rockefeller Center:

The Nutcracker Ballet: 10 Holiday Shows for New York City Kids

The Nutcracker ballet, as beautiful as it is, can be a bit much for little kids to take in. To get them to experience the magic and wonder of this timeless classic, or for a different twist for the kid who's seen the Nutcracker a bunch of times, opt to attend a less traditional version of the show—there’s a whole bunch happening in the city. They are usually shorter, less expensive and more fun, but still have that Nutcracker charm that will keep adults wide-eyed, too.

Blue's Clues and Wonder Pets! Double Feature

Submitted by Katia on November 13, 2009 - 10:49am.

When: from Nov 14 2009 - 12:00pm to Nov 14 2009 - 12:00pm

Where: Sony Wonder Tech Lab, 550 Madison Ave. at 56th St, NYC

EVENT LISTING

Free Double Screening of Blues Clues and Wonder Pets! in a 73 seat High Def Theater. Running time: 46 minutes. Reservations can be made beginning on the Monday of the week when a screening is scheduled by calling the Events RSVP Line at (212) 833-7858. Remaining tickets will be distributed 30 minutes prior to the start of the screening on a first come first serve basis. Admission will be closed to ticket holders 15 minutes after the screening. Children under 18 will not be admitted unless accompanied by an adult.

More info here.

75th Anniversary of DC Comics

Submitted by mommy on November 12, 2009 - 11:30pm.

When: from Nov 14 2009 - 1:00pm to Nov 14 2009 - 4:00pm

Where: Bloomingdale's, 59th and Lex, Kids dept.

Bloomingdale's is showcasing their new comics inspired line with an heroic event. Meet your favorite superheroes, enjoy super snacks and other comic madness. FREE

Nov 10 2009

Ice Skating Rinks in New York City

There are lots of places to go ice skating in New York if you don't mind waiting on long lines or skating shoulder to shoulder with rowdy teenagers. We've picked out the best indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks in New York City where you can avoid the lines and the crowds (at least some of the time). All of these places offer ice skating lessons and ice skating birthday parties and almost all of them even offer hockey. Check each website link for additional information.

Trinity Lutheran Church Children's Fall Fair

Submitted by mommy on November 5, 2009 - 11:17pm.

When: from Nov 7 2009 - 10:00am to Nov 7 2009 - 12:00pm

Where: Trinity Lutheran Church, 164 W 100th St, Manhattan

Come for pony rides, a bouncy castle, arts and crafts, a tag sale and more fun.

www.trinitylutherannyc.org
212-222-7045

Carnival's Book of Dreams Event

Submitted by Katia on November 5, 2009 - 3:11pm.

When: from Nov 6 2009 - 10:00am to Nov 7 2009 - 6:00pm

Where: Rockefeller Plaza, 50-51st Sts, Fifth Ave, NYC

EVENT LISTING

A series of free "Dream Big” family-oriented events at Rockefeller Center starts on Friday, November 6th with a celebrity reading (10:30 am) of the world's largest children's book inspired by dreams gathered from children across the country who sailed on Carnival Cruise Lines. On Saturday, November 7th, there will be book readings throughout the day, as well as a variety of fun activities for the whole family, including balloon artists, an acrobatic dance troupe, magicians and a coloring station. The larger-than-life, beautifully illustrated book pages will be on display for all to read throughout both events.

More info here.

Break it Down: Materials and Techniques

Submitted by Katia on November 5, 2009 - 2:54pm.

When: from Nov 8 2009 - 10:20am to Nov 8 2009 - 11:30am

Where: MOMA, 11 West 53rd St, NYC

EVENT LISTING

For children ages five to ten and their adult companions. Engage in lively discussions and fun activities while looking closely at modern masterpieces and cutting-edge contemporary art. Each month a new theme is introduced. From paintbrush and canvas to blowtorch and steel, we’ll investigate the various materials and techniques artists employ in creating works of art. Admission is free. No preregistration. Please see the A Closer Look for Kids program page for ticketing and admission information.

That info here.