Jordana Drell

Jordana Drell is a freelance Product Lead specializing in educational games who has previously worked for Sesame Workshop and Nickelodeon. Passionate about emerging tech and finding things to do with her family, Jordana lives in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn with her husband, daughters, and Bernedoodle, Foam.

Latest posts by Jordana

We Tried Times Square’s New Interactive Games—Here’s Who They’re Best For

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Tue, 01/20/2026 - 2:57pm

With lights, buzzers, nametags, and a real-life host, The Great Big Game Show feels like a live production! Photo courtesy of The Great Big Game Show

New York City is no stranger to immersive entertainment—from Broadway shows and museums to pop-ups and interactive experiences. Families looking for hands-on, high-energy fun that's completely new and different now have a reason to head to Times Square. Two major attractions—The Great Big Game Show and The Escape Game—have officially opened inside the iconic Brill Building, bringing next-level, tech-enabled play right into the heart of Midtown.

Built side-by-side, these million-dollar game environments blend cinematic set design, intuitive technology, and group-friendly challenges that feel part game show, part adventure. It’s a fresh way for families and friends to play together, especially if you’re looking to break out of the usual tourist loop.

For more Times Square fun, check out our list of what to do beyond the usual tourist spots and our picks for the best Times Square restaurants for families.

Mohonk Mountain House Offers a No-Planning-Required Family Getaway Just 2 Hours from NYC

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Thu, 01/08/2026 - 12:22pm

During a wintertime visit, Mohonk Mountain House's Skating Pavilion is a huge draw for active families.

Mohonk Mountain House in New York’s Hudson Valley feels like stepping into a real-life fairy tale—one with hiking trails, crackling fireplaces, and activities for every generation. This historic Victorian castle resort sits high above Lake Mohonk and is surrounded by more than 40,000 acres of protected forest, offering families a rare mix of outdoor adventure, cozy relaxation, and thoughtful programming for kids, parents, grandparents, and everyone in between.

Whether visiting for the day or staying overnight, Mohonk Mountain House provides a fully immersive experience that makes it easy to unplug and reconnect. Read on for highlights of what families can expect at Mohonk Mountain House, and tips for planning a multigenerational getaway. For more activities around Mohonk Mountain House, check out our list of 50 things to do with kids in the Hudson Valley.

MOFAD's New Exhibit Lets Families Go Behind the Cart—and Kids Love Every Bite

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Tue, 12/16/2025 - 11:47am

MOFAD's Street Food City explores the history of NYC's vending culture.

New York City’s street food scene is legendary—from hot dogs and pretzels to tamales, ice cream trucks, roasted nuts, and the halal carts that have become part of the city’s rhythm. But families who love exploring NYC’s food culture now have a brand-new way to dig in. Street Food City, a major new exhibition at the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) in Dumbo, opened earlier this month, and it’s packed with hands-on discovery, big-kid appeal, and plenty of heart.

Street Food City invites families to step behind the cart and meet the people who’ve shaped NYC’s food landscape for centuries. It’s a thoughtful, sensory-filled exhibit perfect for curious eaters, budding historians, and kids who think a snack break is the best part of any outing. Afterward, you can enjoy food from several vendors at the Time Out Market nearby. For even more fun in the neighborhood, check out our list of 50 fun things to do in Dumbo with kids.

Puerto Rico with Kids: A 5-Day Itinerary for Off the Beaten Path Adventures

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Wed, 11/05/2025 - 11:00am

Explore cave systems of Puerto Rico while swimming and floating in turquoise fresh water. Photo courtesy of Discover Puerto Rico

Whether you’re looking for a beach retreat or an adventure-filled trip, Puerto Rico offers a variety of kid-friendly places and activities that turn family vacations into unforgettable experiences. There are so many amazing things to do in Puerto Rico with kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens—lush gardens and rainforests, beautiful beaches, zip lining, horseback riding, guided tours, and so much more.

We've created an unforgettable five-day Puerto Rico itinerary with our insider advice on how to best enjoy Puerto Rico with kids and family. It's filled with the best things to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico (the capital city), as well as El Yungue National Forest, Rincon, bioluminescent bays, and more.

Find our best picks for family friendly hotels in Puerto Rico and visit our Caribbean Family Travel Guide for more tropical vacation ideas, including Mexico and Aruba.

Best Resorts and Hotels in Puerto Rico for Families

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Tue, 10/07/2025 - 12:00pm

Splash into the lagoon-style swimming pool and doze off under a beach cabana at Wyndham Rio Mar. Golf & Beach Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort

If you're looking for a tropical family vacation that balances relaxation and adventure—and requires no passport—Puerto Rico is the perfect location. Check out our five-day itinerary for visiting Puerto Rico with kids and you'll see why! But of course, no family vacation is great without finding an awesome place to stay.

Here are 10 great hotels in Puerto Rico for families, including resorts near the lush El Yunque National Forest, hotels in San Juan, and more. All of these hotels in Puerto Rico feature kid-friendly amenities like stunning pools, gorgeous beaches, kids' clubs, nature activities, and more.

Looking for more great places to stay with kids in the US and abroad? Check out our Guide to Family-Friendly Resorts and Hotels.

Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours Bring Haunted History to Back from the Dead in Brooklyn

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Tue, 09/30/2025 - 2:01pm

Enter the Victorian-era trolley of Madame Morbid for a spooky history lesson you won't soon forget. Photo courtesy of Madame Morbid

New York City kids (and parents) who love spooky vibes with a side of history have a new experience to add to their must-do list: Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours. Think of it as the city’s most stylish ghost tour—where Gothic charm meets Brooklyn grit—all aboard a custom-designed Victorian trolley that looks like it rolled straight out of a Tim Burton film.

Part history lesson, part ghost story, and part quirky field trip, Madame Morbid takes families and friend groups on a haunted ride through Brooklyn’s past. From tales of forgotten cemeteries to urban legends that refuse to die, it’s a delightfully eerie way to see the city from a new angle.

Find more fun for the spooky season in our NYC Kids' Guide to Halloween Fun, which includes all our top picks for the best things to do in NYC this Halloween.

Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery Is a Hidden Gem for Family Fun

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Mon, 09/22/2025 - 2:12pm

Green-Wood Cemetery is 478-acres of peaceful landscapes in the heart of Brooklyn.

While a cemetery might not be the first place you think of for a family outing, Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery is an unexpected treasure for parents looking to mix history, art, and the great outdoors. With sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, fall foliage that rivals any city park, and unique events for kids and families, Green-Wood is far from spooky—it’s an inspiring, educational, and even playful destination.

Whether you’re pushing a stroller, chasing curious toddlers, or looking to spark older kids’ imaginations, here’s why Green-Wood Cemetery should be on your family’s fall adventure list. Find more green spaces to explore on this list of NYC's most underrated parks or bookmark our NYC Kids' Guide to Playgrounds and Parks for more hidden gem parks to explore.

Serve Up Some Fun Playing Pickleball, Tennis, and Pingpong in NYC

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Mon, 09/08/2025 - 12:33pm

When it's too hot to skate, CityPickle's transforms Wollman Rink into a pickleball paradise. Photo by Jody Mercier

While tennis has always been a popular sport in NYC, pickleball has been gaining in popularity. Many people are discovering that pickleball is a family-friendly activity and relatively easy to "pick up." If you're ready to dive into the action, check out the best places to play pickleball in NYC this season, plus some top picks for playing indoor tennis and other paddle sports with kids in NYC. We've even got an entire list of the best tennis classes in NYC for kids to give you even more options to hit the courts with kids.

Jordana Drell

Latest posts by Jordana

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