Jody Mercier

Jody Mercier always dreamed of being a mom, and she's raised three wonderful kids in New York City. Since that job only pays in hugs, she’s spent her career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting for Sports Illustrated, espnW, and Mommy Poppins. Follow her family’s adventures on Instagram @momtakesmanhattan or reach her at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody

Free TDF Memberships Means Cheap Broadway Tickets for Class of 2026

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 12/04/2025 - 12:08pm

If you've got a high school senior who is into the arts, listen up: TDF, the not-for-profit performing arts org, is offering FREE year-long TDF memberships to graduating high school seniors from NYC public and charter schools. So, if your kid can't wait to see everything from Broadway shows to off-Broadway performances, dance, and more—all at deeply discounted prices—read on for details on how the Class of 2026 can score this special gift.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants near Rockefeller Center

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 12/01/2025 - 12:30pm

Catch a "show" with your diner classics at Ellen's Stardust Diner. Photo by the author

Rockefeller Center is a top NYC attraction for families and home to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall, and many stores. It especially comes alive during the holiday season when the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas tree goes up.

While food options have near Rockefeller Center have traditionally been limited, the area has undergone a bit of a culinary renaissance, and this list of the best family-friendly restaurants near Rockefeller Center is proof that it now has a little something for everyone.

Whether you're there over the holidays to see tree, ice skate, check out the holiday windows, or enjoy one of the other fun experiences in this action-packed complex, there are a number of family-friendly dining options within a quick walk.

Here are our top picks for family-friendly restaurants near Rockefeller Center. To find more family-friendly dining options in NYC, check out our NYC Kids' Guide to Restaurants.

Denver with Kids: 48 Best Things To Do in Denver, CO

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 11/29/2025 - 10:25am

The view is always great at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Known as the Mile High City, Denver, Colorado, is a charming all-seasons destination for a family vacation. You'll find big-city things to do in Denver, including art museums, the Denver Zoo, and the Denver Aquarium, but its outdoor scene is also unparalleled.

Don't let the weather scare you: Locals will tell you if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes. Another commonly cited fact: Colorado enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year. In fact, it's quite easy to get sunburned on its famous ski slopes!

Born and raised in the Denver area, I now enjoy it with my three kids as a tourist on our annual family visits. Here are 48 of the best family-friendly things to do in Denver, including great Denver museums for children, the best restaurants for kids in Denver, and family-friendly Denver hotels. Find more of our favorite destinations in our City Travel Guides, including our guide to visiting he Rocky Mountains and Boulder, CO with kids.

24 Things To Do at Rockefeller Center Beyond the Christmas Tree this Season

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 11/26/2025 - 9:59am

No matter which direction you look, Rockefeller Center sparkles during the holiday season.

Rockefeller Center is usually the most crowded place in New York City during the holidays. While the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is the pièce de résistance, there is actually quite a bit for families to do in the area. Rockefeller Center is a great holiday destination with plenty of shopping, dining, and culture for kids of all ages. Include it as part of a holiday windows walk, and grab a bite at one of the family-friendly restaurants within its footprint.

Read on for our picks for the best things to do at Rockefeller Center with kids this season and find more holiday fun in our NYC Kids' Guide to Christmas and the Holidays.

Top Tips for Visiting Macy's Santaland in 2025

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 11/24/2025 - 12:24pm

Santa is a busy man, so reservations are required to visit Santland at Macy's Herald Square in New York City in 2025. Photo by Marisa Iallonardo

There are few places to take pictures with Santa in New York City that compare with Macy's Santaland. It's a magical experience for tourists and natives alike during the Christmas season.

Macy's opens its 13,000-square-foot winter wonderland on Friday, November 28, 2025. Overflowing with holiday cheer from its live elves to an enchanted forest, animatronic toys, and a train display, Macy's Santaland 2025 is open daily through Christmas Eve: Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

As in previous years, visitors must book a FREE reservation to take pictures with Santa at Macy's Santaland, which requires some planning. Read on for everything you need to know about visiting Macy's Santaland 2025, and find more top picks for holiday fun in our NYC Kids' Guide Christmas and the Holidays, including the season's can't-miss Christmas activities for families.

See the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 11/17/2025 - 4:04pm

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is an event unto itself. See the larger-than-life balloons come to life the night before the parade. Photo by Anthony Quintano/CC BY 2.0

Thanksgiving in New York City wouldn’t be what it is without the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you're eager to take your kids to glimpse those giant balloons and don’t want to rise before dawn, visit the area near the American Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, to watch the giants come to life during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation.

While the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is far from crowd-free, it’s an only-in-New York event all its own—and one of our must-do holiday events for families. Read on for tips on when to go and where to eat. In need of more holiday inspiration? Visit our NYC Kids Thanksgiving Fun Guide.

Midtown Manhattan Is Getting a Magical Double-Decker Carousel this Christmas Season

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 11/13/2025 - 12:35pm

The double-decker Christmas Carousel is now spinning at Greeley Square through the holidays. Photo by author

A double-decker Christmas Carousel is set to start spinning in Midtown Manhattan this Christmas season, and we can't wait to give it a whirl! Located in Greeley Square, between 32nd and 33rd Streets, it's right outside Macy's Herald Square, and guaranteed to add more seasonal magic to one of NYC's most famous addresses.

Located just steps from Macy's Santaland, and surrounded by the enchanting Macy's Holiday Square Market that debuted last season, it's a magical addition to a holiday outing. Find all of our top picks for seasonal fun on our NYC Kids Guide to Christmas and the Holidays.

Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 11/09/2025 - 8:56am

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a must-see holiday destination in NYC. Photo courtesy of the New York Botanical Gardens

When it comes to holiday activities in NYC, locals know that even though there's a week of Kwanzaa, eight nights of Hanukkah, and 12 days of Christmas, the holiday season in NYC really lasts from early November through New Year's Eve. That's almost two months of only-in-NY holiday activities and special Christmas events.

Of course, not all Christmas events and holiday activities are created equal. That's why we've rounded up the absolute best ways to get into the spirit of the season. Here is our curated list of must-do holiday activities and Christmas events in NYC in 2025. Consider this seasonal bucket list our gift to you. Below, we're detailing a dozen NYC Christmas events and holiday activities sure to give your family a season of happy memories.

Our picks for New York City's top holiday activities are a mix of classic favorites, like the star-studded Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and new classics, like the return of the beloved Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show. You'll find plenty more family-friendly seasonal celebrations in our NYC Kids' Ultimate Guide to Christmas, Hanukkah, and Holiday Fun, which includes picks for everything from Christmas towns near NYC to the best Nutcracker ballets for kids, and more sweet seasonal treats.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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