eighborhood Guide: The

Family-Friendly Upper West Side This bustling neighborhood is chock full of museums, shops, playgrounds, and restaurants

By Olga UzUnOva T he Upper West Side is a great place to raise children or to have a family day out! Since it’s right next to Central Park, it’s away from the Midtown Manhattan fuss, and at the same time, close enough to all the family-friendly places you definitely want to visit! Please browse through our must-see guide of the Upper West Side and have a blast with the family.

American Museum of Natural History 200 Central Park West The most significant advantage of the Upper West Side is the American Museum of Natural History! This is the place where you can enjoy time with your children night or day. Whether you visit interesting exhibits or spend a night with the polar bears, the AMNH always has new and exciting programs for the whole family.

Central Park 14 East 60th St It doesn’t need explaining why Central Park is the best outdoor place to spend time with your children. Fresh air, multiple playgrounds, and open stage performances are only a small portion of all the familyfriendly outdoor activities in the park, not to mention sports and games you can play with the little ones. Central Park has nurtured New Yorkers’ need for nature for more than 150 years and is still the best place to see animals and go bird watching.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan 212 W 83rd St Children’s Museum of Manhattan is dedicated to “helping the youngest citizens grow and develop into their best selves.” All activities in the museums are organized around the arts, sciences, and humanities, with the sole mission of educating kids in a fun and friendly way. Visitors are welcomed to experience more than 80 workshops, classes, and performances free with admission to the Museum each week.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is full of interactive exhibits.

Explore history with your children through the DiMenna Children’s History Museum, where 350 years of cultural heritage and American history are introduced through digital games and activities. Targeted towards children between 8 and 13, the Museum focuses on the life stories of youngsters who once lived in New York City. Famous figures like Alexander Hamilton, the immigrant who became a U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, and James McCune Smith, the first African American medical doctor, will inspire both you and your child.

Symphony Space 2537 Broadway at 95th St Thalia Book Club Camp, All Write! Arts education programs, Global Arts Class, or Cultural Field Trip — the choice is yours! Symphony Space provides all kinds of activities to develop your kids’ interests and passions.

If you are up for some weekend family fun, don’t miss Saturday’s shows. The Just Kidding performing arts series offers a mix of bilingual concerts. Reggae tone music, puppetry shows, and dances will enrich your children’s cultural experience while having so much fun.

Symphony Space’s mission is to provide you and your family with more magical moments that harness the power of the arts.

Vital Theater Company 410 W 42nd St This community of actors, dancers, and singers believe that a shared theatrical adventure profoundly influences children’s lives. These artists strive to create engaging stories that invite the young audience to ask questions, make discoveries, and get involved in discussions.

Lincoln Center Lincoln Center Plaza The Mecca for all arts. Lincoln Center, is full of Dance, theater, and musical activities designed especially for young viewers. Programs in English and Spanish show the beauty of diversity and create safe spaces for

Central Park is jam-packed with outdoor delights for all ages.

self-expression. Organizers build a musicloving community for kids by igniting their imagination with various activities. This season encourages kids to discover the world and enjoy international performers. Follow #LCKids to keep up with the latest LC events.

77th/79th Street Greenmarket Columbus Avenue & 77th St Located behind the American Museum of Natural History, the Greenmarket stretches from 78th to 81st Street. Get your all-natural produce every Sunday for a well-balanced diet. From grass-fed beef to homemade apple cider, and a full assortment of fruit and vegetables, you can find everything you need. Plus, visiting the Greenmarket with your kids is a great way to introduce them to natural methods of growing food.

PIER i CAFE West 70th St in Riverside Park South Open-air, scenic river views, and a children’s menu are just a few reasons to choose Pier i Cafe. This seasonal outdoor café is located on the shore of the Hudson River in Riverside Park South. The coffee bar is basically in the park, where children can play as you sip your favorite latte. Enjoy the casual atmosphere and fresh food with friends and family from April to November.

Amorino 414 Amsterdam Ave Want to try the best Italian ice-cream and macaroons in the area? Go to Amorino gelato shop and indulge your senses. Fresh ingredients, exotic fruits, and natural flavors will make your children want more. Amorino started as a small corner shop in Italy and grew into an international chain that we know today. Amorino’s philosophy is based on the use of Non-GMO natural products to ensure the best tasting dessert for its customers.

The Baseball Center 202 W 74th Street Are your kids interested in sports? Professional athletes will commit to inspiring young players and creating a team environment. Your child will enjoy the tight-knit community while building healthy habits.

Hippo Playground W. 91st St &, Riverside Dr, Riverside Park Another excellent place for active children is the Hippo Playground. Try various games and water activities to teach the little ones about these semi-aquatic, herbivorous animals. Hippo Playground provides a relaxation station and park house, swings with safety surfacing, wooden play facilities and slides, different play equipment, a spray shower, and picnic tables. The large hill on the east side of the playground is a popular sledding area for neighborhood children during the winter.

Good Enough to Eat 520 Columbus Ave. This all-natural diner is proud to serve its customers “Made From Scratch” meals, which means they never buy anything premade – just Non-GMO ingredients. All soups and sauces are fresh and locally made by the Kitchen Team. Good Enough to Eat is famous for its homemade bakery-bread, biscuits, cakes, pies, and cookies straight out the oven for you and your children.

Albee Baby 715 Amsterdam Ave If you are up for some new baby gear, Albee Baby is the place to visit with your little ones and test all top-shelf brands before making your choice. Albee has toys, furniture, bedding, layette, and much more.

West Side Kids 498 Amsterdam Avenue Toys for kids of all ages (including dads). West Side Kids is known as the neighborhood toy store for Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Cheerful and smiley assistants are there to help you select the right toy for your child at any age.