What are the kid-friendly, fun, and romantic places in the city?
Sometimes romance is not just about uninterrupted eye contact and holding hands. Sometimes, the best romance is having fun like you are a kid again!
Dating is not only for the twenty-something-year-olds running about from college classes and figuring out life. We all need romance in our lives. But how can busy parents attempt to accommodate a social life? Let’s face it. It’s not always possible to find reliable childcare. But how do we keep our little darlings and blessings from becoming a dating curse?
It’s possible to have an abundant dating life by planning family dates. This way, we can keep the romance alive and still take care of our families. Let’s learn from our kids, get creative and start planning. NYC is the best playground for children and adults alike.
Museum in NYC
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is an educational oasis for adults and children alike. Located on the Upper West Side and Theodore Roosevelt Park, the museum houses 45 permanent exhibitions, a planetarium, and a library. The collections feature over 34 million specimens of plants, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, animal/human remains, and cultural artifacts. Here, everyone can learn about the human existence/cultures, our natural world in the universe.
Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum is likely the largest art museum in the world. Here, the family can enjoy Egyptian antiquities spanning a history of over 3000 years, art from all over the globe, and antique collections. In addition, the Brooklyn Museum features the Steinberg Family Sculpture Garden, which contains salvaged architectural elements from New York’s history. Everyone can learn about artistic trends from different continents, histories, and cultural perspectives.
Museum of Ice Cream, Soho
Who doesn’t love ice cream? The Museum of Ice Cream offers interactive experiences for kids and adults alike. You can eat as many ice cream treats as you want and learn about ice cream and its history. The museum offers immersive, multi-sensory installations with activities hosted by expert guides. Your kids can even play in a giant, sprinkled pool and feel as if they’re inside an ice cream cone. Who says that you and your date can’t slide down New York City’s tallest indoor slide? Here, fun is not just for the kids; what a dream come true.
Movie Theaters NYC
IPic Theater at the South Street Seaport
This theater is likely the most luxurious, immersive restaurant/movie theater experience. You can watch classics or the latest blockbusters. In addition, IPic offers a complete food and bar menu, so check out the website for the latest shows.
The New Victory Theater
The New Victory has something for everyone and is one of the only theaters that cater to younger audiences. They offer a stream from home selections as well as in-house shows. So check out their schedule and plan your date with your family.
Fun Activities in NYC
Shipwrecked Mini Golf
Why not plan a mini-golf adventure for your next family date? Shipwrecked offers many fun activities, escape rooms, arcade games, mini-golf, and even a tiki terrace. You can enjoy an adult drink while your kids enjoy a kid-specific menu. If your little ones (or the adults) have a shorter attention span, the great thing is that you can move from activity to activity to their heart’s content!
Ice-skating/Rollerblading at the Rockefeller Center
Yes! The Rockefeller Center will now be open for rollerblading and ice-skating regardless of the season! It’s a perfect pre-dinner activity to work up some appetite.
The Cliffs at LIC
Are you looking for an offbeat date adventure? Head over to The Cliffs for your perfect climbing adventure! Your date will be the ideal mix of age-appropriate activities and fun! In addition, the venue offers a summer camp and youth programs for the little ones. Climb up!
Escape Rooms
If your kids are somewhat older, your date can take a pretty adventurous turn. Reserve an escape room adventure and choose from an array of themes. The Clue Chase Escape Room and Escape the Room in NYC have something for everyone and provide hours of entertainment. What a great way to discover how your families will interact when solving a challenge.
Graff Tours
Suppose your kids are active; head over to Graff Tours and enjoy their artist-led street art tours and graffiti workshops. They even offer a summer camp for your kids! Also, check out their Brooklyn graffiti art and date-night offerings. Here, everyone can express their urban, inward artist.
Dave & Busters
Suppose you want your kids to enjoy a blast from the past, head over to Dave & Buster’s in Midtown West. While your kids enjoy the arcade games, you and your date can order some food, sip drinks, and enjoy a conversation. Speaking of which…
Best Date Night Restaurants NYC
The Highline-Santina
Enjoy the spectacular views in the Meatpacking district’s incredible Italian oasis. Designed by the renowned architect Renzo Piano, the Santina is adjacent to the Whitney Museum. It’s a genuinely breathtaking date experience, complete with handcrafted chandeliers from Venice and flowers. The outdoor seating is the perfect summer destination where you will feel as if you’re in a garden. Enjoy the handcrafted cocktails and bring along your kids’ favorite games. Santino is open for brunch and dinner. Enjoy a glass of wine, and you must try their spicy tuna tartare.
Brooklyn Crab
Suppose you and your date have the munchies for some serious seafood, head over to Brooklyn crab. The kids’ menu includes fish and chips, poor boys, and chicken tenders, and adults can enjoy Alaskan king crab and snow crab. Enjoy the scenic views of the Red Hook channel and Hudson River well, dining in superb weather outside. There is even entertainment! Enjoy an eight-hole mini-golf course in the back of the restaurant. Here, there’s something for everyone.
Eataly NYC
Eataly feels like an Italian community/market come alive. You can explore their cooking classes, wine and beverage events, special dinners, marketers, parties, and kids’ classes! Here, everyone can learn the art of food regardless of age. There are multiple locations in NYC so check out their website and start planning your date.
Nom Wah Tea Parlor
Are you in the mood for some dim sum? Then, head over to Chinatown to the 1920s historic, family-owned restaurant. Enjoy the vintage atmosphere with Art Deco flair and fluffy pork buns.
The Thirsty Koala
While the Koala doesn’t specifically cater to children, the desserts and the menu are perfect for kids to enjoy. On Thursday nights, the whole family can enjoy live jazz.
Koneko Cat Cafe
This café is a dangerous place! Particularly for those who give in to their children’s every whim. You might go in for a brownie, chocolate croissant, Belgian waffle, glass of wine, or a sake… and come out with a CAT! That’s right! This unique café serves as a rescue for our four-legged friends. Your kids will love interacting with the purrers. So why not expand your family?
Kid-Friendly Bars NYC
Who said that you couldn’t have a drink while out with your kids, your former mother-in-law? Yes, New York caters to everyone, so you should check out the kid-friendly bars. While you can’t sit directly at the bar, ask for a table and relax, family-style. NYC is truly one of the best places to have kids.
Brooklyn Brewery
If you have an open-minded approach to teaching your kids about alcohol, check out the Brooklyn Brewery. If you and your date purchase a small batch brewery tour, kids under 10 get in for free. Kids over 10 pay $18 a ticket and receive a souvenir glass filled with craft soda. Then, as you sit and sip your brew, your kids can enjoy a pizza.
Greenwood Park
With a spacious indoor/outdoor 13,000 ft.² space, the South Slopes’ Greenwood Park is kid-friendly until 7 PM. Offerings include sixty beers on tap and a menu in the garden. In addition, the kids can enjoy hotdogs, chicken fingers, and pretzels.
Franklin Park
Franklin Park offers video games, a ping-pong table, and a photo booth for the little ones to play around. For the adults, it’s the perfect cocktail spot and a seasonal beer lounge.
Sweet Chick
If you’re looking for southern-style brunch, the Sweet Chick is the place to be. Bring your kids and their toys and hang out over chicken waffles, bacon, and the cheddar waffle. Of course, if the little ones are already in bed, you can head over here too! The Sweet Chick is open until 2 AM.
Ear Inn
If you’re looking for a 19th-century dive bar, come to the Ear Inn (circa1817). Grab a drink and enjoy burgers, dumplings, spicy shrimp, or pasta. Your kids will receive crayons with the freedom to express their artistic flair on the paper tablecloths.
Berg’n
If you’re looking for a beer garden that allows kids after dark, abort your search. You have found it. Berg’n offers board games and a giant projection screen to keep everyone occupied. With different food vendors to choose from, this beer garden has something for everyone. As you enjoy tasting beer from all over the globe, you will thank your lucky stars for finding the spot.
