Danielle Wilson

Latest posts by Danielle

Guide to Visiting the Jackie Robinson Museum in Hudson Square

Submitted by Danielle Wilson on Thu, 04/13/2023 - 3:17pm

See plenty of Jackie Robinson memorabilia during a visit to the Jackie Robinson Museum in Hudson Square.

The Jackie Robinson Museum in Hudson Square is no ordinary NYC museum. Drawing in history enthusiasts, baseball aficionados, and families alike, it pays homage to an African American hero's heritage with a captivating, educational journey that leaves visitors eager to learn more.

Read on for our guide to visiting the Jackie Robinson Museum with kids and find more great history and culture spots to visit with kids in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC.

Visiting NYSCI with Kids: Guide to the Best Things To Do and See

Submitted by Danielle Wilson on Tue, 03/21/2023 - 5:10pm

Connected Worlds mesmerizes children with its interactive features and fun animations.

The New York Hall of Science is one of Queens' most unique, kid-friendly museums, and as a mom to a teen, tween, and toddler, it's a relief to have a space that caters to all of them. For families looking for an intentional, captivating way to introduce children to STEM-focused concepts and activities, a visit to NYSCI is a must-do. I've got tons of tips for the best things to do and see while you're at one of our favorite local science museums in NYC.

Following devastating flooding from Hurricane Ida, NYSCI underwent extensive renovations and restoration, but it's fully open and functional again leading to rejoicing from families, students, teachers, and, indeed, science-loving New Yorkers of all ages.

Find more ways to get scientific with kids in our Guide to Science Experiments and STEM Activities for Kids and our NYC Museum Guide, which includes our top picks for space museums nearby plus more cool culture spots for families to visit no matter their interests.

Amaze Light Festival Brings Sprawling Holiday Lights Display to Citi Field

Submitted by Danielle Wilson on Thu, 12/08/2022 - 9:41am

Billed the largest holiday lights display in the country, tons of twinkling displays await to be explored at the Amaze Light Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

Bundle up and brighten your family's holiday season with a fun-filled trip to see the twinkling holiday lights at the Amaze Light Festival at Citi Field. The immersive experience is the largest holiday lights show in the United States, with thousands of colorful, shimmering lights and larger-than-life displays.

New York City has no shortage of family fun to enjoy while counting down to Santa's arrival, with traditional activities like visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree or touring the popular Dyker Heights Christmas lights. Still, the Amaze Light Festival is a must-visit if you're looking for something new and out of the box! Read on for our experience and find more seasonal fun in our Guide to the Holidays and Christmas in NYC to find all our top picks for families.

Whale Watching near NYC: Catch a Cruise to See Whales, Dolphins, and More Marine Animals

Submitted by Danielle Wilson on Tue, 08/16/2022 - 4:06pm

Join the Whale Watching Cruise with Event Cruises NYC, to witness whales breaching the surface of the water just outside city limits.

Anytime we've mentioned to friends and family that we had the best time whale watching near NYC this summer, the first question we're asked is, "Where can you go whale watching in New York City?" After all, the closest most local families have probably come to a larger-than-life marine mammal is the famous, oversized blue whale that hangs overhead at the American Museum of Natural History.

Believe us: If we hadn't gone whale watching near NYC and seen these ginormous marine mammals jump out of the water with our own eyes, we wouldn't think it would be possible either! When we set sail on our NYC Whale Watching Cruise, we thought we might see a fin here or there. By the end of our three-hour tour, the whale watching boat roared with cheers of excitement, thanks to several humpback whale sightings.

Queens Parks and Playgrounds Cool Enough for Big Kids

Submitted by Danielle Wilson on Tue, 06/07/2022 - 10:38am

Big kids can burn off plenty of energy at the multi-level Astoria Heights Playground. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Playgrounds are a staple of childhood in NYC, but before you know it, your little ones no longer need a lift on your shoulders to reach the monkey bars and will inevitably be too cool to be pushed on the swings. Visits to tot lots are replaced by jungle gyms, and finally these parks and playgrounds in Queens cool enough for big kids. Whether you live in Queens or are just passing through NYC's largest borough, there's no shortage of parks and playgrounds to keep big kids busy.

Looking for more big kid playgrounds? Bookmark our list of playgrounds cool enough for big kids in Brooklyn and this list of NYC's top playgrounds, which carries a few big kid gems of its own. Of course, you can find more playgrounds for any age and theme in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds for NYC Kids.

Best Baby Shops in NYC: 12 Stylish Stores for Tiny Tots

Submitted by Danielle Wilson on Tue, 04/19/2022 - 5:11pm

Healthynest offers Healthybaby products to new moms, and plenty of entertainment, programming, and more in its Soho baby shop.

Babies come with a lot of stuff, don't they? From tiny cribs to fit in a nook of your city apartment and compact strollers light enough to schlep up subway steps to the trendiest mini streetwear for your budding fashionista, there's no shortage of essentials needed for your little ones. Now the question is, where are the best baby shops in NYC to find everything you need?

Over the last year, our life has been flipped upside down most amazingly with the arrival of our daughter. But goodness, after raising 17 and 11-year-old boys, shopping for a baby girl feels like we're completely starting from scratch. From the mom-and-pop shops with unique finds to the big box baby stores that carry the necessities, NYC is filled with great baby shops places to load up on everything you'll need for life from the newborn stage to toddlers and beyond. These local baby stores cater to families and offer finds that are not only functional but cater to your family's style. Find more great resources for little New Yorkers in our NYC Baby Guide and bookmark this baby bucket list for 20 must-do's before your little one turns 1.

20 Outdoor Adventures in New York City to Enjoy This Winter

Submitted by Danielle Wilson on Fri, 02/11/2022 - 4:00pm

Bust a move during the action-packed Winter Sports Day at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo by John Eng

Despite the frigid temperatures, there's no shortage of fun outdoor adventures in NYC for the entire family to enjoy. Don't let the chill in the air stop you and your crew from getting out and about this winter! Make time to discover all the incredible ways to keep busy and get moving during the winter months in New York City with these fun outdoor adventures.

We've rounded up 20 fun outdoor places to play this winter. Find more all-seasons fun in the great outdoors in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

39 Black-Owned Restaurants, Shops & African American Landmarks in NYC

Submitted by Danielle Wilson on Fri, 02/04/2022 - 1:38pm

Black-owned business Zach and Zoe aims to help families improve their health with a blend of raw, wildflower-infused honey available at a number of stores citywide.

February is recognized nationally as Black History Month, and New York City has long been a place of historical significance in the African American community. From the myriad cultural experiences to civil rights and social justice movements rooted here, it's essential to pay tribute to the immense contributions Black Americans and people of African descent have made to the five boroughs. We want to encourage families to celebrate and support the dynamic Black-owned businesses that bring Black Joy to our NYC communities every day of the year by shining a light on a selection of them.

From notable museums and theaters to soulful restaurants, monuments, parks, sculptures, and more honoring the rich Black experience in New York, this list is 39 strong, yet merely a jumping-off point to inspire you to enjoy and support the contributions of the Black community to NYC. If you want to start your exploration of Black History at home, why not pick up one of these 30+ children's books celebrating the Black experience—many centered on or written in NYC.