NEW YORK CITY

From Becca Mattoni:

With girls, Alice’s teacup is pretty fun (I believe there are 2 locations, one on the Upper East side and the other one on the Upper West side). Pizza in Brooklyn is fun too - walk over the brooklyn bridge to Brooklyn Heights waterfront and go to Grimaldi’s or the other pizza place next door, or even shake shack. You can take the water taxi back to manhattan or you can walk back over the bridge. 

The Tenement Museum is a fascinating place - it’s not a traditional museum but a bunch of apartments that you can visit in a guided tour where you hear about the families who lived there. Also the neighborhood is awesome and it’s very close to the donut plant which makes incredible doughnuts. 

Thanksgiving Eve most people like to go see the balloons being blown up for the parade the next day. That all takes place near the natural history museum.  Also, watching the parade is fun although if you want a good seat usually you have to get up early say at 6 am to stake out a place. 

The Rockettes' show is pretty cool too. There have been some 2 for 1 deals usually for the first and last performances of the day.  

You have to see the holiday windows on 5th Avenue from about 59th all the way down to around 39th street at Lord and taylor (I think that’s the store!). Stop by on I believe 47th to see all the jewels sparkling on Diamond Row between 5&6th ave…

You can ice skate at Rockefeller Center (I would advise getting there right when it opens!) or at Bryan Park which is behind the NYPL (also an awesome destination). Bryant park is usually less crowded but again, the morning is a great time to go. There are also holiday markets up now which are super fun to look through. 

The High Line in Chelsea is a unique city park. There are cool eats along it around meal times. 

Hope you have a great time!! 

From Heidi Bioski:

Hi! Becca has done a great job below. I'd just add that you have to try a Levain Bakery cookie ( it's near Alice's Teacup in the UWS). 

I think the views at the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center are better/ more enjoyable than going up the Empire State Building. Kids usually like the Museum of Natural History with its dinosaur and other exhibits which is near Emack & Bolio Ice Cream ( get serious chocolate addiction) and the Shake Shack for burgers and fries. 

If you want to try some fine dining Nougatine is the more casual version of Jean Georges with the same chef and you could take the kids there for breakfast or lunch and get a nice view of Central Park with lower prices.