The Empire State Building Observatory: A Fun & Safe NYC Family Outing

Has your family ever visited the Empire State Building? Even if you call NYC home, visiting the Empire State Building and taking in the 360° views from the classic viewfinders is a right of passage. Towards the end of 2019, the Empire State Building started showing off the $165 million renovations that took four years to complete.

Unfortunately, like everything else, the pandemic caused tours to shut down. But, the doors have reopened! My family recently had a chance to tour the Empire State Building and visit the 86th floor observatory. Trust me - you are going to want to get tickets ASAP!

At the Empire State Building, Even Waiting is Fun

Let’s be honest. Waiting in lines is generally no fun at all. That’s why I was unsure how a visit to the Empire State Building would go with my kids. 4 million people visit each year, so I felt justified in my waiting worries.

Well, I was wrong. At the Empire State Building, even waiting is fun! A huge part of the renovation was done to the waiting lobby. What this means for families is there is a lot of fun things to keep you occupied if you have to wait to go up to the observation deck. It is really well thought out, with every little section having something fun – even the elevators!

Here’s even more good news – you can purchase an Express Pass to the 86th Floor and skip all the waiting! I only recommend this pass if you have already done the regular 86th floor tour that includes visiting the 2nd floor interactive galleries and exhibits though. The wait time is worth it for all the cool things your family gets to see.

The Empire State Building Takes Your Safety Seriously

During this time, my family is being picky about the places we go to. As a mom, I want to be sure the places we go to are safe. I am happy to report that the Empire State Building is taking safety seriously. I couldn’t help but notice on our tour how clean everything was. In addition to routine cleaning, they have implemented frequent high touch area cleaning and each night the entire observatory space is sprayed with an electrostatic disinfectant.

They have also reduced capacity to less than 50%, so it is very easy to practice social distancing, and they use social distance markers. Plus, all tour hosts are wearing personal protective equipment (masks, face shields, and gloves).

I was also super impressed to learn that part of the renovations included installing a state-of-the-art air purification system which improves air quality and reduces the risk of virus transmission.

The 86th Floor Observatory and Beyond

The reason 4 million people head to the Empire State Building every year is because you get unprecedented views of New York City. Located in the heart of Manhattan, you can view all of New York City from the 86th floor observatory – and up to six other states! There’s a reason that the Empire State Building is both the most photographed building in the world and the most popular destination for Uber riders. And, naturally, the ideal spot to get the perfect Insta pic.

A Social Distancing Tour for Everyone

While the amazing views are enough to make everyone in your family happy, the tour offers fun for all ages. The 2nd floor waiting area has several interesting exhibits that satisfy kids, parents, and grandparents. For example, the new King Kong exhibit was a huge hit with my kids. I loved the theater that bears witness to the Empire State Building in pop culture and all the photos of celebrities visiting the Empire State Building. My husband loved to see the historical photos on display from New York City in the 1920s and 1930s (including photos from the construction of the famous building).

In addition to museum-quality exhibits, they offer a free self-guided tour for guests with tickets. You simply use their free guest Wi-Fi to enjoy this audio tour. Again, it makes waiting to head to the 86th observatory deck a breeze. With so much to check out, my girls didn’t even realize they were waiting!

What You Need to Know Before You Visit the Empire State Building

To keep everyone safe and make sure all families have a wonderful time, here are some things you need to know before you go:

• Admission is by appointment only. Reservations are now required.

• Prices start at $42 for adults and $36 for children. The ticket price includes the 2nd floor exhibits and interactive galleries, and the free audio tour.

• Masks (or facial coverings) are required by law.

• Your temperature will be checked upon arrival. If it is above 100.4°F, you will be denied entry.

7 Fun and Safe Social Distancing Outdoor Activities for NYC Families

Things may not be quite back to normal, but there are still plenty of ways to have some summer fun with your family! This summer may be a bit more laid back in terms of big adventures, but there are plenty of little adventures around NYC that are perfect for families. Check out this list of 7 fun and safe social distancing outdoor activities for families.

Bike with the Fam

My girls love their bikes! Like most things, I have a feeling this is going to be something they eventually outgrow. So, we’re being intentional about going on bike rides as a family. Whether we bike around our neighborhood or hit up one of the off the road bike trails around NYC, it is a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time together.

Go to a Drive-In Movie

We sure are missing going to the movie theatre as a family, but COVID-19 has brought back the thrill of going to a drive-in movie! Drive-ins are excellent for social distancing. You stay in your own vehicle, control the volume, and enjoy new releases on the big screen. Check out Skyline Drive-In NYC to see what is playing.

Hunt for the Best Ice Cream

Eating in restaurants is still a little challenging, but finding ice cream is not. Spend the summer visiting different ice cream shops around NYC to hunt for the best one. Many of these ice cream shops offer outdoor or patio seating.

Pick Fruit

According to Mommy Poppins, “Juicy blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are usually in season from July through the end of August near NYC, and some farms even have a second crop of raspberries that ripen later in the summer.” And there are plenty of places to do some social-distance fruit picking near NYC.

Glamp Under the Stars

If your family is feeling bummed that you had to cancel your summer vacation, surprise them by taking them Glamping on Governors Island. Glamping is camping elevated for those families who like the finer things in life (like air conditioning). Even though Governor’s Island is still closed to the public, guests take a complimentary private water taxi to the campsite on the island. You’ll experience the city in a brand-new way while maintaining social distance.

Visit State Parks

If you are staying in the city throughout the summer, try to visit some of the nearby state parks. In addition to exploring a new park, many of the parks offer great activities for families, such as hiking and kayaking. Use TimeOut’s guide to the best hiking trails for NYC families to explore to help get you started on your outdoor adventures.

Drive Through a Zoo

We sure have missed seeing our favorite zoo animals, so I was thrilled to hear Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey has opened its wild safari to the public. Your family can see over 1200 wild animals from your car window!

Plus, many of the public pools in NYC will start reopening this month. Thankfully, there is no evidence that shows COVID-19 can spread through pools. Just be sure to practice social distancing around the pool areas!  

10 Awesome August Events for Families in NYC

August has arrived, which means summer will be over before we know it. So, we’d better do our best to enjoy every last minute we have! Thankfully, there is tons of fun things to do in NYC for families this month – everything from delicious food events to outdoor carnivals. You can even go ahead and visit the nearby apple orchards and stock up before fall.

Today, I am highlight 10 family-friendly NYC happenings in August, so get your calendar ready!

Restaurant Week

As a foodie, you know I am super pumped for Restaurant Week 2019. Running from July 22—Aug 16th, Restaurant Week offers deals at over 370 restaurants with prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner. TimeOut has a guide for places to take the kids during Restaurant Week.

Manhattan’s Summer Streets

Saturdays in August mean car-free days in Manhattan where families are encouraged to use other means of travel (i.e., bikes, scooters) for a 7-mile stretch. Along this route, there are rest stops with family-friendly activities.

Bronx Zoo’s Dinosaur Safari

If you haven’t taken the family to Dinosaur Safari at the Bronx Zoo, make plans to visit before this exhibit closes in early November. Your kids will love seeing the 40 animatronic dinosaurs and the fossil dig.

Photo: Alliance for Coney Island Sand Sculpting Competition

Sand Sculpting Contest

The 29th Annual Sand Sculpting Competition will take place on August 17th at the Coney Island Beach. These sand sculptures are incredible and totally worth the trip!

Fly NYC

For a more laidback family adventure, check out FlyNYC Kite Flying Festival on Saturday, August 17th at Riverside Park. If you don’t have a kite of your own, kite kits are provided until they run out.

Photo: NYC-ARTS

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

This weekend, head to Queens for the amazing Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. Your family will marvel at the custom-made boats and enjoy cultural favorites (i.e., music, demonstrations, food, and bubble tea).

Hercules in Central Park

The Disney version of Hercules is being performed in Central Park in the evenings from August 31st – September 4th. Not only will kids love this live theater experience, but parents will appreciate that it is FREE!

Smorgasburg

Back to food again, because, of course! Smorgasburg is held Saturdays and Sundays during August in Prospect Park. You can try a wide variety of dishes and treats.

Richmond County Fair

Take the family to an old-fashion county fair (and Staten Island’s one and only) from August 31st to September 2nd. This is a wonderful way to send out summer.

Summer Outdoor Movies

Families have tons of options for free outdoor movies this summer in NYC. Check out this list of outdoor movies in NYC from the New York Times and make plans to get there early!

Photo: Whitney Browne of YYDC on Battery Dance Festival

Battery Dance Festival

Make plans to spend time at New York’s longest-running dance festival. The Battery Dance Festival will be held August 11th – 16th at Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park.

Which NYC event are you most looking forward to enjoying with your family this month? Let me know in the comments!

My Favorite Sweet Spots in NYC

I have a sweet tooth. There are few things that bring me as much joy as giving into a sugary temptation. And, according to doctors, I don’t have to feel guilty about it or give up sweets. According to WebMD, “Many nutritionists agree that when it comes to sweet treats, it’s not really what you eat, but how much and how often. ‘Small indulgences, even once a day, are fine,’ says Cindy Moore.”

So, I have chosen to follow the good doctor’s advice and plan to indulge my sweet tooth whenever I feel like it. I’m just not going to gorge myself on chocolate. I have a feeling this is something we can all handle. Am I right, ladies?

Fortunately, I live in NYC, which is essentially a sweets metropolitan as glamourous as Charlie’s Chocolate Factory. Everywhere you turn, you can find a bakery, a candy store, or an ice cream shop. If you live in NYC or plan to visit, these are some of my favorite places to indulge my sweet tooth without worrying about going overboard.

Levain Bakery

If you are craving the world’s best cookie, then look no further than Levain Bakery. They made it their mission to create the world’s best chocolate chip cookie – and they succeeded! While their chocolate chip cookies are out of this world, we love all the cookies they offer. They currently have five locations throughout New York.

Spot Dessert Bar

If you are looking for unique dessert dishes, then check out one of the three Spot Dessert Bar locations in NYC. They offer tapas desserts, including the super popular Green Tea Lava, as well as seasonal creations. Everything from the taste to the presentation is on point.

Hershey’s Chocolate World

If you want an entire dessert experience, then head to Hershey’s Chocolate World because it has a little bit of everything. Guests can shop Hershey’s logo products, personalize candy bar wrappers and Hershey’s kisses, and visit the Hershey’s Kitchen Bakery. Your senses will be overwhelmed in the best way possible.

Taiyaki NYC

If you want ice cream, try something new and head to Taiyaki NYC, which offers delicious matcha green tea and black sesame ice cream, among others. Known for their fish-shaped ice cream cones, they make the taiyaki waffles fresh on-site.

Plus, Other NYC Desserts I Am Dying to Try

With incredible chefs and bakers, the NYC dessert scene is incredible! You could eat a new dessert in this city every day without repeating. It’s amazing. NYC is where some of the most famous desserts have gotten their start (I’m looking at you, cronut!). You can enjoy macaroons, cupcakes, and ice cream galore, as well as totally unique treats. For example, at Dominique Ansel Bakery, you can enjoy a cookie shot glass filled with milk. Shoot the milk and enjoy a milk-soaked cookie as a chaser. Yum!

What is your favorite place to indulge your sweet tooth in NYC? Let me know in the comments so I can check it out!

How to Survive an NYC Heat Wave

Last week in New York was brutal! A crazy heatwave hit, and it was sweltering. Those of us who call NYC home aren’t accustomed to temps this high – and apparently, the city as a whole isn’t either since 50,000 lost power!

Now before you think I am overreacting, you should know that this heatwave was deadly. This last heatwave has been blamed for at least 6 deaths. A heatwave of this magnitude should be taken seriously. Unfortunately, for many of us, we don’t know how to handle a heatwave because we don’t deal with them frequently.

So today I’m sharing tips on how to survive an NYC heatwave so we can all be better prepared next time.

Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

When you hear that a heatwave can be deadly, this is because high temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke is more serious than heat exhaustion. If you suspect you or someone else is suffering from heat stroke, you need to call 9-1-1 immediately.

To distinguish between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, refer to the above illustration. The basic idea is if you start to feel unwell, it is best to get indoors and try to cool off.

Fill Up on H2O

Next, if you know it is going to be hot, it is best to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Take a water bottle with you wherever you go. If you are forced to be outdoors, it is even a good idea to wet your clothes with cool water.

Dress Lightly

Another way to stay cool is to dress appropriately for the hot temperatures. Avoid any clothing that is tight or made of thick fabrics. Instead, you should wear light, loose clothing that allows your skin to breathe easier. Fortunately, there are plenty of fashionable options that are designed for hot temperatures, such as sundresses and palazzo pants.

Stay Wet

If you simply can’t stay indoors and must go outdoors, choose water activities where you can stay wet. For example, my daughters enjoyed early morning swims. They got some of their daily physical activity in the pool before it reached the hottest point of the day.

Use This as an Excuse to Bond Indoors

Finally, the best way to survive an NYC heatwave is to stay indoors! Use the excessive heat as an excuse to hang out at home, catch up on indoor tasks, and bond with your family. My daughters entertained us with dancing performances and comedy routines. We relaxed and just enjoyed the time we had with one another without all the distractions we usually have.

A heatwave is the perfect excuse to make some homemade popsicles, bust out your favorite board games, and watch classic films. When you start to feel stir-crazy, just remind yourself the heatwave will be over before you know it, winter will arrive, and you will be begging for the summer to return.