Family Fun in New York City

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New York City welcomes visitors of all ages. Here, Gunter Kleemann, chef concierge at The New York Palace, recommends the best restaurants, activities and attractions for family fun.

 

Breakfast Bites

To start the day, Gunter Kleemann, chef concierge at The New York Palace, says Good Enough to Eat is a perfect restaurant for the whole family. The breakfast menu features the eatery’s namesake pancakes, waffles and French toast plates in addition to omelets, breakfast sandwiches, Irish oatmeal, homemade granola and more. A full bar is also available for the 21-and-older members of the group to enjoy bloody marys, mimosas and other morning libations. (520 Columbus Ave.; 212-496-0163; goodenoughtoeat.com)

 

Traveling Stage

RIDE
(Sal James)

The Ride is a most unique type of street entertainment where you ride on a bus, and there are staged events that take place in the streets around Manhattan,” Kleemann says. “[There’s] everything from a song by a hip-hop singer using information from one of the visitors on the bus to a ballet on skates around the Columbus Circle fountain.” Part tour, part show, The Ride is a 75-minute journey across town to a few of the city’s most notable locations. Stadium-style seating on the bus ensures a good view of performances. (234 W. 42nd St.; 646-289-5060; experiencetheride.com)

 

Midday Meal

For lunch, Kleemann recommends Jekyll and Hyde Club Restaurant and Bar. The unique dining experience begins by retrieving a password from a doorman at a location called Henry Jekyll and Sons Surgical Supplies of London. A secret entrance leads to a souvenir shop and Chamber of Horrors attraction. At the restaurant, some favorite dishes on the family-friendly menu are the sandwiches and pizzas, which come with creative toppings like barbecue chicken, a bourbon sauce and Monterey Jack cheese. (216 W. 44th St.; 212-869-4933; jekyllandhydeclub.com)

 

Past Perspectives

To add an educational element to their vacation, Kleemann suggests families visit the Museum of the City of New York. The museum’s key collection and a 20-minute video highlight the city’s progression. Visitors can also explore the rotating exhibits; “Jeff Chien-Hsing Liao’s New York: Assembled Realities” runs through Feb. 15, 2015, with more than 40 panoramic photographs by the Taiwanese artist. Liao captures images of a city location over a course of several hours to create his large-scale works. (1220 Fifth Ave.; 212-534-1672; mcny.org)

 

Family Dinner

Fraunces Tavern M 2011

Let the history lesson continue by dining at Fraunces Tavern. The restaurant’s signature steak burger is sure to please all ages, served with bacon marmalade, a slice of fontina cheese, onion rings and a fried egg between the two buns. Meanwhile, adults may enjoy dishes like the prime New York strip steak or the sweet corn and goat cheese ravioli. Located in one of the oldest structures in New York, Fraunces recalls a past era. “It’s a great historical restaurant,” Kleemann says. “They also have a great museum on the second floor.” (54 Pearl St.; 212-968-1776; frauncestavern.com)
—Written by Kirsti Correa