PERFECT POWDER
Who Says You Can’t Ski Near New York City?
Thunder
Ridge Ski Area (Patterson, NY)
Just 75 minutes from NYC, Thunder Ridge features 30 trails of varying
difficulty. Three-hour lessons for children ages 5-12 are offered on weekends
and holidays, and in a new program aimed at the preschool-kindergarten set,
little ones can learn the basics, too. Without a car? Ride the Metro-North
Railroad. And on Saturdays and Sundays through March, enjoy free shuttle
service between the Patterson train station and the slopes. thunderridgeski.com
Hunter Mountain
(Hunter, NY)
With 240 skiable acres, 11 lifts, 55 trails and nine snow-tubing chutes, this resort
is an exciting and not-too-far-away option. Programs are available for children
ages 4-17 in skiing and snowboarding, and daycare is available for children six
months through six years. huntermtn.com
Kissing
Bridge (Glenwood, NY)
Head to Western New York for a chance to ski this 700-acre, 36-slope,
nine-lift snow park. Parents can
enroll children in a two-hour instructional
program (a hot cocoa break is included!). The resort also boasts
a downhill
tubing park, several restaurants and plenty of nearby bed and breakfasts. kbski.com
Holiday
Valley (Ellicottville, NY)
Just one hour away from Buffalo and Lake Erie, this resort is a ski-loving
family’s dream. Delight in tubing, mountain biking, a spa and the chance to
learn the history of the Seneca Native Americans. Plus, for the
month of
January, get a 20% discount in the Burton Learn to Ride Center, which offers ski
lessons for both children and adults. holidayvalley.com
Belleayre Mountain (Highmount, NY)
Located in the Catskills just two and a half hours outside of the city, this
resort offers eight lifts and 55 trails, glades and parks. A full-day
instructional program is offered for children ages 4-12. Workshops and clinics
are also available for kids and adults to hone their skiing, snowboarding and
even cross-country skills. Visitors can also enjoy the lodging, dining and
attractions of the nearby Catskills. belleayre.com
Whiteface Mountain (Lake
Placid, NY)
Rated the No. 1 ski resort in the Northeast by the readers of SKI Magazine, this winter paradise
encompasses the slopes used at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Adventure-loving
fams can try their hands
(and feet) at the Gold Medal Games Family Edition,
where a few of the adrenaline-pumping activities include bobsledding and speed
skating. whiteface.com
Woodloch
Resort (Hawley, PA)
Sitting on 1,000 acres in the heart of northeastern Pennsylvania’s Pocono
Mountains, Woodloch is a
four-season retreat that stays abuzz all winter long.
A few of the many cold-weather activities guests can enjoy are snow tubing, ice
skating and snowmobiling. Purchase a Woodloch VIP pass for quicker
access to the 18 trails at neighboring Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain. woodloch.com
Ski
Butternut (Great Barrington, MA)
Beginners on these Berkshire slopes can breathe easy. Three trails are
designated Slow Zones, where speedy skiing is prohibited. Novices ages 4-12 can
receive full- and half-day instruction on weekends and holidays.
For
longer-term vacations, mid-week ski-and-stay packages are a steal. skibutternut.com
Jiminy
Peak Mountain Resort (Hancock, MA)
This popular Berkshires resort boasts top-rated instructional programs, such as
its KidsRule Mountain Camps
for children ages 4-14 (there’s even a program for
three-year-olds!). Little ones six months and older can enjoy indoor play in
the Cub’s Den playroom while parents take to the slopes. jiminypeak.com
Smugglers’
Notch Resort (Smugglers’ Notch, VT)
Cruise
any one of this award-winning ski spot’s three mountains, then trek over to the
FunZone, a kid-friendly recreation center complete with an indoor playground
and a mini-golf course. Condominiums come equipped
with kitchens, Internet
access and in-unit or nearby laundry facilities. Free lift tickets are
available for kids ages 5 and under. smuggs.com
Stowe
Mountain Resort (Stowe, VT)
This all-inclusive ski lodge is a place to be pampered. Dine at one of its
distinctive restaurants. Indulge in star treatment at The Spa. Stay in one of
139 custom-designed rooms at the Stowe Mountain Lodge, or opt for
more private
accommodations at the cozy Inn at the Mountain. Also available are a variety of
townhome rentals perfect for families. On the mountains, kids three and up can
strengthen their skills in full-day ski instruction programs. stowe.com
Okemo
Mountain Resort (Ludlow, VT)
Head to Vermont to experience one of the best ski resorts in the Northeast.
Featuring slopeside lodging (free for kids), free skiing and riding for
children under six, a daycare center for children and private lessons for those
as young as two, this resort is truly family-friendly. Okemo even offers Young
Adult slopes for teens and a special Kids Night Out that indulges children in
pizza parties, movies and fun activities while parents enjoy the slopes solo. okemo.com
—Tiffanie Green and Annie Young
ONE LUMP OR TWO?
Teatime Gets Kid-Friendly
Alice’s Tea Cup
This whimsical wonderland of a café is totally devoted to tea. Pop in for a
simple and delicious afternoon sipping sesh with scones, or make it a lunch
date with the “Mad Hatter,” which includes a pot of tea, two scones, sandwiches
and dessert. Locations on the Upper West
and Upper East Sides, alicesteacup.com.
American Girl Café
As if the shopping experience at
this girl-world emporium isn’t exciting enough, little ladies can head up
to
the third floor for afternoon tea with their dolls. Choose from a selection of
treats both savory and sweet,
and have fun dining with tiny cups and doll
companions. 609 Fifth
Avenue, americangirl.com.
Russian Tea Room
Children will love sampling raspberry zinger, lotus green and chamomile teas;
choosing from a carousel of sandwiches that includes grilled trio of cheeses,
miniature BLTs and classic tuna fish; and finishing off the experience with
mouthwatering desserts such as warm scones, red velvet cupcakes and chocolate
mousse.
150 West 57th Street, russiantearoomnyc.com.
Sweet Melissa Patisserie
This Brooklyn bakery offers an array of cakes, pies and
assorted treats baked fresh daily, but the venue’s children’s tea parties are a
fanciful idea for your child’s next b-day party. Kids can sip hot or iced tea,
milk or juice while nibbling scones, finger sandwiches and petit fours. And the
best part? Wee guests can use Sweet Melissa’s dress-up chest of costumes. Locations
in Park Slope and Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, sweetmelissapatisserie.com.
—Amanda
Ferris and Gavriella Mahpour
SPIN, SPIRAL, SLAP
Where To Ice Skate, Where To Pass The
Puck
The Standard Hotel
Now in its second season, this pop-up ice rink
has become a popular skating locale for families in-the-know. When your
footsies grow weary, be sure to stop by the hotel’s Kaffeehaus for fresh
crepes, waffles, hot cocoa and spiced apple cider. 848 Washington Street, standardhotels.com/new-york-city.
Wollman
Rink
With ice hockey, a skating school, public skating and one of the most
picturesque settings in the city,
Wollman
Rink in Central Park has long been a favorite of New York City families. Enter at 59th Street and
Sixth Avenue, wollmanskatingrink.com.
Lasker
Rink
A twin rink facility
tucked away in the north end of Central Park, Lasker offers a
youth hockey league, ice
skating school and public skating. Enter at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue, laskerrink.com.
Citi Pond
There’s free
admission (and lockers) at Bryant Park’s Citi Pond, with skate sharpening
available for a $20 fee. Between 40th
and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, citipondatbryantpark.com.
The Rink
Everyone should hit The Rink at Rockefeller Center at least once!
Skating lessons and public skating are offered—not to mention a picture-perfect
view of the 30,000-light tree. Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets, rockefellercenter.com.
Sky Rink
Beginners to
advanced skaters can glide around the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, which hosts
youth hockey,
figure skating, general skating and cozy parties. Pier 61 (23rd Street and the Hudson River), chelseapiers.com.
City Ice Pavilion
Long Island City’s relatively new
addition to the skating scene is an NHL-style dome with an
ice skating school, ice hockey training and free public skating. 47-32 32nd Place, Queens, cityicepavilion.com.
—Leah Black and Gavriella Mahpour
D.I.Y.
Creative Escapes
From The Cold
The Craft
Studio
Whether you’re just in the neighborhood or hosting your child’s next birthday
party, The Craft Studio is one of our fav places to get creative. It also
offers seasonal workshops and a toy corner stocked with the latest goodies and
gifts. 1657 Third
Avenue, craftstudionyc.com.
HiArt!
This isn’t your average
craft place. Children as young as two can participate in programs such as Opera
N’ Art, Manga Madness and Theater & Improv for Kids. 227
West 29th Street, Studio 4R, hiartkids.com.
Kids At Art
The Upper East Side art haven encourages kids ages 2-11 to get messy during
their age- and ability-grouped classes. Plus, an on-site art gallery allows
students to display their finished masterpieces in style. 431
East 73rd Street, kidsatartnyc.com.
Make Meaning
With seven crafting experiences to choose from, including soap, jewelry,
ceramics and cake decorating, Make Meaning has art projects for kids and adults
alike. And with more than 100 classes a month, this arts and crafts mecca is
sure to inspire the crafty connoisseur in everyone. Walk-ins are welcome, but
reservations are recommended. Located on
the Upper East and Upper West Sides, makemeaning.com.
–Gavriella
Mahpour
HOT COCOA HAVENS
Where To Get A
Steaming Cup Of Sweetness
City Bakery
Nothing beats a homemade marshmallow floating in a giant mug of
drinkable chocolate. City Bakery’s rich,
thick concoction is sure to satisfy
any chocaholic. Pair it with the bakery’s famed pretzel croissant for the best
sweet and savory combination around. 3 West 18th Street, thecitybakery.com.
The Chocolate Room
A cup of hot cocoa enjoyed at a table in this cozy café is a perfect way
to spend a chilly afternoon or evening.
Children will adore the classic hot
cocoa, and adults can try the dark or spiced varieties. Locations in Park
Slope and Cobble Hill, Brooklyn,
thechocolateroombrooklyn.com.
Dylan’s Candy Bar & Café
Located on the store’s third
level, Dylan’s café offers six varieties of over-the-top frozen hot chocolate,
including “Birthday Party” (which comes with whipped cream, sprinkles and a
slice of cake), and “Peanut Butter
Explosion” (complete with peanut butter
cups, chocolate chips/sauce and whipped cream). 1011 Third Avenue,
dylanscandybar.com.
Jacques Torres
There’s a reason Jacques Torres is known as “Mr. Chocolate.” Kids can
try the classic thick and creamy hot cocoa (and add flavorings such as peanut
butter, orange or caramel), while adults can try the “wicked” version, made
with allspice, cinnamon, chipotle and ancho chiles. Various locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, mrchocolate.com.
La Maison du Chocolat
Step inside this sweet nook and be transported to the
streets of Paris (if only until you drain your cup). Choose
from two varieties:
the Guayaquil, a silky smooth dark chocolate drink, and the Caracas, a special
blend of full-bodied cocoa beans. Various
locations in Manhattan,
lamaisonduchocolat.com.
MarieBelle’s Cacao Bar and Tea Salon
This specialty chocolatier pulls no punches when it comes to hot
chocolate: The menu features five different varieties, each with the option of
“European-style” (made with water) or “American-style” (made with milk). The
mocha is made with finely ground coffee powder and 60% cacao, while the spicy
version is flavored with
chipotle, ancho chiles, nutmeg and cinnamon. 484 Broome Street, mariebelle.com.
Max Brenner
Max Brenner’s signature hot chocolate is served in a specially-designed
“hug mug” (the better to warm your
hands with, of course!). Choose from dark,
milk and white chocolate varieties, and mix in your flavor of choice:
raspberry,
coconut, cinnamon, mint, hazelnut or banana. 841 Broadway,
maxbrenner.com.
Nunu Chocolates
Enjoy a shaved hot cocoa and feel good about the world at Nunu; the
cocoa beans used at this specialty store come from a sustainable, family-run
farm in eastern Colombia. Take a seat at one of the wooden farmhouse tables—if
you’re lucky, you might see chocolatier Justine Pringle creating her delectable
treats in the kitchen! 529 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, nunuchocolates.com.
Otto’s Pizzeria
This Mario Batali restaurant is well-known for its pizza, but in the
winter months it also offers a sweet, warm
treat: gianduja calda, or hazelnut hot chocolate with cinnamon whipped
cream, made from roasted hazelnut grounds leftover from the gelato. 1 Fifth Avenue, ottopizzeria.com.
—Amy
Spiro
ROLL DOWN THE LANES
Nothing Says Family Fun Like A Granny Bowl
300 New York
Located at Chelsea Piers, this
alley boasts 40 lanes with special lighting and enhanced sound for plenty of
pin-dropping fun. For those in need of a break, there’s also a video arcade and
gaming room. Pier 60 (23rd
Street and the West
Side Highway), threehundred.com.
Lucky Strike
This upscale alley features 26
lanes and 11 billiard tables. The private LuXe Lounge, which includes four
exclusive lanes and a media center, makes Lucky Strike a great locale for your
own bowler’s next b-day party. 624-660
West 42nd Street, bowlluckystrike.com.
Bowlmor Lanes
With 42 glow-in-the-dark lanes, a
newly installed mini-golf course and a full in-house restaurant, this popular
Union Square bowling spot offers families a spirited time at a reasonable
price. Sunday night is Sunday Funday featuring $6 games and $3 shoe rentals. Children welcome Friday-Sunday only. 110
University Place, bowlmor.com.
–Gavriella
Mahpour
