Family Fun in the Big Apple and Chocolate City: NY and DC with Kids

It’s been 5 years since our family moved to my hometown of Los Angeles. After living in sunny southern California for so long, an extended trip to the east coast was much needed. It was time to revisit our old stomping grounds; but The Big Apple 🍎 was first on our itinerary. New York is the “city of dreams” and we could not miss out on an opportunity to let the boys experience its electricity since they had never been. Faruq’s dream was to see a ninja turtle, and/or find the right sewer cover to lead him to the Ninja Turtle lair. No matter what, we were committed to having a wonderful adventure.

New York is definitely the most bustling major metropolitan city I’ve ever experienced. If Gotham City can be overwhelming for you as well, this hack will be a big help! New York AFTER one of its huge events is perfect. We arrived one day after the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and it was honestly the best decision we could’ve made. We may have missed out on the holiday festivities, but moving about that next morning was the cleanest and least stressful New York will ever be and I was loving it! 😆 By the evening hours, crowding started to pick back up, but things were still clean and not quite as hectic. Here are a few of our favorite places to visit in NY:

• Yotel Times Square

This hotel is located less than a mile from Times Square. It is conveniently placed near the city’s best shopping, entertainment, and restaurants. The room was tiny, very modern and efficient. We were lucky enough to find a great deal for this room on Hotel Tonight.

• Times Square

We had to stop by to show the boys one of the world’s favorite tourist attractions. Their eyes lit up when they saw the vibrant lights and energy. There are so many restaurants, stores, and entertainment options located here. It’s somewhere you cannot miss going, especially if it is your first time in New York.

• Museum of Ice Cream 🍦

Such a fun experience for the boys! This museum also brought out the inner child in Eric and I! We learned about the history of ice cream, got to try several different flavors, and the boys even participated in various ice cream-themed activities. If there is a pop-up near you, I highly recommend going for some family-friendly fun.

• Fao Schwarz 🧸

It’s not just a regular toy store. This store fulfills every child’s dreams with the countless amount of unique and timeless toys they have for kids of all ages. It is truly such an unparalleled experience for kids. Our son Faruq had the chance to model for this brand not too long ago, so the fact that he got the opportunity to visit the store in person was the cherry on top!

• Patis Bakery

An artisan bakery with so many yummy pastries, including non-dairy options! They specialize in European and American pastry, breads, ice creams, sandwiches and more. Choosing just one dessert is almost impossible.

• Ace’s Pizza Spot 🍕

This is the BEST pizza in New York, PERIOD! Need I say more?

• ANY Chinese restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen

We were told that as long as we visited any Chinese restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen, we would not be disappointed, and that was correct. They have the most authentic restaurants with countless flavorful dishes!

Having this dose of a fast, big city was fun, but it did, however, confirm that this pace of life is no longer what we desire. Although I love the energy and walkability of the city, I am now leaning into a softer, slower lifestyle.

After spending a few days in NY, our next stop was Eric’s hometown, Washington DC—which is like a second home to us. It's always so refreshing to visit somewhere you once had roots. Coming here is always so heart-warming, and this city will always have a special place in our hearts. I love the sense of community and seeing all the melanated faces in the city. Getting to visit Eric’s family here is also a huge plus!

DC is really great for its accessibility. I love walking through this city to enjoy the views and small neighborhood feels. It’s also a place where you can thoroughly enjoy all FOUR seasons! That’s something we don’t see too much of out in LA.

With an abundance of historic landmarks and diverse history, this trip made for a perfect learning/roadschooling opportunity. And we can’t forget about all the free museums! It really is one of the best cities to travel with littles. Some other favorite places include:

• Teaism 🫖

A teahouse with Asian-inspired meals and high quality tea? Say less! My favorite item on their menu is the french toast. They serve it with stewed apples and cranberries—it is to die for! 😋

• Destino

Best Mexican food in the city! Destino has delicious brunch and dinner options with a modern spin on traditional Mexican dishes. They also have delicious cocktails. Be sure to try one if you ever stop by.

• Puddin’

We love supporting Black-owned businesses like Puddin’. They serve southern style cuisine with favorites like shrimp n’ grits. But BABY, you haven’t had bread pudding until you’ve had theirs. It’s the district's best offering—argue amongst yourselves!

• Vegz

In true foodie fashion, we love trying foods from different cultures. Vegz is a new Indian restaurant we discovered in Adams Morgan and they did not disappoint.

• National Children’s Museum 🧪

Our most important stop was the National Children’s Museum. I love that DC has free public museums and is full of interactive learning opportunities. This museum offers STEAM-focused activities for kids sparking creativity and encouraging skill development.

Overall, we had a great experience visiting these two cities that Eric and I are both very fond of. Our New York/DC trip brought up so many memories, but the nostalgia was not enough to derail our plan to shift towards a softer, off-grid lifestyle. I am excited to experience that very soon and equally look forward to more family travel adventures.

Stay tuned for our journey and let us know some of your favorite things to do and places to go in New York and DC.