naomi's Passport
 | Been to 51 Attractions |
 | 44 Reviews |
 | 16 First to Review |
 | 20 Photos |
 | 32 Helpful Votes |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
We're a road-trip family and love filling up the car and taking off to the unknown. Give us a picnic lunch to fill our bellies and a random museum or landmark or lake and we're happy.
We've been to Niagra Falls and the Hoover Dam, and hope to knock more of the spectacular wonders off our "must-see" list.
Originally from Australia, I'm set on discovering all 50 states of the USA and have (so-far) visited 13, though I'd love to see some of them more in-depth.
Our Family's Travel Personality
curious, quiet, relaxed, simple, independent, spontaneous, easy_going
We Just Got Back From
Detroit, Michigan. A whirlwind drive over three days through 4 states and we loved every second. (Must invest in comfy carseats for the kids if considering this again!)
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Australia
A Place We'd Love To Visit
Grand Canyon
Favorite Vacation Memory
Seeing a giraffe give birth at the San Diego Zoo. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with the baby slipping out as we watched from the top of the double-decker bus driving through the zoo. Then, we watched new life takes its first steps, mother hovering nearby.
Precious.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
Business class red-eye flight LAX-NY.
My son (1.5) screamed the entire flight.
At home, we discovered it was constipation.
Not fun.
Kid-friendly cafes in NYC and Brooklyn
I'm usually out with at least one of my kids, and usually I'll be meeting up with friends and their kids too. These places all meet the criteria of welcoming my kids to their eateries, whether with activities, outdoor areas or things to stare and be amazed by.
If my kids are happy, I'm also happy, with the bonus of not having to entertain the kids.
361 Troy Ave
Brooklyn, New York
Comment:
My favorite place for a lunch with my friends. Kids are welcome and the menu easily caters to them too. Though there is very limited space for strollers and the tables are close together, you are able to bring your stroller near your table. High chairs provided for the littlies.
reviewed on: March 13 2012
"My favorite neighborhood cafe."
Affectionately called BOBs, Bunchos is a friendly, inviting place for a meal, a snack, a coffee or time out with the kids. I'm usually found here with at least one of my kids and a friend or two with theirs.
The menu is inviting; BOB not only sells a variety of bagels but also bakes their own delicious cookies and muffins, whips up a mean scrambled egg or omelette, makes coffee to order, and will customize your order depending on allergies or preferences. While there is no kids' menu, every kid will be able to find something they want to eat from the extensive choices and the easygoing staff are more than patient as they take your order, customizing it as you wish.
I'm partial to the salads, the unexpected pairings and dressing on the side with the right amount of crunch keep me coming back for more. The peanut butter cookies are huge and more-ish, and as for the muffins, they sell a sugar-free bran muffin that's satisfying and wholesome without compromising on the taste.
Almost everyone swears by the bunch-o-ccino, a coffee/icecream/whip/chocolate indulgence that is best (calorie-wise) shared with a friend.
Bunchos gets very full at lunchtime, there's often a wait for a table, but I'm happy to wait as once you sit there is no pressure to finish and leave.
Though the atmosphere can get a little noisy and there are no noise-absorbing features in the cafe, it gives the place a more "relaxed" feel - I never worry that I should leave if my child starts complaining or whimpering.
It's worth visiting here if you are in the general area, visiting the Brooklyn Childrens' Museum or the Jewish Childrens' Museum.
109 Montague Street
(Brooklyn Heights) Brooklyn, New York
Comment:
Has a large area in the store, easy to get a stroller in & out. Kids will love the amazing display of cupcakes which are miniature works of art.
reviewed on: February 25 2012
"Your choice of cupcake heaven"
Crumbs recently strted opening up all over NYC, with one location in Brooklyn. The main drawcard of this location is its seating area and large inside space, other stores are just storefronts for busy people on the run.
The store can get packed during rush times, (think moms out for the morning bite) but usually there's no wait for a table.
With three sizes of cupcake, (mini for the littlest kids, or for a taste, classic for a "normal" size and the signature size which could feed three or four, easily), as well as other tasty pastries (think croissants, cookies and low-fat muffins and scones) there's something for every sweet tooth. Make that a super sweet tooth, because I found the carrot cake delicious, but a tad too sweet for me.
I'm amazed at the selection, with what seems like 100 flavors, but is probably closer to 50, there's a cupcake for everyone.
Prices for cupcakes start at $2 for the mini and go up to $4.50 for the Signature size.
This is a great place for a treat on the run, an after-hours dessert, or a take-home treat for the family.
1108 Cortelyou Road
Brooklyn, New York
Comment:
With a focus on fresh, local, organic ingredients, sourced from nearby farms, the farm on Adderley focuses on healthful eating.
Kids will love the garden area out the back, and on entering, will enjoy playing with the plastic farm animals that are handed out until the food arrives.
240 Sullivan Street
New York (Manhattan), New York
Comment:
For fans of peanut butter, look no further. This place makes everything from a simple peanut butter sandwich to ants on a log.
Relatively cheap to eat in, has high chairs, booster seats and a kids' menu too. it's a bright and sunny spot for a bite.
519 Hudson Street
New York (Manhattan), New York
Comment:
Cheap enough to make it a place to stop in, Cowgirl has a kids menu, stroller parking (SUCH a hard find in NYC!), highchairs and boosters, and a changing table in the restroom. Some really good southern food is served here. There's a small outdoor seating area, too, and a shop in the store that sells unique western items - belts, hats and the like.
841 Broadway (14th street/Union Square)
New York (Manhattan), New York
Comment:
I love this place for the kids' menu. It's a fun place to go, kids are happy looking at the pipes, quotes and art around the room.
The place is reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate factory.
reviewed on: February 25 2012
"Chocolate Paradise"
The name speaks dessert, Max Brenner is known internationally for the decadent and innovative chocolate creations. This location is perfect - we stopped in after a day of shopping in and around Union Square for a quick treat before heading home.
There were so many people inside! It looks like this is a place frequented by tourists and young families. Since baby was asleep, I didn't even think of asking for a highchair and we were seated after about a 10 minute wait.
My son had recently seen the old "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and we talked about the (fake!)pipes that ran above our heads and, since he is starting to read, we read the chocolate sayings on the wall, many of which I had to explain to him. So the 10 minutes passed by fairly quickly.
There are two parts to the restaurant, we sat at the more informal bar area for our coffee and milkshake. They also offer breakfast and brunch, with a kids' menu, and serve alcohlolic drinks too.
My cuppachino was good, made the way I expected. You have no idea how many restaurants don't care about their coffee until you find one that does, and Max Brenner is one of these that know their coffee. I sat savouring the frothy goodness while begging my son for a sip of his milkshake. The "milkyway shake" was a sip of milk chocolate heaven. I am almost certain they're using real chocolate in there, I've not tasted a better one since.
We found it too pricey for us to order any of the desserts, our bill was close to $20 (including tax and tip) without any food, but what I saw on the tables around us made me wish that we could return for a full dessert.
I'd return here for a special occasion, we have a few other favorite eateries that are not as pricey, though, again, the taste of the coffee was THAT good that I may end up here again just for another one.
225 60th St.
between 2nd and 3rd Ave New York (Manhattan), New York
Comment:
This cafe is known as a NYC landmark, it's an upscale restaurant but kid friendly too. Serendipity is well-known for the ice-cream sundaes, desserts are extravagant.
There is so much to look at, from the wall decorations to the lamps and they even have a gift shop. Kids will have lots to marvel over.
Reservations are recommended, be prepared for a wait without one.
156 East 64th Street
New York (Manhattan), New York
Comment:
A whimsical and magical place to look at, let alone eat in. Alice's is known for its perfectly brewed teas and kid-friendly walls. Fairy wings are available to wear while you eat, and which little girl doesn't want to dress up like a fairy?
It's a kid-friendly space to pop in to.
