I get asked all the time for suggestions of activities, such as “Miriam, I have an eight-year-old and a fourteen-year-old; what can I do on their day off?” or “I’m taking a day off with my husband; any suggestions where we can go?“
And the list goes on!
Guess what question I got asked the most these last few weeks. You got it: “Any ideas for Chol HaMoed?” Well, you guys are in luck! I am sharing a four-day itinerary for people in the New York tri-state area.
Day Number 1—Activities in Manhattan
Stop 1: Head to Artechouse in Manhattan—it’s open 12:00–7:00 PM. This awesome spot is an exhibition showcasing digital art! Grab your camera and shoot some cool photos. Sessions are every thirty minutes and last for about an hour. This activity can be for all ages.
Artechouse
439 West 15th street
New York, NY 10011
An alternative option is Eclipso which is a VR experience. This activity can be for all ages.
Eclipso
555 West 57th street
New York, NY 10019
If it’s a nice day and you have time to spare, walk two blocks over to the Highline Observation Desk. The Highline used to be a railroad above Manhattan that is now turned into a walking path. It’s so worth it to check out!
Stop 2: Drive fifteen minutes or—my preferred method—walk forty minutes over to Shot of Art; their first class begins at 3:00 pm. Experience the coolest art-making fun! Choose from different art techniques such as shoot and spin, fluid art, neon and more. Create a unique art masterpiece! This activity can be for all ages.
Shot of Art
28 W 36th street
10th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Day Number 2—Activities on Long Island
Stop 1: Head over to Empire Adventure Park in Westbury near Roosevelt Field Mall! This is an indoor play area for all ages! Here you will find trampolines, laser tag, ninja obstacle course, augmented reality, virtual reality, E-sports, adventure maze, inflatable obstacle course and a toddler area as well! This can be for all ages because of the laser tag, but otherwise it’s for sure good for kids up to thirteen years old.
Empire Adventure Park
1500 Old Country Road, Unit 231
Westbury, NY 11590
Stop 2: Once you are done running around, drive twenty-five minutes to Krafty Hands in Bellerose (border of Long Island and Queens). Here you can sit and enjoy a variety of activities to choose from! The options are canvas painting, plaster painting, making slime, decorating a fanny pack or hat, tie-dyeing T-shirts, stuffing a toy pet and decorating the pet’s shirt, making a sensory jar and—specifically for older kids—spray painting/graffitiing a hoodie. Call the store at 347.426.9825 to book. The owner’s name is Latha Venkat, and you can mention that I sent you! This activity can be for all ages.
Krafty Hands
251-73 Jericho Turnpike
Queens, NY 11426
An alternative option to this is Graff Lab Studio in Syosset—make a T-shirt, sweatshirt or bag with cool graffiti paint, using different stencils to decorate. This activity can be for all ages.
Graff Lab Studio
180 Michael Drive
Suite #102
Syosset, NY 11791
Day Number 3—Activities in Connecticut
Stop 1: Drive over to Thrillz and Jumpz in Danbury. These separate but connected high flying adventure and trampoline parks are for all ages and include obstacle courses for older kids, zip line, jump areas and more!
Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park
5 Prindle Lane
Danbury, CT 06811
Jumpz Trampoline Park
21 Prindle Lane
Danbury, CT 06811
Stop 2: RPM Raceway is a lot of fun for ages six and up. It’s a short activity, but there is an arcade there as well!
RPM Raceway
600 West Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
Alternative options are the Maritime Aquarium—this is always a hit—and Angel Land, which is a great option for children up to ten years old.
Maritime Aquarium
10 N Water Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
Angel Land
100 Greyrock Place
Stamford, CT 06901
Day Number 4—New Jersey
Stop 1: Planet Playskool in Westfield Garden Plaza—let your kids create, play and explore. There is something for all ages, even adults!
Planet Playskool
One Garden State Plaza Pkwy
Paramus, NJ 07652
An alternative option is LifeTown Shoppes in Livingston with immersive shops, sensory area, play area and more! It’s for ages up to ten years old.
LifeTown Shoppes Experience
10 Microlab Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
Stop 2: If the weather is nice, stop at Cheesequake State Park or Ross Dock Picnic Area. Both are short trails or hikes with beautiful scenery!
Cheesequake State Park
300 Gordon Road
Matawan, NJ 07747
Ross Dock Picnic Park
Henry Hudson Drive
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
An alternative idea if you want to remain indoors is to check out PingPod which is a cool self-serve ping-pong spot—book a table and have fun! This can be for ages eight and up. Or head to Tipsy Tie Dye and create cool stuff! This can be for all ages.
PingPod
2025 Hudson Street
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Tipsy Tie Dye
155 1st Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030
This itinerary is jam-packed and not exclusive to Chol HaMoed. These are great ideas for Sundays and the summer as well!
Miriam Blumenkrantz is a travel blogger who creates content showcasing activities and hotel/Airbnb content. She also creates customized itineraries for domestic and international travel. She can be reached on Instagram @meet_me_at_sunset or 917.538.4160.