Parenting

The Tri-State’s Best Kept Secrets 

 

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. 

 

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