The picturesque multi-cultural neighborhood Greenpoint along the East River is totally worth a day trip with kids! Polish immigrant and Polish-American communities have historically lived here, however, it has evolved into a “hipster neighborhood” with lots of independent shops, many family-friendly businesses and a new ninja warrior and trampoline park called Ferox Athletics.
Where to eat with kids:
- Polish: Karczma at 136 Greenpoint Ave is one of the most famous and popular Polish restaurants in Greenpoint and Pierozek is home to authentic handmade Polish Pierogi, located on Manhattan Ave
- Pizza: Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop at 110 Franklin Street
- Ramen: Wanpaku and The Ramen Spot both on Manhattan Ave
- Donuts: 60-year-old Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop on Manhattan Ave (bring cash)
- Mexican: Taqueria Ramirez at 94 Franklin Street offers great tacos, open Wednesdays to Sundays and not really a sit down place but more grab and go
- American: Bernie’s at 322 Driggs Ave
- Cafe Riviera on Manhattan Ave is a sit down cafe and has a large selection of Polish and European treats like Babka yeast cake, almond pretzel and apple turnover
- Maman bakery at 80 Kent Street with great coffee and cookies
- Davey’s Ice Cream at 74 Meserole Ave
Parks:
- Transmitter Park at the waterfront with stunning Manhattan views
- Mccaren Park is on the border of Williamsburg and Greenpoint with playgrounds and ball sports fields
- McGolrick Park with a good playground
- Under the K Bridge Park great for biking and skateboarding
Indoor fun for kids:
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The Play Lab at 33 Nassau Avenue is a eco-friendly Montessori-inspired playspace for ages 9 months up to 7 years old to play, climb, have fun and engage in open-ended creative & sensory-rich activities. 2 hour drop-ins are $35 per child. Find out more here.
- Ferox Athletics is the biggest ninja park on the East Coast for adults and kids with 40,000+ square feet including ninja warrior courses and obstacles, a trampoline arena, and a full-size cafe where parents can hang while kids play. Open Play passes range from $30 – $39, they also offer birthday parties, classes and camps. Best for ages 5 and up. Find out more here.
Kid-friendly shopping:
- Word bookstore at 126 Franklin Street
- Hey Kids Comics store carrying exclusively graphic novels for kids at 157 Huron Street open Wednesday to Sunday
- Action City Comics on Manhattan Street another graphic novel book store
How to get there:
The Greenpoint landing of the East River ferry has been renovated and is back open, schedule here (also check out the KAWS statue when you get off the ferry – bronze “Companion figures” stand over 20-feet tall). The B 62 bus runs from Downtown Brooklyn through Vinegar Hill and Williamsburg to Greenpoint and there are two main subway stations in Greenpoint that service the G train – Nassau Avenue Station and Greenpoint Avenue Station.
