Things to do with Kids in Soho
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Are there really things to do with kids in SoHo? People ask all the time about this trendy neighborhood in downtown Manhattan. Shopping, brunching and late night drinks are what come to mind first when one thinks of SoHo. But there are a few kid-oriented diamonds in the rough as well.
I used to work in SoHo, a long time ago. Celeb sightings were the norm – not kids! High-end stores, art galleries, impossible-to-get-into restaurants characterize this happening neighborhood. But, like much of the world, times have changed and people are taking their kids everywhere now, including uber-hip SoHo.
I recently had to drag one of my daughters with me to an appointment in SoHo, which spurred the idea for this post. I figured, if she was coming all the way with me (we live in the suburbs), I might as well try and provide some fun for her as well.
And fun we had! From art-making to over the top milkshakes to museums, below is a list of fun things to do with kids in SoHo. (Not that we did all of these in that one day!)
Things to do with Kids in SoHo
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer
Black Tap burger joint started by Michelin star awarded chef Joe Isidori is the latest restaurant chain to take New York by storm, with their gourmet burgers and insane milkshakes. It’s their “Crazy Shakes” that have made this a destination for kids just as much as adults. Serendipity 3 and Dylan’s Candy, move over! Kids come from far and wide to try these shakes. Just look at them! And grown-ups too, not just to drink them, but to get that coveted Instagram-worthy shot.
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The burgers are as equally delicious, so you can make a lunch or a dessert of it. Beware of long lines, though, and plan to get there early. We arrived at 11:45 a.m. and waited about 20 minutes, which isn’t bad all things considered. The look on my daughter’s face would have made an hour wait worth it.
529 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013
Children’s Museum of the Arts
This fun and unique museum opened its doors to a state of the art building in SoHo in 2011 (from a previous location) and has been a major hit with NYC kids ever since. The concept is simple: children are introduced to art through classes and workshops, and make art alongside working artists. I remember the first time we took our girls and they thought it was the coolest place they had ever been to. There’s a Clay Bar, Media Lab, WEE studio and more. If your kids are into art, then they’ll love CMA.
103 Charlton Street, New York, NY 10014
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New York City Fire Museum
Located in the former quarters of Engine Company No. 30, a 1904 Beaux-Arts Firehouse, the New York City Fire Museum’s mission is to “preserve and present the cultural heritage of the fire service of New York”. Permanent and temporary exhibitions contain artifacts from the late 18th century to present day. The museum’s antique fire trucks and memorabilia are on display for all those fire-engine loving kids to admire.
The coolest thing about the museum to me, however, is its fire safety education program, which teaches people how to prevent fires from happening in their homes, as well as how to protect themselves and escape a fire. The first half of the program consists of a firefighter showing a video and leading a discussion on fire safety. The second half consists of a mock fire in which theatrical smoke is released and a fire alarm goes off, and the firefighter teaches children how to escape. How cool and educational is that? Advances reservations are required – see website above for more information.
278 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013
Jacques Torres Flagship Store and Chocolate Museum
Chocolate museum? Yes! The iconic chocolatier has opened his first ever chocolate museum in the SoHo flagship store. Called the “Chocolate Museum and Experience with Jacques Torres”, New York’s first chocolate museum opened in 2017. The 5,000 square foot museum tells the story of how chocolate is made, where you can take a self-guided tour full of artifacts, 8 premium tastings and a bon-bon making demonstration. Honestly, I was had at Jacques Torres – perhaps my favorite chocolate in the city – but when I learned of the museum that sealed the deal.
350 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
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The Evolution Store
Skulls, skeletons, fossils, meteorites, specimens, oh my! If your child is into anything to do with natural history and science then they will LOVE The Evolution Store! Ok, so it’s technically not in SoHo anymore – it used to be on Spring Street from 1993 – 2016 – it’s now just two blocks north of Houston, the dividing line between SoHo and the Village, so I’m still putting it in this post! I remember going into this store all the time when I worked in SoHo, and it’s fascinating. They get their specimens from the very people who provide them to museums and private collectors around the world. If you’re into curiosities, this is the ultimate store.
687 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
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Best Family Friendly Museums in New York City
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PIN IT FOR LATER!
This post is part of FARAWAY FILES, CITY TRIPPING and CULTURED KIDS
We did a few of these things in New York a few summers ago but I didn’t know about the chocolate museum!! I have to add that to our itinerary for next time. #CityTripping
Author
It’s very new – just opened this past March!
I can’t even imagine the sugar highs that come with those shakes… or how they stay together. LOL I can definitely see how that would be a great thing for a kid though. #citytripping
Author
They’re so intense it’s dizzying!
A Michelin starred milshake?! I know which of my kids would demand that! The other would love the art museum. I am heading straight for the chocolate 🙂 Soho was always cool but now it’s family accessible – thanks Corey!
Author
I love chocolate too – Jacques Torres is the best!
Those shakes!!! Like you, I’d never have thought of SoHo as a child-friendly place, but the fact there’s a children’s museum there speaks volumes. I’ll have to take my two along when we visit NY. #FarawayFiles
Great to revisit this post. The chocolate museum’s soundin pretty tempting on this grey Friday afternoon! Thanks for joining in with #CulturedKids
Author
Aw thanks for having another look Nell 🙂
Oh my gosh, I am absolutely drooling over my keyboard for one of those freakshakes!!! mmm! Pinned! Your daughter must have been jumping for joy with the treat and then bouncing off the walls on a sugar high haha! #FarawayFiles
Author
Omg. I think she was a bit overwhelmed in the end – she coudn’t finish it!!
I still can’t get over that milkshake! Seriously, it’s crazy. I guess kids need to have it before they go to the museum though, right? I always loved walking through SoHo on my New York visits. I do like the sound of the Evolution Store and the Children’s Museum of the Arts too. #FarawayFiles
Author
The milkshake was pure ridiculousness – it was a good thing we had quite a way to walk afterwards!
I want to do all of these things! Those milkshakes are seriously jaw-dropping. And who wouldn’t want to visit a chocolate museum? I’m definitely putting some of these on my list for when I visit NY next (hopefully soon!). #FarawayFiles
Author
Nice. Yes – they are all super fun things to do with the kids!
Another awesome NYC post! We’ve been to Evolution many times, but these other places are now on my list! I think I would feel so guilty if I got one of those shakes without my kids… But I might have to do it anyway! #farawayfiles
Author
Haha – I mean, it is a place for just grown-ups too!
Sounds like child heaven! Milkshakes, Fire Engines and Evolution for me please. Thank you for linking up to #CulturedKids
Author
Evolution is very cool. And the shakes were pure madness.
Love these suggestions. Always fab to hear of things to do in places normally thought of as predominantly for adults. That shake looks like a meal in itself! A sugar fiend’s dream. Thanks for linking #citytripping
Author
The shake is pure insanity, and we got two of them! Ha.
Give me the fire engines and the chocolate. And give my kids the ultimate sugar rush with those crazy shakes – they’d go nuts!
#culturedkids
Author
It’s too much of a sugar rush – next time we’re sharing!
I know I’m not alone being in awe of those milkshakes! The CMA looks very cool, too, and who wouldn’t love a bon bon making demonstration?! Sign me up. 🙂 #farawayfiles
Author
I know the bon bon demonstration looks cool – kids have no idea how good they have it these days!
Isn’t it funny how we sometimes think that there isn’t much to do for kids, until we actually have to take them and do some research! Soho in all it’s chic quirkiness is a wonderful place for kid and sounds like you had a very special time together. My boys would LOVE those fire engines and just get an extra shake for me next time please! Thanks for linking up to #fearlesfamtrav
Chocolate and burgers! You have sold it to me! I never knew there was a fire museum #fearlessfamtrav