60 upcoming events · 1 local studios
Up in upper Manhattan, Washington Heights is one of those neighborhoods where kids are genuinely part of the street scene, not an afterthought. The area skews young and family-heavy, with pre-war apartment buildings, tree-lined blocks, and a lot of Dominican culture woven into daily life. The big outdoor draw is Fort Tryon Park, a 67-acre park with two playgrounds, open lawns, and Hudson River views. The tot lot there got a renovation not long ago and includes a nature discovery area that toddlers love. Bennett Park, a smaller spot a few blocks away, sits at the highest natural point in Manhattan and has its own playground. The terrain is hilly, which is worth knowing before heading out with a stroller. Some sidewalks have steps and streets slope steeply in places. That said, the A and C trains run through the neighborhood and can get you to Midtown in under 30 minutes. The New York Public Library branch on Fort Washington Avenue runs regular programming for little ones, and NYC Parks keeps a steady calendar of free events here year-round. On a weekend morning, the playgrounds fill up early and the park paths get busy with families just doing their thing.