Alia Akkam

All restaurant information is correct as of press time. However, since prices and other details are subject to change, it's wise to call ahead. Chinatown Brasserie380 Lafayette St at Great Jones St (212-533-7000, chinatownbrasserie.com). Subway: 6 to Bleecker St. Average main course: $19. High chairs, booster seats.A corner takeout joint this is not. When an evening of people-watching is in order, bring the well-behaved brood to this dramatically designed hot spot. They'll make dinner out of finger foods like shrimp-and-snow-pea-leaf dumplings and veggie potstickers while you dig into wok-fried beef with gingko nuts and asparagus, all at decidedly un-Chinatown-like prices. Congee Village*100 Allen St between Broome and Delancey Sts (212-941-1818, congeevillagerestaurants.com). Subway: F to Delancey St; J, Z, M to Delancey--Essex Sts.*207 Bowery between Rivington and Spring Sts (212-766-2828, congeevillagerestaurants.com). Subway: J to Bowery. Average main course: $15. High chairs, booster seats.Even though it boasts an extensive menu of Chinese favorites served family-style, the namesake rice porridge, a Cantonese specialty strewn with the likes of squid, veggies or sliced pork, is the real reason to eat here. As kids slurp up tasty spoonfuls, they'll be equally charmed by the festive decor (Polynesian bamboo on Allen Street, and more-traditional Chinese style on the Bowery). Dim Sum Go Go5 East Broadway at Chatham Sq (212-732-0797). Subway: F to East Broadway. Average dim su

9amStart the day with a squishy, custard-filled bun from Grand 1 Bakery (295 Grand St, 212-334-6968). 9:15--10:45amMorning snack in tow, head a few blocks west to Sara D. Roosevelt Park and the newly renovated Hester Street Playground (Hester St between Chrystie and Forsyth Sts). Grab a bench and watch your tykes clamber up the bungee-cord web. A spiral slide, tire swings and sprinklers round out the offerings. 10:45--11:30amVenture north by walking up Orchard Street, where the neighborhood's old-world vibe lingers in well-worn storefronts evocative of the 'hood's past as a garment-industry hub. Pop into 88 Orchard (88 Orchard St, 212-228-8880) for fresh-squeezed lemonade. A few blocks over is Kossar's Bialys (367 Grand St, 877-424-2597, kossarsbialys.com); introduce your brood to the doughy treat with a mound of glossy onions in the middle. 11:30--1pmHalf a block up, look for the throng of history buffs outside the Lower East Side Tenement Museum (108 Orchard St, 212-982-8420), waiting to embark on a tour of the cramped homes where late-19th- and early-20th-century families once dwelled. The hour-long Confino Family Living History Program, featuring a costumed interpreter playing a 14-year-old Sephardic Greek girl, is suitable for kids ages five and up. Sift through NYC-themed tchotchkes at the shop afterward. 1--2:30pmYou'll likely be tuckered out from an active morning, so take some time to lunch at Falai Panetteria (79 Clinton St, 212-777-8956, falainyc.com)—a nighttime h

Angelica Kitchen300 E 12th St at Second Ave (212-228-2909, angelicakitchen.com). Subway: L to First Ave; N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6 to 14th St--Union Sq. Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $10. High chairs. Cash only. The vegan pioneer has been an East Village mainstay since the 1970s, serving up health-conscious food made with organically grown ingredients from local farms. For palates not yet ready for "dragon bowls" teeming with tofu and sea veggies, the three-bean chili with sweet, Southern-style corn bread is a comforting alternative. Let them wash it down with fresh lemonade. Back Forty190 Ave B at 12th St (212-388-1990, backfortynyc.com). Subway: L to First Ave. Dinner, brunch. Average main course: $20. Booster seats. Cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients has been a priority for Peter Hoffman (Soho's Savoy) since long before it was trendy. At his more casual East Village eatery, parents can sip Long Island--made wine and tuck into lemon-and-coriander-rubbed roast chicken. Steer youngsters toward the juicy grass-fed beef burger, one of the most impressive in town. Bark Hot Dogs474 Bergen St at Flatbush Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-789-1939, barkhotdogs.com). Subway: 2, 3 to Bergen St. Lunch, dinner, brunch. Average hot dog: $5. Hot dogs from Hartmann's Old World Sausage in Rochester are the main attraction here, but brisket chili, salt-and-pepper fries and peanut butter shakes also make this a kid nirvana. Most ingredients are sourced within New York State. Brooklyn Bowl

Best way to pretend you're at EpcotSample the Jackson Heights food cartsEarnest library programs and multiculti classroom lessons have their place, but the tastiest approach to international understanding is found in Jackson Heights, where carts park under the 7 train on nearly every corner of hectic Roosevelt Avenue. Start your family's global tour in the Middle East—also known as the intersection of Broadway, Roosevelt and 74th St—with fragrant chicken over rice at Sammy's Halal (sammyhalalfood.com. Then walk up to Ecuador for plantain-and-cheese empanadas from El Guayaquileno (Roosevelt Ave at 80th St). A few blocks north the Tamale Lady (Roosevelt Ave at 82nd St) dispenses her fluffy creations, paving the way for the lovingly made carnitas and avocado tacos served by the sweet ladies of Mi Mexico Lindo (Roosevelt Ave at Gleane St). The kids say they're full? Hey, it's all in the service of world peace. Best place to discover a world beyond vanilla and chocolateMax & Mina'sAny kid who's ever cleaned out the fridge to make a kitchen-sink sundae will appreciate Max & Mina's. The ice cream shop's mad scientists—whose wares are also found at Dylan's Candy Bar—have been dreaming up unconventional flavors since 1997. The wackiest (horseradish? Nova lox?) may be a bit much, but blue-hued Cookie Monster (studded with chunks of Chips Ahoy) or Circus (cotton candy ice cream with bubble gum) could become your tot's new favorite. Don't let her become too attached, though: Flavors chan

9-9:30am Climb aboard the ferry at Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan for a free ride to Staten Island. Lady Liberty looks best from the windy outdoor deck. 9:30-10:30amStroll past Borough Hall, a regal French Renaissance--style brick building, to Rispoli Pastry Shop (29 Hyatt St, 718-273-5224) for breakfast. Pick up an M&M cookie ($2) to munch on later. 10:30-11:45amKids can burn off some energy by running around at Lt. Lia Playground (Wall St between Belmont and St Marks Pls), just five minutes from Rispoli. 11:45-12:30pmThree blocks away is the St. George Library Center. At its revamped children's section (5 Central Ave, 718-442-8560), tots can scour the bookshelves, then settle into a beanbag with their finds. Stellar harbor views will keep them grounded until lunch. 12:30-1:30pmGrab one of the outdoor perches at Gourmet Dog (40 Richmond Terr, 718-727-1234), an inviting shack across from the ferry terminal. Try the Crunchy Dog—encrusted in potato chips ($3)—or the classic Coney Island, topped with relish and mustard ($1.75). 1:30-2:15pmYou can relax with an herbal tea at Everything Goes Book Caf & Neighborhood Stage (208 Bay St, 718-447-8256), while the kids sift through vintage Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys tomes. In keeping with the retro theme, the going rate for animal crackers here is just a nickel apiece. 2:15-4:00pmSadly, plans for the island's Lighthouse Museum are stalled, but at the Lighthouse Pier (first public pier east of the ferry terminal), tykes can have fun clim

Just because you want to treat Mom to a memorable day doesn't mean you have to go for broke on brunch. Overpriced prix fixe menus may be the norm for the holiday, but these tasty meal deals will leave you with enough cash to buy some flowers for Mama, too. As of press time, reservations are still available at these eateries, but call quickly! Baci & Abbracci 204 Grand St between Bedford and Driggs Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-599-6599, baciny.com). Subway: L to Bedford Ave. One of the best prix fixe deals around is found at this modern Italian restaurant, where the $35 three-course spread includes goods like pan-fried coconut shrimp, slow-cooked lamb shank, and mango pannacotta with raspberry sauce. Picky kids can snack on the margherita pizza off the regular menu. Reservations recommended. Back Forty 190 Ave B between 11th and 12th Sts (212-388-1990, backfortynyc.com). Subway: L to First Ave. Start off with the sweet potato pancakes ($5) at this laidback eatery before tucking into fried chicken and waffles ($14) or the decidedly healthier poached eggs with baby green wheat. Taking reservations for parties of six or more. Buttermilk Channel 524 Court St at Huntington St, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (718-852-8490, buttermilkchannelnyc.com). F, G to Smith-9th Sts. Pecan pie French toast ($10) and apple, bacon, cheddar grilled cheese ($11) will keep the little ones sated while Mom dines on the short rib hash ($12) or house-cured salmon platter ($11) at this fresh-ingredient-d

From the city's best new sports hub for little athletes to a beer-garden in Brooklyn that's extremely kid-friendly, our best of 2013 list has something for every New York City family. Read on to see which attractions, birthday party entertainers, restaurants and other things to do in New York City our editors named the best of 2013. Plus, find out who took top honors in our best of 2013 readers' choice poll! 

Jackson Heights is a gleaming example of urban tolerance. New York City's geographical center is in this neighborhood, which is appropriate, considering that—boasting a major transportation hub—it's also Queens's most ethnically diverse community. A stroll down its tree-lined streets not only means swooning over breathtaking garden apartments, but you may also overhear snippets of Spanish, encounter a woman donning a sari or see a cluster of kids, all of different ethnicities, walking to one of New York's top-rated schools. This international aura also means some of the borough's most authentic regional cooking is served up here. Renzo Ortega, visual artist "I like the Tamale Lady for the raja and cheese tamales. I also strongly recommend the tamale on roll bread. It is like a tamale sandwich; an awesome breakfast after partying. There are many different kinds of food carts, and they are actually an established business here. The Tamale Lady is 14 years in the business, selling about 500 tamales a day from 2am to noon. Her daughters and daughter-in-law work for her, which is probably the same case with other vendors. The carts generate jobs for people."Usually at the corner of Roosevelt Ave and 82nd St (no phone) "Jackson Heights' architecture is really beautiful. I hope local authorities can keep this like it is, and have some regulations for new building development. Between 75th and 87th Streets, if you walk between Roosevelt Avenue and Northern Boulevard you are going to