Oof, you have three kids in New York City? How do you do it?
Honestly, it's a lot easier than it looks.
If you're new here, I want to introduce you to my neighborhood: Astoria Queens. We're just a hop over the east river and a few stops from midtown. As a parent, I couldn't have picked a better neighborhood for my kids to grow up. It's not quite as bustling as Manhattan but it's still very much alive. Whenever someone mentions Astoria, food is the first thing people think of and they're absolutely right. The food here is KEY. I'm not even slightly ashamed to admit that we order and eat out on the regular because the options and quality are just too good sometimes. It's especially tempting when I'm so not in the mood to whip up a full meal. But it's not just food, we have gorgeous parks, great neighbors and pretty awesome schools. Can you tell I'm a fan?
Of course you can. And as a fan I want to share some of my favorite places to eat, grab coffee, and things to do with our very active two year old. Of course, we're going to talk about how we get there because the right stroller in New York City is a serious consideration. It can 100% make or break your experience of toting kids around the city. Trust me, we've had some trial and error experiences over the last few years and some have not been pretty.
We've been through a few strollers since we moved here. It was our first time navigating the city with one and we found out right away that some are better equipped to handle a city than others. The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 is where it's at with it's light-weight compact, 3-wheel design. David was definitely hesitant when I told him about it because the last two full-sized strollers we tried hadn't been so easy to maneuver on the sidewalks, let alone public transit. "Why can't we just get an umbrella stroller?" he protested. Truth: The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 immediately won him when he saw how light and easy it is to maneuver on uneven concrete, tiny spaces and quick turns. one-handed, even.
Holy Moly, both of our minds were blown that it was even possible to push a toddler this easily. It just GLIDES down the street with little-to-no effort. The wheels don't get stuck on the broken concrete in the crosswalks every time I cross the street. It just bumps right on by like it was nothing. I chalk it off to the City Mini GT2's all new design with forever air rubber tires and all-wheel suspension providing uncompromised agility on any terrain.
It's also extremely light-weight and has a one-hand fold. Simply lift the strap and it literally folds itself. Which is amazing for those quick moments when you want to hop on the bus and only have a minute to get on. Just grab the strap and you're ready to hop on with baby in hand. I also love the adjustable calf support and near-flat seat recline for maximum comfort, especially after a long day of running around the city. Since summer is our out-all-day time of year, the full coverage UV50 canopy is incredible for extra sun protection and shade. The magnetic peekaboo windows are one of Indy's personal faves - it's basically his own personal sunroof/peekaboo portal for him to keep tabs on us and what's going on above him...
If you are in a the market for a stroller- whether it's for the suburbs or the city- I highly recommend the City Mini GT2 - you're not going to regret it.
Now that we've covered the essential neighborhood transportation, Baby Jogger's City Mini GT2, let's talk about some of my favorite spots!
United Brothers For All Of Our Fresh Produce
I love strolling by all the fruits and vegetables daily and the prices are unbeatable to anywhere in the area. It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and most of it is locally grown: check out the Lettuce, Spinach and Apples! You definitely have to stop in and grab yourself something fresh.
Lunch Al Fresco with Burgers From Burger Club
The second it's warm enough to eat outside you better believe that's what I'm doing. We pop into Burger Club for lunch and it's never a miss. Try the classic burger and brisket fries.
Iced Lattes from Gossip Coffee
Another spot with a super cool vibe and great outdoor space that you have to add to your list. Also, it's kid-friendly. We fold the stroller down and cozy in for iced lattes in the shade.
Astoria Heights Playground
This is probably one of the nicest of the playgrounds in Astoria- mainly because it's brand new and huge! All three kids love it. There's even a water area for the kids to play in and cool off, new tennis and volleyball courts, and an adult workout area on the upper level.
My Favorite Street To Stroll Down in Astoria
is definitely 36th street between 31st and 30th Ave. It's stunning in the spring and summer. All of the fresh flowers adorn the strip and it's such a calming, shaded stroll- especially with iced coffee in hand.
We're off to our next adventure...See you next time!
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