A Week in...

Jacqui publishes Red Tricycle, a newsletter and website dedicated to finding the cool stuff for kid-focused people in Seattle.

She shares with us some of her favorite activities for moms and new babies around the city as inspired by her own son, James Hudson:

Day One: Downtown
You can’t come to Seattle to without checking out the attractions. Shoot for mid-week, early morning/afternoon visits to Pike Place Market and Seattle Center to avoid the crowds.

• Olympic Sculpture Park is the latest & great Seattle attraction (always open). Very easy to navigate with a stroller.
• Pike Place Market - would definitely use a baby carrier, unless you go very early in the morning.
• Seattle Center: ­ If it’s sunny, play in fountains. If it’s rainy, wander through Pacific Science Center There are many festivals going on through the summer, check Seattle Center’s calendar.

Day Two: Madison Park / Madison Valley
Great neighborhood-y feel. Fun boutiques to check out.

• Grab some sandwiches from Essential Bakery and have a picnic in the Arboretum or at Madison Park beach. My Coffeehouse is a cool mommy hangout On E Madison between 28th & 29th (it’s just not Seattle without a coffee shop visit).
• The Original Children’s Shop at Madison and 41st features­ high-end children’s clothes, toys, and more.
• If you have a toddler, there is a playground in downtown Madison Park across from the Bakery.
• If you get out of the house in time on a Thursday or Sunday, breathe through a mom & baby yoga class at Santosha Yoga (by appointment). Treat yourself to a donut after yoga class at Madison Park Bakery.

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Jeff Pfaller is the rookie dad and blogger behind 365parents.com. He published all 365 posts into this this eBook, 365 First Time Parenting Tips: Infant Edition, for other first-time parents.

Jeff is also a recent transplant to Chicago, one of my favorite (pre-kids) cities of all time. He was kind enough to share his version of “A Week of Windy City Fun” with us — Enjoy!

Looking for stuff to do in the city by the lake, Chicago? There’s something for everybody, no matter who you are or what you like.

Animal Lover Monday
Head up to the North Side (be sure to deck the little guys out in Cubbies> gear) for some wild fun at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The best part? You get to see tons of animals. The second best part? It’s all free!

Beach Bum Tuesday
It got Chicago the World’s Fair way back in 1893. It got us a bid for the Olympics in 2018. The best part about this town is Lake Michigan in the summer. You can walk along the beach and through parks from Bryn Mawr and Sheridan all the way to Navy Pier. Grab a stroller, some sunblock and your best people watching specs.

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Mommy Poppins runs a fun site about getting more out of living in NYC with babies. She was sweet enough to write up a week’s worth of her favorite activities exploring different neighborhoods:

This is my idea of the ultimate itinerary for a week of things to do in NYC with a baby or toddler. It involves what, I think, are the major necessary bones for getting out for a day with the baby: Lots of food stops, playground visits, a little shopping — or at least ogling — of beautiful things for baby, but mostly just good, relaxed wandering around and exploring a cool, baby-friendly neighborhood that’s not your own.

Monday—Chinatown
Babies love all the stimulation of Chinatown. The streets are filled with shops that open onto the street with bins of toys right at their level. Poke into Ting’s Gift Shop for an adorable little silk outfit or tiny pair of slippers.

For food you can stop for Dim Sum at Sweet ‘n Tart, one of the few restaurants that offers high chairs. The waiters love kids and will give them lots of attention and kids like the little bites of dim sum or a plate of noodles.

If you don’t want a sit down meal buy some delicious buns at Fay Da Bakery or dumplings from Tasty Dumpling and head to Columbus Park where you’ll find baby swings, slides and, in the summer, sprinklers.

For a treat check out Aji Ichiban Munchies. The store has clear bins of Asian snacks to buy by the pound and free samples. And, you can’t leave Chinatown without stopping at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for some almond cookie, ginger or lychee ice cream.

Tuesday—Upper West Side
Start the day at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. When you arrive, sign up for the fun drop-in classes offered throughout the day, then dive into the five floors of great interactive exhibits. When you’ve had all the educational fun you can take for one day, head over to Riverside Park. Walk downtown through the park to the 79th Street Boat Basin. You can have a relaxing lunch at the outdoor café and then move on to Elephant Playground around 76th street.

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