PerryWinkles Kids Blog

New York and babies aren’t exactly a match made in heaven but having a baby shouldn’t stop you from going to New York City, as you’ll discover a new side of this fantastic city. 

My first concern when heading there last week with my 10-month-old was transportation.  You would be insane to rent a car in a city that is dominated by aggressive drivers and yellow cabs.  Taking the bus proved a little unwieldy, as you are expected to fold up your stroller to get on the bus, but to my surprise cabs were a lot more laid back about taking babies than I had expected.  Although we ended up walking most of the time, it was a relief to know we had a viable option if needed.

The highlight of this last trip were not the fantastic dining experiences or wandering aimlessly from shop to gallery through the Village but, rather, the playgrounds in Central Park.  I had never noticed this before but there are play grounds every few meters in Central Park.  In fact, there are 21 playgrounds in this one park!  Also, on the Sound end, right by 5th Ave. is a Children’s Zoo.  I just love wandering aimlessly through this park and seeing where I end up after each turn.  I’m still amazed that a place can be so serene and be stuck in the middle of Uptown Manhattan.  The perfect escape from the crowds and the shopping when traveling with a baby.

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We recently ventured out West to Vancouver for a long weekend with our 8-month-old.  These were some of our favourite kid-friendly destinations:

1. Walking the sea wall at Stanley Park.  Nothing like getting some fresh air and catching some rays…specially when they’re soft at 6am.  Don’t forget the sunscreen if you’ll be out and about when the sun is stronger closer to noon.

2. Vancouver Aquarium at Stanley Park.  Check out the kids zone in the lower level where they have story time, games and a pretend animal hospital for kids.  They will even arrange a sleepovers for kids who want to see the aquarium after hours.  Even at $20 a head it was worth it just to see Clara laugh hysterically at the seals swimming past the viewing window.

3. Granville Island.  The public market is always fun and delicious to walk around but if you’re with kids you’ll want to head to the kids market, two floors full of toy stores and activities for kids.

4. Tampopo Sushi on Denman St. by Davie St..  Ok, not necessarily top of the list when thinking of destinations to go with kids but this all you can eat sushi place served the best tuna sushi and it was spacious enough to fit strollers comfortably and service was efficient.  You will have to carry the stroller up the stairs as they don’t have an elevator.

5. Whistler/Blackcomb.  If you want to get some skiing in whlie you’re out West, driving to Whistler/Blackcomb only takes about two hours.  If your baby is over 6 months and is comfortable with strangers, you can use their day care services for $100/day.  Be sure to book ahead as this service is popular.  Also check with your hotel for what they offer for older kids.  Babisitting Whistler also offers babysitting services and baby gear rental.  They will deliver to your hotel rental baby gear, including carriers if you decide to go for a hike or snowshoe and didn’t bring a baby carrier along, for example.

6. Elixir Restaurant.  We found this French style bistro walking around Yaletown and the first thing that caught our attention was that they had breakfast starting at 6am!  We knew it would be our list of places to hit.  Although the food was nothing to rave about and the prices a little steep, we loved being able to sit down at a real restaurant with a full brunch menu at 6am.  We were the only ones there so our little one didn’t disturb anyone and the server was happy to provide a high chair for her and even gave her a piece of toast to munch on. 

7. Easter Brunch at The Westin Hotel in Whistler.  The Westin served a tasty buffet brunch on Easter Sunday.  The highlights for the little ones: the kids buffet table (only a few inches off the ground, kids could help themselves to chicken fingers, jello and many other kids favourites), the chocolate fountain and the Easter egg hunt in the hotel lobby.  The highlight for the adults (other than all-you-can-eat incredibly fresh smoked salmon!) was the kid-friendly environment, high-chairs included.  (The lowlight would have to be the $45 a head!) 

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Ever since my husband and I started talking about having kids, we decided we would not let this new phase change our adventurous spirits and our urge to travel and see the world.  At 8 months, Clara has already been to South America twice (once in my tummy at 2 months pregnant, and once after 5 months of being born), roadtripped along the California, Oregon and Washington coast (babymoon at 5 months pregnant), visited Saskatchewan in the winter at 4 and a half months of age (visiting family at Christmas) and ventured West again to Vancouver this past Easter long weekend.

I have to admit, up to now I haven’t shaken my head and wondered if what I was doing was smart until this last trip to Vancouver.  Clara is a baby that is full of energy and life and all day long she wants to be exploring new things and moving, jumping if possible.  Her excitement is contagious and makes me very happy, except for when it translates into her jumping on my lap for five hours on the plane from Toronto to Vancouver!  I was lucky to be sitting next to a very patient man who I am sure by now has vowed never to have kids or at least never to travel with them!  This may have something to do with Clara accidentally spilling all her food on top of his laptop and shoes (which, shockingly, none of the flight attendants at Air Canada had any inclination to help me clean), or with the fact that Clara just wanted to babble while he was trying to sleep, or with Clara’s insistence on playing on his keyboard while the man decided to try to get some work done.  Thank goodness this man was so patient he didn’t even give me a bad look the whole time.

We had already prepared ourselves for early mornings but adults’ circadian rhythms surely adjust a lot quicker than those of babies because Clara’s wake up calls at 2am and 3am felt like it was the middle of the night (which it was!) instead of it feeling like we were waking up at the usual time at home.  Todd and I both groaned and moaned and looked at each other to see which one of us would jump out of bed when Clara announced it was time to get up while it was still pitch dark outside.  It did feel a little insance to be playing and singing songs in the middle of the night.  By 6am when we would leave the hotel Clara had already had her first nap of the day and only two hours later it was time for lunch!  We would walk for hours waiting for the first Starbucks to open (Vancouverites are not early risers, we found out!).  Then we would try to jam in as much site seeing as we could get done by 3pm when it was bedtime for the baby.

In spite of the travails with the time difference and flying with an active baby, we did enjoy having a weekend in true Spring weather, seeing the cherry blossoms in bloom and visiting and tasting some of what Vancouver has to offer.  I came home after our short West Coast stint feeling more relaxed and like we’d had a little adventure.  Alas, the flight back is one hour shorter and I learned my lesson and only fed Clara while on firm land on the return.  I would suggest if you go somewhere that is a few time-zones behind your home town with a baby to get to bed early, as baby’s schedules are unforgiving!  But, certainly, keep on exploring your favourite places with your new bundle of joy.

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Smocked Children’s Clothing