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Chelsea: Essential Things Parents Must Know

Chelsea: Essential Things Parents Must Know


There is one neighborhood in Manhattan that has it all. Situated in the heart of the city, it’s an intersection of art and culture that is home to acclaimed restaurants, world-renowned shopping, expansive parks, and the city’s finest galleries. There are five subway lines within two blocks and Penn Station is just a brief stroll north.

Here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering moving your family to Chelsea.

Schools in Chelsea

Preschools in Chelsea

  • Bright Horizons at Chelsea, 258 W. 26th St.
  • Kids Korner, 247 W. 24th St.
  • Secret Garden Preschool, 422 W. 20th St.


Private Schools in Chelsea

  • Avenues School: pre-K through 12th grades
  • Corlears School: pre-K through 5th grades
  • Guardian Angel School: Catholic school for pre-K through 8th grades


Public Schools in Chelsea

  • P.S. 11 William T. Harris: pre-K through 5th grades
  • J.H.S. 104 Simon Baruch: grades 6-8
  • P.S. 33 Chelsea Prep: grades pre-K through 5th grades


Public Transportation in Chelsea

Subway stations in Chelsea include:

  • PATH at 23rd Street Station
  • F and M at 23rd Street
  • 1 at 23rd Street and Seventh Avenue
  • R and W at 28th Street and Broadway
  • R and W at 23rd Street and Broadway
  • C and E at 23rd Street and Eighth Avenue


A train station near Chelsea includes:

  • Penn Station: access to LIRR and NJ Transit


A bus in Chelsea includes:

  • M23: Runs crosstown from Chelsea Piers at Twelfth Avenue to Avenue C via 23rd Street


Driving in Chelsea
is in proximity to the West Side Highway and Midtown Tunnel.

 

Things to Do with Kids in Chelsea

There are many activities to do with kids, including indoor playgrounds, museums, and parks.
 

Indoor Things to Do in Chelsea

Apple Seeds

Operates all-in-one play spaces for families with children newborn to five years old with an interactive indoor playground that offers over 100 classes a week, from music classes like Songs for Seeds, to art, cooking, science, construction, ballet, tap, movement, gym, soccer, and language. They host weekday and weekend birthday parties, playdates, and corporate events. Apple Seeds also has an award winning day camp and a kids' hair salon.
 

The Whitney Museum

The brand new location in Meatpacking District offiers family programs, interactive tours, art making workshops, and special events that encourage kids and adults to learn about art together.

Taste Buds Kitchen

A nut-free kitchen where clients enjoy cooking in a fully-equipped kitchen, complete with a pint-sized Pantry Store loaded with cooking accessories.
 

Chelsea Market

An indoor market with great shops and delicacies which would be fun for the whole family.
 

The Rubin Museum of Art

The museum provides “Yak Packs,” which are designed for children ages 2-7 to explore and respond creatively to works of art in a fun, age-appropriate manner. Yak Packs are available to borrow at the museum admissions desk and are free with museum admission.

Outdoor Things to Do in Chelsea

Chelsea Piers

Chelsea Piers is Manhattan’s most popular destination to learn, practice, play and compete in more than 25 different sports. Located on the scenic Hudson River, Chelsea Piers offers instructional programs and sports leagues for children and adults and is also a great place to host a birthday party.
 

Parks in Chelsea

  • The High Line: see the city from a different view point and walk through gardens above the action.
  • Chelsea Waterside Park: located between the West Side Highway and 11th Avenue at 23rd Street, it is a great place to take kids in the summer with three large fountains and sprinklers.
  • Madison Square Park: located in the nearby Flatiron District, this park offers seasonal art installations, public programs for families, and greenery year-round.

Madison Square Park
Courtesy The Vanguard Chelsea

Madison Square Park is a family-friendly park that offers public programs year-round.
 

Shopping in Chelsea

  • Buy Buy Baby
  • Restoration Hardware-Flatiron
  • ABC Carpet & Home
  • Trader Joes
  • Whole Foods
  • Fairway
  • Eataly
  • Paper Source
  • Club Monaco
  • Kate Spade 


Courtesy The Vanguard Chelsea

Chelsea offers many places to shop, including ABC Carpet & Home.
 

Restaurants in Chelsea

There are many places to eat in Chelsea and nearby neighborhoods that offer kid-friendly menu options, including salads from Sweetgreen and vegan fare at by CHLOE.
 

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Chelsea

  • Bubby’s in the Meatpacking District
  • Sarabeth’s on Park Ave South
  • Eataly
  • Sullivan Street Bakery
  • Shake Shack
  • Sweetgreen
  • by CHLOE

Sarabeth's
Courtesy The Vanguard Chelsea

Sarabeth's offers kid-friendly menu items and is an accommodating restaurant for families.
 

Date Night Ideas in Chelsea

  • Eleven Madison Park
  • Buddakan
  • Rosa Mexicano
  • Gramercy Tavern
  • ABC Kitchen
  • La Birreria: Eataly’s Rooftop Restaurant and Microbrewery


Photo courtesy The Vanguard Chelsea

Main image: The Flatiron Building is an iconic landmark to New York City and is located in the neighboring Flatiron District.

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