OCCUPATION: Owner of Astrostyle.com and Momstrology.com, astrologer for Elle.com, and author of several books
MY STYLE: Treasure hunter, Parisian wannabe
I LOVE NEW YORK BECAUSE: Boredom is never an option for this restless Sagittarius mama. Even if I don’t take advantage of half of what’s going on, I know that, 24 hours a day, there’s something I could do! It’s great for kids because it’s a microcosm of the real world—they get exposed to a United Nations of neighbors, cultures, ideas and the can-do spirit that keeps society moving forward.
The Standard, East Village
The Standard East refers to itself as “a village hideout in the heart of downtown,” and it is indeed a cozier version of its glittering Meatpacking District counterpart. But don’t let the description fool you—though it may be slightly more low-key, The Standard, East Village is every bit as luxurious as its sister hotel in the Meatpacking District. The rooms have a muted color palette and floor-to-ceiling downtown views, and the garden café is perfect for curious, pint-sized patrons. To venture out in true East Village form, take advantage of the hotels complimentary bicycles.
Veselka
What started as a ’50s-era newsstand and lunch counter has turned into an East Village staple, warranting Patti Smith’s famed declaration that this is where she’d have her last meal. For all others, Veselka offers a wealth of Ukranian staples like pierogies, blintzes with fresh raspberry sauce, and a bowl of borscht that hearkens the motherland. Time Out New York voted the 24-hour eatery one of the city’s best places to eat with children, and Ophira Edut’s daughters are loyal customers.
Rubin Museum
“A Zen oasis in Chelsea” is how Ophira Edut describes the Rubin Museum, which features an extensive collection of art from the Himalayans and surrounding regions. Aside from the exhibitions and an extensive lecture and film series, the Rubin Museum hosts a number of programs for families, teens, and little ones. Take the Peak Experience, for example—a sleepover that involves a simulation of the formidable, inspiring, and team building hike to the top of Mount Everest.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square may be brimming with students from the neighboring New York University, but all ages are welcome in this culturally astute park. Little ones love the playground and the gaggle of musicians and artists, while moms enjoy the pristine setting and European feel—the Washington Arch is, after all, modeled after Paris’s Arc de Triumph. In the summer, Mario Batali’s Otto Enoteca & Pizzeria sets up a cart of the chef’s famed gelato.
Bowery Hotel
While many urban hotels adhere to a less-is-more décor policy, The Bowery Hotel is abundant in its old world elegance. Plush velvet couches in warm hues cozy up to a glowing fire in the lobby. The outdoor patio, with its wicker furniture and warm lighting is both a daytime hideaway and nighttime hotspot. Gemma, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, is a downtown go-to for polenta fries, meatballs, and other plates of stellar Italian comfort food. Head to the restaurant for a family dinner, or enlist one of the hotel’s babysitters and reserve a table for two.