Things to Do in Chelsea

$1,580 gets you 15 kids, 4 staff, a singer-guitarist, and zero stress.

They handle everything: 15 kids, a party planner, a singer-guitarist, sensory play, food/drink for kids, and 4 staff members. You show up. Up to 20 kids for an extra fee. Ages 1-5.

147 W 24th St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10011 · indoor · Ages 1–5

22-foot rainbow pipefish sculpture. Sprays kick on automatically at 80F.

A 22-foot rainbow pipefish sculpture winds through this playground. Two splash zones -- bigger sprays for older kids and a gentle toddler section. Spray showers activate automatically when temps hit 80F, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

557 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011 · Daily dawn-dusk (splash pad seasonal) · outdoor · Ages 0–12

Free. Walk the elevated park, do the scavenger hunt, hit the playground at the end.

Free elevated park from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards. Self-guided family scavenger hunts available year-round (download from the website). The play area at 10th Ave & 30th St has water features in summer. Free nature walks and family programs on select weekends.

820 Washington St, New York, NY 10014 · Daily 7am-10pm · outdoor · Ages 0+

Comedy Central tapings happen here. Nicer seats than any Village club. Two-drink min.

300 seats in Chelsea, cleaner and more polished than the Village clubs. Regular host of Comedy Central tapings and the New Faces showcase that launched dozens of careers. Two-drink minimum. The seating is actually comfortable, which matters more than you think.

208 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011 · Wed–Thu 7pm–10pm, Fri–Sat 6pm–11:30pm · (212) 367-9000 · indoor

Stand-up comedy combined with mini-golf. $15 shows. Chelsea waterfront.

A stand-up comedy club in Chelsea that also has a mini-golf course and bar. Comedy shows $15-25, mini-golf separate. The comedy lineups are solid -- not tourist-trap quality. A good option for groups who want more than just sitting and watching. Near the High Line.

210 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001 · Show times vary, check schedule · indoor

$150/year gets you pool, basketball, fitness rooms. Free if you're under 24.

25-yard six-lane indoor pool, basketball court, fitness rooms, dance studios, and computer resource center. $150/year for adults with pool access, $25 for seniors/veterans/disabled. Free for youth under 24.

430 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001 · Mon-Fri 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sat 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Sun 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM · 212-255-3705 · indoor

$22.50 public skate, $12 rental. Year-round indoor rink. Two full sheets of ice. The serious skater's rink in Manhattan.

Year-round indoor ice rink on Manhattan's West Side at Chelsea Piers. $22.50 public skating, $12 skate rental. Two full-size rinks -- one of the few places in NYC where you can skate in July. Open daily from 5am (weekdays) through 1am. Public skating sessions are limited, so check the schedule. Also offers hockey leagues, figure skating lessons, and youth programs. This is where the dedicated skaters go.

61 Chelsea Piers, New York, NY 10011 · Mon-Fri 5am-1am, Sat 5:30am-1am, Sun 6am-1am (public skate times vary) · (212) 336-6100 · indoor · year-round

Shoe and handbag repair in Chelsea, handles designer items. Free pickup and delivery. Sole replacement, heel repair, leather cleaning, color restoration, handbag refurbishment.

225 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011 · Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm · (212) 381-4499 · indoor

Cobbler on 14th Street. Heel replacement from $15, half-soles from $30, full resoling from $50. Also zippers, belts, handbag straps. Same-day on basic jobs.

137 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011 · Mon-Fri 8am-6:30pm, Sat 9am-5pm · indoor

The adobada taco is $5 and better than tacos in most of Mexico. Yeah, I said it.

Inside Chelsea Market. Corn tortillas made from scratch, visible from the counter. Adobada (spit-roasted pork) and nopal (cactus) tacos are around $5 each. Order three, you're full, you spent $15. The line is long but moves fast. They also have locations in Times Square and other spots, but Chelsea Market original has the best energy. Cash or card.

75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011 · Daily 11am-9pm · indoor

Agility course, water features, Hudson River views. One of the few runs in Manhattan where you don't feel like you're in a concrete pen.

Fenced dog run at Hudson River Park with agility obstacles, water features, and separate areas for large and small dogs. Views of the Hudson. One of the better-maintained runs in Manhattan — the Chelsea dog owner crowd keeps it clean.

W 22nd St & 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011 · 6am-midnight daily · outdoor

They have a dog menu — actual grilled steak and chicken for your dog, not a biscuit. Covered patio works year-round.

Hotel restaurant with a covered, enclosed patio that's heated in winter and fan-cooled in summer — year-round dog-friendly dining. They have an actual dog menu: grilled steak, chicken, a burger, and pupsicles. Not an afterthought.

132 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001 · Mon-Sun 11am-11pm · outdoor

Right next to the High Line. Big patio, dogs welcome, brunch is legit. Go early on weekends or prepare to wait.

Steps from the High Line with a big outdoor patio that's pet-friendly in season. Farm-to-table American food, strong brunch, and good cocktails. The sidewalk and enclosed patio sections both welcome dogs. Weekend brunch gets crowded — go at 10am or wait until 1pm.

156 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011 · Mon-Fri 11:30am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm · outdoor