Mars 2112
This 35,000-square-foot restaurant is located underground and is decorated to mimic what life in Mars could be like. Dark caverns and passageways are combined with soft red lights, a steaming blue lava fountain and metallic chairs and tables for a unique futuristic look. Visitors get into the restaurant by riding an elevator full of special effects to make guests believe they're traveling through space. Dishes are simple and include burgers, fries, sandwiches and chicken fingers. The major attraction here is the place, and the waiters and waitresses, who dress in futuristic costumes. There is also an arcade for when the kids get antsy and need to burn some energy.
Mars 2112
1633 Broadway
(212) 582-2112
New York, NY
mars2112.com
Eat With Your Bear Hands Café
The Build-A-Bear factory in New York City is a shop that allows kids to build their own stuffed animal by picking face features, mix-and-match clothing and color and design. While the franchise is available around the globe, the NYC store is the largest in the world, with many options for entertainment as kids go along building their new friend. Once the kids are done building their friends, you can head down to the Eat With Your Bear Hands Café, where teddy bears get their own chair and menus feature fun names and kid-sized servings of hot dogs, sandwiches and pizzas. The café also offers the "Color me, paint me, ice me jumbo sugar cookie bear," which comes with a series of tubes of colorful icing so kids can decorate it as they wish before eating it.
Build-A-Bear factory
565 Fifth Ave.
(212) 871-7080
New York, NY 10010
buildabear.com/NYC
Peanut Butter & Co.
Veggies are fine for home, but when you're traveling, why not indulge and take the kids out for some fun food. The Peanut Butter & Co. café sells just what the name implies: 12 different types of PB&J sandwiches, including classics and new variations. Ask for different jams if you're not feeling risky, or add marshmallows, sliced almonds or chocolate to the mix for a new taste combination. Favorites here include the German Chocolate Cake, the Honey 'n Nut Crunch and the Ants on a Log (with raisins). There are also turkey, tuna and baloney sandwiches. Milkshakes, juices and soft drinks are also available.
Peanut Butter & Co.
240 Sullivan St.
New York, NY
(212) 677-3995
ilovepeanutbutter.com
