Channel your cultured, inner Conehead at these melty museums. Getty Images for God's Love We Deliver Pairing a museum visit with a stop-off for ice cream afterward is a winning combination for everyone in the family.
Here, some under-the-radar museums with celebratory cold treats just a lick away from all that culture.
At the Museum of Food and Drink tucked right above Time Out Market in Dumbo (55 Water St.), check out the “Street Food City” exhibit, which covers the historic importance of our sidewalk vendors, who keep us fueled with halal plates, hot dogs or those iconic warm nuts. ($18; $10 ages 5 to 13.)
Then walk a bunch of cobblestoned streets over to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (14 Old Fulton St.) for a cone, sundae or milkshake ordered at the window. Look for the vintage yellow milk truck out front.
Built in 1799, the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden (431 E. 61st St.) was once used as a hotel and respite for downtowners looking for fresh air “uptown.” Now, it’s a place where you and your kids can imagine what it would have been like to live in New York City in the 19th century.
Tours of the eight fully furnished rooms are offered Mondays through Fridays, and family-friendly events such as watercolor workshops and tea tastings are available for sign-up. ($15; $12 for seniors and students.)
Stroll a few avenues west over to Mochidoki (1035 Third Ave.), known for its 20 different flavors of mochi ice cream, including six vegan options. Adventurous palates will want to try the everything bagel mochi, an exclusive offering at this location that features cream cheese ice cream wrapped in light chewy mochi, flavored with spices.
Known for celebrating self-taught artists, the American Folk Art Museum (2 Lincoln Square) hosts regular Family Days (the next one is May 2), where kids of all ages can explore two new exhibits: “Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists” and “Folk Nation: Crafting Patriotism in the United States,” and do some hands-on activities and art-making in the museum’s studio. (Free.)
The cuteness is through the roof at Emack & Bolio’s (389 Amsterdam Ave.), an ice cream shop that has been scooping cold deliciousness for over two decades. New flavors include cherry fudge chunk with Oreo-infused raspberry swirl chocolate chip and fresh peach, an after-museum delight for the taste buds.
At the “Mobilab” exhibit at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (145 Brooklyn Ave.), which runs until May 3, future carmakers can build their own toy vehicle, test it, and even measure its size, weight and balance. Next, it’s all about putting it on a ramp to see if it makes it through the hoop. Problem-solving complete! ($15.)
Then take a five-minute walk to bright and cheery Island Pops (670 Nostrand Ave.) for authentically crafted Caribbean-inspired ice cream, ice pops and sorbets in flavors like passion fruit cake, Ovaltine and guava cheesecake.
Drop-in family activities are a regular thing on the second Saturday of every month at the Cooper Hewitt Museum. (2 E. 91st St.)
On April 25, it’s a Sonic Playground, where kids of all ages can create a poster inspired by their dream concert lineup, experience an immersive sound installation and play music bingo. ($22; free for 18 and under.)
After, kiddie favorites like chocolate brownie and cookie au chocolat await at the ever-decadent Glace New York. (1266 Madison Ave.)
Taste-test the mac’wich, a macaron ice cream sandwich featuring their new flavors of cookie dough, strawberry shortcake and key lime pie.
If your kids are obsessed with ice cream, they’ll love a day spent at the Museum of Ice Cream in Soho (558 Broadway). They’ll get a sugar high exploring three floors of new and expanded exhibits, including one that explores the history and science of ice cream, as well as the Hall of Freezers, where said freezers open to secret rooms.
Sundae House, a hands-on kitchen of imagination and play, and the Sprinkle Pool, the largest indoor slide in New York City, are must-sees in this 25,000-square-foot wonderland.
Best of all, when ice cream cravings kick in, head right to the pink-themed cafe and dive right into a Sprinkle Pool Sundae, where ice cream is served in a souvenir bowl with chocolate sauce, strawberry topping, caramel sauce, whipped cream and sprinkles.(Timed entry, from $39, including unlimited ice cream.)
