Growing up in Queens, I remember visiting Ridgewood with my grandmother, mainly to buy specialty items from butchers. As a kid, I always assumed Ridgewood was actually in Brooklyn, probably because of the architecture. The quiet residential neighborhood is known for its rows of early 20th-century brick and stone townhouses and has the highest concentration of landmarked structures in all of Queens in its huge National Historic District.
In fact, I wasn't far off. Ridgewood was part of the early Dutch settlement of Boswijk (Bushwick) and didn't have a Queens zip code until 1978! Though Ridgewood's population was once primarily Italian and German, these days you'll find many Eastern European and Latin American families plus a smattering of young artsy types moving in from the hipster enclaves of Williamsburg and Bushwick.
It's easy to see why the nabe appeals to parents: The side streets have a suburban feel but the shops on Myrtle Avenue, Fresh Pond Road and Forest Avenue are just a stroll away. Plus there are multiple public parks, and local listservs like Ridgewood Queens Moms Meetup are starting to pop up. Ridgewood is also a pretty easy commute to midtown Manhattan via the M train, and abuts Brooklyn's Bushwick and Queens' Maspeth/Middle Village.
Throughout June, we'll be exploring everything Ridgewood has to offer families including the best places to play, eat and experience with kids. For the purposes of our posts, our boundaries are Flushing to Jamaica Avenues, between Cypress and Wyckoff Avenues and 69th Street, which we realize includes a bit of neighboring Glendale so we can highlight some cool family attractions there, too, like the Shops at Atlas Park and Highland Park. We kick off our series with the top 20 things to do with kids in and around Ridgewood, Queens.
- Drop in for open play at Kids Fun House or Funtopia USA; both play spaces offer multi-level maze, slides, tunnels and separate toddler areas
- Enjoy open plaster painting sessions at A Sprinkle of Fun in neighboring Glendale; Tuesday afternoon you can buy one get one free
- Explore the playground, ball fields and roller hockey area in the 10-acre Joseph F. Mafera Park
- Walk around the Ridgewood Reservoir and enjoy an awesome panoramic view from the plateau in Highland Park
- Soak up some old German culture at Gottscheer Hall's monthly all-ages dance parties—regulars often attend in authentic Bavarian and Austrian garb
- Tour the oldest stone house in all of New York City: Dutch Colonial farmstead the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, which is open to the public on Saturday afternoons
- Hit the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society's annual Strawberry Festival in June, which includes vintage cars, music, games, arts and crafts, and delicious strawberry shortcake
- Stroll down Stockholm Street, the only brick-paved block in Queens
- Browse the playthings at Just Toys, which stocks European imports and lots of Melissa & Doug items
- Visit the Ridgewood Queens Library for programs for all ages from crafts to computers to storytime
- Explore the plethora of programs offered for children and families at the Ridgewood YMCA
- Peruse special occasion dress wear at R&M Children's Boutique and Ridgewood Kids
- Indulge in a yummy German dessert—there are even gluten-free options—at Rudy's Pastry Shop, open since 1934
- Have an Old World butcher shopping experience at Morscher's Pork Store
- Romp on the equipment in Grover Cleveland Playground or play ball on the various courts
- Check out the recently opened Ridgewood Market, an artisan flea market that pops up in different neighborhood locations
- Visit the Shops at Atlas Park in neighboring Glendale for a day of shopping, eating and movie going. There's even a drop-in kids' program at the New York Sports Club that's available to non-members
- Enjoy the annual spring Strawberry Festival in Highland Park featuring crafts, games, face painting and performances
- Conquer the two colorful jungle gyms in Evergreen Park and then enjoy lunch at the shady picnic tables
- Show off your sports skills at the Artistic Stitch Sports Complex in Glendale by playing soccer or softball, or trying the high-tech 3D batting cages