Bring your kids to Alice’s Tea Cup for an English high tea service with a quirky Mad Hatter twist. The small and cozy café is brightly painted and decorated with lines from the Lewis Carroll tale. The menu offers sandwiches, cakes, cookies and yummy scones with clotted cream, along with a wide selection of teas, which are charmingly served on mismatched china. Little guests can order grilled cheese, PB& J, homemade graham crackers with honey and even pureed baby food for the smallest of guests.

Everything about Serendipity3 is a little extra: the decor (stained-glass lamps, disco balls, puppet of Andy Warhol—a fan—suspended from the ceiling), the menu, giant both literally and figuratively, and the food. From foot-long hot dogs to towering sundaes and of course, its famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, which draws fans from near and far. Make a reservation before heading over. Note: if you're a fan of Christmas decor, this is a place to hit during the holidays—they go all out (of course!).

You can "waste away" in the center of Times Square! Located in the Margaritaville Resort Times Square (a hotel with the only year-round heated outdoor pool in NYC, FYI) this spacious mashup of Key West culture and NYC kitsch features a huge menu (both literally and figuratively) of beachy-inspired dishes, generous apps and even a Cheeseburger in Paradise. And of course, margaritas of all kinds, which you can sip beneath the almost life-size Lady Liberty—who of course is lifting her own glass.

We don't know if you could really call this mega doughnut Mecca a restaurant, but if you're looking for over-the-top eating experiences, this probably qualifies. Head to Times Square to visit a giant Krispy Kreme store, churning out soft and warm classic glazed doughnuts on a conveyor belt (there is, indeed, a "glaze" waterfall you can behold) as well as specialty varieties like "The Big Apple." (Cream-filled with candy apple glaze.) Don't miss the Krispy Kreme merch.

While it's not in New York City, if you love Oreos, you may want to make a trip to the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where you can visit the first-ever Oreo Cafe! In addition to serving decadent desserts featuring the iconic cookie, the store sells Oreo-branded apparel and accessories (Oreo-scented candle anyone?), as well as every kind of Oreo under the sun, including gluten-free Oreos and specialty flavors like mint, java chip, birthday cake and MEGA stuffed!

This is an extreme burger joint (Mac and cheese burger, Nutella burger, etc.) combined with a superhero, sci-fi and comic book haven, and a retro arcade where you can place more than 50,000 video games from the 80s and 90s for free. You can also do an affordable, small birthday party here, with rentals starting at $30 for two hours for four people.

The brainchild of Bronx natives, Beatstro is a local effort with area businesses and artists sourcing everything inside—even the selection of classic LPs from the likes of Tupac, Biggie, and other greats. The food stays true to the theme, blending dishes from Afro, Latin, and Caribbean cultures. Offerings range from kid-friendly avocado toast, mac and cheese, and a "Boogie Down Burger", to elevated fried chicken, low country shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes.

There’s no shortage of atmosphere at Lillie’s, an inviting space that harkens back to Victorian times. We’re talking furnishings acquired from a Belfast mansion, stained glass from Milan and an antique marble bar. What’s on the ‘elevated American pub fare’ menu is equally appealing. Your kids will go nuts for the buttermilk pancakes (available without gluten, FYI) and you’ll love the eggs benny and guac toast.

You may be shocked at how much fun you and the kids have at this over-the-top experience. A tiny corner of Lyndhurst, New Jersey has been transformed into (an admittedly cleaned-up) 11th-century Spain. A real falcon swoops over your head, horses dance, and yes, knights (specially-trained performers/stuntmen) actually joust in a sand-filled arena.

This old-fashioned soda shop welcomes guest to perch on a stool, place an order with a friendly Farmacy “jerk” and slurp down an artisanal egg cream. Originally a pharmacy, the beloved neighborhood “Farm” has preserved its apothecary roots so this vintage vibe is unmistakable and authentic. The menu features many seasonal, locally sourced ingredients along with classic soda shop confections, like banana splits, milkshakes, root beer floats and even a cherry lime rickey.