Industry City is a 35-acre, waterfront complex of historic industrial buildings repurposed for, in my opinion, a full day of FUN for everyone in the family. Here’s why we love to spend a summer Saturday here.
1. Free Super Soccer Stars
I am pretty sure that every single one of Curious G’s friends has been enrolled in Super Soccer Stars at some point. The kids love it! Curious G took it once via Kidpass and the instructors were fabulous. She asked me to sign her up after that class, but her class schedule was too full at the time. Not to worry because every Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm kids can kick til their hearts content with free Super Soccer Stars sessions in the courtyard between Buildings 5 and 6. When we partook in the soccer fun on Saturday, Curious G learned a few drills from the teachers, kicked the ball around with Daddy, posed with a trophy, got free stickers, redecorated the field by moving the goals around, and made a “microphone” out of some cones and a ball. The World Cup was playing in the lovely green garden in one of the outdoor bars that are apart of the Frying Pan Helm Bar, which added to the excitement. Just as a side note, this field is loads of fun for kids of all ages even without the soccer. Curious G once spent over an hour playing “we live in a castle” with older friends in this field while us parents basked in the sun in the lounge chairs nearby.
2. Rock and Roll Playhouse Free Concerts
In the courtyard right outside of the food court, we were treated to a free family concert. The band sounded great and covered The Beach Boys, The Cars, and other classics from my parents’ childhood (and some from mine). At one point they conducted a game of freeze dance, and also broke out a giant rainbow parachute for the kids to wave around and duck under. As Curious G’s Daddy and I wolfed down pizza and burgers, Curious G occupied herself with hoarding the hula hoops provided by the band. It was nice to have lunch al fresco while letting the band “babysit” for a few, but when Curious G wandered over to the concession table we were $10 in the hole. She had helped herself to a harmonica for sale and slobbered all over it, as we were trying to sit back and enjoy our beers. No harm, no foul; the harmonica came in very handy when we found ourselves in the middle of a drum circle in Central Park later that afternoon. Let’s just say that Little Miss C.G. can add “harmonica player” and “cowbell player” to her CV.
3. See yourself as a giant, through Infinity Mirrors, and in other pieces of art
Escher The Exhibition and Experience takes a comprehensive look at over 200 pieces created by the mathematically and creatively inclined graphic artist known as M.C. Escher. Curious G had a blast running through the “maze” (as I dubbed it to keep her moving along) of rooms and exploring the interactive exhibits. The Perspective Room and the concave and convex mirrors kept her entertained for a very long time. Luckily, there wasn’t too much of a crowd when we were there. We arrived at 11:00 am when it opened. Tickets for this exhibit can be purchased online or onsite and the exhibit continues through Feburary.
4. Have a feast in the Food Court
We discovered Table 87, the Brooklyn coal oven pizza mini chain here the first time we visited, and it is one of our favorites. We love the margherita with burrata slices, mushroom slices, and pepperoni slices. The city’s first avocado themed eatery, Avocaderia, can be found here; as well as Burger Joint, Hometown Barbecue, Boil Boil Ramen, and Kotti Berliner Doner Kebab
5. Satisfy your sweet tooth
Curious G is a big fan of the cute little cookies at One Girl Cookies. She particularly loves the chocolate mint Olga cookies. She is also a fan of the macarons and meringues from Colson Patisserie. We have sampled the chocolates at Li-Lac Chocolates but the intricately molded chocolates (think dinosaurs and other fun shapes and characters) are a must-try on our list for the holidays. There is also local Brooklyn favorite, Blue Marble, located in the food court.
6. Mini golf, classic arcade games, ping pong, shuffleboard, and more
I was lured into Game Room by the smell of freshly popped popcorn, and could not believe my eyes when I saw what looked like a boardwalk arcade. Game Room, which is apart of the Frying Pan Helm Bar, is a summer classic reinvented.
7. Find some gems at Brooklyn Flea
Every Saturday in the courtyard between Buildings 3 and 4, as well as in Building 3, you can find everything from vintage glasses to that perfect coffee table you’ve been searching all over for. Brooklyn Flea hosts over 60 vendors every Saturday in Industry City. Industry City is a haven for vintage lovers and was the venue for the most recent NYC pop up of A Current Affair this past Mother’s Day. Alas, I refrained from buying anything, which means that I’m still thinking about that Italian horn necklace, vintage Ungaro skirt, and blue lace sheath. But if it’s meant to be, they will all be there the next time we visit, right??
8. Kura Brooklyn, The Pickle Shack, Extraction Lab, Teressa Foglia, Flavor Paper
Brooklyn has its fair share of “artisanal” offerings (and I say that without a hint of irony in my keystroke), and many of them can be found here at Industry City. Kura Brooklyn brews its own craft sake. The Pickle Shack goes beyond the brine and offers delicious vegan food along with all things fermented. Extraction Lab takes you on a journey around the world through its specialty coffees and teas, while making an intricate presentation for each cup.
Make an appointment with modern milliner Teressa Foglia for your very own exquisite hand made hat. Flavor Paper creates and prints the most spellbinding wallcoverings.
9. Get your errands and some shopping done
Not only are interior powerhouses RH Outlet, ABC Carpet and Home, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, and Design Within Reach all on site in Industry City, but Bed Bath Beyond, World Market, Harmon Face Values, Saks Off Fifth, and Petco are all right across the street as well!
10. Bocce Ball and a Zen Sculpture Garden
I don’t know the official name for this part of courtyard between Buildings 3 and 4, but this sculpture area has a rake in it and some pebbles to push around and make patterns with, so I call it the Zen Sculpture Garden. Curious G is obsessed with the rake and has to fight off some other kids for it sometimes. Just kidding. We have taught her the art of sharing, but that rake is a hot ticket item. There is also a bocce ball court in the same courtyard as the free family concert and flea market. While nobody in our family plays bocce ball, Curious G did conceive of the "lift up yoga pose" while playing in the court. This pose involves holding two bocce balls and shrugging your shoulders.
11. The Glorious Colors
Curious G and I are big fans of bright colors everywhere, and Industry City delivers with pops of color that compliment the industrial foundation so well!
