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Residents and visitors to New York generally consider the Upper East and Upper West Sides of Manhattan as prime spots for families. But downtowners are equally passionate about their child-friendly amenities.

To get a feel for life as a Tribecan, check into the Greenwich Hotel or the Tribeca Grand. The Ritz-Carlton Battery Park, which sits on the southern tip of the island, has great views and direct access to the waterfront promenade, but you’ll probably prefer a hotel in the heart of the neighborhood for proximity to restaurants.

On Saturday and Sunday mornings, parents flock to the local eateries for brunch. The Odeon (145 West Broadway; 212-233-0507; www.theodeonrestaurant.com), a classic Tribeca bistro, never seems to mind the strollers that fill its bar, and neither does Bubby’s (118 Hudston Street; 212-219-0666; www.bubbys.com), where the family atmosphere and freshly-baked pies lure locals like Robert DeNiro and Harvey Keitel. Landmarc (179 West Broadway; 212-343-3883; www.landmarc-restaurant.com), known for its great steaks and extensive wine list at night, turns its lunchtime terrace over to hungry kids who happily dig into specials like green eggs and ham and cheesy spaghetti pie. A little farther south, a popular pick is Kitchenette (156 Chambers Street; 212-267-6740). Although its location on busy Chambers Street isn’t picturesque, its retro-diner interior and gourmet comfort food more than make up for its less desirable location.

For afternoons outdoors, head west to Battery Park City, a little known neighborhood created in the 1970s on land reclaimed from the Hudson. A quiet enclave for Wall Street types, the area also boasts some of the best undiscovered parks in the city. Teardrop Park, set one block back from the water, boasts a supersized slide into a sandbox plus a hidden boulder-and-geyser water area perfect for cooling off in warm weather. Rockefeller Park, the open lawn set directly on the river, has plenty of open space to run and a large playground and basketball courts. For fitness-minded families, the boardwalk connects to the bike and running lane that extends all the way to the George Washington Bridge—a perfect place to jog off brunch.

Most casual restaurants welcome families for an early dinner, but to get the most from an evening downtown, hire a sitter and check out some of the more adult-oriented options. Michelin awarded stars to Daniel Bouley’s eponymous Bouley (120 West Broadway; 212-964-2525; www.danielbouley.com) and Danube (30 Hudson Street; 212-791-3771; www.thedanube.net), the latter of which also has a cozy bar that’s a great place for a pre-dinner drink. Another popular choice on the formal side is Chanterelle, where David Waltuck’s flawless cooking recently earned a James Beard award. Just be sure to book early, as table for prime Saturday evening spots go quickly.

Read more member tips about what to do when visiting New York City with kids.