Explore Together | Milk Jar Cookies

You really haven't tasted a good cookie unless you've tried Milk Jar Cookies. They are absolutely perfect and good bang for your buck. It's been our favorite dessert shop since the year it opened, and we still haven't had enough! The Vuong family went for the first time, and it's official: Milk Jar Cookies is family-approved. 

Best hours to visit with the kids: 

Any hour of the day is perfect, because there's plenty of seating (inside and outside). It's spacious and there are tables that seat up to 6 people each. 

Kid-Friendly Menu Favorites:

  • Birthday Cookie
  • Chocolate Chip
  • Cinnamon Sugar
  • Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
  • Oatmeal Raisin

Most choose to pair their cookie with a cold glass of milk. Adults will love their cookies with the delicious iced-coffee! 

Location Favorites: 

The decor is has a rustic vintage feel, with pops of pastels here and there. See how many refurbished items you can find in the shop!

Address: 

5466 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Parking: 

Free parking is available directly behind the shop in reserved Milk Jar spots, as well as in the Americana Plaza lot which you enter off of Dunsmuir Ave. There is also a ton of metered street parking on Wilshire and all side streets. Additionally, there is an inexpensive public parking lot on Cochran, between Wilshire and 8th. 

Business Hours: 

Tues - Thurs: 11 AM - 8 PM
Fri - Sat: 11 AM - 11 PM
Sun: 12 PM - 5 PM
Closed on Monday

Photography by Lucia Tran

Assisted by Crystal Rivera

Clothing Credits:
Riley (oldest daughter) - Top and Shorts: Anthem of the Ants. Shoes: Zuzii.
Jackson (son) - Top: Geo Fox Apparel. Shorts: Ode to Jeune.
Lucie (baby) - Hoodie and Bloomers: Purl Lamb. 

Explore Together | Jane's Carousel

Nicki Sebastian (a Zooey contributor) and her daughter Cami spent their afternoon at Jane's Carousel, a once historical Ohio-based installation that now sits in the Brooklyn Bridge Park. It's such a magical location that serves as a perfect family adventure. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the carousel has endless photo opportunities.

Have you been to the carousel or plan to this summer? It's surely a piece of history that you can't part without ever experiencing! 

Best hours to visit with kids: 

Anytime during the hours of operation! Although the golden evening light reflects beautifully on the glass-enclosed carousel just before sunset, making it a particularly magical time to go.

Location Favorites:

The entire waterfront has been built into one continuous, gorgeous park—walk along the East River boardwalk for stunning views of Manhattan, skip rocks at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pebble Beach, stop for some sweet treats at One Girl Cookies in Dumbo, have dinner at Shake Shack (for the best burgers and fries) or Luke's Lobster under the Brooklyn Bridge, or grab a famous slice or pie at Grimaldi's or Julianna's Pizza.

Also, be sure to stop at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory at Fulton Ferry Pier for delicious, made-in-Brooklyn ice cream

Address: Dock Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Parking: Visitors who drive can park on Front Street, between Dock & Main Street or at 45 Main Street (corner of Front & Main Street). The carousel is also easily accessible by subway (take the F, A/C, or 2/3 trains)

Business Hours: 

Summer Hours - 
5/11/2015  to 9/20/2015
Open 6 days, closed Tuesdays 
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM 
Winter Hours - 
9/21/2015 to 5/8/2016 
Thursday to Sunday 
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Photography by Nicki Sebastian

Clothing Credits:
Cami's Dress: Muny Shop.

Explore Together | Lavender & Honey

Our next adventure with the Vuong family takes us to Pasadena's "Lavender & Honey." A flavorful café that offers quick bites for both parents and kids. We stopped by this sweet shop to enjoy delicious toasts, a glass of milk for the kids, and iced coffee for the parents. It's a perfect refreshment for these hot summer days (the temperature was in the triple digits today in Los Angeles!). 

Menu Favorites: The kids loved the birthday toast, but Lavender & Honey has a lot of other things to offer too! Some favorites off the kids' menu are:

  • Milk & Cookies
  • Birthday Toast (Frosting w/ Sprinkles)
  • Nutella & Banana toast
  • Petit Parisian Sandwich (Ham & Cheese)
  • Little Italiano Sandwich (Salami & Cheese)
  • Hot Chocolates
  • Frozen Hot Chocolates
  • Lavender & Honey Milk Steamer
  • The Cream'wich from Manhattan Beach Creamery

What's Neat:

Lavender & Honey has a quaint/boutique feel, so it's the perfect stop for a quick snack and drink. It's light and airy, and the space itself has beautiful rustic decor. There is a convenient indoor and outdoor seating, free wifi, and a dog-friendly patio. And most of all, it's in a perfect neighborhood!

Address: 

1383 E. Washington Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91104

Parking:

There is a large parking lot next to the shop and also plentiful street parking with little-to-no restrictions.

Store hours: 

Mon - Sat: 7 AM TO 5 PM 
Sun: 8 AM to 4 PM

Best hours to visit with kids:

Early lunch: 10 AM to 12 PM
Afternoon snack: 2 PM to  4 PM

Photography by Lucia Tran

Assisted by Crystal Rivera