Our NYC Girls’ Day: Sugar Factory Times Square, Sephora Swatches, and a Quick H&M Haul

This post is in partnership with Sugar Factory Times Square. As always, all opinions are my own.

There’s something about hopping into the city with my girl that just fills my cup. We went in to meet a friend who was visiting NYC with her daughter for her birthday, two moms, two girls, and just enough time to make it feel special without dragging everyone to twenty different landmarks. Think: one show-stopping lunch, a little beauty play, and a quick fashion stop before heading home happy.

The main event: lunch at Sugar Factory Times Square

If you’ve got kids (or honestly, if you just like fun), Sugar Factory Times Square is an easy win. It’s loud in the best way… music, laughter, and the kind of “wow” dishes that make the girls’ eyes light up the second they hit the table.

Here’s what we loved:

• Signature Pink Sliders: Adorable and surprisingly perfect for sharing. My 9-year-old felt very “big kid” ordering her own, and I loved that they’re bite-size and not a mess.

• Footlong Mozzarella Stick: A full moment. The cheese pull alone. Enough said.

• Birthday Dessert:  Since we were celebrating our friends’ birthday, we went big on the sugar (because…Sugar Factory). Lots of smiles, lots of photos, and yes, we all shared.

Why it worked for us: the vibe is celebratory without trying too hard, the menu keeps kids happy and moms sane, and the pacing was great… we never felt rushed, but we also weren’t stuck waiting with hungry kids. If you’re going for a birthday or a “yay, we made it to NYC” moment, this is your place.

Mom notes:

• Portions are generous. Share and save room for dessert.

• If you’re visiting during peak times, reserve ahead.

• Snap the photos early so everyone can eat while it’s hot (trust me).

Sephora Times Square: swatch, giggle, repeat

After lunch we walked over to Sephora for some low-stakes beauty time. My daughter and I swear we could spend an hour swatching pink glosses and still have more to try. We grabbed a hydrating lip oil for her (kid-approved, mom-approved) and a travel-size hair mask for me because…busyness. It was the perfect cool-down from Times Square chaos and such an easy “just us” moment.

Why it works with kids: there’s a lot to touch and try without a big spend. Mini sizes = mini commitment.

H&M: quick, cute, and out the door

We wrapped at H&M… one matching accessory for the girls and a cozy hoodie for my daughter that she’s already lived in. In and out, no drama. This is my favorite kind of NYC shopping with kids: targeted, fun, and painless to carry.

Our simple girls’ day itinerary (save this!)

1. Sugar Factory Times Square for a celebratory lunch

2. Sephora for swatching + a small treat

3. H&M for a quick fashion find
   And then home with full bellies, a tiny bag, and a lot of happy.

Planning the next one: double digits!

We’re already talking about our next trip to the city for my daughter’s 10th birthday, and Sugar Factory is back at the top of the list. The girls felt celebrated, I felt like we could actually relax and enjoy it, and the whole day was special without being complicated. That’s the sweet spot for us.

If you’re planning your own NYC girls’ day, here’s what helped:

• Pick one hero meal and plan around it.

• Keep shopping short + intentional: one beauty stop, one fashion stop.

• Give kids a small budget for a keepsake (lip oil, scrunchies, bracelet).

• Take the pictures, then put the phone down and enjoy the moment.

If you’ve done Sugar Factory Times Square with your kiddos, tell me your must-orders… I’m building my list for the big 1-0!