Summer in the City – NYC Summer Bucket List for Families

Summer in the city means endless fun activities for families! From street fairs to performances, neighboring beaches to cultural programs, there are endless things to do and see. No need to be bored – get outside and explore! Read on as we list the Top 50 things for NYC families to do and see with kids.

NYC Summer Bucket List for Kids

1. Row a boat across Central Park Lake!  Hourly row boat rentals are available from the Central Park Boathouse for a small fee (and under new management – see details HERE).
2. Swing by the spectacular new Gilder Center at the American Museum of Natural History, and explore the new Insectarium, Butterfly Vivarium, Invisible Worlds Experience, Research Library and so much more. See a recap here!

   

3. Slide into Summer! Have a day of fun on Governors Island. Rent a cool bike and pedal around, say hi to the resident sheep, relax in Hammock Grove, and don’t forget about Slide Hill!
4. Get Wild at the Bronx Zoo! Don’t miss the zoo’s Treetop Adventures. Thrill seeker? Try zip-lining over the Bronx River.
5. Explore Central Park! Start in the Ramble to discover a waterfall, and then go on a search for Balto – the sled dog hero statue! There’s so much to see and do in Central Park – see our guide HERE.
6. Take the Ferry to Rockaway Beach! You’ll have your toes in the sand in a little over an hour from Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan.
7. Coney Island Boardwalk for some amusement park fun. There’s a wide variety of rides to try, from the world-famous Wonder Wheel to the wooden Coney Island Cyclone!  Luna Park just recently expanded and has many new rides to discover. Find a recap HERE.
8. Hole in fun! Swing over to Pier 25 in Tribeca and Play a round of Mini Golf.
9. Ride the Staten Island Ferry for free, and take in views of Lady Liberty. FREE.

   

10. Kayak in the city… for free! Both Pier 4 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Pier 26 in Manhattan offer free kayaking lessons. 
11. Live the life aquatic at the New York Aquarium.
12. Catch an outdoor Film. Both Bryant Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park host Free Night Movies throughout the Summer.
13. Splash around in the Domino Park water fountain feature. At night it glows in brilliant technicolor. FREE.
14. Take a spin on Jane’s Carousel, and then horse around Brooklyn Bridge Park. Use our guide to help you plan HERE.
15. Go on a ferry adventure. The NYC Ferry connects the boroughs from the waterways – and is the same price as the subway (and offers amazing views of the city!). 
16. Swim with the fishes at the Seaglass Carousel in Battery Park.
17. Catch a Baseball Game at Yankees Stadium.
18. Paddle around Prospect Park Lake in the fun Paddle Boat rentals available at the LeFrak Center.
19. Watch a performer take the stage at the Picnic Performance series in Bryant Park.
20. Stop by the charming Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater and catch a performance.
21. Summer for the City! Head over to Lincoln Center to see the gigantic 10 foot disco ball and take in a free outdoor performance or concert. (A look at the ball – HERE!)
22. Visit Little Island and explore this unique floating park in Manhattan. 
23. Have a day of sporty fun at Chelsea Piers. From ice skating to bowling, and everything in between – this sporty mecca offers endless activities.
24. Check out the city’s latest rooftop park at Pier 57.
25. Catch some fun at the free catch and release fishing programs at Hudson River Park and the Harlem Meer in Central Park.
26. Walk with the skyline at the Highline and check out the latest art installations.
27. Play away the day at Governor’s Island’s unique play-ground nyc (affectionately known as the junkyard!). 
28. Splash with Friends at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 Water Lab, and don’t miss the neighboring playgrounds Swing Valley, or Slide Mountain in the sand.
29. Swing on over to CityPickle in Central Park  – they have 14 courts, making it the largest pickleball offering in the Northeast!
30. Dive in! Visit one of NYC’s free public pools to cool off from the summer heat.
31. Reading with a view! Stop by the New York Public Library Stavros Niarchos branch in Midtown and be sure to head to the (free) reading roof with gorgeous Manhattan views.
32. Have a world of fun in Queens Flushing Meadows Park, with the epic steamy splash pad (and stop by the New York Hall of Science.
33. Take flight at the Intrepid – and be sure to check out their Summer movie series on the flight deck.
34. Car-free is the way to be – check out the (newly expanded!) awesome Summer Streets program that happens on weekends in August.
35. Spend a day at Rockefeller Center. Rent skates and roll at Flippers, swing by FAO Schwarz, Nintendo, and the Lego Store. Don’t miss the epic rooftop view from the observation deck!
36. Visit a destination Playground! Try the new Playscape Playground in Battery Park, or the playground designed to mimic the sugar refinery process in Domino Park. FREE.
37. Go on an aerial adventure by taking the tram to Roosevelt Island.
38. Search out the lighthouses in the city – Roosevelt Island and the Little Red Lighthouse in Fort Washington Park. FREE.
39. Learn about climate change and ways you can protect our planet at the aptly named Putting GREEN in Brooklyn.
40. Spend a day at Bryant Park. Swing by the charming carousel, game cart, putting green, table tennis court, and then catch a free yo-yo or bubble performance. All FREE. Check the schedule on the website.
41. Beat the heat at a museum! Have a whale of a time at the American Museum of Natural History, Rock on over to the new mineral hall, and don’t forget to check out the dino fossils. Remember – most museums are free/pay as you wish for New Yorkers. 
42. Catch a Broadway show or performance! Stop by the TKTS booth for last-minute tickets.

    

43. Catch an outdoor movie with an epic view of Manhattan at Skyline Drive-in NYC. No car? No problem – you can also walk-in, and reserve a chair!
44. Soar over the city, and learn about some cool history at the new RiseNY experience.
45. Rainy Day? Head to an arcade! Try Dave and Busters or the Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center.
46. Be a tourist in your own city, and visit the Statue of Liberty! Don’t miss the Liberty Island museum during your visit to see the original torch (included with your ticket!).
47. Find a pageturner at a new-to-you bookstore. Try Albertine Books, the Drama Book Shop in the Theater District, or the family-favorite Books of Wonder.
48. Take a family stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge, and take in the views of Manhattan.
49. Learn about gardening at one of the city’s Botanical Gardens. One to try: the New York Botanical Garden. Pick your own vegetables at the Edible Academy, or try one of the family garden activities!

    

50. Watch some fireworks on the beach. Luna Park hosts free Friday night firework shows throughout the Summer. FREE.