With summer in full swing, there are plenty of fun, family-friendly things to do in and around New York City every day. We narrowed them all down to the best of the best and compiled a list of 10 can’t-miss family events for the coming month of July. From the City of Water Day Festival to free Broadway performances at Manhattan’s Bryant Park, July is jammed packed with things to do for all ages, so get out there and have some fun!
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The Summer of Hamilton at the New-York Historical Society
Opens July 4 [All ages] Anchored by their collection of artifacts and documents related to Alexander Hamilton’s life, the New-York Historical Society is celebrating the Summer of Hamilton with a 4th of July celebration kickoff--featuring an Alexander Hamilton impersonator and revolutionary-era songs and performances--and Living History weekends throughout July and August. Plus, don't miss "Hamilton Fridays" singalongs, scavenger hunts, and more. Times and pricing varies by event. New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West at 77th Street, nyhistory.org -
Broadway in Bryant Park
July 7 – August 11 [All ages] Couldn’t secure a ticket to any of the hottest Broadway shows? Well you’re in luck because Broadway is coming to you this summer as part of the Broadway in Bryant Park concert series presented by 106.7 LiteFM! Head over to Bryant Park, located in Midtown Manhattan, every Thursday afternoon at 12:30 PM for an hour of nonstop Broadway. Broadway fanatics young and old won’t want to miss any of these showcases as there will be performances from the casts of "Matilda," "Finding Neverland," "Wicked," and so many more! Free, 12:30-1:30pm. Bryant Park Lawn, between 5th & 6th Avenues and 40th and 42nd Streets, bryantpark.org -
Summer Family Day at the Whitney Museum
July 9 [All ages] Grab the kids and gain special access to the Whitney during this early morning celebration for kids and families! Explore the current "Stuart Davis: In Full Swing" exhibit, and enjoy tours, art-making, and special performances by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Free with museum admission (families are encouraged to purchase admission tickets online in advance), 9:30-3pm (Gallery tours will run until 12pm). The Whitney, 99 Gansevoort Street, 212-570-3600, whitney.org -
Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience at The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
Opens July 9 [All ages] "Star Trek" fan,s read no further – we’ve got the perfect event for you! Marking the first stop on a pending US tour, The Starfleet Academy Experience is landing in NYC at the Intrepid Museum. See props and costumes on display from the TV show, experience interactive activities based on the "Star Trek" series during the Intrepid's Space & Science Festival on July 14-17, attend movie nights and even stay overnight with "Star Trek"-themed Operation Slumbers! So beam over to the Intrepid's website for more details and remember, live long and prosper! $25 adults, $18 children 5-12, free for children 4 and under. Sunday-Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday & Saturday 10am-9pm; Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, West 46th St and 12th Avenue, intrepidmuseum.org -
Bastille Day on East 60th Street
July 10 [All ages] Enjoy an afternoon of French food, culture and entertainment in celebration of Bastille Day at this unique Manhattan street fair! Take a trip to East 60th Street, between 5th and Lexington Avenues on July 10 to experience everything the French way! While kids taste delicious French delicacies like crêpes, éclairs, macaroons and more, parents can sample a selection of cheeses, beers and cocktails. Plus, witness dancing and music, take part in face painting or arts and crafts and much more – guaranteed fun for the entire family! Free, 12-5pm. 60th Street, from 5th to Lexington Avenues, bastilledayny.org Photo by Sasha Arutyunova via FIAF on Flickr -
City of Water Day Festival
July 16 [All ages] The City of Water Day Free Family Festival is back for the ninth time this year and better than ever! On July 16, you and your family can take part in a plethora of activities and attractions to celebrate New York and New Jersey’s surrounding waterfronts. Compete in this year’s Cardboard Kayak Race, get artsy at the children’s activity fair on Governors Island and enjoy on one of many free neighborhood boat tours! Events will be taking place across all five boroughs as well as in a few New Jersey locations. Free, 10am-4pm, various locations, waterfrontalliance.org -
Come Out and Play Family Field Day on Governors Island
July 19 [All ages] On July 19, Governors Island will turn into a huge playground for all – your family won’t want to miss this exciting day of interactive fun! Come Out & Play Field Day and Family Day gives visitors an opportunity for all kids, especially ages 6 to 11, to try new games and take on old favorites with this year’s exciting theme of Time Travel! So celebrate summer the right way… come on out and play! Free, 11am-4pm. The Parade Grounds on Governors Island, comeoutnadplay.org -
Animation Block Party
July 28 – July 31 [All ages] Get to Brooklyn’s Rooftop Films & BAMcinématek for this year’s edition of the Animation Block Party! The largest animation festival on the East Coast, dedicated to exhibiting the world’s best independent, professional and student animation is returning for the 13th year in a row! Experience an extensive and diverse lineup of films with your little filmmakers. This year, the festival will include Animation Features screenings for kids at 2pm on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 at BAMcinématek. Opening Night at Rooftop Films at Brookfield Place is free and open to the public, and will also be kid-friendly. Ticket prices and vary; screenings will be held at BAMcinématek, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn; and at the Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey Street, animationblock.com -
Midsummer Powwow at the Queens County Farm Museum
July 29 – July 31 [All ages] From July 29 through 31, experience Native American culture with the entire family at New York City’s oldest and largest powwow. During this year’s 38th annual Thunderbird American Indian Mid-Summer Powwow, observe unique Native American art, crafts and jewelry and enjoy days of intertribal Native American dance competitions with 40 Indian nations in attendance. Situated in the Queens County Farm Museum’s apple orchard in Floral Park, NY, there’s a lot for you and the kids to enjoy during these three days of culture, history and celebration. Adults: $11/day, $16/weekend; Children (12 & under): $5/day, $7/weekend; Free for Farm Members, gates open at 6pm Friday and 10am Saturday and Sunday. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens, 718-347-3276, queensfarm.org (Photo courtesy of QCFM) -
NYC Children's Poetry Festival on Governors Island
July 30 – July 31 [Ages 2-18] The 6th annual NYC Children's Poetry Festival is coming to Governor’s Island this summer, starting July 30, for two straight days of nonstop poetry! As part of the larger NYC Poetry Festival, this free fest sponsored by Writopia is an amazing opportunity to experience and celebrate New York City’s vibrant poetry community. Children are invited to share their own poetry on a kids-only stage, enjoy readings, and contribute to the Poetree Forest. Free, 11am-6pm, Governors Island, newyorkcitypoetryfestival.com -
Bonus: The Hills Opening Day on Governors Island
July 19 [All ages] There's one more date you'll definitely want to mark on your calendar this month: July 19, when Governors Island's The Hills will open to the public! Encompassing four hills, one of which--Slide Hill--will be home to the longest slide in the city, you won't want to miss out on the views from these new hilltops! Click the link above for our Ultimate Guide to Governors Island.
