Summer is coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end! Take your kids to Manhattan for a variety of fun family friendly activities all over the city. Visit Hudson River Park’s SUBMERGE festival to become one with the water, or visit Machine de Cirque at the New Victory Theater in Midtown. Looking for something more educational? The Fraunces Tavern Museum takes you through the American Revolutionary era through buildings, programs, and artifacts.
Fun for All on the Water
Wild about water? Hudson River Park’s SUBMERGE festival heads north this year to Pier 84 in Midtown to celebrate NYC’s coastal waters while bringing marine science to life. Environmentally minded families will enjoy hands-on activities, kid-approved science entertainment, kayaking, fishing, and more. This annual event is a must-do for anyone who appreciates the many gifts of the river and wants to help raise awareness. Rain date is Sept. 23. Sept. 22, 11am-4pm. Age: All. Free. Pier 84, West 44th Street, Midtown. hudsonriverpark.org.
It’s a Circus Machine!
If your family likes physical performance, they’ll flip for Machine de Cirque at the New Victory Theater in Midtown this fall. Five fellows are building a contraption to communicate with the outside world, but their fun-loving natures keep distracting them! These awe-inspiring acrobats swing by their toes high above the stage, bicycle upside-down and backwards, and flip and fly off teeterboards. Sept. 28-Oct. 7. Age: 8 and older. $17 and up. The New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Midtown. newvictory.org.
Fraunces Tavern Museum
Learn all about the history of the American Revolutionary era through buildings, public programs, and museum collections. Exhibits include the Long Room, the site of George Washington’s farewell address at the end of the Revolution, the Clinton Room, and the upcoming ‘Fear & Force: New York City’s Sons of Liberty,’ where you can view objects preserved from important moments relating to the Sons of Liberty. Moments include the tearing down of the King George statue and throwing tea into the New York Harbor.
Visit it: 54 Pearl St., Financial District; 212-425-1778; frauncestavernmuseum.org
Can’t-miss event: Spy Week; Sept. 15-22; see website for schedule
Pier 62 Carousel
What better way to enjoy beautiful summer weather in NYC than on Hudson River Park’s custom-designed Hudson River Animals carousel in Chelsea? The 36-foot carousel allows for up to 36 passengers per ride and overlooks the beautiful Hudson River and Manhattan skyline. Get the perfect family photo on some of the 33 hand-carved wood figures or the chariot. The whole family will enjoy this relaxing ride complete with beautiful views and rich historical culture. The best part? Tickets are extremely affordable!
Visit it: Hudson River Park, between 22nd and 23rd streets, Chelsea; 718-899-2676; pier62carousel.com
Can’t-miss event: Making Magic with Ethan on Sept. 16 at 2pm and 4pm
