Summer Family Fun (in and around New York)
Summer is one of the best times to enjoy all the East Coast offers, from hopping on the train for a day trip or packing up the car to check out a museum or an amusement park or eat some good food. Here are some unique things for families to do during the summer in and around New York:
Farmingdale, NY
Long Island’s favorite family amusement park since 1962! With over 30 rides, games, and attractions, an indoor arcade, and a restaurant, there’s something for everyone at Adventureland! adventureland.us
Alliance for Downtown New York
New York, NY
Lower Manhattan has all the shopping, dining, and entertainment anyone could want. From City Hall to the Battery, savor unique flavors, discover awe-inspiring museums, catch a show, and so much more. No one can ever know what’s next when one square mile contains infinite possibilities. So get going and see what’s happening in downtown New York. downtownny.com
Psst…16 Family- Friendly Summer Road-trips to Take this Season!
Animal Adventure Park +Preserve
Harpursville, NY
Visit two animal parks, conveniently located in one destination, 15 minutes outside of Binghamton, NY! Animal Adventure Park is an interactive educational animal park, home to more than 100 species, while sister facility, The Preserve, is an interactive, educational drive thru experience. Families can enjoy many up-close experiences with the animals. theanimaladventurepreserve.com
West Berlin, NJ
Dive into fun at Big Kahuna’s Water Park in NJ, where you can enjoy a range of thrilling slides and water attractions suitable for all ages, abilities, and sensory sensitivities. The year-round indoor water park boasts weatherproof fun under a retractable roof, and the attached outdoor water park is free with admission from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Big Kahuna’s is a certified autism center and the perfect day trip with free parking, a full-service café, bar, and a vibrant island atmosphere. bigkahunas.com/nj
East Rutherford, New Jersey
Beat the heat this Summer and hit Big SNOW American Dream, North America’s first and only indoor snow dome. Big SNOW is located in the Meadowlands and has something for everyone in the family. Ski. Board. Tube. Shop! bigsnowamericandream.com
New York, NY
Blue Man Group is a comedy, theater, and rock concert all rolled into one. Leave expectations at the door and let three bald and blue men unveil a spectacular journey bursting with music, laughter, and surprises. blueman.com/new-york
Multiple Locations
Chuck E. Cheese has been entertaining families with delicious food and cutting-edge games for decades; refreshed fun centers feature new games, an interactive dance floor, large-format video walls, new food, new prizes from the legendary prize wall and active play features (including Trampoline Zones at select locations). Join them all summer long for 2 months of unlimited visits, up to 250 games per day, and up to 50% off on most food & beverages with Summer Fun Pass (starting at just $44.99 online)! chuckecheese.com
Multiple Locations
Dave & Buster’s has everyone covered for all the summer fun! This Father’s Day, participate in the first-ever D&B Dad Games to compete against other families for a chance to win one year of free game play. daveandbusters.com
Rhineback, NY
Take a drive to Rhinebeck to enjoy this six-day Dutchess Fair. Held from Tuesday, August 20th, to Sunday, August 25th, this fair offers a unique immersion into the world of agriculture, horticulture, and more, mixed with rides, performances, food, and local vendors. Children ages 11 and under are free. 6550 Springbrook Ave., Rhineback, NY, dutchessfair.com
Frederick County, MD
Experience a one-of-a-kind sporting event in Downtown Frederick, Maryland, during the 10th National Clustered Spires High Wheel Bike Race on July 13th. This free, family-friendly event features bike racers from around the world riding antique high-wheel bicycles in a spectacle you won’t see anywhere else in the United States. visitfrederick.org
This summer, groove at lively, family-friendly events like the 2nd Annual Sunflower & Sangria Festival and Catskill Irish Arts Week. See why the Great Northern Catskills have been the epicenter of warm-weather fun for over a century. greatnortherncatskills.com
Hope Township, NJ
It is a spectacular day trip destination! It is one of the most Iconic amusement and water parks in America. Don’t miss a day of incredible family fun. It is just minutes away. lomb.com
Yonkers, NY
Join the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester team this summer for some BRICKTASTIC fun! Hop aboard your chariot on the Kingdom Quest interactive ride, pedal the enchanted cart in Merlin’s magical potions chamber to become his next wizarding apprentice, catch a 4D movie, and immerse yourself in a virtual LEGO world. New York residents can unlock special savings with the resident-only deal. Visit the website for exclusive savings! legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester
Manorville, NY
As Long Island’s largest wildlife park, Long Island Game Farm offers families a natural environment where they can learn about wildlife and animals through education and entertainment. A critical aspect of the game farm is serving as a sanctuary for animals rescued, rehabilitated, or re-homed. longislandgamefarm.com
Mashantucket, CT
Come on a journey the whole family will love at the world’s largest Native American Museum! From Wednesday to Saturday, there will be culture-filled educational programs, workshops, and events for the entire family in July and August. Experience the amazing culture of the Pequot people and learn about their distinctive relationship with nature, their challenges, and their inspiring resiliency. pequotmuseum.org
Garden City, NY
Come cool off with us this summer in our indoor temperature-controlled Glow in the Dark Golf Course. Enjoy the many other attractions, including Arcade, Laser Maze, and Bowling. Monsterminigolf.com/locations/us/ny/garden-city-long-island
Yonkers, NY
Monster Mini Golf®’s sole goal is to provide a wide variety of affordable experiences in a fun, family-friendly, alcohol-free atmosphere. Take a break from the heat this summer and come visit, where memorable family entertainment is the top priority. Mini Golf is for everyone! monsterminigolf.com/locations/us/ny/yonkers
Bronx, NY
Head down the rabbit hole to explore Wonderland: Curious Nature at the New York Botanical Garden. It is fun for the whole family. Dress up to explore mind-bending flower displays fit for a queen, outsized art installations, and fantastical tea parties! May 18–October 27, 2024; Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; $35 for adults and $15 for kids. nybg.org
New York International Air Show
Orange County, NY
Enjoy a weekend of family fun while attending the New York International Air Show at the Orange County Airport in Montgomery, New York on August 10th and 11th. See thrilling aerial performances headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and other top talent. The Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori are visiting the USA for the first time in over 30 years. Explore amazing aircraft displays and delicious food vendors all around the grounds. It’s a great event for the whole family! Get tickets now. AirShowNY.com
Nyack Street Fair
Rockland County, NY
Don’t miss the Nyack Street Fair on Sunday, July 14, 2024, on Main Street and Broadway. Over 360 exhibitors will display Arts, Crafts, Photography, sculpture, and a Kids’ Zone. Enjoy great food, live music, and more! explorerocklandny.com
Old Westbury, NY
Visit Old Westbury Gardens for Midsummer Weekend (June 21-23), where guests of all ages are invited to picnic, stroll, and relax on the longest days of the year amidst the sounds of ambient music. The Gardens will be illuminated with lanterns and decorated with wreaths and floral arrangements. villageofoldwestbury.org
Putnam County Fair and 4-H Showcase
Putnam, NY
Come and join the fun at the Putnam County Fair & 4-H Showcase on July 27th and July 28th at Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel, NY. There will be farm animals, pony rides, vendors, entertainment, food trucks, and so much more! Parking and admission are free. visitputnam.org
Yonkers, NY
Signature Events have returned to Ridge Hill. Now through September 26th, guests can enjoy weekly and monthly outdoor experiences, including pet-friendly happy hours, children’s playtime, fitness classes, film screenings, and live concerts. ridgehill.com
Salem, MA
Looking for something out of the ordinary to do this summer? Take a trip to Salem, Massachusetts, a city made famous by the Salem Witch Trials. The Salem Witch Museum brings visitors back to 1692 in an immersive audiovisual experience and offers extended hours during summer. Visit salemwitchmuseum.com for tickets and information on visiting this iconic museum. salemwitchmuseum.com
Jeffersonville, VT
Join on June 20th, for the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. At Smuggs, things are going to heat up with a Summer Solstice celebration! Guests will be in awe of Cirque De Fuego, Vermont’s premier fire performers, drum performances by Jeh Kulu Drum Theater, spectacular fireworks not to mention the blazing bonfire, ooey-gooey s’mores, and much more! smuggs.com
Egg Harbor, New Jersey
Explore, play, read, and ride! Create your own story at Storybook Land, where they’ve been making memories since 1955! Visit Santa Claus on Christmas in July! Saturday, July 20th. storybookland.com
Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association
Liberty, NY
Sullivan Catskills has the KCBS sanctioned backyard barbeque on May 15 and Drag me back to the Catskills from May 14-16. sullivancatskills.com
Ulster County, NY
Ulster County’s Borscht Belt Fest, “Comedy, Cuisine, Culture in the Catskills”, returns to the Catskill this summer on July 27 and 28, 2024. The festival celebrates the legacy
of the idyllic Borscht Belt resort era, its vibrant comedic past, and its wide-ranging influence on contemporary American culture. Held in Ellenville, NY, the heart of the renown Borscht Belt, the festival features stand-up comedy, art, live music, film, educational programming, food, and plenty of one-liners. For information. visitulstercountyny.com
Rhode Island is small but grand, offering a wide variety of events for the whole family to enjoy. This summer, several can’t-miss events include the Newport Bermuda Race, Bristol 4th of July Parade, and Washington County Fair. visitrhodeisland.com
Rochester, NY
With 140+ annual festivals and events, there is always something great happening in Rochester, NY. Festival season kicks off each May with the Lilac Festival, the largest free festival of its kind in North America. It continues with the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Corn Hill Arts Festival, Rochester Fringe Festival, ROC Holiday Village, and more. visitrochester.com
Lake George, NY
The Lake George Area is a destination filled with water activities, amusement parks, and many other family-friendly activities to satisfy all ages! Discover the birthplace of “The Original Vacation,” where families would gather to spend their summer vacations in the southern Adirondacks. visitlakegeorge.com
New York, NY
Over 85 world-class shops and restaurants, connected to 13 subway lines and the PATH, are located in the heart of Lower Manhattan. Free fun for the whole family includes outdoor movie screenings and interactive kid-friendly art studios! westfield.com/united-states/westfieldtradecenter
