Pitch A Tent
The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation hosts Family Camping nights in July and August at parks in all five boroughs (including Central Park!). It’s a one-night campout (either Friday or Saturday), and they provide you with the tent, the cookout food, and the activities (such as hikes and stargazing)—all for free. All you need is a sleeping bag. Quick tip—you must call the Monday before you want to camp to reserve a spot; call early, because they fill up fast. 212-NEW-YORK or nycgovparks.org.
Hit The Beach
JACOB RIIS PARK, QUEENS. This park offers a mile-long stretch of surf kids can swim in, plus ball courts, miniature golf, a boardwalk, a playground and more. 718-318-4300, nyharborparks.org.
MIDLAND BEACH, STATEN ISLAND. This beach is great for swimming and boasts concession stands, a playground, and the Sea Turtle Fountain, which has sprinklers where kids can run around. It’s also close to South Beach, which is popular for its boardwalk. 718-987- 0709, statenislandusa.com.
SANDY HOOK, N.J. It’s technically outside the city on the tip of the Jersey Shore, but it’s only a 40-minute ferry ride from Wall Street. The beautiful, well-kept park includes seven miles of ocean beaches, salt marshes, and hiking trails. Check out Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the United States, and be sure to bring your bikes, and take advantage of Sandy Hook’s amazing bike trails. 732-872-5970, sandy-hook.com. For ferry info: seastreak.com.
Get Back To Nature
JAMAICA BAY WILDLIFE REFUGE. Encompassing 9,155 acres, the refuge comprises diverse habitats, including salt marsh, fields and woods, water ponds, and an open expanse of bay and islands. Over 325 species have been recorded here during the last 25 years! Jamaica Bay, Queens, 718-318-4340, nyharborparks.org.
WAVE HILL. A 28-acre public garden filled with strolling lawns shaded by trees, quiet woodland trails, lotus ponds, flower and herb gardens and a dramatic view of the Hudson River. West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx, 718- 549-3200, wavehill.org.
ALLEY POND ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER. Rugged forested acreage filled with streams, marshes, and diverse wildlife. Take a casual stroll on the trails or enroll in one of the many family education programs. 228-06 Northern Boulevard, Douglaston, Queens, 718-229-4000, alleypond.com.
Go For A Bike Ride
For family-friendly rides around the city, visit the website of Bike New York, a local organization for city bikers which has guides to biking trails and routes (212-932-BIKE, bikenewyork. org). No worries if you don’t own a bike; these companies offer bike rentals near kid-friendly riding areas: Bike and Roll rents bikes in Battery Park, South Street Seaport, Pier 84 in Hudson River Park, and Governors Island (212-260-0400, bikeandroll.com); and Bike Rental Central Park is located on the northwest corner of 58th Street and Seventh Avenue (212-541-8759, centralparkbiketour.com).
Park It!
Chances are if you live in New York, you live near at least one park— there are more than 1,700 across the five boroughs. Here, David Rivel, executive director of the City Parks Foundation, shares a few of the city’s “hidden gem” parks, as well as a few can’t-miss park events for summer:
*“Hidden Gem” Parks
MARCUS GARVEY PARK, MANHATTAN: This Harlem park boasts Mt. Morris, a natural mountain with a staircase leading to the top and a fireman’s watchtower.
ST. MARY’S PARK, THE BRONX: This South Bronx park has great topography with a flat space near the
street grid and a hill that leads to a stage that showcases plenty of
family entertainment.
QUEENSBRIDGE PARK, QUEENS: Located under the Queensborough
Bridge, this renovated park has a strong community presence. The City
Parks Foundation is currently working to improve its waterfront access.
CALVERT VAUX PARK,
BROOKLYN: Along the water overlooking Coney Island Creek, this park
lay fallow for decades, but the City Parks Foundation is currently
refurbishing it—Phase 1 of the renovation is expected to be completed
this summer.
TAPPEN PARK, STATEN ISLAND: On the north shore near the Staten Island
ferry, this park and surrounding shops boast a “town square feel.”
*5 Can’t-Miss Park Happenings
FAMILY DAY! AT CENTRAL
PARK SUMMERSTAGE: This year’s extravaganza features Ralph’s World,
Bethany & Rufus, Cirquetacular and more. (Sunday, July 18; Central
Park SummerStage)
SUMMERSTAGE
DANCE: High-caliber performances by world-renowned dance companies,
plus master classes taught prior to each performance. (June 4-August
14; Central Park SummerStage)
CITYPARKS JUNIOR GOLF CENTER: Kids aged 7-17
can take free golf classes at this state-of-the-art facility that
includes a six-hole golf course, a covered driving range, and a
clubhouse with classroom space. (Ongoing, Dyker Beach Park, Brooklyn)
CITYPARKS KIDS: Arts
and culture for kids—dance, musicals, sing-a-longs, storytelling and
poetry reading. (Weekdays throughout July and August; various parks)
SWEDISH COTTAGE
MARIONETTE THEATRE: Through June 25, the theatre presents the fairy
tale mishmash “Three,” in which the Big Bad Wolf learns his lesson and
is permitted to rejoin the fabled cast as the Big Good Wolf! (Runs daily
throughout the year; Central Park at 79th Street and the West Drive)
Water, Water Everywhere!
FISHING
SHEEPSHEAD BAY, BROOKLYN: A great destination
for offshore fishing, Sheepshead Bay has a fleet of around 50 boats for
rent; prices range from $24-40.
STEEPLECHASE PIER, CONEY ISLAND: If you’d like
to keep your feet on land, head to Coney Island, home to a diverse array
of fish all year. If the fish aren’t biting, Nathan’s hot dogs make for
a tasty Plan B.
DON’T
FORGET! If you and your family are first-time fishers, study up on
New York fishing regulations before you hit the shores at dec.ny.gov.
KAYAKING
THE DOWNTOWN BOATHOUSE:
Begin your free kayaking adventure from one of the Downtown Boathouse’s three locations (Pier 40, Pier 96 and 72nd Street.) Free
lessons are provided on Wednesday nights for first-timers.
(downtownboathouse.org)
MANHATTAN KAYAK COMPANY: Located on Pier 66, this school
offers safe kayak instruction, a wide variety of tours and even
off-season storage. Tours vary in level of difficulty; prices range from
$35-$225. (manhattankayak.com)
THE NEW YORK KAYAK COMPANY: Another great
option for kayak beginners, The New York Kayak Company sells apparel and
gear (as well as lessons and tours) at its Pier 40 location. Looking
for a challenge? Try a stand-up paddle board class. (shop. nykayak.com)
BOATING
CIRCLE LINE
SIGHTSEEING: Hop on The Beast Speedboat Ride for an exciting
30-minute trip through the New York Harbor. You’ll fly by skyscrapers
and the Statue of Liberty at a whopping 45 miles per hour!
(circleline42.com)
NEW YORK WATER TAXI: For something a bit more relax ing,
New York Water Taxi offers a variety of sightseeing cruises, including
the Audubon eco-cruise and the hop-on/hop-off boat. (nywatertaxi.com)
STATEN ISLAND FERRY: The
ferry’s breezy, 25-minute trip across the harbor will get you great
photos of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Lower Manhattan, and
it won’t cost you a penny! (siferry.com)
SAILING
OFFSHORE SAILING SCHOOL: Offshore
Sailing offers lessons (a two-hour excursion on the water) and courses
(a 3-5 day course to get your sailing certification) from Chelsea Piers.
(offshoresailing.com)
HUDSON RIVER SLOOP CLEARWATER: Learn about
the Hudson River’s eco-system, enjoy the water, and listen to music on a
three-hour public sail. (clearwater.org)
