Family Fun This Summer: Explore, Laugh, and Play

In a bustling city like the Big Apple, it always seems like a million, and one thing is going on at a time. From street shows to art exhibitions and concerts, NYC is the city that never sleeps, and it even gets more active during summer. But what about the kids? Does New York have anything for them? Yes! There are so many family-friendly New York places to visit in summer, and recently, bringing kids to NYC has become more popular than ever!

Whether you’re visiting NYC for the first time for a summer holiday and need some family-friendly options, or you’ve spent all your life there and want a fun day with your family, this guide got you covered with the best places to visit in the summer holiday!

Visit Central Park

Central Park is one of the family’s favorite places in New York – a perfect place to loosen up and have some quiet family moments. You can take your children there for a picnic, a game of catch, to explore the carousel or their mini Belvedere Castle!

During summer, there are a lot of concerts and music by Good Morning America, Summer Stage, and more. You can also sign up for free swimming lessons at Lasker Pool or go boating on the lake. A family of film freaks? The Central Park Film Festival is there for you!

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Explore the Brooklyn Kids Museum

Fun fact: the Brooklyn Kids Museum was the first of its kind, founded in 1899. There are a lot of programs, exhibits, movies, and events that you wouldn’t want your family to miss. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to go this summer. Some of their interesting events include Neighborhood Nature, which explores the many ecologies common in Brooklyn backyards; Color Lab, which allows kids to come up with something unique from quirky materials and tools; and World Brooklyn, where children can play in kid-sized shops.

Go for Broadway Show

There’s something magical about Broadway shows; no one can deny that! And they get even more interesting when it’s in NYC. The bustling city has a fantastic selection of the most loved, family-friendly shows all year round. The most popular family-friendly shows include Harry Potter, Matilda, Aladdin, The Cursed Child, and The Lion King. While these shows can be expensive, the experience is worth every penny.

Explore the Children’s Museum Manhattan

Having over 350,000 visitors a year, Manhattan’s Children’s Museum is an Upper West Side hub for children to enjoy and learn a lot of new things. There are a ton of exhibitions to check out, from Nickelodeon adventures like Dora and Diego activations to Playworks that allow kids to develop their social, math, and problem-solving abilities; this museum is a must-visit for families during a summer holiday in NYC.

Outdoor Dining

During summer, a lot of New York restaurants and cafes take advantage of the warm and shiny sun to offer outdoor dining options to their customers. Whether on a charming sidewalk or rooftop terrace, dining outdoors is a classic summer family adventure. Whether in the Financial District or the Upper West Side, NYC has got you covered when it comes to family outdoor dining. Some popular outdoor dining spots include The Fulton at Pier 12 Downtown, The Waverly Inn at Graydon Carter’s Little Hobby, and the Brooklyn Crab.

Tour the Brooklyn Bridge

Touring the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most popular things to do in New York all year round. Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge to the DUMBO neighbourhood for some scenic views, fun shopping, and dining options. If your kids are preteens or teenagers, consider biking across the famous bridge. You can also go for an early morning drive when people aren’t much, so you get the chance to snap some iconic Instagram photos.

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Go For SummerStage Concert Series

For over 3 decades, the free Summer Stage Concert held in Central Park has been featuring diverse performances from hip-hop, theatre shows, and folk to opera. There’s a lot to make the moment a memorable one. Held every year since 1986, the SummerStage Arts and Culture Festival is for both NUC locals and visitors. The carnival was designed to enrich the lives of New Yorkers, and to date, it continued to be one of the best summer activities for audiences of all ages.

Satisfy Your Taste Buds at the Smorgasburg

One of the best places to go for the summer is Smorgasburg, an open-air food market in Williamsburg, Prospect Park, and Manhattan that operates every weekend during the summer. Many food vendors sell a wide range of cuisines from different parts of the world. Make sure you come hungry and ready to taste as many cuisines as possible.

Wrapping Up

So there you go! 8 top summer places to visit with family when in New York. But that’s not all – you can sail the Statue of Liberty, go for NYC food tours, visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, shop at the Brooklyn Flea, or pass the day at the New York aquarium.