NYC Off the Beaten Path
I know for many, summer comes to a close when the kids head back to school. But according to the calendar, summer does not officially end until September 20th. So there is still time left to enjoy outdoor activities that you may have missed in July and August. Here are three of our favorite, off the beaten path, NYC summer excursions.
1. Queens Zoo. Everyone has heard of the famous Bronx Zoo… a gem of NYC! But the Bronx Zoo is big, and is expensive to visit. And big zoos sometimes are not as fun for little kids because it’s hard to see the animals when they are far away. That is why we love the Queens Zoo. With a $8 admission fee (kids under 3 are free), you can visit both the petting zoo and the regular zoo. The whole zoo is fairly small so you can really take your time at each exhibit. There is also a playground within the zoo and a carousel right outside. The zoo is open 365 days a year, but it is outside, so maybe not the best option in the colder months.
2. Governor’s Island. This is a small island 800 yards from lower Manhattan. It is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through October 8th. It is accessible by a short, free ferry ride from the terminal next to the Staten Island Ferry, or from Brooklyn Heights. On the Island, there are bike rentals, parks, historic buildings and forts, a small beach and lots of room for kids to run around! We really enjoyed our recent visit to Governor’s Island and hope to return before it closes for the season.
3. Brooklyn Bridge Park. This is a new park in the Brooklyn Heights area right on the water. Recently I took my son to the Pier 6 portion, which is an amazing new playground. Actually it’s a mix of several play areas; sand area, slide area, water area, etc. We only spent time in the water area, and this was the best sprinkler park we have ever been to. It was very clean, and a thoughtful layout where even little kids could enjoy the water. Not sure how much longer the sprinklers will be on, but I would love to return and check out the other areas of this new playground. The park is open daily throughout the year.
What are your favorite summer activities in your town or city?
Harmony is a stay at home mom, who loves to keep active. Based in New York City, she is trying hard to instill her sense of adventure and love of travel to her son. When not seeing the world, they like to enjoy the sites, experiences and tastes of New York.
