Fun Activities for the Summer Time in NYC

Written by: Stephanie Chan; BS in Neural Science,
MPH candidate Suny Downstate school of public Health

Here are some potential activities you can enjoy with your children, of course while following social distancing guidelines and mask wearing regulations.

  1. A picnic and stroll around Central Park

Central Park is perfect for all four seasons, whether you are there in the spring, summer, fall, or winter. In the summer, you can enjoy boating on the Lake and enjoy the scenery, just with a simple rental process at the Loeb Boathouse. With the many possible trails and paths you can take, there is surely a new one for each visit!

2. Summer camps with wildlife

The Bronx Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium are open all year round, but over the summer there are additional activities. For example, they have summer camps in which children get hands-on experiences with animals and the chance to explore nature. For more information, head over to this link.

3. Enjoying the sun and sand at the beach

Contrary to popular belief, NYC is home to many beaches! Even better, these beaches can be reached using public transportation– a car is not necessary at all. Popular beaches are Coney Island Beach, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Canarsie Beach, and Jones Beach, but there are many more than this.

4. A bike ride around Governor’s Island

Governor’s Island is only a seven-minute ferry ride away from Manhattan. Once you arrive, you can experience a new view of the city, as well as enjoy a bike ride around the island. What a great way to stay fit and have fun at the same time!

5. Kayaking in the city– for free

There are quite the number of free kayaking opportunities in the city– no need to sign up for memberships or enroll in programs! These are usually available at local parks and piers. Some of these locations include Brooklyn Bridge Park, North Brooklyn Boat Club, Hudson River Park, and Red Hook Boaters.

Not a fan of the hot summer weather? Not a problem! There are many enjoyable activities that can be done indoors as well. Head to the numerous museums, aquariums, indoor water parks, and play spaces that our city has to offer. Although this summer is likely to be one where we are still careful and aware of the pandemic going on, there seems to be more room for fun activities, both indoors and outdoors.