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Top FREE Things To Do this Summer in NYC

1. Summer Movie Nights

Blow bedtime to catch one of the FREE outdoor summer movies all over town.

2. Hit The High Line

Visit The High Line, say hello to Dinosaur, or attend a fest in his honor, and then explore the rainbow pipefish that calls Chelsea Waterside Playground home nearby.

RELATED: 12 Places to Play Mini Golf in NYC for Families

Hop aboard the ferry to Governors Island and take a spin around the island on a surrey. Photo by Diana Kim

3. Go to Governors Island

Our favorite harbor island playground really comes alive during the summer with festivals, live music, and plenty of room to romp.

4. Row a Boat

Go kayaking or canoeing in New York Harbor for FREE. We're particularly fond of Red Hook Boaters at Valentino Park Pier. Follow up with a visit to Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie.

5. Seek Out a Swimming Hole

Take the kids to one of these off-the-beaten-path swimming holes in the Catskills, and explore the rest of the fun things to do in the region.

6. Catch a Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry is still FREE, and you really should stick around to explore the family-friendly things to do in the oft-forgotten borough when you get off.

7. Explore the Belly of a Fish

The sprawling Pier 26 Science Playground takes its cues from the sea. Kids can climb inside a larger-than-life sturgeon and whoosh down a super-fast slide!

RELATED: Best Things To Do in Coney Island with Kids

NYC might be a big city, but it's also got some pretty amazing beaches. Photo by Sara Marentette

8. Visit the Beach

Swipe your OMNY card and catch a train to the beach; for more adventure, hop a ferry.

9. Go Swimming

Dive into one of the city's FREE public pools, which open for summer Friday, June 27, 2025.

10. Play in Brooklyn Bridge Park

It's hard to beat a day on the waterfront in Brooklyn Bridge Park. We love exploring its fabulous playgrounds, visiting the Pier 2 Uplands for some splashing, and then finishing with a waterfront dinner overlooking the skyline at Fornino, one of our favorite outdoor eateries in Brooklyn.

11. Explore Little Island

We love Little Island, NYC's floating park, and its lineup of (mostly FREE!) entertainment and events.

12. Frolic in a Fountain

When the temperatures spike, these kid-friendly play fountains are easier than a trip to the pool or beach.

RELATED: Where to See Free Summer Movies in NYC

You can't beat the slide at Billy Johnson Playground. Photo by the author

13. Romp in Central Park

Check out our parent-tested list of Central Park's top playgrounds or explore these more off-the-beaten-path picks, including the new Davis Center at Harlem Meer, which boasts a new recreation center, a swimming pool, and a full roster of family-friendly programming.

14. Hit the Sandbox

Build a sandcastle at one of these destination sandboxes.

15. Summer for the City

Head to Lincoln Center for live outdoor performances, including its Summer For the City series featuring programming and activities for young audiences and families. All tickets are FREE or pay what you wish.

16. Enjoy a Playground With a View

Explore NYC's waterfront parks by planning a playdate at one of these 10 playgrounds, ranging from beachfront jungle gyms to riverfront destinations.

17. Ride a Bicycle

Whether you opt to explore the Empire State Trail, which runs from Lower Manhattan to Canada, or hit a more local path, dust off your two-wheeler and get outside.

RELATED: Camping at North-South Lake with Kids

Bryant Park has great children's programming during the summer months.

18. Bask in Bryant Park

Enjoy the green oasis that is Midtown's Bryant Park, with its reading room, game nook, pingpong tables, Picnic Performances, FREE movie nights, and more.

19. Sing-Along to a Concert

Our collection of alfresco summer concerts is growing by the day.

20. Reacquaint Yourself With Museum Mile & Beyond

We cherish our world-class museums, even better, many offer FREE admission deals! One of our favorite, can't-miss, annual events is the Museum Mile Festival on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Fifth Avenue transforms into a giant, culture-filled street party, and its museums fling open their doors for FREE.

21. Play in Prospect Park

From Lakeside's splash pad to the Children's Corner Carousel, plus paddleboats, programming, and more, it's hard to pick our favorite thing to do in Brooklyn's iconic green space, though we have managed to name our favorite playground.

22. Family Travel Fest

Let Mommy Poppins (and our friends!) help you plan your next family vacation on Saturday, May 31, 2025, when we host our first Family Travel Fest. You'll enjoy a day of expert travel tips, kid-friendly fun, and have a chance to win a FREE vacation courtesy of Dreams Resorts & Spa. It's a not-to-be-missed event packed with FREE family fun, travel hacks, and vacation inspiration.

Top NYC Attractions for Summer 2025 Visits

23. Statue of Liberty

Join the tourists for a day and visit the Statue of Liberty and the on-site Statue of Liberty Museum; don't forget to save time for Ellis Island and book way in advance if you want to climb to the crown!

24. New York Botanical Garden

The stunning New York Botanical Garden is a beautiful summer destination. This season, it invites visitors to immerse themselves in Van Gogh's Flowers, with botanical displays and large-scale art installations inspired by the artist's masterpieces. The Everett Children's Adventure Garden is also welcoming visitors again after a multi-year renovation.

25. Legoland New York

Take a daycation to Legoland New York in the Hudson Valley, where you can splash the day away at its water playground, go sky-high on the Mini Figure Skyflyer, and, for the little ones, play in the new Duplo-themed Peppa Pig Playground

26. Bask in Nature at Wave Hill

Wave Hill, a public garden and cultural center, offers a soothing respite from the busy city with its beautiful landscapes, curated gardens, and gorgeous views of the Hudson River. There's a lot of programming and events for families, such as family art projects, gardening classes, guided tours, and nature walks. Admission is very inexpensive, and kids ages 5 and younger enter for FREE.

27. American Museum of Natural History

See butterflies, bugs, and tons of interactive spaces in the Gilder Center at the always kid-friendly American Museum of Natural History. Check out its newest exhibit, Life at the Limits: Nature's Superheroes, showcasing organisms that thrive in the most extreme environments. A new planetarium show debuts in time for summer, too! Pro tip: Bring a bathing suit to enjoy the play fountain on Arthur Ross Terrace when you're done inside.

28. Play with Science

The New York Hall of Science makes for a fun and educational destination, and we're in love with the Science Playground, which begs at least one trip this season! Also check out its newest installation, CityWorks, which gives visitors an inside look at how the city moves.

29. Explore The Intrepid Museum

We have lots of love for the Intrepid Museum, which hosts FREE monthly movies on its flight deck this summer.

30. Visit Coney Island

Walk the boardwalk in Coney Island, indulge in carnival eats, fly high on rides at Luna Park and Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, and visit the New York Aquarium to get an up-close view of the sharks, Spineless, the PlayQuarium, and more.

Best Summer 2025 Activities in NYC

31. Enjoy a Round-the-World Food Feast

Munch your way through the international eats at the Queens Night Market or one of these other foodie-focused summertime destinations.

32. See Shakespeare

The newly renovated Delacorte Theater is set to reopen in August with Twelfth Night. For more Shakespeare around town, see the Hudson Classical Theater Company's production of Julius Caesar in Riverside Park, the Public's mobile production of Much Ado About Nothing, Smith Street Stage's return with Henry V, and The Tempest in Socrates Sculpture Park by the Hip to Hip Theatre Company. For a full listing of Shakespeare plays in the city, check our calendar.

33. Shirokuro

Dine at NYC's first 2D Cafe – Shirokuro, a sushi restaurant that looks straight out of a comic strip.

34. BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn

Boogie away in Brooklyn during the annual BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn Festival.

35. Pitch a Tent

The Urban Park Rangers' popular city parks camping program returns. Register for the lottery to vie for your spot to sleep under the (invisible) city stars.

36. Visit a Local Farm

No matter the month, there's fresh produce to pick in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New Jersey. Plot a trip for strawberry picking, pick-your-own blueberries, or pluck a perfectly ripe peach off the tree.

37. Dine Outside

These restaurants with kid-friendly backyards in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens are a sweet summertime treat.

38. Stop and Smell the Lavender

Long Island's Lavender By The Bay offers acres of stunning blooms to explore, plus photo-ops and plenty of lavender goodies to purchase in its on-site shop. Want to smell the delicate blooms closer to home? NYC has its own Lavender Festival on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, 2025.

Beat the heat with a trip to a favorite ice cream shop! Photo by Sara Marentette

39. Indulge in an Ice Cream Treat

Turn down the heat with a sweet treat from one of the mom-and-pop ice cream shops within the five boroughs. Some of our favorites: Sugar Hill Creamery, Brooklyn Farmacy, or these local scoop shops.

40. Play Pickleball

This racket sport is all the rage, and you can get in the game at CityPickle, which has transformed Wollman Rink into a sprawling pickleball destination. Lessons are available, and all equipment is included!

41. Build at Genius Gems

When the weather is too hot, humid, or rainy to romp outside, check out this awesome STEM play space in Chelsea, where kids can build with magnetic tiles, mix their own slime, design a custom glitter tile, and more. Don't be shy: Parents can play, too.

42. Go Skydiving

Did you know Queens is home to a location of iFly Indoor Skydiving? Take this as your sign to take a leap and give this daring outing a try!

43. Go on Safari

Six Flags is inviting visitors to spend a night on the savannah thanks to the opening of its Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa, which overlooks its Wild Safari park!

44. US Open Tennis

See some of the best tennis players in the world at the US Open, and take the kids to Arthur Ashe Kids Day on Saturday, August 23, 2025, which has lots of fun, interactive games, face painting, balloon artists, prizes, music, special guests, and more.

45. Go for a Wild Ride

You can take the train or bus to these local-ish amusement parks to enjoy everything from kiddie rides to thrilling roller coasters.

RELATED: Best Free Summer Sports in NYC for Kids

Rocking Horse Ranch's Boulder Bay pool is destination-worthy. Photo courtesy of the resort

46. Get Away

You don't have to go far to exhale. We've got the details on cool family-friendly hotels in city limits, plus these spots boasting cool hotel pools, and our top picks for lakefront resorts or family-friendly spa resorts.

47. Go Down The Shore

The Jersey Shore is a summertime playground. We've rounded up 100 things to do with kids, and even have a three-day itinerary for exploring the best attractions by the sea.

48. Go Whale Watching

Grab your binoculars and board one of these whale-watching tours to spot marine mammals and more just off the NYC shores.

49. Go for a Spin on a Carousel

From Harlem to Dumbo, NYC is home to gorgeous carousels and merry-go-rounds. When was the last time you went for a ride?

RELATED: Where to See Free Summer Fireworks in NYC

Explore the multiple routes through the rope-and-netting climbing structure at the Bronx Zoo Nature Trek.

50. Spend a Day at the Zoo

You can't go wrong with a visit to the Bronx Zoo and the Prospect Park Zoo. We're also smitten with the Queens Zoo and Central Park Zoo.

51. See the Sparklers

Macy's 4th of July fireworks are a must-see—and they're FREE.

Bonus: Finish Your Bucket List

See how many of our 100 things to do with NYC kids before they grow up you can cross off!

This post, originally published in 2019, has since been updated.

Unless noted, photos by author