Our Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids

When it comes to things to do in NYC, we're officially summer dreaming, and you're the beneficiary. We're sharing our summer bucket list of the top 50 things to do this summer in NYC with kids. Our picks are a mix of annual favorites and can't-miss, one-time-only events that prove the best vacation may just be a staycation.

Be sure to bookmark our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide and our list of 100 FREE things to do in NYC this summer for even more seasonal fun.

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1. Visit Lady 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!

2. Summer Movie Nights

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

3. Visit AMNH's Gilder Center

See butterflies, bugs, and tons of interactive spaces in the Gilder Center at the always kid-friendly American Museum of Natural History. Pro tip: Bring a bathing suit so you can enjoy the play fountain on Arthur Ross Terrace when you're done inside.

4. Hit The High Line

Visit The High Line 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 its new Mini Figure Skyflyer, and enjoy the rest of the park's offerings.

9. 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.

10. See Shakespeare

The Delacorte Theater may be dark this season, but that doesn't mean you can't catch The Bard in many NYC parks. See The Public's mobile production of The Comedy of Errors at sites citywide, Classical Theatre of Harlem mounts A Midsummer Night's Dream in Marcus Garvey Park, The Tempest takes over Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Riverside Park is the stage for the Complete Works of Williams Shakespeare. There's even more Shakespeare in our calendar.

11. Visit Coney Island

Walk the boardwalk at 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.

RELATED: 25 Top Splash Pads and Sprinkler Parks in NYC for Kids

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

12. Visit the Beach

Swipe your MetroCard and catch a train to the beach, or for more adventure, hop a ferry.

13. Go Swimming

Dive into one of the city's FREE public pools, which are all opening for summer 2024 on Thursday, June 27.

14. 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.

15. Ride the Beam

Rockefeller Center isn't a winter-only destination! Explore all the fun at Top of the Rock, including a ride on The Beam—currently FREE for kids—and nab a kids' VIP pass to take advantage of discounts and giveaways campus-wide while you're there!

RELATED: Easy New York State Park Hikes in the Hudson Valley

Plants sprout from pools and hang from the skies in Wonderland: Curious Nature.

16. Get Lost at the Garden

The stunning New York Botanical Garden is a beautiful summer destination. This season it invites visitors to fall down the rabbit hole with its Alice in Wonderland-inspired exhibition: Wonderland: Curious Nature. We suggest springing for the tea to-go!

17. Explore Little Island

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

18. Frolic in a Fountain

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

19. See the Sparklers

Macy's 4th of July fireworks are a must-see, and they return to the Hudson River in 2024. Pro tip: If you want to take a fireworks cruise, book now!

20. Hang With Harry Potter

Visit the immersive Harry Potter Exhibition to go behind the scenes of some of the most magical movie moments. Its limited run ends Sunday, August 11, 2024.

21. Boogie in Brooklyn

Dance away the evening at the annual BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn Festival.

22. 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.

RELATED: Where to See Free Summer Movies in NYC

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

23. 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.

24. Hit the Sandbox

Build a sandcastle at one of these destination sandboxes.

25. Summer for the City

Head to Lincoln Center for live outdoor performances including the Summer For the City series featuring programming and activities for young audiences and families.

26. 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.

27. Dine Outside

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

28. 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.

29. 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.

RELATED: Best Things to Do in Coney Island With Kids

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

30. 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 one of these other local scoop shops.

31. Play with Science

The New York Hall of Science makes for a fun and educational destination, and we're in love with the renovated Science Playground, which begs at least one trip this season!

32. Play Pickleball

This racket sport is all the rage, and you can get in the game at CityPickle, which has transformed Wollman Rink into 14-courts of pickelball fun. Lessons are available and all equipment is included!

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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!

RELATED: Camping at North-South Lake with Kids

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

36. Bask in Bryant Park

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

37. 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!

38. Balloon Story

Head to the Park Avenue Armory when it is transformed by Balloon Story, a playful collection of larger-than-life, inflatable, interactive installations. It opens Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

39. Catch a Ferry

Whether you opt for the FREE Staten Island Ferry and stick around to explore the family-friendly things to do at the oft-forgotten borough when you get off, or hop aboard the NYC Ferry, a boat ride is a fun way to transport yourself for a day of adventure!

40. Explore the Belly of a Fish

The new 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!

41. Sing-Along to a Concert

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

42. 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: The Best Free Summer Sports in NYC for Kids

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

43. 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.

44. Go Down The Shore

The Jersey Shore is a summertime playground. We've rounded up 70 things to do with kids, and even have a three-day itinerary for exploring the best attractions by the sea.

45. 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 18, 2024. Fifth Avenue transforms into a giant, culture-filled street party, and its museums fling open their doors for FREE.

46. 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.

47. Explore The Intrepid Museum

We have lots of love for The Intrepid Museum, which hosts an epic Apollo exhibition this summer, plus FREE monthly movies on its flight deck.

48. 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. 

49. Spend a Day at the Zoo

You can't go wrong with a visit to the Bronx Zoo, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. The Prospect Zoo is newly reopened, and we're also smitten with the Queens Zoo and Central Park Zoo.

50. 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.

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