Our citywide summer adventures are filled with visits to parks and playgrounds, especially with sprinklers, the beach, public pools and so much more. In addition to these relaxing ways to cool off, I am regularly adding to our growing list of things to do with my not-so-little kids around this colossal playground we call home – New York City.
Museums and galleries are always a must and a cool way to escape the heat but this post will explore other ways to take advantage of all that this city has to offer with older kids.
Kusama: Cosmic Nature – New York Botanical Gardens
Miniature Golf
There are numerous places around the city to play miniature golf but our recent experiences at the following two courses stood out. Not only did the kids have a blast, but the pricing is reasonable and locations along the waterfront made for picturesque and breezy experiences even though we happened to be there on some of the hottest days in July.
Each course cost $20 for one adult and two children (12 and under) and we found fewer crowds and no wait time to play when we arrived on weekday afternoons. By no means is this a complete listing of all courses across the five boroughs, but rather a summary of two courses where my kids most recently played and sincerely enjoyed. As a parent, it was not only a fun opportunity to actively bond with my kids but the views were breathtaking and a constant reminder of our beautiful surroundings that this city has to offer.
Putting Green – Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Putting Green is located along the waterfront of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, right next to Domino Park. It is a brand new eco-sensitive course that we had the pleasure of experiencing almost exclusively to ourselves when we showed up on a weekday afternoon and just days after it had opened to the public. This neighborhood pop-up enlisted artists and designers to create the 18-hole course made completely of repurposed and recycled materials making this one of the most creative courses that we have experienced. The creative, resourceful and educational design of each hole made for a fun experience with plenty of time to try out different techniques at each hole.
Cost: $10 per adult & $5 per child, ages 12 and under
Location: River Street & North 1st Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 12pm – 8pm &Thursday – Sunday: 10am – 8pm, no reservations required
The waterfront offered a refreshing breeze but the nearby sprinklers of Domino Park were mandatory after completing this 18-hole course. In addition to the playground and water features of Domino Park is the ongoing development of this neighborhood and the growing number of restaurants and cafes to grab a bite or a quick treat. One place that we have become loyal patrons of is Rush Hour Cookies N Cream Cafe. This bakery specializes in freshly baked cookies that are seriously rich but absolutely delicious. We discovered this gem while driving along Kent Avenue and it is now our favorite place to visit when we are in the area. This bakery is just block away from Putting Green and a very short walk to Domino Park.
Pier 25 – Hudson River Park, Manhattan
There are so many places to explore along the west side of Manhattan from Hudson Yards in Midtown that invites one to take a leisurely walk downtown along the High Line into the heart of the Chelsea and the Meatpacking neighborhoods, to Little Island and the Whitney Museum of Art. Even further along the lower west side of Manhattan and in Tribeca are Piers 25 and 26 of Hudson River Park. On a recent visit to Pier 25 we stumbled across their miniature golf course and on a whim decided to play this 18-hole course. Once again, it was a weekday afternoon and although there was no wait to play, the course was busy and we had to keep it moving but the spirit of fun prevailed and we were happy to limit ourselves to four swings per hole in consideration of those behind us. This spur-of-the-moment game was an unexpected treat during a downtown adventure. We followed this game with a meal at one of our favorite places in the neighborhood, Bubby’s.
Cost: $10 per adult & $5 per child, ages 12 and under
Location: Pier 25, Hudson River Park, Manhattan
Hours: 7 days a week, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm, no reservations required
Bike Rentals
As city dwellers, we only own one bike – a small BMX bike for our eight-year-old – that is stored in the trunk of our car. We have considered the possibility of renting a small storage space for additional bikes and using a bike rack on our car to transport bikes for both kids but for now we make do with the many bike rental opportunities around NYC. The cost varies but the reasonable pricing and increasing convenience of bike rentals across this city, especially within park settings away from traffic, has left us less inclined to go the route of renting a storage space.
Now that are kids are comfortable riding bikes, we are taking full advantage of the many bike rental opportunities this city has to offer. We stay within the confines of a park setting because riding on the streets with the traffic does not sound appealing or safe when riding around with kids. These experiences should be relaxing, a time for the kids to appreciate the simple pleasures of riding around on a bike as when I was younger. In contrast to the quiet suburban setting of my childhood, the city streets are intimidating which is why we primarily bike around NYC parks, of which we have plenty of room to explore.
Central Park – Manhattan
I have been a New Yorker for almost twenty years and it was not until just days ago that I finally rode around Central Park, a feat within itself but even more of an accomplishment that I did so with my kids and we emerged unscathed. Riding a bike in Central Park is on another level and I do not recommend it for beginners or for newcomers to try out on a weekend when the park is bustling with far more experienced bikers, rickshaws, horse carriages plus runners and tons of pedestrians. Our first time was a weekday and I will probably only return on a weekday to ensure our safety. To ride a bike in Central Park, one must follow a designated bike path that goes in one direction in most parts but there are sections that allow for two-way biking. Bikes are not permitted on the paths running throughout the park and must be walked if you want to venture beyond the bike paths. I was kind of unprepared for all of these restrictions but over a two-hour period, we managed to make our way around the lower half of the park. The six-mile loop of Central Park can viewed on this map.
There are numerous bike rental shops around the park including bikerentnyc.com, located right next to the parking garage where I reserved a spot at a reduced rate using ParkWhiz. Without realizing the proximity of that bike rental shop to our parking garage, I rented two bikes ahead of time through Bike Rental Central Park for a reduced price of $34 ($14 for adult bike, $10 for child bike plus fees) that covered a two-hour rental of one adult bike and child bike (12 and under). We would have paid double if we rented in person which is why I highly recommend to take advantage of these rent deals if you make your reservations ahead of time. This bike rental shop is just three very short blocks from the park’s entrance and they have a very large inventory. My son and I were given Trek bikes that were in great condition and a pleasure to ride plus the service was excellent and I would happily rent from them again.
Cost: Prices vary depending on choice of bike(s) and length of time. Book online and pay half the price of doing so in person.
Location:Bike Rental Central Park,1391 6th Avenue at 56th Street, Manhattan
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 9: 00 pm & Saturday – Sunday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Governors Island
Our adventures with bike rentals started on Governors Island years ago when the children were smaller and we experimented with more playful and four-wheeled surrey to explore the island. The bike rental company on the island is Blazing Saddles and their inventory keeps growing every year. The pricing is a little higher and varies depending on the type of bike you choose to rent. In addition to a large fleet of surreys, the have three-wheeled and four-wheeled coaster vehicles that are low to the ground and come in one or two-seat options, tandem bikes, bikes for little kids, cruisers, mountain bikes and much more that can accommodate those who can ride a bike and those who cannot.
The only traffic on Governors Island are the bikes rented through Blazing Saddles, Citibikes or bikes that visitors are permitted to bring onto the island on the ferries. There are no restrictions regarding direction and paths which means that bicyclists have the freedom to safely ride around and explore this small island all the while taking in the sweeping view of the New York Harbor including the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan. The overall ease of riding around this island with our children when they still learning to ride played a significant role in our evolution into a family of four that can take scenic bike rides.
Cost: Prices vary depending on choice of bike(s) and length of time
Location: Blazing Saddles, Hay Road, between Castle Williams and Colonels Row, Governors Island
Hours: Check the Governors Island ferry schedules
Flushing Meadows Corona Park – Queens
Flushing Meadows Corona Park is closest to our home and another source for affordable and easy bike rentals through Wheel Fun Rentals located at North Meadow Lake and David Dinkins Circle. These rental locations have the smallest inventory but riding around this park is another easy option for new riders. Unlike Central Park, there are no restrictions regarding flow of traffic or off-limit paths. Bikers are free to ride around this beautiful park on paths that rarely feel congested. Bike rentals in this park gave our children the space to develop their biking skills in a park filled with landmarks from the World’s Fairs of 1939 and 1964 including the Queens Museum, the iconic Unisphere and the cooling mists of the nearby plaza.
Cost: Prices vary depending on choice of bike(s) and length of time. Make sure to check out this offer and those close to the park may want to consider the annual pass.
Location: Wheel Fun Rentals located at North Meadow Lake and David Dinkins Circle
Summer Hours: 9:00 am to sunset. Check the website for hours of operation throughout the year.
New York Aquarium – Coney Island, Brooklyn
The New York Aquarium right on the boardwalk of Coney Island in Brooklyn is a fun excursion that contributed to the educational void as a result of the pandemic. Remote learning and virtual school field trips was not enough and it is up to us as parents to fill this void with as many real-life experiences as possible such as a visit to the aquarium where they learned more about sea life and wildlife conservation in a casual and interactive setting.
Cost: Ticket costs range from $23 to $30 depending on age and day of the week. Check website.
Location: 602 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn
Summer Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm & Friday-Saturday, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm (through September 6). Check website for hours of operation throughout the year.
Immersive Van Gogh New York – Manhattan
New York City is once again the stimulating and deeply-satisfying playground that caters to locals and tourist alike. This comeback is loaded with a variety of blockbuster experiences. This summer, one can be immersed in the projections of the colorful paintings by the Dutch Post-Impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) in warehouse-sized spaces at not one but TWO Van Gogh experiences. It may seem confusing but Immersive Van Gogh New York is happening on Pier 36 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan while Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is holding court on the opposite side of town.
We tried out a similar experience when we were in Paris two years ago and were a little curious about Immersive Van Gogh New York. Normally, I could do without such experiences altogether because they seem pointless and nothing close to looking at original works of art in a museum or gallery setting but in an effort to expose my children to a playful range of experiences with regard to art, I approached these experiences with an open mind. The Paris experience was much smaller than the New York version that we just visited on Pier 36 which felt like an amusement park interpretation of visiting a museum complete with a concession stand on the way in and a massive souvenir shop on the way out. Disgusted because we were not so much immersed in the art but overwhelmed by a massive merchandising scheme. As I suspected, Immersive Van Gogh New York is an overpriced experience that feels like a cheap tourist trap. Stepping out of the warehouse and onto Pier 36 where we were greeted with magnificent (and free) views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges was my favorite part of this experience.
Nothing compares to the experience of actually standing in front of an actual work of art and Van Gogh paintings can easily be viewed at the Museum of Modern Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. One can immerse themselves in the paintings of Van Gogh and so much more at either of these museums for almost no fee as children are admitted free to MoMA and admission is pay-what-you-wish at the Met.
Cost: $39.99 (off peak) per person, $54.99 (peak) per person, $69.99 (prime) per person, plus fees, $$$$$
Location: Pier 36, 299 South Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Hours: Check website, reservations required
Kusama: Cosmic Nature at the New York Botanical Gardens – Bronx
People hear the name of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929) and there is an immediate frenzy to experience her infinity rooms and other spaces taken over by the artist’s signature bright colors, polka dots, reflective spheres and other transportive environments that are largely beloved across Instagram. This spring, the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx unveiledKusama: Cosmic Nature. These botanical gardens are the largest and most impressive of those in New York City and although the sprinkling of Kusama throughout was slightly disappointing, the gardens make for a magical escape from hustle and bustle of NYC any season.
Cost: Check the website because there are various of tiers of admission depending on the amount of access to the Kusama installations. The Kusama Garden and Gallery passes plus an additional fee to visit the Infinity Mirrored Room (opening in August) can easily cost a family of four more than $150. NYBG is willing to apply this admission fee towards a membership to offset future visits that is worth considering for those who are in the area and plan to return within the year.
Location: 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Grand Central Station
I am concluding this post with a free and fun way to spend the day, especially a rainy day which we did this past week for the first time at the request of my daughter. Take a tour of Grand Central Station! This is the most beautiful station in New York City and it was such a pleasure to simply walk around this sprawling structure and take in its beauty. It was during this visit that I became even more grateful that this station is protected as a historical landmark. This is old New York at its best.
We gazed up at the Main Concourse ceiling and explored the balconies on either end to discover an interactive experience, the Apple Store, where the kids were welcome to try out any Apple device for an unlimited amount of time. We passed through the Whispering Gallery, where we saw the entrance to the Oyster Bar and Restaurant (closed until early September), visited the New York Transit Museum Gallery and went down to the Dining Concourse where the kids had a slice of pizza and a treat from Magnolia Bakery. All the while, we marveled at the beautiful architectural details throughout. Our final stop was at The Campbell (opens at 4:00 pm Monday – Friday), where we were transported to a New York City of another era and where I sipped on a glass of wine while the kids kids enjoyed Shirley Temples.
After a full days of exploring Grand Central Station, we simply headed down to the 7 train and made our way home. This is quintessential New York!
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