Long weekends can either be periods of relief or chaos depending on how your family spends them. Memorial Day Weekend is one that lends itself to being busy simply because of the warm, end-of-May weather (hello, pool time!). Whether you are hosting family in the New York area, or whether you are road tripping to the city for a visit, here are some tips on how to spend the weekend with your family.
Watching a Parade
The most obvious activity is to view a parade on Monday, May 27, which also serves as a bit of education and reason for the holiday for your children. However, if parades are not your family’s cup of tea, make sure to check out the route and street closures before going out in order to avoid crowds. For details on the city’s parades, as well as memorial services for those without a likening for parades, check here.
Visiting the Beaches
Being in the tri-state area, there are beaches everywhere to go to — and this weekend marks their openings! Go to Coney Island Museum on Sunday for “Magic at Coney!!!,” which would also serve as a shelter from the 86 degree high weather. Other beaches to consider are Orchard Beach in the Bronx, South Beach on Staten Island, or Rockaway Beach in Queens, which has finally re-opened.
Seeing New York’s Parks
Many of the city’s parks will be hosting events this weekend that are well-suited for the whole family. If you’re in Manhattan, check out the Central Park Discovery Walks for Families, which teach about the urban woodlands in fun and creative ways. In Queens, Frank Principe Park is hosting crafts, games, and more on Saturday. And if you happen to be in the area, Baisley Pond Park in Jamaica has freshwater fishing on Sunday.
Fleet Week
Last but not least, to celebrate the holiday and show respect to veterans, you can go to Fleet Week all weekend until May 28. The week-long event, which began yesterday, is the Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine tradition of docking their ships in major cities, and it also involves many activities. Such events include public ship tours, a music festival, events in Prospect Park, Family Sunday at Citi Field, and more. Check the schedule for the week here.
No matter how you are celebrating the holiday weekend, be sure to stay safe, take it easy, put on some sunscreen, and have fun! For more ideas, check out the Mommybites event page.
Margaret Rothfus is a current freelancer living in New York. An English major at Fordham University, she is Copy Chief for the school’s newspaper, The Fordham Ram. Margaret, originally from Pittsburgh, loves to explore New York City for activities, fun, and food.
