Top Things to Do Memorial Day Weekend In and Near NYC

Memorial Day Weekend With the Family

Memorial Day weekend is here and we have fun, family-friendly things to do in and near NYC! With the city opening up little by little, there is so much to explore on this holiday weekend. Whether you stay in the city and check out the new park Little Island or take a day trip to LEGOLAND, there is plenty of fun for every one.

Psst…Check out The Magical Harry Potter New York Store is Opening June 3rd!

Beaches Opening

After a year plus of social distancing, New Yorkers are more than ready to enjoy the upcoming summer, and thankfully starting May 29th, all New York City Beaches will officially be open from 10 am to 6 pm.

See open New York beaches here!

Coney Island

Things to do at Coney Island have been limited by the pandemic, with a lot being canceled or simply TBD. But what is opening up is still amazing and will deliver fun almost effortlessly to the whole family. Coney island is a place that lots of New Yorkers think of when hot summer days roll around. You not only have the beach, but a boardwalk full of rides and fun eats. What are you waiting for?! Check out these fun things to do at Coney Island!

Intrepid Museum

Starting May 29, the Intrepid Museum is celebrating men and women in uniform. Have a great time with the family exploring a variety of displays, activities and demos from the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard.

Kids Get Cosmic

Spend the weekend at NYBG at their Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Kids can explore dot patterned plants with a self-guided scavenger hunt or listen in on a Story Time reading of Yayoi Kusama: From Here to Infinity.

Little Island at Pier 55

After much anticipation, Little Island is now open to the public to roam and explore with the family. Come stop by and see just how design and nature come together to promote play and creativity.

Little Island is built right on top of the water along the Hudson River, with grassy slopes for kids to roll down on, overlook areas of the water and NYC, and entertainment areas that will invite a multitude of family-friendly performers.

LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND New York, the highly-anticipated LEGO amusement park set to open for previews on May 29, 2021 and is located 60 miles Northwest of New York City in Goshen, NY. Since the pandemic delayed the opening of LEGOLAND, the next phase of opening will allow Annual Pass and Single-Day ticket holders to experience six of the seven LEGO-themed lands. This includes Brick Street, Bricktopia, LEGO^® City, LEGO^® Castle, LEGO® NINJAGO^® World and MINILAND. The final land, LEGO® PIRATES, will open later this summer, as will LEGOLAND Hotel. Read more about LEGOLAND here!

Time Out Market Opening

Time Out Market will be reopening on May 27, just in time for Memorial Day weekend! This food hub will be back with 12 culinary concepts, including Sugar Hill Creamery, Fornino, Wayla, and Tiki Chick for your family to enjoy all these eats. Along with delicious food, there will be live music and performances, as well as a floral installation by La Catrina Flower Studio.

British Swim School - Manhattan

<p>The premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults.&nbsp; British Swim School uses gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School&rsquo;s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come see the British Swim School difference!</p>

Treehouse Shakers

<div>Treehouse Shakers&rsquo; Branching OUT After-School program is for ages 12-14. This awarded program is for young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, or are seeking to become better allies. Branching OUT centers on discovering and exploring one&rsquo;s story and identity through an intentionally artist-led format. During our community-based program, young people will explore and reflect on their own story to create a larger, more meaningful experience, while gaining self-empowerment and gathering with like-minded peers. Through the guidance of our awarded teaching artists, young people will create narratives that will be turned into podcasts, dances, songs or poetry.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Young people have the opportunity to learn new art forms, work with professional artists, while building a meaningful community.</div>

Speakitaly NYC

<p>SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp;</p> <p>Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.</p> <p>Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts?</p> <p>Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"</p>