Okay, so lemme tell you about my epic quest to find the best summer festivals in NYC for families. It all started with my kids whining about being bored, as usual. I was like, “Enough! We’re gonna have an adventure!” So, I hit the internet, determined to find something cool.
First, I Googled “summer festivals NYC family-friendly.” I scrolled through a bunch of lists, and honestly, a lot of it was stuff I’d already seen. Street fairs with overpriced hot dogs? Nah, been there, done that. I wanted something… different.
I started digging deeper. I looked for neighborhood blogs, local parenting groups on Facebook, anything that might have some hidden gems. That’s when I stumbled upon a few promising leads.
- The Washington Square Park Music Festival: This one seemed perfect. Free music, a beautiful park, and plenty of space for the kids to run around. I marked it on my calendar.
- The Central Park Film Festival: Outdoor movies? Yes, please! We love movies, and the idea of watching one under the stars in Central Park sounded magical.
- The Coney Island Mermaid Parade: Okay, this one was a wildcard. A bit… weird, maybe? But definitely unique! I figured my kids would either love it or be totally freaked out. Either way, it would be memorable.
So, the first thing we actually did was hit up the Washington Square Park Music Festival. We packed a picnic basket with sandwiches, fruit, and juice boxes. Got there early to snag a good spot on the grass. The music was great – a mix of jazz and blues. My kids were dancing around, throwing a frisbee. It was awesome. The only downside? Parking was a total nightmare. I circled the block for like, half an hour before finally finding a spot a few blocks away.
Next up was the Central Park Film Festival. I learned my lesson from the parking fiasco and took the subway this time. Much better! We brought blankets and pillows to make ourselves comfy. The movie was “The Lion King,” which my kids had already seen a million times, but they still loved it. The atmosphere was fantastic – everyone was laughing and cheering. It was a real community vibe.
And finally, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. This was the craziest one! So many people dressed up in mermaid costumes, riding on floats. It was super crowded, and honestly, a little overwhelming. My youngest was a bit scared at first, but then he got into it. We even bought him a little mermaid crown. It was definitely an experience we won’t forget! Pro tip: bring earplugs if you’re sensitive to loud noises. And be prepared to walk – a lot.
Here’s the breakdown of what I learned:
- Do your research beyond the top Google results. Local blogs and parenting groups are your best friends.
- Parking in NYC is always a pain. Public transportation is your friend.
- Pack snacks and drinks. Everything is overpriced at these events.
- Be prepared for crowds. Especially for the bigger festivals.
- Most importantly: have fun! Don’t stress about making everything perfect. Just enjoy the experience with your family.
Overall, it was a pretty successful summer of festival-hopping. My kids are already asking what we’re going to do next summer. I’m thinking maybe a trip to Governor’s Island? Gotta start planning now!
