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Monday, September 21
Little Jay Music and Play Central Park
The Met Cloisters
Explore a castle-like museum overlooking the Hudson River in northern Manhattan’s Fort Tyron Park.
* This branch of the Met dedicated to the art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe has secret passages, peaceful gardens, stunning terraces with river views, golden treasure and lots of depictions of animals including intricate unicorn tapestries (warning, the unicorn gets killed).
* The cafes are currently closed, so pack a picnic to eat in the lovely surrounding park.
* Pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and NY, NJ, and CT students.
* Closed Mondays & Tuesdays.
* Princess/knight costumes optional. Gift store has wonderful books, costumes & toys.
Suggested Ages: All, Adult FriendlyJuliette and Ella’s Play Date
Professional artists lead play-based music & ballet class for babies and toddlers with a splash of sign language. Socially distanced in Central Park. Multiple time options.
Suggested Ages: Babies to 5Vessel
* Climb 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs — almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings -to incredible views of the city, the river and beyond. Not for those averse to physical exertion or heights. Elevator available only for disabled visitors.
* Same day tickets available at onsite interactive kiosks on a first come, first served basis. Limited quantities of tickets also available for future online reservations within a 14-day window.
* Some Hudson Yards restaurants are open for outdoor dining and take-out. We recommend getting gazpacho from Mercado Little Spain to eat in the plaza around the Vessel.
Suggested Ages: All, Adult FriendlyTuesday, September 22
Mozart For Munchkins UWS
This beloved relaxed classical concert series for kids returns with outdoor, socially distanced interactive music.
Attendance is very limited. Bring your own blanket and park it 6 feet from your neighbor, wear a mask (under 2 excluded), and get ready to dance, clap, and sing.
Also at 10 am.
Suggested Ages: Babies to 10Mind Body Music in Central Park
Sing engaging new and old songs, dance to popular music, enjoy story time and much more in outdoor classes that combine play, music education and mindfulness.
Various times and locations throughout Central and Riverside Park.
Suggested Ages: Babies to 4New Museum
Always something interesting to see – or interact with – at Manhattan’s only dedicated contemporary art museum in a geometric building in a cool neighborhood.
* Exhibits are always changing – currently check our large scale portrait paintings in Jordan Casteel: Within Reach and immersive bio-art in Daiga Grantina: What Eats Around Itself.
* Check out a great view from the top floor Sky Room.
* Admission is free for all through September 27. Online timed tickets required.
* Note not everything is kid-friendly (we once saw a drawing of Superman getting a blow job), so chat with the friendly staff before you enter the galleries.
* Lots of cool street art and galleries in the neighborhood, so save time to explore.
*Closed Mondays.
Suggested Ages: All, Adult FriendlyWednesday, September 23
Brooklyn Museum Reopens
A slightly hipper version of the Met features a huge, diverse permanent collection categorized by culture, as well as thoughtful visiting exhibitions from all over the world.
* Only the 1st and 5th floors are open featuring African Art, Indigenous Americas Art, American Art and the must-see photograph/street art exhibit JR: Chronicles with an epic mural of more than one thousand New Yorkers accompanied by audio recordings of each person’s story.
* Trace the radiant history, social politics and trailblazing aesthetics of NYC’s iconic disco-era nightclub in Studio 54: Night Magic with photos, costumes, film and more (additional $2-$8).
* Free admission for health care workers and active-duty military personnel and their families (and ages 19 & under).
* Closed Mondays & Tuesdays.
* The Norm restaurant and Café are closed, but a selection of snacks and beverages are available from vending machines. Or visit nearby Lincoln Station for take-out or outdoor dining.
* On the edge of Prospect Park and next to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Suggested Ages: All, Adult FriendlySmorg To Go
Legendary weekly open-air food market Smorgasburg is open in new takeout-only format. Order online from 5-7 favorite Smorgasburg vendors, rotating every week, pick up at 51 N. 6 St. (at Kent Ave.) Feel free to head across the street to Marsha P. Johnson State Park (where the “real” Smorgasburg happens) for a picnic with river views.
Also at LeFrak Center in Prospect Park on Saturdays & Sundays.
Suggested Ages: All, Adult FriendlyBrooklyn Bidge Park Kayaking
Opens August 15.
Glide along the East River on kayaks from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse (Pier 4 Beach). All levels welcome. Advanced registration required. Kids under 14 must ride in a double kayak with an adult.
Suggested Ages: All, Adult FriendlyLittle Jay Music and Play Carl Schurz Park
Make music and learn in outdoor, socially distanced singalong music classes that incorporate music theory through play.
Bring your own props (shakers, scarves, tambourine/drum and a puppet or stuffed toy) and blanket. Only 5 families/ class to ensure social distancing.
Also in Central Park Monday & Friday.
Suggested Ages: Babies to 5Canoe Gowanus – Self Guided Voyages
Thursday, September 24
Mozart For Munchkins West Village
This beloved relaxed classical concert series for kids returns with outdoor, socially distanced interactive music in the Greenwich House Music School Garden.
Attendance is very limited. Bring your own blanket and park it 6 feet from your neighbor, wear a mask (under 2 excluded), and get ready to dance, clap, and sing.
Suggested Ages: Babies to 10Friday, September 25
Mozart For Munchkins Prospect Park
This beloved relaxed classical concert series for kids returns with outdoor, socially distanced interactive music in the field Across from Garfield Tot Lot.
Attendance is very limited. Bring your own blanket and park it 6 feet from your neighbor, wear a mask (under 2 excluded), and get ready to dance, clap, and sing.
Suggested Ages: Babies to 10Queens Botanical Garden Kids Programs
Join Queens Botanical Garden’s education staff in utilizing a gorgeous urban oasis as an outdoor classroom. Discover new parts of the Garden each lesson and receive safe socially distant instructions for hands-on activities.
Choose from Friday (2-3 pm) or Saturday (10-11 am) 4-week sessions.
Suggested Ages: 4 to 8Saturday, September 26
Sloomoo Institute
Explore a sensory playground centered around slime.
* Walk through a vat of slime, enter a glow-in-the-dark cove, take photos with slime-inspired art, play with a slime catapult and more.
* Make custom slime at a 150-yard-long DIY bar. Choose from a variety of bases, scents, colors & so many charms. Also take-home pre-made slime from a large selection.
* No communal slime vats currently but the staff is super friendly and informative and shares samples.
* There is lots of space for social distancing. You can move back and forth among the stations to void any wait time.
* Masks required. 25% capacity. Sanitizer everywhere. Wear clothes that can get messy. A percentage from each ticket benefits mental health charities.
Suggested Ages: All, Adult FriendlyTall Ship Wavetree
Visit the 130-year-old tall ship Wavertree. Self-guided tours along a set route include access to the outdoor areas, including main deck and quarter deck. Gaze up at the towering masts and miles of rigging and down into the vast cargo storage area. Take a peek at the galley and at the crew’s quarter, pose for a photo at the ship’s wheel, and enjoy the view across New York Harbor.
Yimed reservations required. Some part of the boat only accessible via stairs.
Also stop by Pier 16 anytime to explore a new, free outdoor exhibition with historic photographs, prints, lithographs, and paintings celebrating the people of all backgrounds who lived and worked in the South Street Seaport Historic District
Suggested Ages: All, Adult FriendlyMonday, September 28
Taste Buds In-Kitchen & Online School Holiday Camps
Learn to cook sweet and savory treats at in-kitchen camps and online camps. Gain kitchen confidence and learn essential cooking skills. All recipes are vegetarian and can be adapted for allergies.
Space is very limited.
9 am–12 pm for ages 4-8 years; 1–4 pm for 9-13 years.
Zoom camps 10 am–12 pm for ages 6-15 years.
Suggested Ages: 4 to 13Wednesday, September 30
Free Fall Music at Waterline Square Park
Enjoy free music performances will take place at a lush new three-acre green space located at Freedom Place South between West 59th Street and West 61st Street. Hear local musicians playing jazz, Bach, string trios and bluegrass.
Suggested Ages: All, Adult Friendly