Fun Things to Do in New York City during Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day is May 29 this year. It honors those who died while serving in the armed forces and it is also the unofficial start to the summer. One thing is for sure, you definitely want to take advantage of the great weather and be outdoors! Here are seven fun things to do in New York City during Memorial Day weekend.
Check Out Fleet Week & the Memorial Day Parades
Fleet Week is a seven day event (May 24 to May 30) that celebrates the United States Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. From the parade of ships to the military demonstrations, it can be a ton of fun. Also there will be Memorial Day parades honoring the fallen and they are held in the outer boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island).
Get Some BBQ
You could fire up the grill at your backyard or you can visit one of the many great barbecue restaurants in New York City. We love the ribs, brisket and more from Mighty Quinn’s (103 2nd Ave & Other Locations), Georgia Eastside BBQ (192 Orchard St), Fletcher’s Brooklyn Barbecue (433 3rd Ave, Brooklyn) and Hill Country BBQ (30 W 26th St).
Relax at the Beach
Many beaches in New York City first open for the summer season during Memorial Day weekend. Some of the more popular beaches that are only a short trip away include Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Manhattan Beach and Rockaway Beach.
Take Stroll and Plan a Picnic in a Park
You should also take advantage of the world class parks in New York City during Memorial Day weekend. We definitely recommend taking a quiet stroll and plan a picnic with friends and family in either Central Park or Prospect Park.
Bike Around the City
A great way to explore New York City when the weather is good is to rent a bike. New York City has many dedicated bike lanes and there are a number of ways to rent a bike for the day including the convenient Citi Bikes which have stations throughout the city.
Dining Outdoors
The weather is finally warm enough to dine outdoors. Some of our favorite restaurants for outdoor dining aka al fresco dining include Beaubourg (225 Liberty St), Shake Shack (Madison Square Park), Hudson Clearwater (447 Hudson St) and Delicatessen (54 Prince St). Sunday brunch is especially a good time to try something new.
A Day at the Ballpark
Finally, you can’t beat a day at the ballpark. The New York Yankees are playing the Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Memorial Day Weekend (May 27 & 28) and the Mets are playing the Brewers at Citi Field on Memorial Day (May 29). Both stadiums are beautiful and they should all be exciting matchups.
