Celebrating Memorial Day in NYC

With Memorial Day nearly here, we are helping plan out your holiday weekend, for those of you who will be in NYC! Memorial Day Weekend in New York City is like nothing else you’ve ever seen. There are a plethora of options on how to spend the long weekend. I might be biased, but I think we have the most fun things going on here. This is how we will be kicking off the summer season and the perfect way to do so is to have a fun three-day weekend. So whether you live here or are visiting, you will be fully ready to live out the holiday weekend to the fullest!

It’s no secret we love going to the Watermark. This summer, they’ve turned it into a beach vibe! Located on Pier 15, they will be having a Rosé All Day Fest from 12PM-late on May 27th. Featuring DJ’s, cabanas, Rosé, Frosé, grilled bites and more! Tickets prices vary depending on any bottle service options you’d like, but you’ll need to at least RSVP on their Eventbrite!

Since we live in Battery Park City, we tend to try to find happenings nearby. Mezze is a restaurant located on the waterfront with two outdoor terraces. The food and drinks are phenomenal and you get the best views of all the boats and can enjoy the warm weather. They will be featuring new dishes such as curried lamb meatballs, lobster eggs benedict and crispy crab croquettes. Open for brunch and dinner, you will love this spot!

We love a good staycation! This is the closest getaway spot, which is perfect if you aren’t looking to go too far. It can be fun to plan a weekend jam packed with activities, but there’s something to be said about a place that has everything ready for you at your fingertips, with no planning needed on your end. It’s easy to get to by ferry, train or car if you have one. With a spa inside and a beach outside, this is the ultimate staycation!

As this is a holiday weekend, it’s nice to take some time to honor the soldiers that have fought for our freedom. The Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade will be taking place May 27th at 11AM in Bay Ridge. It is family friendly, so you can start the day off there and then get some lunch in the area! It’s free admission and one of the best Memorial Day events of the weekend in the big apple.

Intrepid’s free summer movie nights are back for the season! I can’t think of a cooler place to watch a film with family or friends. They’re known for their huge aircraft carrier and that is where the movies screen-on top! Top Gun kicks off the summer on the 24th and then they have a Memorial Day parade from 10AM-11AM on the 27th.

Getting to spend some time on the water is a great way to kick off the holiday weekend. Turnstile Tours is doing a Military History Tour on the New York Harbor and it’s to celebrate Fleet Week. It begins at Chelsea Pier and is a 2.5 hour tour, so wear something comfortable and bring a sweater because it can get chilly on the water!

If you’re into amusement parks, you have to make a trip out to Coney Island! They have tons of rides, shops, fare food options and games. Ride a ferris wheel or cool off at a water park in Coney Island for the holiday weekend! You could spend half the day at the amusement park and the other half at the Coney Island Beach. The day wouldn’t be complete without a Nathan’s hot dog!

Rooftop pools are kind of a luxury here in the city. If you can find a good one, hold on tight and make sure you make good time to get a great spot! A few of the best pools in the city are the TWA Hotel Pool, Mr. Purple, The Royalton on Park, Somewhere Nowhere and the Dominick Hotel Pool. There’s no such thing as Sunday Scaries on a holiday weekend, so you can spend a Sunday night at a pool!

One thing we love about the beaches near NYC is that they are easy to get to on public transportation. You’ll have to plan ahead to try to beat the crowds, but they are totally worth it! We have an entire post on our favorite beaches to get to without a car linked here. Jones beach and Rockaway beach are some of the most popular beaches new yorkers go to. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

On May 29th from 12-9PM, there will be a street fest to be remembered! The Kokomo location on Kent Avenue will have plenty of street vendors, alcoholic drinks, entertainment and so much more. If you’re looking for somewhere to go with friends, this is it!

There’s something about going to an art fair that is so freeing. I must say, this is one of the best places to get gifts because everything is so unique and honestly downright cool! Take some time to explore the fair and make a whole day out of it! It’s located at 89 S Street near tons of trains and bus stops, so it’s easy to get to.

Both the Hudson River and East River offer free kayaking adventures in the summers. If you’re a first-timer or a pro, this is something that’s fun for all! Central Park also offers free rowing in the pond there, so if you’re uptown, that’s a great option. Did I mention it’s another free activity?!

A picnic in central park is never a bad idea! Or any park for that matter, as there are plenty throughout the city. What’s really cool these days, is that if you want to have a nice gathering with friends or a kind of picnic party, you can hire a service to set up the whole picnic for you! Perfect Picnic is a great example of this! They service NYC, The Hamptons and Provincetown, MA! This company is a full-service experience with several different packages to choose from and the food is taken care of-all local products!

*This post was originally published May 22nd 2023 and has since been updated*

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