The ultimate summer bucket list for 2020
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | JULY 31-AUG. 6, 2020 21
BY COURTNEY INGALLS
Our summer plans might look a little
different this year, but that doesn’t
mean we can’t still make this summer
loads of fun! Summertime is the best
time to enjoy the warm weather, relax
and make amazing memories.
New York City has attractions lined
up for this season that is perfect for every
family, whether it’s taking a hike
with the family or enjoying a drivein
movie. Finish off the summer on a
high note with our Ultimate NYC Summer
Bucket List!
Queens
Grab your bikes and go for a
ride to pass some time while also getting
some exercise! Queens has so
many parks that are perfect for biking.
Forest Park, Flushing Meadows Corona
Park and Little Bay Park are fan
favorites for their scenic and peaceful
atmosphere. These biking destinations
are perfect for families who might not
be biking experts but want to try something
new!
Animal lovers need to stop by
the Queens Zoo in order to get the ultimate
fury friend experience! If you
and your kids don’t mind getting their
hands dirty, take some time to play
around at the conservation stations
as well! There is something new and
exciting to see around the park which
makes a visit here an unforgettable experience.
Visiting your local sprinkler parks
and water playgrounds is the perfect
activity to have your kids cool down and
it also very cost-efficient! Splish and
splash through some of the best “spray
grounds” in the neighborhood. Beach
30th Street Playground, Paul Raimonda
Playground and Travers Park are
only a few of the many places to visit
that will make your kids’ day even
more fun!
For every borough
Catch up on some reading this summer
by joining some of the best summer
reading programs! Summer
reading allows for kids to stay engaged
over the summer, while also expanding
their imagination through different
stories they read about. Barnes and
Noble, Bklyn Public Library and Quest
for Adventure are all great programs
to get your kids excited about reading!
Your kids can spend hours entertained
with a good book while also educating
themselves. These programs are also
perfect for expanding their horizons
and trying books from different genres
and authors!
Looking for a new way to travel this
summer that is fun and relaxing? Take
a ferry ride to a number of destinations
throughout New York City. All of
the ferries start from Manhattan and
customers can choose where they want
to go! Take a trip to Governors Island
or take one that will bring you to South
Brooklyn or Astoria! Once you’re on
the ferry you are able to sit back and
take a look at all the views of the city,
as well as enjoy great service and refreshments.
If you would like to stay home
and create, then making summer
smoothies are both fun and delicious!
Smoothies are healthy drinks that will
fill you up and also keep you feeling refreshed.
Whether you like blueberries
or bananas with peanut butter, there
are many different recipes that you can
find to make your taste buds happy!
We all scream for ice cream during
the summer months, so why not spend
the day searching for a new ice cream
place that your family can frequently
visit in the future! Every shop adds its
own twist to their signature ice cream
while also having all of the classic flavors
that everyone grew up loving.
One outdoor activity that many
people enjoy is taking hikes with their
family. Luckily, there are many hiking
trails throughout the four boroughs
that are perfect for any family.
In Manhattan, take a hike through the
scenic and historic sites of Inwood Hill
Park. Hike at Brooklyn’s Paerdegat Basin
where you will be able to admire
breathtaking waterfronts. These locations
and many others across New York
City are perfect for a family outing.
Not comfortable going out to a restaurant
yet? Set up your outdoor dining
space by having a picnic! Grab
some of your favorite snacks, a blanket,
and a nice spot in one of the many
parks around New York City and enjoy
a wonderful meal with your family.
Astoria Park, Cloves Lakes Park and
Madison Square Park are some hot
spots for the perfect picnic!
Get some of the best fresh ingredients
and produce from any of
the Greenmarket Farmers Market
locations in New York City! Greenmarket
was founded in the hopes to
promote regional agriculture by providing
small family farms the opportunity
to sell their locally grown produce.
Farmers at the market are from
all different states in the Northeast,
which provides customers with a large
array of fresh foods to try! The market
is also putting on virtual workshops
throughout the summer where families
can learn how to grow their own
produce from home!
If you have gotten a little tired of
walking or biking, then learning how
to rollerblade or skateboard will
give your kids a new challenge to
try while also getting some exercise.
Safety always comes first so get the
proper gear (such as elbow pads, knee
pads and a helmet). Once you have everything
you need, head over to one
of your local parks and take the rollerblades
or skateboards for a spin! It
might take a little time to master, but
practice makes perfect.
For all of the art lovers out there,
New York City is the best place to walk
around and see incredible street art
and sculptures. Enjoy public art from
NYC artists who all range in style.
Make sure to stop by Brooklyn’s DUMBO
Walls or the World Trade Center’s
street art to see some of the most colorful
and creative pieces of work that
these artists have worked hours to create.
These destinations are also perfect
for a little family photo opt!
Playgrounds around NYC are
now open, so take advantage of the
openings and bring your kids to have
some good old fashion fun! There are
all kinds of playgrounds around the
city that are designed to make playtime
for kids more memorable! Whether
you visit the Ancient Playground in
Central Park or the Pier 6 Playground,
each playground sparks a little imagination
into every kid!
Keep your kids learning this summer
by trying out some science projects
at home! Take some household
items you have lying around and turn
them into a science lesson that will
teach your kids something new. Grow
your own crystals in your kitchen, create
your own cloud experiment, or try
out the orange buoyancy experiment.
These do-it-yourself activities are perfect
for summer days when you want
to stay at home but still do something
fun!T
ie-dye is all the rage this summer,
so why not spend time and learn how to
do Shibori Tie-Dye with your family!
This fun and colorful style is very easy
to make and comes out looking beautiful!
Learn different folding techniques
and try different objects to dye while
trying out this traditional Japanese
method of indigo dyeing.
SUMMER STAYCATIONS
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