If you're running out of ways to keep the kids entertained until school starts up again, Summer Streets is about to save your life. The annual event, during which seven miles of Manhattan roads are closed off to vehicles for three Saturday mornings in August, will treat New Yorkers to family-friendly activities, games, music, theater, fitness programs and more—all for free! This year’s lineup is even cooler because one of the rest stops will feature a giant inflatable water park!
On Saturdays August 5, 12 and 19, seven miles of New York City’s streets will be closed to vehicles between 7am and 1pm for the public to bike, walk, run and play safely. Six rest stops hosting a variety of activities are scattered along the Summer Streets route, which runs from Central Park East on 72nd St and 5th Ave, down along Park Ave, Lafayette St and Center St until it reaches the entrance of Brooklyn Bridge in Foley Square.
The Foley Square rest stop will feature the Vita Coco Beach and Beachside Slide, a 270-foot slide surrounded by palm trees, lounge chairs and a misting station. Families can also catch hand cycle demonstrations, dance performances, bike rentals and basketball games. At the SoHo rest stop (Kenmare St and Cleveland Pl), action sports fanatics can give it a go on Clif Ride Zone’s custom mountain bike track. Don’t worry, parents: coaches will be on hand to guide newbies and kids through the course.
Dog-owners who want their pup to join in on the fun should head to the Astor Place rest stop. There, four-legged friends can play on grass, cool off in mini pools and run through an agility course. The Midtown (26th St and Park Ave) and Uptown (53rd St and Park Ave) rest stops include a long list of fitness and sports activities with the latter hosting its popular zipline, speedy ride above NYC’s streets on a 165-foot long and 30-foot high line.
Families without the time or the means to make the trek out to any of the great waterparks near NYC should head to the Central Park rest stop (Park Ave between 71st and 72nd Streets). There, kids can hop on the LG Quadwash Water Park: So Fresh, So Clean. The 30-foot by 50-foot inflatable splash playground is modeled after the LG QuadWash dishwasher and will feature obstacle courses, water slides and pools.
The annual event is a dream come true for kids with boundless energy, and for parents whose kids need a little nudge to get out and play. For the complete route and list of this summer’s activities, visit nyc.gov. If this prompts a craving for more summer adventures, check out our list of the best family beach vacations near NYC, best family weekend getaways from NYC and the best water parks near NYC.