Summer is coming! What can be better than going out with family and happily spending time in fresh air? However, not all of us have time or enough budgets to go on a vacation, so going on a picnic can be a good alternative. This coming summer, one of the easiest and safest ways to enjoy the sun is to go and have a picnic with your family in awesome parks. New York has lots of picnic parks to choose from and these places remain to be open in order to welcome visitors who would love to enjoy picnic with family or friends.
If you have small kids you probably will look for safest places so that the whole family can feel secured and take pleasure in joint rest. Here are the best and safest places for picnic in New York where you and your entire family can visit and enjoy this summer.
Enjoy family picnic time with these safest New York parks
1) Governors Island
The Governors Island is home to many recreational places where you and your family can safely go for picnic. It is one of the safest places in New York that follow health and social distancing protocol to ensure safety of visitors. To provide social distancing visitors must reserve tickets for Governors Island ferry. During the public season Governors Island is open every day.
The island is a popular seasonal destination with peaceful atmosphere that offers amazing views to the Harbor and Statue of Liberty. The 172-acre island has green fields, vast spaces, artsy terrace, man-made hills, ferry, food court, and great restaurants that serve delicious food which you and your children can definitely enjoy. You can visit the Hammock Grove, the Play Lawn, and the Liggett Terrace. Also, you can enjoy food and drinks in the Liggett Terrace Food Court, Neapolitan Express, Makina Cafe, Perros Y Vainas, People’s Pop, Melt Bakery, and Joe Coffee.
Another point is all ferries to and from Governors Island are accessible for people in wheelchair. The ground of the island and the restrooms are also wheelchair-accessible.
2) East River State Park
One of the best and safest places for picnic is the East River State Park where a vast lawn of picnic area is available for families to enjoy and relax. Starting from February 2020 the park renamed to Marsha P. Johnson State Park. Nevertheless it is still referred as East River State Park. The entrance is free and open to the public.
The seven-acre park offers a view of the Manhattan’s skyline and it has an awesome playground where your kids can play and be active. There is also a barbecue platform to cater to your barbecue activities. If you did not bring food, you can eat at the Bagelsmith and Rosarito Fish Shack or at the Smorgasburg food mecca every Saturday.
In the park you can enjoy stunning view of East River and Manhattan, discover historical remnants and walk along with your dog. It is one of the best places for relaxation, family picnic and barbecue.
3) Prospect Park
Your kids will truly love and enjoy a picnic time in Prospect Park because of its child-friendly amenities and offerings. Your family can spend an exciting time at the Nethermead, the Long Meadow, the Ravine, the Concert Grove Pavilion, the Endale Arch, and the Wollman Rink. Moreover, during your picnic you can visit Prospect Park Zoo which has almost 400 animals of numerous species. Children will be amazed by close-up view of some unusual wild animals.
Prospect Park is perfect place for enjoying your time with children and that’s not only for its beautiful nature. Children can enjoy their time skating in LeFrak Center, ride in magnificent horses of Carousel, play tennis or visit Lefferts Historic Farmhouse museum. Also, Prospect Park is one of the famous wedding ceremony destinations. You can have an unforgettable birthday party of your kid or other parties and special occasions as well.
All staff members follow the COVID-19 safety regulations and try to control the social distance of visitors. So, it makes the park one of the safest places in New York for family picnic. Lots of green spaces and pastures are ready to welcome your picnic blankets as you enjoy this summer with your family and friends.
4) Bryant Park
Are you looking for a fun-filled picnic with your family in New York City? Bryant Park is definitely one of your top choices because of its almost endless outdoor activities perfect for the summer. It is a year-round beloved destination for regional people and tourists. The park is surrounded with spectacular skyscrapers and located near the New York Public Library. It is one of the famous and busiest public spaces with more than 12 million people visiting each year.
Aside from having a picnic time in seasonal gardens, you and your kids could enjoy live music, dance, and theatre performances. Besides, you may join physical activity classes like yoga, Tai Chi or dancing, and learn all about beekeeping. Moreover, you can eat delicious food in various kiosks and shops like the Joe Coffee Company, Le Pain Quotidien, and Wafels & Dinges.
Children can take part in different classes and workshops, ride in Le Carrousel, and enjoy magic shows and Story Time. The schedule for performances, classes and programs you can find in official website of Bryant Park bryantpark.org.
5) Astoria Park
The Astoria Park offers a great view of the East River, where benches are lined and available for you and your family to dine al fresco. You can also have your picnic at the green spaces with views of the Hell Gate and Triborough bridges. When you are done enjoying your picnic food, you can go and have a great time at the playgrounds, trails, track, tennis courts, and basketball courts.
Throughout the decades the stunning natural beauty of the park attracts visitors and settlers. One of the main attractions of Astoria Park is New York City’s oldest and largest swimming pool. Outdoor pools work daily and the entrance is free. The park offers free swimming classes for people of different age groups throughout the summer.
Moreover, in the park you can find mobile food trucks and Pool Snack Bar that service delicious foods. If you want to try out new food, you can dine at the Agnanti, a Mediterranean restaurant that offers delicious Greek dishes like the Agnanti Wrap filled with bacon and cheese or a spicy cheese plate.
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