Memorial Day in NYC

Memorial Day is right around the corner, so it's time to start planning our NYC summer bucket list. We don't have a friend with a boat or a house in the Hamptons, so Matt and I are often looking for fun things to do in the city, when everyone else has fled to the beach. The local crowds are smaller during the summer holidays, so it's a great time to make a reservation at the hot spot restaurant or check out one of the sites you've been meaning to visit. Over the years, we've accumulated a good mix of All-American activities plus as much time on the water (aka the rivers) as possible.

Memorial Day Weekend in NYC, Day 1

Start out with a bang (firework pun intended) and jump right into your boating excursion. The NY Ferry system is one of my favorite parts of New York and is a perfect activity to kick off your Memorial Day weekend. Board from the Upper East Side or at Long Island City and cruise down the coast of Brooklyn. You make a few stops in Greenpoint and Williamsburg before disembarking in Dumbo, our starting point for the next activity. The boat ride lasts about half an hour and only cost $2.75 per person (same price as the subway/bus). Along the way, you'll see spectacular NYC skyline views, travel under a few major bridges, and most importantly, feel the cool breeze in your hair and the sun on your face. This is what Memorial Day weekend should feel like!

Dumbo itself is fun to explore but today, we're only stopping by for a minute, and then heading to our next All-American activity, walking the Brooklyn Bridge. While coasting under the bridge aboard the ferry, is one of my favorite activities, walking across the bridge brings excitement all it's own. The Brooklyn Bridge is massive. You know this ahead of time, but walking across really puts it into perspective. It was the first bridge built across the East River and was the longest suspension bridge for it's time. A woman, Emily Warren Roebling, was part of the head engineer crew that built the bridge in the 1800s. She was born in Cold Springs, NY (one of my favorite small towns), went to prep-school in Washington, DC, and then married a general whose father was building the Brooklyn Bridge. She learned so much from her engineer husband during the decades-long process and eventually became the voice for the bridge (and the voice of her bedridden husband) in meetings with politicians and competing engineers. I love late 1800s history, and this family is part of my fascination!

Please, please, please, make sure you walk in the designated lanes for walkers on the Brooklyn Bridge. There is a bike path and a walking path and it's extremely dangerous to walk in the bike path. New Yorkers use the bridge as part of the daily commute and are always in a hurry. You or the biker can become severely injured if you walk out into in the oncoming traffic. Like everything you do in NYC, be aware of your surroundings. With that being said, look around and enjoy the view! It's a spectacular view of Brooklyn behind you, Lower Manhattan in front of you, and the rushing East River below. Snap a million photos and feel the energy of NYC all around you. You are standing on one of NYC's most iconic monuments.

You are deposited from the bridge into the lower east side of manhattan where there are plenty activities to keep you occupied. Stop for lunch at the bright and beautiful, Pizza Beach. The food is incredible and you'll feel just a little bit like you are on the ocean for the holiday! Relax with a few drinks and enjoy your afternoon at the beach. Pizza Beach's motto is "Pizza, Beach, Sleep, Repeat" and that's the kind of day we can get behind!

While sipping mojitos into the night sounds like a fun idea to me, we have one more activity to kick off our Memorial Day weekend, and it doesn't get any more All-American than baseball! The Mets were playing the Cubs on this particular night, which made this game pretty incredible for a spur of the moment activity. Enjoy beer, hotdogs, and ice cream sundaes in a baseball cap. The night hopefully ends in a win but you can always count on fireworks to end your perfect first day of Memorial Day Weekend.

Memorial Day Weekend in NYC, Day 2

Sure you had hot dogs at the game last night, but this is a summer holiday weekend, so more hot dogs are on the agenda. All the rich and famous are in the Hamptons for the holiday, but us middle class, are all headed to Coney Island! First order of business upon arrival, a stop at the world famous, Nathan's. I was surprised at the variety of food sold at this original restaurant, but I only had eyes for a chili cheese dog. The lines are long but there are about 100 people taking orders, so just keep hopping lines until you make your way up to the front. It's chaos, but that's all part of the fun.

After all that food, the next logical step is to ride carnival rides, right? Of course! Coney Island has so many old favorites, it's hard to know what to experience first. The park itself is free and you purchase tickets to hop on the rides. Even just wandering is an experience you will not forget. Coney Island is on the bay, so spread out a blanket in the sand or dip your toes in the water. You made it to the beach after all! And like any good summer weekend, the day has to end in ice cream.

After a day of craziness, you're ready for a relaxing, adult only, NYC experience. Change into something nice, call up a few friends, and let's meet-up on a NYC rooftop for dinner and drinks. One of our favorites is the rooftop of the Knickerbocker Hotel. It's in the heart of Times Square so not somewhere that many locals hang out, and because of that, it's mostly wide open. The space is beautifully decorated and overlooks the Times Square Ball drop. I cannot imagine how cool it is on NYE! We frequent this rooftop often for their innovative cocktails and delicious small bites. Amongst the skyscrapers is the best way to end the second day of Memorial Day weekend in NYC.

Memorial Day Weekend in NYC, Day 3

It's day three of our Memorial Day weekend, and we want to keep the All-American/water themes alive for one more day. Put on your preppiest outfit and your walking shoes, because we're heading to Oyster Island on Governors Island. Hop another ferry to Governors Island from either Brooklyn or Wall St. There is so much to do and see on the island, but today, we're headed straight for the seafood and cocktail bar, Oyster Island. The yellow & white striped awning are inviting and the Manhattan skyline views are stunning. Enjoy lobster rolls, rose cocktails, and all the New England specialties that make summer the best season of the year. Spend the entire day in the sunshine and wander back to the ferry when you're stuffed and just a little bit tipsy. Reality starts tomorrow, but for now, it's still Memorial Day weekend :)