by Randall's Island Park Alliance
Photo: randallsisland.org
A teaching farm on Randall's Island where kids see how food grows, meet farm residents and join edible-education programs. It sits near salt marshes where families can look for fiddler crabs.
Seasonal public programs; check calendar
Free public programs; some camps and group programs paid
Pick a date to add it to your plans.
Ages 3–14.
Free public programs; some camps and group programs paid
Seasonal public programs; check calendar
Randall's Island Park, 10035, Manhattan.
No. Randall's Island Urban Farm is outdoors, so plan for weather, sunscreen and water.
A Central Park visitor center on the north shore of the Harlem Meer where families borrow Discovery Kits for self-guided nature exploration and play free lawn games like ring toss. It also hosts free Conservancy programs, exhibits and holiday events.
Central Park's only formal garden, six acres of French, Italian and English-style plantings with fountains. Kids who love The Secret Garden can find the Burnett Fountain, which honors the book's author with sculptures of two children.
Manhattan's 840-acre backyard, with lakes, woodlands, lawns, the Central Park Zoo, a carousel and more than 20 playgrounds. Families can bird-watch in the Ramble, borrow Discovery Kits at visitor centers and explore quiet corners like the Hallett Nature Sanctuary.
A small stone castle perched on Vista Rock in the middle of Central Park that serves as a visitor center. Kids climb to the terraces for sweeping views over Turtle Pond and the Great Lawn and can look out for hawks and turtles below.
Hands-on outdoor science workshops in Riverside Park for kids ages 4 to 10, exploring topics like migrating birds, bugs and plants through activities and observation.
A six-mile stretch of Hudson River parkland from West 59th to 181st Street with 16 playgrounds, a bird sanctuary, waterfront bike paths and summer events. The Riverside Park Conservancy runs kids' nature workshops and story hours.