Memorial Day is coming up and the warmer weather is on its way. There are plenty of accessible and affordable options for summer fun in the greater New York City area. Check out some great ideas for summer activities below. There’s something for everyone!
Have a Beach Day
Have a beach day at one of the many beaches in our area. Most beaches are easily reachable via paratransit or fixed route transit. Many beaches in our area also have mats that allow you to roll your wheelchair right onto the beach, and beach wheelchairs to get you onto the sand. Check the beach’s website for details. This year, in NYC, beaches will reopen on Saturday, May 24.
See a Show
Beat the heat in one of Broadway’s air-conditioned theaters. Most (though not all) Broadway theaters are wheelchair accessible and accessible tickets can be easily purchased online or by calling the theater. There’s a show for everyone, on Broadway or off-Broadway. And for a pre- or post-show meal, check out the many accessible restaurants in the Times Square area.
Visit a Museum
Get cultured at one of the many museums in our area. See the giant blue whale at the Museum of Natural History. Immerse yourself in Broadway culture and history, past and present, at the Broadway Museum. Check out New York’s history at The New York Historical. Learn the history of Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Museum. Many museums are also free or low cost, making this an easy indoor activity.
Picnic in the Park
Everyone knows about Central Park, but there are dozens of parks throughout the city that are just as beautiful! Take a stroll along the High Line, have a barbeque in Prospect Park, or enjoy the breeze coming off the river at the Hudson River Park. A day at the park is an easy and low-cost way to soak up the sun!
Run or Ride with Achilles
Did you know that you can enjoy adaptive athletics right here in NYC? Achilles offers running and biking at locations across the city every week, weather-permitting. They even have a Long Island chapter. They have a variety of hand cycles and foot-pedaled cycles for you to try out. Best of all, there’s no cost. Just sign up online through Achilles’ platform and you’re good to go!
Enjoy Coney Island
Coney Island is a great beach, but it’s so much more than that. Hop on the Brooklyn-bound Q train and get off at the last stop and you’ll be in for a day of fun! Ride the Cyclone at Luna Park or check out the plethora of arcade games if rides aren’t your thing. You can also visit the New York Aquarium and see some seriously awesome sea creatures. For a classic and fairly inexpensive lunch, grab a hot dog from Nathan’s and enjoy it outside.
Meet the Animals
Meet and greet some of your favorite wild animals at NYC’s area zoos! The Bronx Zoo has a variety of exciting animal encounters and activities, including their Brew at the Zoo event, an after-hours party for patrons ages 21+. There’s also the Queens Zoo, the Prospect Park Zoo, and the Central Park Zoo. Check the zoo websites for accessibility information before you go.
Go For a Swim
Cool off with a dip in the pool! Did you know that NYC has free outdoor pools? On the NYC parks website, you can view a list of all the outdoor pools and see which ones have an accessible ramp or lift. NYC pools generally open sometime in late June and stay open until just after Labor Day. NYC also offers adapted aquatics classes if you want to learn how to swim or just get some more structured exercises.
There are plenty of accessible activities to do in the greater NYC area, whether you’ve lived here all your life or you’re a tourist. With a little research, you’ll be good to go for a fun summer adventure!