The 5 Best New York Spots to Spend A Summer Day With Your Family

With school out and longer days, it is the perfect time to take the family out to enjoy a beautiful sun-soaked day. This city boasts no shortage of fun for any family. From zoos to ballgames, it's all-American excitement every day. Pack up the kids and head out to the best spots to spend a summer day with your family in New York.

Wildlife Conservation Society Zoos
2300 Southern Blvd.
Bronx, New York 10460
(718) 220-5100
www.wcs.org/

Click here for membership options

The zoo is a perfect family outing to mingle with true wildlife in New York City. Have fun exploring, seeing species of animals from around the world as well as those from New York City's own backyard. Visit the children's areas and petting zoos for hands-on experiences. Take a trek through the African Plains and Madagascar in the Bronx Zoo. The Central Park Zoo is known for its lovely location and sea lions. If you can't get enough of sea lions, check out the sea lion show and learn about sharks at the Aquarium. The Prospect and Queens zoos are smaller and perfect for a lighter day out with young ones. Purchase a family membership to The Wildlife Conservation Society and gain admittance at any time to all of the zoos for an entire year, plus special viewings and events for members only. Part of the membership is considered a donation to this worthy society that works to save animals worldwide.

Related: Free Family Fun In New York: Museums

Staten Island Yankees
Richmond County Bank Ballpark
75 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island, NY 10301
(718) 720-9260
www.milb.com

Click here for tickets and prices

Take a family or group outing to spend a day cheering on a hometown minor league team. See historic players in the making and catch some real-life champions stepping into the game. The kids will have a chance to see baseball players striving to be their best at this all-American pastime. The ballpark hosts charitable events and fun fireworks as well as all-you-can-eat days and picnic seating perfect for the whole family.

Coney Island
1000 Surf Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11224
www.coneyisland.com
www.coneyislandfunguide.com

Have a totally fun-filled family adventure from dawn until after dark in Coney Island. After a visit to the aquarium, sit, relax and sun on the beach. Kick back on the beach while the kids have fun jumping the waves, or take a stroll on the boardwalk and stop by the originals Nathan Famous for a hot dog lunch. Enjoy an afternoon of amusements visiting Coney Island's star attraction, the Cyclone Rollercoaster, a New York City Landmark since July 12, 1988, and now listed in the New York State Register and National Register of Historic Places. Do not miss Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, known for the world-famous Wonder Wheel, another New York City Landmark built in 1920. Finish the day off with a pleasant dinner and an evening of music and sideshows.

Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex
62 Chelsea Piers
New York, NY 10011
(212) 336-6666
www.chelseapiers.com

There is something for every family member at Chelsea Piers. This 28-acre sports village sits along three piers on the Hudson River with a headhouse connecting the complex. Practice your golf swing year round at the outdoor driving range, or swing at a ball in a batting cage at the Field House. Get out of the summer heat and cool off on the ice in the Sky Rink, or purchase a membership to fully enjoy the pool amenities. Climb the rock wall, and get the family and friends to join in a fun game of sand volleyball. Spend the afternoon enjoying the sun on the sundeck, and grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants. If you're not a sporty family, have a family day of relaxation in the spa for a massage or mani/pedi combo. Chelsea Piers even offers yoga, sailing and bowling.

The High Line
122 Gansevoort St
New York, NY 10014
www.thehighline.org

Price: free

Central park may be New York City's most well-known park, but there are many other parks in the city to have fun and enjoy a day out with the family. Many of these offer free programs for children, ages 3 through 17, in sports, education and the arts through the City Parks Foundation. New York City's newest park is, perhaps, the most interesting to visit. High above the streets on the west side of Manhattan, the High Line was built on a historic freight rail line that had long been forgotten and left to deteriorate into an ugly mess waiting to be demolished. Enjoy a day out in the park walking high above street level. Stop by for tastings at the food carts, or enjoy the High Line Art-commissioned projects of exhibits and performances. This is a park maintained with love, private funds and donations.

Related: NYC Parks Summer Arts Programs Kick Into High Gear

Carol Ruth Weber began her career as a Theatrical Costume and Set Designer and segued into the world of Interior Design. As an interior designer she has twenty-eight years of experience in all phases of the business. You can read more of her work on Examiner.com and she can also be contacted at WeberLifeDesign.