There Is Fun To Be Had In New York City This Memorial Day Weekend
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Did your Memorial Day itinerary go down the drain with the rain?
Or maybe you waited to long to even make a plan, and now it looks like you'll be sticking around the wet, Fleet Week-less city this weekend.
Not all is lost. There is fun to be had, food to be tasted and history to be honored across the five boroughs this holiday weekend.
While the traditional Fleet Week was called off this year, Memorial Day weekend is still a good time to hit the deck of the Intrepid. The ship will be hosting its Summer Salute To Heroes this season, and the event is kicking off on Friday evening. There won't be sailors, but there will be a screening of Top Gun. Tours and other activities will also take place on The Intrepid this weekend.
Another fun way to honor our nation's fallen veterans? Parades. The Little Neck-Douglaston Parade takes place in Queens on Monday, dedicated to those who served in Vietnam. Also on Monday is the Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, kicking off at 87th Street and Third Ave.
If you'd rather stick to your own schedule, why not plan a trip to one - or all - of our five favorite memorials in the city?
The resurgent Coney Island is ready to show the city just how strong it is after surviving Hurricane Sandy. The legendary park is making a comeback after suffering through the superstorm. Rides open on Saturday, and there's no better time for a spin on the Cyclone. As a bonus, it was announced this week that Nathan's Famous will reopen in time for this holiday weekend, as well.
More: CBSNewYork's Coney Island Getaway Guide
Despite the miserable weather, we know some are determined to hit the beach this weekend. All of New York City's free beaches are open for swimming on Saturday. Visit our guide to the city's free beaches for all the info you'll need on getting there and making a day of it.
More: NYC's 7 Best Hot Dogs
Even if you won't be laying in the sand this weekend, you'll still have a good excuse to get by the water. SmorgasBar, an extension of the Smorgasburg food festival we love so much here at CBSNewYork, opens on Friday at the South Street Seaport. Kelvin Slush, Asia Dog, Milk Truck Grill Cheese and more famed NYC food vendors will be serving eats, with a bar operating at the Seaport, as well.
For the dinosaur lover in your family, the Bronx Zoo is launching the Dinosaur Safari this weekend. Dig for fossils, check out a dinosaur musical and learn about the extinct species.
If it's culture you're looking for this weekend, visit the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on the Upper West Side, where New York Philharmonic's Alan Gilbirt will conduct a free concert. Tickets are first come, first-served starting at 6:00 p.m.
