Family Fun in Manhattan This May

Round and Round We Go

On the two days prior to the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, more than 60,000 cyclists roll through Basketball City at Pier 36 in Lower Manhattan for Bike Expo New York to meet, greet, and talk shop with one another and more than 100 exhibitors, from big brands to local innovators. The expo features everything from beginner’s lessons to state-of-the-art equipment for races to fun giveaways and panels. May 4-5, Friday, 10am-8pm; Saturday, 9am-6pm. Age: All. FREE. Pier 36, Lower Manhattan. bike.nyc/events/bike-expo-new-york.

 

Craic ‘Til You Drop!

Enjoy a day filled with free performances from top Irish dance companies at the 17th Annual Irish Dance Festival at Riverside Park South. Learn the difference between sean-nós, céilí, and step dance, and take the opportunity to join in on the dancing. Performers include festival favorites Donny Golden Dancers, Niall O’Leary Dance Troupe, Darrah Carr Dance, and Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance, plus special guests. Expect music and Irish language lessons, children’s crafts, face-painting, and more. May 6, 1-7pm. Age: All. FREE. Pier I, Riverside Park South, irishartscenter.org.

 

National Museum of the American Indian

Located within the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, this museum features temporary and permanent exhibits and programming that explore the diversity of American Indians, and is home to one of the most extensive collections of Native American arts and artifacts in the world. The imagiNATIONS Activity Center opens May 17, with family-friendly activities for kids to learn more about Native scientific discoveries and inventions.

Visit it: 1 Bowling Green, Bowling Green; 212-514-3700; nmai.si.edu
Can’t-miss event: Annual Children’s Festival: Celebrating imagniNATIONS! from May 19-20, 11am-5pm

 

Governors Island

Open from May through the end of October, this former military outpost is now a family-friendly public space accessible via ferry from Manhattan and Brooklyn. The 172-acre island boasts biking, play fountains, ballfields, a compost learning center, mini golf, Slide Hill, and play:ground NYC for kids. On weekends, families can take advantage of the Flywire Zip Line, Amazen’ Maze, and Climbing Challenge.

Visit it: Ferries depart from Battery Maritime Building at 10 South St., Lower Manhattan; govisland.org Can’t-miss event: NYC Holi Hai Festival on May 6, 10am-6pm

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Main image: The imagiNATIONS Activity Center will include family-friendly activities for kids to learn more about Native scientific discoveries and inventions.

Photo courtesy Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian