Enjoy three days of work-free bliss with our list of fun Memorial Day activities, plus events remembering the fallen.
Memorial Day is about remembering service members who gave their lives in defense of our country, and there are several parades and special events to honor their lives.
The holiday weekend also serves as the unofficial kick-off to summer. Whether it’s heading to a massive barbecue, hanging out at the beach, or taking a brunch cruise around Manhattan, there are plenty of memorable ways to spend your three-day weekend. If you want even more ideas, check out our best things to do in NYC this weekend guide.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Memorial Day in NYC
There are a ton of activities in NYC for Memorial Day Weekend, from outdoor parties on rooftops and at parks to parades, tours of Naval ships and more. Read below for what's going on.
Between the parties and cookouts, NYC is pretty chill on Memorial Day unless you head to one of NYC's parades.
There are two parades, actually. Both are held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.
The Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade kicks off in Bay Ridge at 11am on Monday, May 26 from 78th Street and Third Avenue. The route contiunes along Third Avenue to Marine Avenue up Fourth Avenue and over to John Paul Jones Park.
The Little Neck Douglaston Memorial Day Parade steps off at 2pm on Monday, May 26 from Jayson Avenue and Northern Boulevard; here's a map of the route. Event organizers say it's the largest continuously-held Memorial Day parade in the nation.
For World War II buffs and folks who like checking out fighter ships and planes, this museum on a real aircraft carrier The Intrepid docked at Pier 86 is a chance for an up-close look at the nuts and bolts of our not-so-distant history.
The Intrepid Museum serves as a primary destination during Fleet Week with activities all weekend long.
Explore Fleet Week ships for free at the following locations:
Manhattan, Pier 88 South
• San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, USS New York (LPD 21) from Norfolk, Virginia
Tours are availalbe on Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24, from 9am-4pm
Manhattan, Pier 90 North
• Legend-class cutter USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759) from Charleston, South Carolina
• Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel HMCS Frédérick Rolette (AOPV 434) from Halifax,
Canada
Tours are availalbe on Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24, from 9am-4pm
Manhattan, Intrepid Museum, Pier 86
• Five U.S. Naval Academy YPs from Annapolis, Maryland
Tours are available on Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23, from 10am-4pm
Homeport Pier, Staten Island
• Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) from Norfolk, Virginia
• Bay-class cutter USCGC Sturgeon Bay (WTGB 109) from Bayonne, New Jersey
2/2/2
Tours are available Thursday, May 22-Monday, May 26 from 9am-4pm
Many free outdoor movie screenings are taking place all over town this summer, but none boast an ambiance quite like that of the Intrepid Museum's Summer Movie Series. After all, you get to watch some awesome movies while hanging out on the aircraft carrier's flight deck at sunset. How cool!
This year's films dive deep into the mysteries of the ocean, inspired by the museum's newest exhibition, Mysteries From the Deep: Underwater Archaeology. The series kicks off with the annual Fleet Week screening of Top Gun on May 23.
Remember our fallen military heroes at The Intrepid Museum.
On Monday, May 26, The Intrepid will host a Memorial Day ceremony at 10am. Civic and military leaders will offer remarks and conduct a special wreath-laying ceremony to honor the fallen. The ceremony will conclude with a flyover by fighter jets.
Get ready for another summer of fun in the sun! New York City beaches typically open for swimming and sunbathing starting Memorial Day weekend!
A visit to one—if not all—of the best beaches NYC has to offer is needed when temperatures become hot and sticky. If you have a car and want to venture further out, we’ve also included off-the-beaten-track sandy shores that are less than two hours away.
Smorgasburg, the food bazaar spectacular, is back as of April with dozens of great local vendors across three locations. Smorgasburg WTC runs on Fridays; Williamsburg is on Saturdays; and Prospect Park is on Sundays. Each location is open weekly through October.
For its 15th year of outdoor food and fun, Smorgasburg will showcase more than 70 vendors. The food festival will be filled with fragrant Ethiopian stews, Hawaii-style street comforts, explosive pani puri, potato puff poutine and lots more.
Rooftop Cinema Club takes movie-going to a whole new level—literally. This rooftop film series at a midtown skyscraper offers stunning views and an impressive lineup of films.
In addition to the movie magic, the venue also offers movie snacks, a full bar and cute photo opps. This season features movies that will appeal to ‘90s kids, a Grease sing-along, Pride films, Wine Wednesdays and lots more when the 2025 calendar opens in May. Here’s the full list of what’s coming to Rooftop Cinema Club’s big screen.
When it gets hot, cool off in style. Several of New York’s finest hotels offer day passes for their rooftop pools, most of which include chaises and cabanas for lounging in addition to a full-service bar.
The combination of two of New York's favorite things—swimming pools and rooftop bars—creates an elevated summer oasis worth throwing down some cash for.
It's the surest sign of summer: Luna Park in Coney Island is open. Expect new arcade games, renovated retail outlets, and a new patio at Salt & Sizzle.
Luna Park will is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Memorial Day. Following Memorial Day weekend, the amusement park will be open daily. There's a full calendar of opening hours here. Admission to Luna Park is free, with ride prices starting at $4.
The 1960s-themed TWA Hotel rooftop pool is a super fun way to spend a summer afternoon. You can add it onto your trip to JFK Airport or just go for the day. While you're swimming and lounging, watch as flights take off above.
Accessible by public transit, the pool sells passes, so you can take a pool-centric trip to the airport that is very low-stress (no TSA check or boarding pass required). Reservations are suggested for non-hotel guests.
The ultimate outdoor experience to have this weekend is taking in the waterfront views at one of the best boat bars in NYC as you imbibe a cocktail (or three) with menus that feature everything from freshly-shucked oysters to lobster rolls. So hop aboard one of these boat bars!
New Yorkers can’t wait to unfurl their blankets and (discreetly) drink outdoors with Memorial Day around the corner and picnic season about to kick into high gear. Sure, you know about the big parks like Central Park and McCarren Park. But the city is also dotted with lesser-known parks and hidden gems to picnic all summer long.
Take a scenic bicycle ride to see some of the most beautiful vistas around, from the best beaches, parks, gardens and good food. It’s the next best thing to getting the heck out of town.
We recommend Bronxville to Rockaway Beach and more.
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