For three Saturdays in August, one of New York’s busiest boulevards becomes a car-free paradise of outdoor fun. Summer Streets 2018 will stretch from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park once again with seven miles of outdoor fun like a 165-foot zipline, a rock climbing wall, a dog agility course, free fitness classes and even a Citi Bike Museum.
Sadly, its star attraction of recent years, the giant Vita Coco Beach water slide, isn’t returning for 2018. But it’s hard to complain when there’s so much else to do, and all the activities are totally free.
Whether you’re a pedestrians, cyclist, jogger or anyone who enjoys using their own two feet to see the city — it’s the best way to appreciate the architecture and discover new restaurants, after all — Summer Streets is an amazing way to explore New York. Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about Summer Streets 2018.
When is Summer Streets 2018?
Summer Streets 2018 turns a seven-mile stretch of Manhattan into a car-free zone on the first three Saturdays of August: Aug. 4, 11 and 18, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. You’ll be in plenty of good company — about 300,000 people took part in the event in 2017.
Where is Summer Streets 2018?
Park Avenue and Lafayette Street go car-free from the Brooklyn Bridge to 72nd Street on the Upper East Side, turning the pavement over to joggers, cyclists and anyone who wants to gawk at the gorgeous Art Deco buildings of Midtown in peace. Here’s the full map of the Summer Streets 2018 route.
The best things to do at Summer Streets 2018
While being able to enjoy the entire stretch of car-free road is its own joy, you’ll find tons of events, activities and performances at the five rest stops along the route — and it’s all free:
Foley Square: The 165-foot-long zipline is back (first come, first served), along with a hand cycle track and musical performances, plus a game zone and juggling lessons. And because the low-key goal of Summer Streets is to turn your healthy recreation into your new sustainable commute with a free and safe way to try out biking on the city’s streets, come early to get one of Bike and Roll’s 50 free rentals. (Duane and Lafayette streets)
SoHo Rest Stop: Test your pup’s skills on an agility course. Or if your furry friend is more the couch potato breed, there’s a grassy knoll to roll around on and splash pools. For humans, there’s a full schedule of curbside workouts. (Lafayette and Kenmare streets)
Astor Place Rest Stop: Test your own human mettle at the Outdoor Adventure Zone with an 8-foot-tall bouldering wall and obstacle course, master the art of bubbles at the Gazillion Bubble Show’s Bubble Garden, ride a mini mountain bike trail (for kids under 12) and take a virtual reality trip of upstate New York attractions. (Lafayette Street and Fourth Avenue between Astor Place and Ninth Street)
Midtown Rest Stop: Take a break at City Picnic with tables and free snacks and enjoy a performance at the concert stage, try out inline skating, and hardcore bike fans will want to swing by the Citi Bike Museum. (Park Avenue from 24th-25th streets)
Uptown Rest Stop: The Children’s Corner will feature interactive workshops and musical performances, plus a new Kid Fitness Zone that challenges children ages 2 to 12 with an “urban functional obstacle” by Pop Fit Kids, plus fitness classes and healthy snacks. Bike and Roll will have another 50 bikes free to ride. (Park Avenue between 51st-52nd streets)
