NYC's Summer Streets Kick Off Saturday with a Mega Water Slide

7/30/15 - By Jody Mercier

Great news for all the intrepid New Yorkers staying put this August: Summer Streets kicks off this weekend! This beloved annual event is set to take over nearly seven miles of Manhattan streets over the next three Saturdays. As in years past, Summer Streets will be jam-packed with fun and FREE events and activities, including a brand-new attraction, Slide the City, that kids (and parents) are sure to love. We've got the scoop on this new attraction, including what to expect and how to claim a spot.

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Slide the City features a 270-foot water slide parked downtown in Foley Square, along with a Vita Coco Beach that includes lounge chairs, free coconut water from the sponsor and palm trees.

Like all Summer Streets activities, Slide the City is free, but you'll need to register for a sliding time in advance. Not surprisingly, slots for this Saturday have already been filled; however, you can still grab a ticket for one of the two remaining days. Registration for Saturday, August 8 opens on Monday, August 3, and slots for Saturday, August 15 will be doled out Monday, August 10. 

If you plan on sliding with your family, there's a few things worth noting:

  • Children must be over the age of 5 and at least 46-inches tall to participate.
     
  • Anyone under the age of 18 requires parental permission.
     
  • All sliders, including kids, must use a provided inner tube and slide solo, although there is a family lane for parents and kids.
     
  • When reserving your spot, you're allowed to register for one free ride per person for up to three sliders.
     

If you're not lucky enough to snag Slide the City tickets, don't worry, Summer Streets has plenty of other free, outdoor fun for the whole family. Activities and rest stops dot the route, which stretches from Central Park all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Each of the five rest stops is overflowing with activities. In addition to Slide the City, the Foley Square Rest Stop hosts a 165-foot-long, 30-foot-high zip line, a popular attraction last year! (Participants must weigh at least 50 pounds.) There will also be a variety of soccer demos here.

The most kid-friendly of the stops is likely the Uptown Rest Stop at 52nd Street and Park Avenue, with fan-favorite activities including face painting and arts and crafts. This rest stop also features an entertainment stage with rotating and varied acts, from solo violinists to musical groups and dance troupes.

Other rest stops are located at 25th Street and Park Avenue, in Soho at Spring and Lafayette Streets, and at Astor Place. A second performance stage awaits at 25th Street where Whole Foods is sponsoring a picnic area, complete with tasty samples. Astor Place is going to the dogs with the American Kennel Club setting up a pop-up dog park for four-legged friends to frolic. Soho is all about bikes (with free bike rental and repair) and fitness (Crunch Gym is offering classes).

If you're an architecture enthusiast, or are raising one, the Municipal Art Society and American Institute of Architects will each lead behind-the-scenes walking tours in conjunction with Summer Streets. Do-it-yourself types can pick up a map to create their own self-guided tour.

Summer Streets run from 7am to 1pm on Saturdays, August 1, 8 and 15. Park Avenue and Lafayette Street will be closed to traffic from 72nd Street all the way down to the Brooklyn Bridge, providing an ample patch of real estate to ride, walk, scooter and play.

For more information on Summer Streets and tips for visiting with your family, check out our in-depth profile or visit the Summer Streets post for a full list of activities. For questions about Slide the City or to reserve your spot, visit its website.

For more events and activities, be sure to check out our Summer Fun Guide and our August GoList.

Photo credit: Slide the City