This Week: Memorial Day Weekend Guide, What's New on Governors Island, Laurie Berkner in Concert & Other Amazing Weekend Events

5/15/14 - By Raven Snook

Even though Memorial Day weekend is next week, we're gearing up for summer's unofficial kickoff a little early. (After the winter we all endured, we can't help fantasizing about warm weather fun.) Check out our Spring Guide and you'll find posts about seasonal attractions opening on the holiday weekend, like the newly expanded Governors Island and Central Park's beloved tot spot Victorian Gardens amusement park. We also rounded up a bunch of great family getaways in New Jersey for Memorial Day weekend or any summer weekend.

Speaking of getting out of town, our regional sites are full of travel inspiration, whether you're looking for a quick day trip or a bona fide vacation. New Jersey just posted about pick-your-own strawberry farms and you can find even more berry-picking spots in our Farm Guide. Even though we've got mini golf right here in NYC, the ones in Westchester have a lot more bells and whistles (and ponds and windmills). Or commune with nature by visiting NJ's beautiful tree-filled arboretums.

Of course you don't need to skip town to have fun. In fact, this weekend you'll want to stick around since there are so many amazing family activities going on, including a Laurie Berkner concert, the annual Dance Parade New York and Queens' World's Fair Anniversary Festival. Plus you'll find the Mommy Poppins' gang at the New York Baby Show, where we'll be giving away some awesome prizes and showing kids how to make these adorable WeeWork Clothespin Creatures.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Governors Island reopens to the public on Memorial Day weekend and there are a lot of exciting changes, including 30 new acres of park and access seven days a week.

Looking for a fast and fun Memorial Day getaway? We rounded up some of our favorite family destinations in New Jersey that are good for the holiday or any weekend.

In celebration of Laurie Berkner's NYC concert this Saturday, we spent a day running around town with the Upper West Side mom and rock goddess. See if you can keep up!

Reading children's books can spark all kinds of imaginary adventures. But these five NYC-set stories inspire real-life outings that are enriching for the whole family.

Our biweekly news post includes details on the renovated rec center in Washington Heights, a new Queens culture bus and how you can help feed the hungry by skipping lunch.

Our month-long focus on Pelham Bay in the Bronx continued with an in-depth look at NYC's largest green space, Pelham Bay Park.

No need to pay for a museum to see great art. Spring is the perfect season for FREE public art installations.

Speaking of FREE things, we've got the scoop on where to pick up no-cost ice cream and candy this weekend.

Our WeeWork posts included a cute rainstick craft and marble painting for preschoolers.

Best bets for the weekend include all of the fabulous events we already mentioned plus Madison Square Park's annual Spring Kids Fest, Brooklyn's Kings County Fair and a bunch of no-cost fests.