25 Things To Do on Father's Day in NYC

Pack a picnic and enjoy an alfresco lunch with dad at Wave Hill on Father's Day. Photo courtesy of Wave Hill
Pack a picnic and enjoy an alfresco lunch with dad at Wave Hill on Father's Day. Photo courtesy of Wave Hill
6/8/23 - By Rosalind Muggeridge

If you're looking for things to do on Father's Day, you've come to the right place. This year, Father's Day falls on Sunday, January 18, and it's time to start scheming on how to celebrate the dads, grandpas, and father figures in our lives. We've found 25 kid-and-dad-approved things to do in NYC that are sure your make Father's Day extra special.

If you're thinking about taking the Father's Day party outside the city, be sure to peruse our Guide to Day Trips or our Theme Parks Guide for lots of great ideas.

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1. The High Line

Visit the High Line on Father's Day in NYC with dad to see amazing public art and horticulture, taste delicious treats, and visit some of the city's coolest destinations like Little Island and the Whitney.

2. Rise NY

Show dad a view of NYC he's never seen before on RiseNY's simulated aerial tour of NYC.

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Things to do in NYC on Father's Day: The Cliffs at Dumbo
Get climbing on The Cliffs at Dumbo. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

3. Do Dumbo

Go for a wander around the picturesque neighborhood of Dumbo, which is packed with family-friendly things to do. While you're there, grab a great meal at Time Out Market, one of our favorite family-friendly food halls.

6. Play in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Head to Brooklyn Bridge Park to visit its uber-cool playgroundshit the bike pathroller skate, or ride the famous Jane's Carousel.

11. Hit a Water Park

If dad loves the thrill of a wild ride, make a day of it and cool off at one of these water parks near NYC to celebrate Father's Day.

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Things to do on Father's Day in NYC: Family participating in a hands-on, no-bake cooking class at Allergic to Salad
The Refinery Hotel and Allergic To Salad are hosting a kid-friendly, no-bake cooking class to celebrate Father's Day weekend. Photo courtesy Allergic to Salad

4. Learn Something New

Take dad to this hands-on, no-bake Father's Day cooking class where families learn how to create a tasty, nutritious dish.

5. Play Mini Golf

Putt-putt your Father’s Day in NYC away at one of these outdoor miniature golf courses or visit Red Hook’s indoor Shipwrecked Miniature Golf.

10. Enjoy Family Playtime

Browse our list of NYC places where parents and kids can play together and pick an experience perfect for your family.

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Things to do in NYC on Father's Day: Kids with giant bubbles at the Queens Night Market
The summer-long global food festival at the Queens Night Market returns to Flushing Meadows Corona Park once again. Photo courtesy of the market

7. Queens Night Market

Bring a hearty appetite to the Queens Night Market to celebrate Father's Day in NYC a day early. The whole family can find the foods they love from its more than 100 vendors. Chow down in front of FREE live entertainment.

8. Celebrate Juneteenth

Head to Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island for a family-friendly Juneteenth Celebration featuring reenactments by the Freedom Players.

9. Governors Island

Hop a ferry to Governors Island to enjoy all the attractions, public art and exhibits, food, performances, and activities on Father's Day in NYC.

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Things to do in NYC on Father's Day: Kayaking in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Go kayaking in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo by Etienne Frossard. 

12. Go Kayaking

Get out on the open water at one of these community programs. Another way to enjoy the water: Head to the Citizen Science Fishing Clinic and learn how to bait, cast, and maybe even catch a fish.

14. See a Stage Show

If dad's idea of a great Father's Day activity is going to the theater, check out our Guide to Children's Theater and Shows to find a family-friendly pick.

15. Do a Day Trip

Check out these 37 great ideas for day trips to take dad on, all within two hours of NYC.

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Things to do on Father's Day in NYC: Skyline Drive-In
Take the car or set up in lounge chairs and enjoy a screening of E.T. on Father's Day at the Skyline Drive-In. Photo courtesy of the venue

13. Catch a Flick

Enjoy the open-air Skyline Drive-In for a screening of E.T. on Father's Day in NYC. No car, no problem: You can walk or bike in and watch from a lounge chair.

16. Plan a Family Camp Out

We've found seven campgrounds near NYC with kid-friendly perks and 11 spots for glamping in case the man of the hour isn't in the mood to pitch a tent!

17. Area 53

Challenge dad to a Father's Day duel with a visit to one of the Area 53 locations in the city, where visitors can play laser tag and paintball.

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Things to do on Father's Day in NYC: Jacob Riis Beach
Jacob Riis Beach in Queens feels like a world away from the city. Photo by Matthew Nighswander

18. Plan a Beach Day

Go to the beach—via subway, for the whole weekend, or day trip down The Shore.

19. Celebrate the Lower East Side

With the Eldridge Street Synagogue as its centerpiece, the Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival fills the street with a bevy of Jewish, Chinese and Puerto Rican tastes, traditions, sights, and sounds.

20. Go Whale Watching

Look for whales with dad on a Father's Day whale-watching cruise.

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Things to do in NYC on Father's Day with Kids: Rock and Roll Playhous at Brooklyn Bowl
Spend your Father's Day rocking out as a family, with Rock and Roll Playhouse covering Bob Marley at Brooklyn Bowl. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Bowl

21. Groove to the Grateful Dead

The Rock and Roll Playhouse, a weekly family concert series hosted at Brooklyn Bowl on Sunday mornings, features the music of the Grateful Dead on Father's Day.

22. Dance Your Heart Out

The Queensboro Dance Festival Plaza Dance Party features live performances followed by a dance lesson. Afterward, hit the open dance floor to get your groove on to a live Queens band or DJ.

23. Get Out of This World

Space nerd doubling as a dad? Consider a trip to one of these space museums near NYC for an intergalactic adventure.

RELATED: Best Things To Do in NYC in June with Kids

Things to do on Father's Day in NYC: Wave Hill family art project
Celebrate a father figure in your life using Wave Hill’s great trees as inspiration. Photo by Joshua Bright

24. Make a Handcrafted Gift

For a unique gift, design and personalize a tree sculpture to hold drawings and photographs at Wave Hill's special Father's Day Family Art Project.

25. Enjoy a Picnic

Pack a blanket and snacks and make the 843-acre Central Park, with its 21 playgrounds, your destination for Father’s Day.

A version of this article was published in 2016. It is updated annually.