This Week: Father's Day Weekend Fun, Free Outdoor Movies, 4th of July Fireworks Cruises

6/14/12 - By Raven Snook

Father's Day is the main event on all of our sites this week. Out in New Jersey, you can take dad hiking or for a swanky wine tasting; on Long Island activities include skydiving and sports; and in Connecticut there's a cool car show. Plus our Boston site shared four easy recipes kids can prepare for the man of the house.

Here in NYC, there are plenty of fun family events to choose from this weekend like National GeekDad Day at the New York Hall of Science and a Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island. My family and I visited the isle for the first time this season just last weekend, and this year's sculpture garden and mini-golf course are really exceptional. Now located on the grassy Parade Grounds, the artwork is truly eye-popping, like a life-size Statue of Liberty head sticking out of the ground and a giant TV you can climb inside. Plus there's a giant treehouse with a slide, biking, strolling, picnicking and amazing views. Seems like the perfect Father's Day staycation.

Looking ahead to summer, which officially arrives next week, we rounded up the best free outdoor movie series for families and posted about 4th of July fireworks cruises. And if you're planning any big vacations over break, be sure to check our family travel site for a slew of awesome suggestions.

Here's what else we shared this week on our NYC site.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

We kicked off the week with a look at beautiful Bronx oasis Barretto Point Park, which hosts the Hunts Point Fish Parade this Saturday.

We also profiled the newly overhauled Pearl Street Playground at the South Street Seaport.

Why pay for movies this summer? All of last year's big family blockbusters are screening for free outdoors in various city parks and plazas.

Want an amazing view of Macy's 4th of July Fireworks? Consider booking a family-friendly 4th of July cruise on the Hudson River.

Speaking of Independence Day, June 19 marks the anniversary of the abolition of slavery. We've rounded up kid-friendly celebrations of this African-American holiday known as Juneteenth.

Our focus on Riverdale continued with a post about the best family-friendly restaurants in the neighborhood.

We reviewed the two new exhibits at Discovery Times Square: Terracotta Warriors and the super-cool Spy: The Secret World of Espionage.

Our biweekly news post includes the scoop on kids' auditions for a brand-new Broadway musical, new zoo babies and the ongoing war on junk food.

Best bets for Father's Day weekend include a Father’s Day Scavenger Hunt at the DiMenna Children's History Museum, New York Hall of Science's National GeekDad Day and the Atlantic Avenue Extravaganza.

Enjoy your Father's Day weekend!