Fun Places Near Staten Island to Go with Your Family

Parents giving their kids piggybacks, waist up, close up

SPONSORED CONTENT

Summer is the time to soak up as much sun and family fun as you can! If you’re looking for activities with kids during the summer vacation, below you will find some of our favorite summertime attractions in New York City, Staten Island, New Jersey, Westchester, Rockland, and Long Island. From shopping to museums to mini golf, theme parks and more, you can plan your whole summer right here!

Featured Family Attractions

Cross County Center

8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers
914-968-9570 • crosscountycenter.com
Cross County Center is an open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment destination located in Yonkers. With free year-round parking and more than 80 stores and restaurants including the only Zara in Westchester County, Shake Shack, H&M, Children’s Place, and Starbucks, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Empire State Building

20 W. 34th St., Midtown Manhattan
212-736-3100 • esbnyc.com
The new Empire State Building provides a new way for families to see New York. Explore our new museum featuring 12 interactive exhibits. Visit the main 86th Floor Observatory for breathtaking, open-air views and the brand-new 102nd Floor Observatory for 360° floor-to-ceiling glass views. Learn more and purchase tickets at esbnyc.com.

Ridge Hill

1 Ridge Hill Blvd., Yonkers
914-207-2900 • ridgehill.com
Ridge Hill is the top destination to shop, dine, and play in Westchester! Home to popular retailers, restaurants, and entertainment including indoor skydiving, trampoline park, and LEGOLAND, the outdoor shopping center features a park-like setting with children’s play area and events including a farmers’ market, movies, live music, and art.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square

234 W. 42nd St., Times Square, Manhattan
212-398-3133 • ripleysnewyork.com • fun@ripleysny.com
Ripley’s Times Square in New York City will astonish visitors! The largest Believe It or Not! in North America with more than 20 galleries and more than 500 artifacts, including the Little Apple room and Manhattan’s only LaseRace™, Ripley’s is open daily, 9am-1am. Perfect for visitors and groups of all ages.

Seastreak Summer Activities

NYC and NJ
800-BOAT-RIDE (262-8743) • seastreak.com • contact@seastreak.com
Your summer on the water awaits! Seastreak offers much more than traditional ferry services. Hop aboard a boat in NYC for a whale watching cruise or a trip to Sandy Hook beach! Then stop by our casual beach bar, The Sandbox, for drinks, live music, and delicious food from popular food trucks!

Top of the Rock

50th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown, Manhattan
212-698-2000 • topoftherocknyc.com
Stand among skyscrapers at Top of the Rock. With sweeping views of Central Park and Manhattan’s Uptown, Midtown, and Downtown skyscrapers, the view from Top of the Rock is truly unforgettable. Enjoy three indoor and outdoor viewing decks, including the 70th floor open-air roof deck. Visit topoftherocknyc.com for tickets and information.

Wheel Fun Rentals

Seven New York Locations in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island!
917-231-6229 • wheelfunrentals.com/nyc
Get outside for summer fun! Take a spin around the park on a Surrey or cruise on the water in a pedal boat. We offer specialty cycles, family bikes, two-wheel bikes, bike attachments, pedal boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Product varies by location. Group rates for parties and camps.

Family Attractions

175th Dutchess County Fair

6636 U.S. 9, Rhinebeck, NY 12572
845-876-4000 • dutchessfair.com • info@dutchessfair.com
For six days each August, the fairgrounds come alive with entertainment around every corner. More than 1,000 individual exhibitors including hundreds of farm animals, jams, quilts, and more! Explore the carnival midway with games, rides, and delicious food! Fun for the whole family! Fair hours: 10am–10pm.

Big SNOW American Dream

1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ
973-864-6600 • bigsnowamericandream.com • info@bigsnowad.com
Big SNOW American Dream is North America’s first and only indoor, year-round, real-snow ski and snowboard resort. Located right in New Jersey. Big because it’s big fun for everyone. And SNOW because, well, we have lots of it. Even in the summer! Every day is a snow day at Big SNOW.

Hull-O Farms Family Farm Vacations

10 Cochrane Road, Durham, NY
Farm: 518-239-6950 • Cell: 518-653-4125 • hull-o.com
Whether you are looking for country relaxation, a spirited adventure, or an educational experience, Hull-O Farms has it all. Experience farm life firsthand and become involved in the chores with Farmer Jared or if you prefer, just be an observer to the myriad of activities that farming encompasses.

JCC of Staten Island

718-475-5223 • sijcc.org/join • sscmembership@sijcc.com
The JCC Summer Swim Club is open! Our summer-only membership includes giant figure-8 slide, fun activities, special events, chairs, lounges, and canopies in a large grassy area, café delivery available. Reservations are required for entry. For more information, contact 718-475-5223 or email sscmembership@sijcc.com. Learn more and join at sijcc.org/join.

Long Island Aquarium

431 E. Main St., Riverhead
631-208-9200 • longislandaquarium.com
Featuring one of the largest all-living coral reef displays, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, African penguins, touch tanks, and more than 100 exhibits including indoor gardens of the Butterflies and Bugs habitat! Try an aquatic adventure like the Shark Dive, Penguin Encounter, or the Pirate Snorkel Adventure (seasonal).

Monster Mini Golf

410-C Commack Road, Deer Park
631-940-8900 • monsterminigolf.com/deerpark • deerpark@monsterminigolf.com
Monster Mini Golf is 18 holes of indoor, monster-themed, glow-in-the-dark mini golf and more. Cool monster décor with custom artwork, animated props, our interactive DJ, private party rooms, arcade games, and prize center. Other attractions include virtual reality and laser maze Deer Park.

Monster Mini Golf – Yonkers Ridge Hill Mall

221 Market St., Unit 2950, second floor, Yonkers
914 346-5072 • monsterminigolf.com/yonkers • yonkers@monsterminigolf.com
Monster Mini Golf is 18 holes of indoor, monster-themed, glow-in-the-dark mini golf and more. Cool monster décor with custom artwork, animated props, our interactive DJ, private party rooms, arcade games, and prize center. Other attractions include virtual reality and bowling.

Mountain Creek Waterpark

200 Route 94, Vernon
973-827-2000 • mountaincreek.com • info@mountaincreek.com
Mountain Creek Waterpark offers 25 rides, slides, and attractions all nestled in the picturesque mountains of the Vernon Valley. Mountain Creek is open June 19 through Labor Day: daily, 11am-5pm. Day tickets and season passes are available online for advance purchase. Live life outdoors this summer at Mountain Creek.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

180 Greenwich St., Lower Manhattan
212-312-8800 • 911memorial.org/visit • reservations@911memorial.org
The Family Pass is intended for families or small groups up to 5 people exploring the city together. The package includes two adult and up to three child and/or young-adult admission tickets to the museum for a discounted price of $82.

Palisades Center

1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack
845-348-1000 • palisadescenter.com • info@palisadescenter.com
Palisades Center is a four-level shopping center offering 225 brands, 16 sit-down restaurants, a bowling alley, ice rink, the world’s tallest indoor ropes course, comedy club, and more! With its diverse merchant mix, Palisades Center is the go-to place for family fun! Learn more at palisadescenter.com, facebook.com/palisadescenter, twitter.com/palisadescntr, or instagram.com/palisadescntr.

Play Big Zone

300 Campus Drive, Morganville, NJ
732-991-1993 • playbigzone.com
Play Big Zone offers a variety of unique experiences and entertainment that the entire family will enjoy! Join us for a celebration or open play where everyone can “play big” with fun, well-organized activities, amazing games, and the chance to win big prizes. Call now to customize your Play Big Zone experience!

Playland Amusement Park

Playland Parkway, Rye
914-813-7000 • playlandpark.org
Playland Park, home of the Dragon Coaster, will open for fun Saturday, June 26 through Labor Day, Sept. 6: Wednesday-Sunday, and Mondays July 5 and Sept. 6. Save time, buy online, pre-purchase day of visit at playlandpark.org. Pricing: Rider $20, Junior Rider $15, Spectator $10, car parking $10.

Quassy Amusement and Waterpark

2132 Middlebury Road, Middlebury, CT
1-800-FOR-PARK (367-7275) • 203-758-2913
quassy.com • info@quassy.com
Quassy Amusement and Waterpark in nearby Middlebury, CT, offers two parks for one great price! Conquer the award-winning Wooden Warrior roller coaster or more than a dozen slides in Splash Away Bay water park. Food, beach, entertainment, and arcade. Visit quasssy.com.

Rab’s Country Lanes

1600 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island
718-979-1600 • bowlatrabs.com • info@bowlatrabs.com
Rab’s Country Lanes has been providing a fun, safe haven for New York City residents for more than 25 years. In addition to our bowling alley, lounge, party rooms, eats, and pro shop, we offer something every community needs: a place to have fun with friends and family.

Richmond County Sailing School

112 Mansion Ave., Staten Island
718-984-0621 • richmondcountysailingschool.com
Have you ever dreamed of learning to sail on the ocean? Learn with us in the sheltered harbor of Great Kills and the open Raritan Bay. Our U.S. Sailing-certified Keelboat Course relays all the basic methodologies, strategies, theories, and best practices. Advance courses are also available.

The Rock Club

130 Rhodes St., New Rochelle
914-633-7625 • climbrockclub.com
Climbing is a sport that the whole family can enjoy, regardless of age or fitness level. Experience problem solving, help each other out, build trust, and celebrate each time someone reaches the top! Did we mention that it’s just fun!? Create awesome memories and get in shape in the process.

Sportime USA

380 Saw Mill River Road, Elmsford
914-592-2111 x2 • sportimeusa.com
Sportime USA is the ideal place to visit this summer! With a restaurant on the premises, and activities for all ages including a Superfly Thrill Ride, four-dimensional motion theater, laser tag, rock-climbing wall, a Ballocity Arena, batting cages, bumper cars, Himalaya coaster, kiddie rides, video and prize ticket games, billiards, and soft-adventure play area.

Staten Island Children’s Museum

1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M, Staten Island • On the grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center
718-273-2060 • sichildrensmuseum.org
A hands-on place for children to explore, learn, and play. We have 10 indoor and two outdoor interactive exhibits that harness the natural curiosity of children. We frequently have free outdoor shows and performances in front of the museum. Check out our online calendar and come join in the fun!

Storybook Land

6415 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
609-646-0103 • storybookland.com • office@storybookland.com
Your pay-one-price admission to Storybook Land includes unlimited rides, along with access to all of our storybook attractions! At Storybook Land, our emphasis is on fun for the entire family…with special attention given to its youngest members. A visit to Storybook Land offers good old-fashioned family fun!

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Zoos and Aquarium

The Bronx Zoo: 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
Central Park Zoo: 830 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side, Manhattan
Queens Zoo: 53-51 111th St., Corona, Queens
Prospect Park Zoo: 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Park, Brooklyn
New York Aquarium: 602 Surf Ave., Coney Island, Brooklyn
1-800-433-4149 • wcs.org/parks
The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Zoos and Aquariums have your summer covered with fun, educational children and family experiences! Whether online or in person, we provide unforgettable experiences for your family including hands-on activities, up-close animal experiences, and tons of educational fun that builds on a child’s innate love for our wild planet.

WildPlay Jones Beach

2600 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh
1-800-668-7771 • wildplay.com/jones-beach • guestservices-jones@wildplay.com
New! Long Island’s most thrilling outdoor family adventure: WildPlay Jones Beach! Soar down the beach on a 700-foot oceanside zipline, discover 100 high ropes games, and more! Exciting activities for every adventurer, ages 5 and older. Book online, by phone, or drop in today!