Manhattan
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Come aboard the BioBus mobile science lab and use our research-grade microscopes to look at organisms in the waters of Inwood Hill Park — one of Manhattan's last remaining salt marshes. BioBus scientists will bring the marsh's brackish ecosystem to life for all ages. Free and open to all. No registration required. Activities are family-friendly and open to all ages.
Organization: BioBus
Location: Inwood Hill Nature Center, Inwood Hill Park, 600 W 218th St, New York, NY 10034
Time: 10AM - 4PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: www.BioBus.org
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The City of Water Day POOL1 Block Party celebrates the future of safe river swimming in NYC with free family-friendly activities, STEM and water safety workshops, live performances, science talks, guided tours of NYC’s newest public space, POOL1, and interactive water play. Accessible and open to all ages, the event invites the Two Bridges community and beyond to explore, learn, and help shape NYC’s newest public waterfront space.
Organization: Friends of + POOL
Location: 80 Rutgers St, New York, NY 10002
Time: 12PM - 5PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: www.pluspool.com
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The Harlem River is home to two rowing crews, Harlem River Community Rowing and Row New York, serving both experienced and beginner adult and youth rowers. This City of Water day, come cheer on exhibition races between the crews and then try rowing for yourself and learn more about our programming! We will first demonstrate the rowing stroke on the erg machine and then get into a rowing shell on the water. Ages 12+, free and open to all abilities.
Organization: Harlem River Community Rowing & Row New York
Location: 3579 Harlem River Dr, New York, NY 10034
Time: 10AM - 4PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: https://www.harlemrivercr.org
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Have you ever explored the Harlem River? Randall’s Island Park Alliance will host a free seining program on City of Water Day. Grab a pair of waders and help drag a seining net along the shore of the Harlem River to discover the amazing biodiversity in our waterways. Learn how to identify fish, crabs, and jellyfish. All equipment is provided, but wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet! You must be 12 years or older to seine, but all are welcome to participate in our shoreline activities.
Organization: Randall's Island Park Alliance
Location: Rock Dock, Water's Edge Garden, Harlem Riv Pathway, New York, NY 10035
Time: 11AM - 2PM
Registration: Not required
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Celebrate City of Water Day with us for a powerful day of movement, connection, and restoration. We’ll start off riding strong with Black Girls Do Bike, then slow down with an intentional walk led by GirlTrek. From there, get your energy up with a line dance session with Orisha Wholeness, followed by a rejuvenating yoga flow with Parris On Purpose. We’ll close the day with I Am My Sister, grounding ourselves through reflective water work. Come ready to move, breathe, and connect by the water.
Organization: Orisha Wholeness
Location: 146 Carder Rd, New York, NY 10004
Time: 10AM - 5PM
Registration: Optional (https://www.orishawholeness.org/event-details/city-of-water-day-with-orisha-wholeness-and-partners)
Learn more: www.orishawholeness.org
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Over 200 species of fish are found in the Hudson River, including more than 85 species in Hudson River Park's Estuarine Sanctuary waters. Anglers ages 5 and up are invited to participate in Big City Fishing, with parental supervision required. All the necessary equipment is provided and an on-site fishing tutorial. Participation is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Beginners and experts alike are encouraged to join for a relaxing and educational experience at the water’s edge.
Organization: Hudson River Park
Location: Pier 51 at Hudson River Park, Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10014
Time: 11AM - 3PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: www.hudsonriverpark.org
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The shores of the Hudson River were once busy with boatbuilders, and will be once again! For City Of Water Day, we will host a boatbuilding demonstration and teach participants the basics of wooden boatbuilding. Participants (12 years and older) may drop by for any part of this demonstration to try their skills at shaping wood into graceful floating designs.
Organization: Waterfront Program Partners
Location: Dyckman Marina, 348 Dyckman St, New York, NY 10034
Time: 10AM - 3PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: www.waterfrontprograms.com
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Join Brooklyn Book Bodega and the Trust for Governors Island for a Big Book Party! Families are invited to stop by for this free book giveaway where kids can browse and choose books of their own to take home. The event will focus on environmental themes, celebrate access to the waterways that connect us, and inspire young readers to explore water, community, and climate through stories.
Organization: Brooklyn Book Bodega
Location: 108 Andes Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Time: 12PM - 2PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: https://www.brooklynbookbodega.org
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Have you ever wanted to kayak on the Hudson River? Join the Downtown Boathouse for a free, welcoming public kayaking experience and see New York City from the water. Guests will receive basic paddling and safety instruction, be fitted with a PFD, and paddle in a protected area with trained volunteers nearby. No experience is needed, and children are welcome with a parent or guardian.
Organization: Downtown Boathouse
Location: The Downtown Boathouse at Pier 26, 233 West St, New York, NY 10013
Time: 10AM - 4:30PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: www.downtownboathouse.org
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Come on a guided stroll along the Hudson River to learn about issues facing our communities and how BPC is preparing for our future. Celebrate life at the water’s edge!
Organization: Battery Park City Authority
Location: The Park House in Rockefeller Park, New York, NY 10280
Time: 11AM - 12:30PM
Registration: Optional (email registration@bpca.ny.gov to RSVP)
Learn more: www.bpca.ny.gov
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Have you ever watched the powerful tidal currents of NYC’s East River and wondered where they flow? Or wondered if there are hidden waterways among us? Learn about the amazing marine life that dwells within our waters while enjoying one-of-a-kind views on Roosevelt Island located within the river. At 1 PM watch a dynamic dance ensemble performance by Chris Bisram/ShakunDavi Dance and stick around for powerful percussion by Fogo Azul NYC at 3 PM. Be sure to examine marine touch tables with iDig2Learn. Join us at FDR Four Freedoms New York State Park for fun activities at the southernmost tip of Roosevelt Island. Open and free to all ages and abilities.
Organization: FDR Four Freedoms State Park, Four Freedoms Park Conservancy, iDig2Learn
Location: FDR Four Freedoms State Park, 1 FDR Four Freedoms Park in New York, New York 10044
Time: 10AM - 4PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: https://www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org/, www.idig2learn.org
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Celebrate City of Water Day with Solar One at Stuy Cove Park along the East River! This free, family-friendly event for all ages invites participants to explore NYC’s urban ecology through hands-on activities in a newly revitalized, ADA-accessible waterfront park. Activities include water quality testing, introductory fishing, cyanotype art using East River seaweed, and “Beak ’n’ Bloom,” a nature activity focused on birds, pollinators, and native plants. Drop-in, accessible.
Organization: Solar One
Location: Solar One Environmental Education Center at Stuyvesant Cove Park, 800 FDR Dr Service Rd East, New York, NY 10010
Time: 10AM - 4PM
Registration: Required for fishing clinic (https://givebutter.com/city-of-water-day-fish-print-explore-smvfsg), not required for other activities
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We will have brochures to promote the Coast Guard Auxiliary and boating safety. We'll have a knot tying activity and we have enlisted the support of the FDNY to have a boat on the river with a water hose display.
Organization: United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
Location: Dyckman Marina, 348 Dyckman Street (adjacent to The Hudson restaurant)
Time: 9AM - 3PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: https://cgaux.org/
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Did you know New York City Parks also include parks on the water? At City Parks Foundation, we bring students to the water to learn, play, and protect New York City's waterways through our Coastal Classroom After School, Summer Groups, and Summer Institute. Practice knot tying and other boating skills! Look for water birds while learning why they are especially vulnerable to plastic pollution and climate change.
Organization: City Parks Foundation
Location: Dyckman Marina, 348 Dyckman St, New York, NY 10034
Time: 10AM - 1PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: https://cityparksfoundation.org/
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Pier 42, like all urban green spaces, requires ongoing care to remain an enjoyable public park and a functioning climate resiliency system. For this year’s City of Water Day, our team will lead a tour of Pier 42, highlighting green infrastructure and resilience features, while also introducing participants to the native plants that can be observed throughout the park. The walk will be followed by stewarding the bioswale.
Organization: Lower East Side Ecology Center
Location: Pier 42, 612 FDR Dr, New York, NY 10009
Time: 9AM - 11:30AM
Registration: Required (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989407789251?aff=oddtdtcreator)
Learn more: https://www.lesecologycenter.org/
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Explore local wildlife and waterways at the Pier 57 Discovery Tank! The Park’s Discovery Tank is an interactive technology-powered gallery and classroom at Pier 57 that is free for the public to enjoy. Budding scientists of all ages can dive into hands-on STEM activities focused on monthly themes to learn about the environment from our knowledgeable River Project team.
Organization: Hudson River Park
Location: Pier 57, 25 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Time: 11AM - 5PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: www.hudsonriverpark.org
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Manhattan Community Boathouse will be providing the equipment, instruction and oversight you need to experience a safe, fun and free afternoon of kayaking on the Hudson River. The program is beginner-friendly and no prior experience is required. Participants must be at least 18 years old (or accompanied by a parent or guardian) and know how to swim. Come dressed to get wet! Lockers and locks will be provided to keep valuables dry and on-site changing rooms will be available for use.
Organization: Manhattan Community Boathouse
Location: Pier 96, Hudson River Park, Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10019
Time: 1PM - 6PM (Last admission at 5:30PM)
Registration: Not required
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Meet Hudson River wildlife at the Wetlab, our research aquarium that is free and open to the public! The Park’s Wetlab aquarium features Hudson River wildlife and provides guided tours for visitors of all ages. During Wetlab Look-ins, you can join a drop-in tour led by our River Project team to learn more about fascinating local wildlife including oyster toadfish, lined seahorses and blue crabs.
Organization: Hudson River Park
Location: Hudson River Park's River Project Wetlab, Pier 40, New York, NY 10014
Time: 11AM - 5PM
Registration: Not required
Learn more: www.hudsonriverpark.org
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Has your child dreamed of setting sail on the closest thing New York Harbor has to a pirate ship? Join Buoyant for a free one-hour youth sail around New York Harbor and get a preview of our longer Harbor Camp program that introduces young people to the harbor, historic vessels, basic seamanship, and the joy of being on the water. Two sessions: 9am and 10:30am. Open to all ages. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Organization: Buoyant
Location: Manhattan By Sail, 89 South St Pier 17, New York, NY 10038
Time: 9AM - 10AM (Sail #1), 10:30AM - 11:30AM (Sail #2)
Registration: Required (https://forms.gle/ffmoSGBgTHJc5Er77)
Learn more: https://buoyantusa.org/
