The weekend you’ve long been waiting for has arrived, so how will you spend your three days of car-free fun? Check out this list of seven things to do this Memorial Day Weekend in NYC and beyond, including the holiday’s biggest parade in the nation, a backstage tour of Citi Field, an unheard of hotel deal on Long Island, and an al fresco train ride through a historic route in the Catskill Mountains.
What: Governors Island
When: 10am-6pm (weekdays) and 10am -7pm (weekends)
Why: It’s the best getaway within the city there is. Programming this season includes free bike mornings (weekdays) with Blazing Saddles, a new zipline and climbing wall, Figment’s annual participatory art festival, and the Jazz Age party. Pack a picnic or pick up lunch at the food trucks at King Avenue Food Court in the Historic District.
Cost: Free
How to get there: Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building and Brooklyn Bridge Park ($0-$2). Visit govisland.com for more information.
What: Citi Field Tours
Where: Citi Field, Queens
When: Tours begin Friday, May 24. Group tours are available Thursdays and Fridays, and regular tours are Saturday and Sunday.
Why: Go backstage in the home of the New York Mets on a guided tour that includes the clubhouse, dugout, press box and field.
Cost: $13 for adults; $9 for children 12 and under and seniors 60 and over.
How to get there: Take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point.
What: DanceAfrica: Rhythms of Africa / Giya Africa / Mandingindira e Africa
Where: BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, Brooklyn
When: May 27–30
Why: The annual celebration of African heritage features an international mix of performing arts groups from regions such as Zimbabwe, Atlanta, Bronx, and Brooklyn and a bazaar with more than 200 street vendors.
Cost: $20-50 for adults; $10-26 for children 16 and under for shows; free for the bazaar.
How to get there: Take the 2, 3, 4 or 5 train to Nevins Street. Head south on Flatbush Avenue and take a left on Lafayette Avenue.
What: Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade
Where: Northern Boulevard, Queens
When: May 27 at 2 p.m.
Why: Everyone loves a parade, so how can you pass up the nation’s largest Memorial Day parade?
Cost: Free
How to get there: Take the Long Island Rail Road to Little Neck. Walk East to Northern Boulevard and take a left to reach the parade route.
What: Bronx Zoo Dinosaur Safari
Where: Bronx Zoo
When: May 25-September 8
Why: Bring the family and get a feel for life in the land before time as you dig for fossils, watch dinosaurs dance, and enjoy Ice Age arts & crafts.
Cost: For admission to the entire zoo, including the Dinosaur Safari, $33.95 for adults; $23.95 for kids
How to get there: Take the X10 bus to Narrows Road North–Richmond Road. Transfer to the S53 bus and take it to Broadway – Douglas Avenue.
What: Esopus Scenic Train
Where: Catskill Mountain Railroad, Phoenicia, New York
When: May 25 – Oct. 30
Why: The round-trip outdoor journey beneath the Catskill Mountains offers a chance to travel the historic Delaware and Ulster railroad.
Cost: $12 for adults; $7 for children under 12; free for children under 4.
How to get there: Take a Greyhound bus to Phoenicia. Walk east on Main Street and take a right at Bridge Street. Turn left onto High Street and look for the railroad attractions on the left.
What: Red, White, and Blue on the Ocean
Where: Gurney’s Inn, Montauk
When: May 19th thru May 30th
Why: Escape the city to the tip of Long Island for ocean view accommodations, drinks on the beach, and access to seawater spa facilities, including the roman baths, sauna, and pool. Bike 20 minutes to Navy Beach Restaurant for lunch.
Cost: $225/night (excludes Sat 5/24 and Sun 5/25)
How to get there: Easily accessible by LIRR and Hampton Jitney. Visit the transit page for specific directions.
Looking For Custom Memorial Day Gifts?
Memorial Day is a day to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. To celebrate the day, you may go to a memorial service or attend a parade or other public events – as listed above. Whatever way you choose to celebrate Memorial Day, you can add some custom army challenge coins to send away to your loved ones or friends.
Custom Memorial day Gift: Army Challenge CoinsThe presentation of challenge coins is always one of the highlights of any celebration. The challenge coins which carry sentimental value would be great gifts to descendants of the fallen soldiers, veterans, or other service members. If you are going to hold a Memorial Day party, these coins will also make great party favors.
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Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram