Check out Labor Day 2017 on the Upper West Side!
Labor Day Weekend (September 4-7th) usually gets a bad rap for being the (sad) end to summer but it also marks the beginning of the most beautiful season up here in NYC. But before I begin to break out my boots and light layers, let’s talk about how to best celebrate Labor Day! For those who can’t flee to the beach for one last weekend, or prefer to hang close by – there’s plenty to do in the city. You may have to venture a little out of the Upper West Side, but I promise it can be worth it!
For those young at heart, the Electric Zoo Festival attracts over 150,000 people all weekend long. Take the ferry across to Randall’s Island Park, NYC. Tickets are still available through their website http://electriczoofestival.com but if you’re lucky you can gab some discounted tickets on Living Social. Bright lights, zoo animals, carnival food, and loud music. If that’s your jam, this is the place to be!
2015 Labor Day Parade. Although the parade is actually being held the Saturday after Labor Day, I felt as though it needed a serious shout out. The hosts are really celebrating the hard working NYC community and striving to keep NYC a world class city – so come on out to 5th Ave between 44th and 67th at 10am on Saturday ,September 12.
Travel just south of the UWS, and Hornblower Cruises has a free-flowing mimosa brunch buffet cruise from Pier 40 on September 6th (what says “Labor Day” more than mimosas and boats?!). Grab some friends to explore the city view water-side with a great menu and live music. Check out www.hornblower.com.
For free, (and located in the Upper West Side’s backyard), check out the Hudson River County Fair. Carnival rides, games, music, vendors, and more – a great Labor Day activity for the whole family! All of this is happening on September 6, at 1pm on Pier I. Visit here for more info!
Crab-A-Palooza is happening every day of the week leading up to Labor Day! Located at Back Forty, a Chesapeake-style boil (boasting a heaping pile of crabs per serving!) on the back porch is surely the way to leave summer with a bang. Rain or shine this boil is happening (and will likely be where you can find me and my family!). The restaurant deets can be found at www.backfortynyc.com and instructions for purchasing tickets for the palooza can be found under the Crab-a-palooza tab at the top of the website!
Also over Labor Day Weekend: If you do want to travel a little further out visit Brooklyn and check out the Carribean Street Parade (www.wiadcacarnival.org), and while you are there stop by the (VERY COOL) Pop-Up Pool for it’s final hurrah of the summer. It is first come, first serve. You get wristbands and a 45 minute swim session (see here for more info). And of course… if you like tennis you can probably scrape up a couple US Open Tickets.
Plan in advance so you can get the best out of your weekend – be safe and enjoy!
