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| © Laurie Block Spigel 2005 – 2013 |
New York City is a community of islands. The only borough that is not on an island is the Bronx. We have a complex network of waterways including rivers, bays, and a major estuary, with access to the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
These field trips are educational, physical, and fun. Some are limited to summer months, others are one-time annual events, and others are year-round. They can be combined with other activities to create your own summer camp experience, individualized for you and your child. Here is everything from a kayak excursion on the Hudson River to a parade of mermaids in Brooklyn, to fishing in the Harlem Meer, and boarding an historic vessel.
Citywide *
Manhattan *
Brooklyn *
Queens *
Bronx *
Staten Island *
Outside of NYC
Books about the sea and coast, for the very young and old
Citywide:
-
In recent years, thanks to conservations efforts, humpback whales have returned to local NYC waters. See also Where to Watch Whales,
- Lighthouses in NYC, with links on a map.
- Guide to beaches in NYC
- Boating around the city:
- Fishing in the NYC Parks exists in every borough: .
In Manhattan you can fish at the Harlem Meer (catch-and-release), in Central Park near 110th St. & Fifth Ave. by a beautiful nature center on a pond, with bait and equipment supplied for free:
- With the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, you can volunteer to work on the environment, or attend the annual Clearwater Festival, or tag along for one of their public sails. Departure points for sails vary, and include Brooklyn, Manhattan, and points north of NYC.
- Visit the Dept. of Environmental Conservation, which offers Teaching about the Hudson River Estuary.
- The Urban Park Rangers' Natural Classroom offers a program in water testing, monitoring the quality of the water at various locations in all five boroughs of NYC.
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In Manhattan:
- Hudson River Park, with several locations along Manhattan's west side, has a List of boat activities including boat building and historic vessels.
- The River Project is a marine science field station at Pier 40, offering student tours and internships. Visit them on Facebook.
- Rowing at Pier 40 at the Village Community Boathouse.
- Fishingin NYC.
- The South Street Seaport, on Fulton St. along the East River in Manhattan, has two historic vessels you can board, lots of shops, a great playground, and a packed events calendar.
- At the American Museum of Natural History, you can spend a fascinating hour in the Hall of Ocean Life. For further diversion, seek out the Discovery Room nearby.
Learn about black smokers, deep beneath the ocean floor.
Currently this museum boasts an illuminated exhibit of jellyfish!
- The Little Red Lighthouse, on the upper west side, usually offers a tour in the spring. Read more at Hudson Riverlights and Historic House Trust.
There is a children's book about this lighthouse, The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge by Hildegarde H. Swift.
In Brooklyn:
- In Marine Park, at East 33rd St. and Ave. U, there is the Salt Marsh Nature Center where park rangers who will guide kids to a hands-on marine bio experience. My son spent a delightful afternoon wading through the marsh searching for life. Unfortunately the field house is currently undergoing extensive renovations, due to reopen in winter 2013. Still, the marsh awaits young visitors. Try taking along a field guide such as Petersen's Young Birder's Guide.
- The New York Aquarium is located in Coney Island, with indoor and outdoor exhibits including a touch tank. They also accept Animal Exhibits Department Volunteers and offer teen internships.
- Just for fun, the annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island is a hugely popular family event. More about the art of costume than marine biology, outlandish mermaids in homemade floats roll down Surf Avenue from W. 21st St. to 10th St., turning towards the water and ending up at the Boardwalk. Usually scheduled for the third Saturday in June, the parade is followed by a costume ball that evening at the Aquarium.
In Queens:
- Jamaica Bay Park - Horseshoe Crabs.
Every May and June the horseshoe crabs emerge on the beaches of Jamaica Bay Park. The NYC Audubon Society sponsors a counting in early May, and everyone is welcome to participate.
- Alley Pond Park in Little Neck Bay has an Adventure Program offering camping and fishing, canoeing, and more http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/rangers/adventure-programs.
In the Bronx:
- Rocking the Boat
offers free rowing every Saturday at Hunts Point Riverside Park. Their Youth Development program has teens building boats and restoring the environment.
- City Island is an historic boat building community, just over the bridge from Orchard Beach and Pelham Bay Park. It's a lovely place for a stroll after a meal at a seafood restaurant (try eating at the Tony's Pier on the tip of the island, where you can take a basket of fried shrimp out to a picnic table and dine waterside). The small branch library at 320 City Island Ave. has a unique nautical book collection. The local historical society operates the City Island Nautical Museum at 190 Fordham St.
On Staten Island
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden was once a home for retired sailors. They were self-sufficient and even had their own herd of cows. Now it commemorates the days of sailing around NYC. Don't miss the Noble Maritime Collection (named for marine artist John A. Noble). There is a free Shanty Sing there, usually on the third Sunday of each month, 2 - 5 p.m., co-sponsored by the Folk Music Society of New York. Shanties are the worksongs sung aboard ship to coordinate the work of raising the anchor, sails, etc.
Outside of NYC:
In Yonkers:
- Just north of the Bronx, one block north of the Yonkers train station, you can go seining at the Bezack Environmental Center. Here is an interpretive center, a tidal marsh and park, and activities that will actually take you wading into the Hudson River to see what the net (seine) yields.
In Connecticut:
On Long Island:
Books about the sea and coast, for the very young and old:
Flotsam , by David Weisner, richly detailed illustrations show that there’s life on the beach!>
- The Little Island
 , by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard, an award-winning book showing an island through the changing seasons.
- Amos & Boris
 , by William Steig, a timeless story of a mouse and a whale, by an award-winning author and illustrator.
- The Wreck of the Zephyr
 , by Chris Van Allsberg, a beautifully illustrated story for anyone who loves and respects boats and the sea.
- Time of Wonder
 , by Robert McCloskey, captures the feeling of summer in Maine. McCloskey’s other much loved books for children include Blueberries for Sal
, Make Way for Ducklings
, and One Morning in Maine
.
Marine Biology for kids:
- Oceans: An Activity Guide for Ages 6-9
, by Nancy F. Castaldo, lots of good activities that might be adaptable for a slightly broader age range.
- Janice Van Cleave’s Oceans for Every Kid
, for ages 8 and up, full of fun activities. I recommend the entire science series by Janice Van Cleave.
- The Ocean Book
desscribes Aquarium and Seaside Activities and Ideas for All Ages, by the Center for Marine Conservation, an educational guide with lessons for all ages.
- The Marine Biology Coloring Book
, by Thomas M. Niesen, is the equivalent of a freshman college course in this subject, but anyone age 9 and up and learn from coloring in the pages.
Check out more marine biology resources and this home-made board game that tracks the migratory routes of four different whales.
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