Catch “Top Gun” at the Intrepid on Friday.
The warmer weather means Memorial Day must be here! Postpone your barbecue for another weekend because the city has much to offer.
1. Honor the heroes
In case you’ve forgotten, Memorial Day is not simply an excuse for a three-day weekend. To honor the men and women who died while serving our country, head over to the Little Neck–Douglaston parade in Queens, the city’s largest, on Monday. This year’s parade is dedicated to those who served in Vietnam. And a visit to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum seems like a no-brainer with their Summer Salute to Heroes. The Free Summer Movie Series on the Flight Deck begins Friday with “Top Gun.” The rest of the weekend is chockablock with performances, tours and activities.
2. Grab your swimsuit
All city beaches finally open for swimming on Saturday! If you find yourself in Coney Island, take a break from all the grueling sunbathing and go for a relaxing, heart-thumping ride on the Cyclone at Luna Park, which will be open seven days a week starting Saturday.
3. Go for a ride
On Monday, the CitiBike share will launch its preview week for annual members, and also, Bike and Roll NYC will offer free one-hour bike rentals on Governor’s Island. Anime-inspired hotel Yotel and custom bike company Strada Customs partner once again to offer hotel guests six specially designed fixies featuring snakeskin printed leather seats to commemorate the Year of the Snake. And biking may be one of your only modes of transportation if you live along the L line. Trains will not run between Lorimer St., Brooklyn and Eighth Ave., Manhattan from 11:30 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Tuesday.
4. Entertain the kids
This weekend signals the start of the summer season, a.k.a, every child’s favorite time of year. On Saturday, take the kids to the Dinosaur Safari debut at the Bronx Zoo. Governor’s Island also opens and the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy, will partially open.
5. Stuff your face
From the folks who brought you Smorgasburg, SmorgasBar opens at the South Street Seaport on Friday. Food vendors include Asia Dog, Blue Marble Ice Cream, Red Hook Lobster Pound and newcomers Fonda. On Monday, Recette (328 W. 12st St., 212 414 3000) is offering a 3 course brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for $25 per person, and the Windsor West Village (234 W. Fourth Street, 212-206-1208) will be open at noon for their Memorial Day BBQ. Or, enjoy a Spanish twist on barbecue at Andanada (141 W. 69th St., 646-692-8762), which will serve a three course prix fixe with dishes like chorizo hot dogs and roasted bananas with cilantro and coconut sauce for $23. If you’re on the daring side, Louro (142 W. 10th St., 212-206-0606 ) is hosting a kelp cocktail pairing event with Brendan Smith of the Thimble Island Oyster Company ($45).
6. Go shopping
We plan to hit the Hester St. Fair (corner of Essex and Hester sts.) this three-day weekend. Besides browsing for vintage clothing, jewelry, crafts, home goods and more, you can take part in a Ping-Pong tournament on Saturday, and on Sunday, shop “Manhattan’s largest garage sale,” where neighborhood vendors are selling goods way below price.
