Brooklyn Bridge Park w/ Jane’s Carousel. Photo by dumbonyc

New York City is a truly amazing place. One of the most enjoyable activities in the entire city is completely free- Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The park frequently hosts free events to entice a wide range of tastes. There is a spectacular view of the iconic New York City to write home about. There are art installations scattered throughout the beautiful grounds. Kayaks are free to borrow on the weekends. And that is just the beginning.

So let’s just take a look at the week coming up: June 26-July 2:

•    Checkmate 101 is a chess instruction workshop, especially for beginners, designed to take your game to the next level. Sundays at 11am from June 19 to August 7.

•    Wildlife Theater presents the Butterfly Boogie. On Sunday, June 26 from 11am to 1pm the Butterfly Boogie will take participants on a 3,000-mile adventure proving that bugs are the coolest creatures ever. The musical, interactive performance shows children the interdependence of plants and animals and introduces them to the idea of metamorphosis.

•    Summer Reading Storytime features Brooklyn Heights librarians reading stories out loud from the Brooklyn Public Library’s summer reading list. Tuesdays from 10:30am to 11:30am from June 28 to August 9th.

And I almost forgot to mention the fabulous 100-year-old Jane’s Carousel. It is enclosed in glass to protect from the elements and also costs $2 to ride, so technically it isn’t free. But considering all the things you do get for free, including the amazing view, you will probably agree it is two well-spent dollars.

Are you convinced yet? If you are, then be warned that parking is difficult near the park. It is highly encouraged that visitors beyond walking distance take public transportation. Check out the park’s very own website for more information.

“Labyrinth of Failure” by Kim Navarre from Brooklyn, NY – Labyrinth of Failure by Chris Hackett and Eleanor LovinskyUploaded by McGeddon. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons

Seeing art outdoors is a wonderful experience. When the installation becomes a part of the environment, something is added which is impossible to replicate within the four walls of a building, no matter how innovative that building might be.

Check out some, or all, of these delightful, creative, even wondrous works of art, proudly exhibited in the great outdoors of New York City.

•    Here’s a great excuse to go visit Governor’s Island– The Interactive Sculpture Garden at the parade grounds.  This delightful playland contains a real, working tree house, lots of shade, and even an artistic mini-golf course. And you get a trip on the ferry, too.
•    On the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art visitors will encounter a huge fish tank containing an eye-popping lava rock which beckons to the various lampreys and tadpole shrimp swimming inside. There is also a rather large boulder of the thing that made Manhattan great; Manhattan schist- the material New York’s skyscrapers, which can be seen in the distance, are made.
•    At Brooklyn Bridge Park, until April 17, 2016, three installations incorporate the view of Manhattan’s skyline into the works. One is a group of mirrors, which literally “mirrors” the skyline seen in the distance; Bright red benches twist and turn in unlikely shapes, encouraging children to join in the fun; and a water sculpture brings welcome relief from the humid heat of a typical New York summer. Stroll through the fountain and notice that wherever you walk within, that is where the water stops gushing.

Fall is a great time to be in New York. The weather is perfect, the leaves are gorgeous, and the events are endless. Here are just a few things to do this autumn which go beyond the usual and are guaranteed to be memorable.

Jane's Carousel

• The restored 1922 carousel at the Empire and Fulton Ferry Park (Brooklyn Bridge Park) will be the centerpiece of the newly renovated and reopened waterside park in DUMBO. September 16 was the opening date, and new lighting at the site will keep the park open into the evening for the first time. Empire–Fulton Ferry Park, Dock St at the East River, Dumbo, Brooklyn (718-802-0603, janescarousel.com). Mon, Tue–Sun 11am–7pm, through Nov 5; Thu–Sun 11am–6pm through Apr 5. $2.

• There is no need to leave the city to see the colorful display of autumn leaves Mother Nature organizes for us each year. Check out the view in Central Park as you stroll down the 1.58 mile track which encircles the Reservoir. You can also see the leaves in Prospect Park. Observe the leaves of ash, tulip and other trees as they turn bright orange and red reflected in the ponds along the ravine trails which are found between the Nethermead and Long Meadow.

Bear Mountain Inn

• Circle Line Cruises is offering a special trip to Bear Mountain until the end of October. Sail up the Hudson, disembark at Bear Mountain State Park, and enjoy a beer and a hike during the three hour stop over until the return trip. Bear Mountain offers over one hundred miles of trails for hikers and bikers, and the beer is flowing at the Bear Mountain Inn where you can catch the celebration of Oktoberfest. Pier 83, W 42nd St at the Hudson River (circleline42.com). Sat, Sun 8:30am–5:30pm; $50, with bike rental $79. Sept 17–Oct 30.