President’s Day was originally designed to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. It’s a federal holiday held on the third Monday of February. These days, it’s meant to celebrate the birthdays of both Washington and Lincoln. But, it's often seen as a way to celebrate every U.S. president. So, if you want to know how to celebrate, here are 10 of the best things to do on President’s Day in New York.
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan
President's Day coincides with the start of the mid-winter break for public schools in the city. So, there's a lot going on for families. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan has two new exhibits worth checking out. The first, 'Superpowered Metropolis: Early Learning City', is an interactive exhibit that invites viewers into a comic-book-inspired New York, guided by a trio of pigeons. It's focused on early learning brain skills. The other is called "Inside Art," and it features larger-than-life sculptures and installations for visitors to interact with.
The Intrepid
Next, it’s Kids Week at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, which is offering more than 120 family-friendly events centered around STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Families can check out maker spaces, live shows, a pop-up planetarium, animal shows, and more. On President’s Day itself, families can catch a performance by the Gazillion Bubble Show, hear author Drew Brockington (CatStronauts), and watch a presentation by the Stamford Museum & Nature Center.
Monday Night Magic
Every Monday evening, the Players Theatre presents Monday Night Magic, with a special President’s Day show on February 17. Monday Night Magic (MNM) is New York’s longest-running Off-Broadway show; it’s been on the scene for more than 20 years.
The show is characterized by its lack of Las Vegas-style frills—this is magic, pure and simple. Each show features four performers on stage; during the intermission, at least two magicians present close-up magic throughout the theatre. How does this tie into President’s Day? No idea. We imagine there's a little sleight of hand in there somewhere.
Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rental
If you were just thinking, ”I really need to get out more,” and by “out,” you mean an invigorating bike ride across the Brooklyn Bridge, you’re in luck. Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tours & Rentals offers both self-guided and guided bike tours, so grab yourself a set of wheels and go! The Brooklyn Bridge is iconic, and riding a bike across it must be one of the best things to do on President's Day. Open in 1883, it’s now a national historic landmark with incredible views and was once called the Eighth Wonder of the World.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
President’s Day is a great day to reflect on this country’s history—and no better place to do it than Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The former was once the entry point into New York; more than a third of all Americans can trace their ancestry to someone who arrived at Ellis Island. It’s now a historical museum with plenty of interactive exhibits. The Statue of Liberty is, well, the Statue of Liberty. Inspired by Libertas, the Roman god of freedom, Lady Liberty was a gift from France to the U.S. and is a symbol of democracy and freedom from oppression.
Kingston Restaurant & Bar
Looking for a more unconventional way to celebrate President’s Day? How about one with lots of Mimosas? Every holiday Monday, The Alumni Group offers Mimosa Mondays to close out the holiday weekend. For an extra $20, patrons can add an hour and a half of cocktails including mimosas, to their brunch entrees at Kingston Restaurant & Bar. Specializing in Caribbean and jerk food (think pineapple mango salsa, jerk chicken, curry shrimp), it’s a great end to a cold winter weekend in New York.
Carnegie Hall
The adage says that the best way to get to Carnegie Hall is to practise, but you can also attend Who Are the Brave, a program of patriotic and original works by American composers and conductors, including Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein. The Distinguished Concert Orchestra and Conductors perform; student and senior discount tickets are available at the box office.
Musicals
Seeing a show must be one of the best ways to celebrate President's Day. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s revolutionary Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat has been running for over 50 years, while Hamilton, the smash-hit saga that tells the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and the American Revolution, set to a rousing musical score including jazz and hip-hop.
BAM Oscar Movies
And finally, missed some of the Oscar-nominated movies? Bam, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, is offering you a chance to catch up on some of the nominees this President’s Day. The all-day screening includes Knives Out, the Oscar-nominated animated and live-action shorts, and even Best Picture Winner Parasite.
You can even catch up on lesser-known films like Cane River, which was lost in 1982; the negative was recovered in 2013. The film tells the story of African Americans fighting class and racial tension in Louisiana. Pick and choose, or see them all!
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