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New York party guide

Our Favourite Outdoor Party Venues in New York

Soak up the sunshine.

6 hand-picked New York spots

Our Favourite Outdoor Party Venues in New York

Get out from behind your screens and out into the fresh air with all the city has to offer in terms of amazing Outdoor Party Venues. Take in the natural beauty and create an awesome party vibe against the blue skies, with some vital vitamin D to increase the party mood. Check out our favorite Outdoor Party Venues in New York below.

We hope that you find this party guide useful and if you like it enough,… Consider hiring Yombu’s amazing entertainment to make your party just a little bit extra special.

Hippo Playground

Hippo Playground

W. 91st St &, Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10025

Yes, there are hippos! The children can climb over them and run around on the sports fields, playing tennis and volleyball, doing cartwheels on the grass areas and kayaking on the water. Hire the playhouse for special events or just opt for a DIY picnic.

Pier i Cafe

Pier i Cafe

Riverside Park, 500 W 70th St On the Hudson River at in, New York, NY 10023

Get the seasonal yum at this Hudson River outdoor cafe, with spectacular views. Their fare is casual and it’s simple counter pick up and al fresco dining. Our favorite drink for a warm summer’s birthday? Their in-house blueberry lemonade!

Bryant Park

Bryant Park

42nd streets, New York 10018

This expansive public park has spots to read under the stars, games rooms, carousels, ping pong and putting greens, with the American-style patio dining at the Bryant Grill and Café. They also have monthly events, so check out their calendar.

Central Park

Central Park

East 64th Street, New York, NY 10021

You can’t talk about parks without mentioning Central Park, with its ballfields, zoo and carousel. Their Loeb Boathouse offers gondola rides and winter time allows for some whimsical ice skating, so nobody has to stay cooped up indoors.

Fantasy Forest Amusement Park

Fantasy Forest Amusement Park

5351 111th St, Queens, NY 11368

The classic amusement park is a must! Go larger than life on thrilling rollercoasters, buggies, trains and twirling tea cups – just try to hold on to your lunch. You can book a private party here, with unlimited access to rides and great goodie bags.

Runaway Rapids Water Park

Runaway Rapids Water Park

275 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734

Counter the heat with an impressive array of splash spots at Runaway Rapids. And they don’t just do slides and splash pads and lazy rivers. They also have go karts and amusement rides, with some great street food. Book a party package that includes food and drinks, rides, ice cream and a birthday gift for the guest of honor.

Booking the entertainment too? We'll check who's free.

Venue sorted, cake ordered — now the wow. Tell us your date and we'll confirm which vetted New Yorkentertainers (face painters, balloon artists, magicians, characters) are actually available.

Free to ask · vetted & insured · money held until after the party

Would you rather do it yourself in a public park?

Everything above is a venue you book: somebody else supplies the space, the staff and the clean-up, and you get a slot and a bill. Doing it yourself in a free public park is a genuinely different plan, and a much cheaper one — but it comes with rules. NYC Parks requires a Special Event Permit once twenty or more people are present, birthday parties included, applications have to be in at least 21 days ahead, and only a handful of parks let you barbecue at all.

We cover that route separately in our blog guide The 5 Best Parks in New York for Kids Parties, which picks one park per borough, says where the playgrounds, restrooms and designated barbecue areas actually are, and walks through the permit paperwork.

Traveling to New York anytime soon and looking for things to do? Check out Kayak’s travel guide in New York for everything you should know about visiting New York.

Looking specifically for a kids’ birthday party instead of a general outdoor gathering? Our newer Outdoor Birthday Party Venues in New York guide is built around birthday packages, ages and pricing — including two picks from the list above, plus a few more from across the boroughs and beyond.

Ready when you are

Now book the person who runs the afternoon

Real availability from vetted, insured New York entertainers — balloon artists, face painters, magicians and characters, with the price on the page before you ask.

  • Vetted & insured
  • Money held until after the party
  • Free to ask