Watch CBS News

Best Things To Do In New York City This Weekend

This weekend is Labor Day, which means a three-day weekend (hooray!) and the end of summer (sob!). Below are our picks for the best in eating, drinking, and merrymaking, from a huge festival of electronic music to a celebration of Brazilian culture to a county fair on Staten Island. By Jessica Allen.

ChildrensMuseumofManhattan
(credit: Children's Museum of Manhattan / Facebook)

Prep your babies for back to school by heading to the Children's Museum of Manhattan. Its week-long celebration, appropriately titled "Little Tots Take Over: Ready for School." The weeklong program, for kids 5 and under, features arts, crafts, storytime, author meet-and-greets (and hugs), various musical performances, and tons o' fun. Tuesday, September 1, through Sunday, September 6, tickets required.

ElectricZoo
(credit: Electric Zoo / Facebook)

Say sayonara to summer with 150,000 or so like-minded folks at Electric Zoo, a ginormous electronic music festival featuring some of the world's best DJs and performers. Galantis, The Chemical Brothers, Robin Shulz, and TJR are all scheduled to appear this year on Randalls Island, with its amazing views of Manhattan. Friday, September 5, through Monday, September 7, tickets required, must be 18 or older.

RichmondCountyFair
(credit: Richmond County Fair)

The 36th annual Richmond County Fair gives you the chance to get into the country without leaving the city. A celebration of Americana, this year's events range from bumper cars to a hot dog-eating contest to fire eaters and sword swallowers to reptile displays to craft-making to a petting zoo to an army simulation to clowns to pony rides. Saturday, September 5, through Monday, September 7, 11 am to 6 pm, tickets required.

BrazilianDay
(credit: Brazilian Day)

Begun in 1984, this annual celebration timed to Brazil's Independence Day features food, music, dancing, and lots and lots of folks simply whooping it up in Manhattan's Little Brazil (roughly 46th Street from Madison to Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue from 43rd to 56th Streets). People come from all around, including Brazil, to show their pride and to see some of that country's most famous musicians. Sunday, September 6, free.

CoyoteAndCrow
(credit: Coyote & Crow)

Like county fairs all over the United States, the one in Riverside Park this weekend boasts carnival rides, reptile shows, cotton candy, sideshow performances, and live music from Coyote & Crow, The Brummy Brothers, and others. The difference? As you walk around and stuff your face with fried dough, you can look out at the Hudson River or listen to taxis honking nearby. Sunday, September 6, 1 to 5 pm, free.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.