Riverside Park hands out free kite kits on Pier I and lets the Hudson breeze do the rest, turning five hours of open waterfront deck into a sky full of paper and string. Between flights, three acts take the pier: the horn-driven L Train Brass, the songwriting of Sonnets and the Self, and the sheer volume of drum corps Fogo Azul. If you want one free, genuinely photogenic afternoon with the kids, start here.
What to expect
Pick up a free kite kit at the pier while supplies last, or bring a favorite from home, and launch out over open water with Manhattan at your back. Live sets rotate through the afternoon on the pier itself, so the music comes to you rather than pulling you away from the kites. There's plenty of flat deck for younger kids to run between attempts.
Good to know
- Enter at West 70th Street; the 1, 2 and 3 at 72nd Street is about a ten-minute walk.
- Kite kits are free for kids while supplies last, so come early if that's the main draw.
- Bring your own kite if you have one you like; the pier is wide open in every direction.
- There is almost no shade on Pier I, so hats, water and sunscreen are essentials.
- The pier is flat and stroller-friendly, with the Hudson River Greenway running alongside.
- Breezy days are the good days here, so check the forecast before committing.
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Common questions
Do I need to bring a kite?
No. Free kite kits are provided for kids while supplies last, though you're welcome to bring your own.
Is Fly NYC free?
Yes, it's a free Summer on the Hudson event from Riverside Park Conservancy, with no ticket or registration.
Who is playing?
The lineup features L Train Brass, Sonnets and the Self, and the drum corps Fogo Azul, performing on the pier through the afternoon.
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