Recommended Field Trips:
Marine biology field trips in and around NYC

New York City is a community of islands. The only borough that is not on an island is the Bronx. We have a complex network of waterways including rivers, bays, and a major estuary, with access to the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.

These field trips are educational, physical, and fun. Some are limited to summer months, others are one-time annual events, and others are year-round. They can be combined with other activities to create your own summer camp experience, individualized for you and your child. Here is everything from a kayak excursion on the Hudson River to a parade of mermaids in Brooklyn, to fishing in the Harlem Meer, and boarding an historic vessel.

Citywide * Manhattan * Brooklyn * Queens * Bronx * Staten Island * Outside of NYC
Books about the sea and coast, for the very young and old

Water Fun

Citywide:

In recent years, thanks to conservations efforts, humpback whales have returned to local NYC waters. See also NYC Whale Watching Cruise, and Whale Watching from Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn (other cruises are available if you do a search).
Lighthouses in NYC, with links on a map.
Guide to beaches in NYC
Boating around the city:
- NYC Water Trail, a citywide map of waterway expeditions
- Kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse
- Free Kayaking at Pier 26 on the Hudson
- Free Kayaking at Pier 96 on the Hudson
- Free Kayaking in Queens, Long Island City
Fishing in the NYC Parks exists in every borough. In Manhattan you can fish at the Harlem Meer (catch-and-release) in Central Park near 110th St. & Fifth Ave. by a beautiful nature center on a pond, with bait and equipment supplied for free:
With the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, you can volunteer to work on the environment, or attend the annual Clearwater Festival, or tag along for one of their public sails. Departure points for sails vary, and include Brooklyn, Manhattan, and points north of NYC.
Visit the Dept. of Environmental Conservation, which offers Teaching about the Hudson River Estuary.
The Urban Park Rangers' Natural Classroom offers a program in water testing, monitoring the quality of the water at various locations in all five boroughs of NYC.

In Manhattan:

Hudson River Park, with several locations along Manhattan's west side, has a List of boat activities including boat building and historic vessels.
The River Project is a marine science field station at Pier 40, offering student tours and internships.
Rowing at Pier 40 at the Village Community Boathouse.
Fishing in NYC at the Harlem Meer in Central Park.
The South Street Seaport, on Fulton St. along the East River in Manhattan, has two historic vessels you can board, lots of shops, a great playground, and a packed events calendar. The first Sunday of every month, 2-4pm the Folk Music Society of NY hosts group singing of sea chanteys and maritime music at the South St. Seaport. Sing along or just listen!
At the American Museum of Natural History, you can spend a fascinating hour in the Hall of Ocean Life. For further diversion, seek out the Discovery Room nearby. Learn about ocean life using their online resources. You can search the AMNH website for educational resources on any science topic!
The Little Red Lighthouse, on the upper west side, usually offers a tour in the spring. Read more at NYC Parks and Historic House Trust. There is a children's book about this lighthouse, The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge by Hildegarde H. Swift.

In Brooklyn:

In Marine Park, at East 33rd St. and Ave. U, there is the Salt Marsh Nature Center where park rangers will guide kids in a hands-on marine bio experience. My son spent a delightful afternoon wading through the marsh searching for life. Call or check ahead to make sure the field house is open and operating. Even if it's closed, the marsh awaits young visitors. Try taking along a field guide such as Petersen's Young Birder's Guide.
The New York Aquarium is located in Coney Island, with indoor and outdoor exhibits including a touch tank. They also have teen internships.
Just for fun, the annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island is a hugely popular family event. More about the art of costume than marine biology, outlandish mermaids in homemade floats roll down Surf Avenue from W. 21st St. to 10th St., turning towards the water and ending up at the Boardwalk. Usually scheduled for the third Saturday in June, the parade is followed by a costume ball that evening at the Aquarium.

In Queens:

Jamaica Bay Park - Horseshoe Crabs. Every May and June the horseshoe crabs emerge on the beaches of Jamaica Bay Park. The NYC Audubon Society sponsors a counting in early May, and everyone is welcome to participate.
Alley Pond Park in Little Neck Bay and other city parks offer fishing, canoeing, and more.

In the Bronx:

Rocking the Boat offers free rowing every Saturday at Hunts Point Riverside Park. Their Youth Development program has teens building boats and restoring the environment.
City Island is an historic boat building community, just over the bridge from Orchard Beach and Pelham Bay Park (with golf, horseback riding and more). City Island a lovely place for a stroll after a meal at a seafood restaurant. Try eating at the Tony's Pier on the tip of the island, where you can take a basket of fried shrimp (or other foods) out to a picnic table and dine waterside. The small branch library at 320 City Island Ave. has a unique nautical book collection. The local historical society operates the City Island Nautical Museum at 190 Fordham St.

On Staten Island

Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden was once a home for retired sailors. They were self-sufficient and even had their own herd of cows. Now it commemorates the days of sailing around NYC. Don't miss the Noble Maritime Collection (named for marine artist John A. Noble). There is a free Shanty Sing here on the third Sunday of each month, 2-4p.m., co-sponsored by the Folk Music Society of New York. Shanties are the worksongs sung aboard ship to coordinate the work of raising the anchor, sails, etc.

Outside of NYC:

In Yonkers:

Just north of the Bronx, one block north of the Yonkers train station, you can learn about the Hudson River at the Bezack Environmental Center. Here is an interpretive center, a tidal marsh and park, and hands-on activities that introduce local marine biology.
The Yonkers Science Barge offers hands-on learning experiences, and teen internships for age 16 and up-- a great way to fulfill the high school science requirement.

In Connecticut:

Mystic Seaport, in Mystic, is a living history museum with tall ships and a wide array of programs and event for all ages. See Recommended Road Trip: Mystic, CT
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has an annual Homeschool Day with additional activities you can sign up for. They also offers study cruises into Long Island Sound and other fee-based programs.
In Stamford, Sound Waters on Cove Island Park has an environmental coastal center with a lab/smart board, touch tank, tiny aquarium and Youth Programs that you can book. (If you call, ask for discounts for homeschool groups.) Nearby, the Stamford Museum and Nature Center has nature and animal programs for kids and wetlands/streams to explore.

On Long Island:

Sag Harbor Whaling Museum shows the history of whaling and of Sag Harbor. See current news on their Facebook page.

Books about the sea and coast, for the very young and old:

Flotsam , by David Weisner, richly detailed illustrations show that theres life on the beach!>

The Little Island , by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard, an award-winning book showing an island through the changing seasons.

Amos & Boris , by William Steig, a timeless story of a mouse and a whale, by an award-winning author and illustrator.

The Wreck of the Zephyr , by Chris Van Allsberg, a beautifully illustrated story for anyone who loves and respects boats and the sea.

Time of Wonder , by Robert McCloskey, captures the feeling of summer in Maine. McCloskeys other much loved books for children include Blueberries for Sal , Make Way for Ducklings , and One Morning in Maine .

Marine Biology for kids:

Oceans: An Activity Guide for Ages 6-9 , by Nancy F. Castaldo, lots of good activities that might be adaptable for a slightly broader age range.
Janice Van Cleave's Oceans for Every Kid , for ages 8 and up, full of fun activities. I recommend the entire science series by Janice Van Cleave.
The Ocean Book describes Aquarium and Seaside Activities and Ideas for All Ages, by the Center for Marine Conservation, an educational guide with lessons for all ages.
The Marine Biology Coloring Book , by Thomas M. Niesen, is the equivalent of a freshman college course in this subject, but anyone age 9 and up and learn from coloring in the pages.
Look for these books used in places likes Thriftbooks.com.

Check out more marine biology resources and this home-made board game that tracks the migratory routes of four different whales.

Recommended Field Trips: Marine biology field trips in and around NYC