A generous 3 primarily because it's good to see cars off the streets and people being more active (though these aren't the type of people you'd like to see out*), even if just for 6 hours at a time a few days a year (naturally the NYC geniuses make it during the hottest months). The same geniuses call the 20s 'Midtown' and the 50s 'Uptown', perhaps for the first time ever by anyone who otherwise knows anything about Manhattan. There are larger Rest Stop gaps above the Astor one (and none seem to have restrooms, but at least most had hydration options), and none above 'uptown', so plan your visit accordingly. The 8/3/16 instance was fortunately not rained out, and none of the official rest stops were worth actually stopping (instead the best freebies were Vitamin Water and Kettle chips at random corners outside the formal event; the slide requires previous signup) (you're probably better off stopping at Union Square Greenmarket for a quick bite). In general in the southern portion, by the time you break through crowds you hit a stop point and get bottlenecked again, but ultimately we walked the whole ~7-mile route (stopping at each rest stop and catching every 'stop' at the arteries and other cross streets where there is traffic) in less than 90 minutes. So if you wanna know what the city looks like with no cars and have it not be an exercise in frustration, walk late at night or just look at photos... *parents deciding this is a great place for kids with training wheels or kids newly removed from training wheels to bike parents unable to maneuver strollers people taking photos of themselves at a dead stop facing the other way bicyclists who can't read the left for bikes/right for walkers signs and curse you out read more

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This was a great idea! Everything is free, even the zip line. We just put our names in at around 8:30 and we got a time slot for around 11 am. If you're planning to do this I would definitely get there early. Once they run out of time slots, you're out of luck for that day. Then we got yellow wrist bands and we only waited on line for about 20 minutes for our turn, which was definitely worth it. Closing down the streets to pedestrians was so cool and fun! I loved it! But if you have your own bike I wouldn't bother renting, even though its free. We had some friends with us who didn't have bikes and we were going to rent some but we ended up waiting on line for over an hour... :( Turns out they rent out all the bikes they have within the first 1-2 hours they're open and from there, you're basically just waiting for people to return them. You can only rent them for an hour at a time, so it hardly seemed worth the wait. We walked up from the zip line location to the soho location and got lots of free stuff there! Water bottles, key chain flashlight, coupons, a kickball, apple sauce samples.... love it! Definitely come to this! read more

Definitely a cool event to check out. We walked from the 40s all the way over the Brooklyn Bridge with nice break from cars. Rock climbing REI sets up is cool if you like that sort of thing. The Whole Foods area is rather insane. I give a ton of credit to these workers/volunteers at the booths all day. They are very generous with their samples but the wait times are crazy long. People waiting for protein shakes, small cups of iced coffee, and the free hot dog line- I don't even want to guess how long the wait was for that. There were a few booths with some energy bars and iced tea you could pick up after a 5 minute wait. If you want to do everything, leave your apartment at 7am. The tunnel of lights- forget about it. Tried both Saturdays and wait is ridiculously long after 10am. Just like any other free event in this city --- too many people!! Still a fun event to check out and it is great the city gives 3 weekends a year to biking and walking so much of the city car free. read more

Awesomeeeee! we just walked down Park Ave. I think I missed a lot of it since I got there late. But they had free bike and rollerblade rentals. They have water fountains for you to refill yoru bottles. The streets are cleared for you. Whole foods was also there - city picnic. We got free photos - one per person. They had food samples - drinks, hot dogs, greek frozen yogurt bars, sorbet, tortillas, applesauce, etc. They ran out of hot dogs RIGHT before me, but my friend was in front of me, so we split one. They told us they ran out of hot dogs, but I saw them pass a package to a worker after they closed up. I love events like these. I wish I got to bike and see everything else. read more

It's a great time to go for an exercise and enjoy being out when the city closes park ave from Brooklyn to central park 70ish street. There are about 4 or 5 pit stops where you can get some free stuff, fix your bike, and stop for a drink. It's better to go between 7-9am where there is not a lot of people because it gets crowded at the end of the day when it end at 1pm. I It's definitely fun and worth it for those who are looking to gt some exercise and see the city. read more

Awesome, awesome, awesome! This is one of THE things to do in New York during the summer. I went to one and a half of the weekends of Summer Streets. Last Saturday, I only managed to catch one of outdoor classes held outside Crunch gym on 12th Street. My friend and I participated in the Indian dance class, and had a blast dancing in the streets! As the class went on, the group got bigger and bigger so by the end of it, it felt like I was part of a Broadway musical production. As well as being fun, I worked up quite a sweat and had to go to my gym nearby to shower. Yesterday (the last Saturday of Summer Streets), I forced myself to go to sleep at a reasonable hour (before midnight!) so I could partake in more activities. I busted out the old roller blades and started at the Foley Square rest stop. At 10 am, there was a long line for the free bike rentals but still a short line at the Honest Tea sample stand. I worked my way up from Foley Square, learned how to fix a flat bike tire at the SoHo rest stop, got a free frozen banana popsicle at the Uptown rest stop and worked my way back down from Central Park. The road from Foley Square to SoHo was a bit too rough for me on my roller blades but the rest was pretty smooth sailing. By the time my latecomer friends got there, most things we passed by had long lines. Even a Citi Bike booth where they were just giving away free stickers! I didn't participate in much of the activities because there were long lines for the fun stuff like rock climbing and free samples. But if you're the type that just enjoys being active whether it be by biking, jogging, roller blading, skate boarding, or even strolling down the New York City streets, DEFINITELY check this out. read more

First time coming! As most reviewers say EARLIER THE BETTER!!!!! I Biked from canal street to central park in less than one hour :D I like the stop/go volunteers somehow they are funny to me LOL! Enjoy the BREEZE in central park be careful of the speedy bikes pedal straight and don't stop~! Oh becareful there is no RESTROOMS :D read more

Summer Streets is back again for August 2010 (and happening right now if you read this right away!) You have the chance to experience biking in the city in a way that isn't possible except 3/4 days a year. Park Avenue is closed to traffic (except some cross streets that are controlled crossings) and you can bike/run/walk/dance your way from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park. If you are not big on biking in Manhattan I would suggest going early so that you can bike there and back before they open the streets back up to traffic. Park Avenue is closed to cars from 7am-1pm and they have scheduled activities along the route. This year there are dumpster pools! For all the activities look here (http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets/html/activities/activities.shtml). I like to swing by Union Squares market on my way up to grab some food to bring up to Central Park for a picnic. read more

SUMMER STREETS I'm certain there will be few if any New Yorkers upstate that have any idea of what the term "Summer Streets" identifies with or what it represented. I had the good fortune to chance upon Summer Streets while visiting my son, Michael on the August 21 weekend, 2010 and was rewarded with an exhilarating experience that continues to spur pleasurable memories of the city. While visiting my son, Park Avenue inhabitants awoke to a quiet Saturday morning that they had never experienced before in prior years. There were no screeching tires, loud mufflers, brakes, horns, nor could they sense the rhythmic motion of any normal city traffic. Looking down from Michael's apartment on Park Avenue South, there were no cars, cabs, or trucks in sight. Bicyclist, skaters, skate boarders, and pedestrians were welcomed to share the enormity of both sides of the avenue as far north or south as one could see. Unbelievable as it may sound, three Saturdays in August, Park Avenue belonged to its inhabitants and guest from six o'clock am to one o'clock pm, compliments of the Mayor and the City of New York. While observing the phenomenon of Park Avenue, my son suggested I borrow his bike and enjoy a short ride. Not having ridden a bike in years, I might have been hesitant, but I was too excited, and I was downstairs almost immediately ready to enjoy in the euphoria. Although I wobbled half a block before I could sustain a straight path, I was on my way. I cannot explain the feeling of that day, but I do remember shouting "Fantastic" to all that were in my range. What first drew my attention to its oddity was the realization that under these conditions I could observe more than I have ever observed as a pedestrian. Moreover, unlike pedestrians, we Park Avenue sightseers, street dwellers, or atypical playmates were ecstatic being entertained in the most simplistic forum by the fascinating playground beneath our feet. Laughter and conversations radiated from all ages as I bicycled toward Grand Central Station. Continuing north, I coasted four or five blocks before slowing down to observe a gathering of people who had settled on the corner, two blocks from the station. Curious, I decided to stop, and pulled into the curb. Making way through the crowd, I could not believe my eyes. Here on Park Avenue stood three makeshift swimming pools constructed from large disposal bins painted blue and sun decked with umbrellas readily available to anyone seeking a twenty-minute relaxation in the cool water. I broke for about ten minutes before following the next swell of adventurers in the long line preceding me and cycled unbelievingly to seventy-second street where I found myself entering Central Park. I took a ten minute break enjoying the music from a harmonica player and joined in a chorus of "Take me out to the ballpark" with two young boys who requested the song. The songfest ended with the theme from Dr. Zhivago and I rode along the park returning to Park Avenue and started back. It was hard pumping at times but I managed, having the time of my life. Reaching my starting point at 28th and Park, to my surprise my son was on the median waiting for me, a cell phone in his hand talking to my daughter. Expecting me to stop, I waved him off and continued south another fourteen blocks where it ended at Union Square. Peddling back, I completed the most joyous bicycle ride this seventy-seven year old man has ever experienced looking forward to August 2011 to return to the Miracle on Park Ave... Peter Kajano 119 Rockefeller Rd. Apt 204 Delmar, N.Y. 12054 . read more

This was 2nd year in a row doing this event. Absolutely one of the best events to do in the City & it's FREE. They have free Bike Rentals & Roller Blade rentals. There is a free Rock Wall to do & a free Zip Line (zip line books up real early so if you are planning on doing that get there early). It was booked for the day by 7:30am. There is a whole food market picnic area with free food samples from yogurts, cheeses, peanut butter, hot dogs to sorbets. They close down Park Avenue from the mid 50's down to the Bklyn. Bridge from 7:00am to 1:00pm. You can walk, bike and roller blade without any vehicles on the road. read more

First weekend of Summer Streets - it was raining, but that didn't stop us. The lines are a bit intense because of all the vendors and freebies, but it's definitely worth checking out. read more

free bike tune up free helmet free sport bottle free food, drinks and other stuff that I forgot. Free things is always better! It's cool to be able to go to through the MetLife Building. Only events like this will allow you walk/bike through it. So I suppose it's a good experience and plus I got to take a awesome picture of the building. It was a bit crowded and there are slow people on this path. People do stop out of nowhere and pedestrians walk on the bike lane. When I use my bell, they still don't move out of the way. A bit annoying.. so yeah just enjoy your ride if you are biking. Just bike slowly and don't be in a rush! read more

I finally got around to experiencing this a few months ago. It was great albeit a tad warmer than I like, but worth it. Go early if you don't have a bike for their free rentals or suck it up and head to a local bike rental shop beforehand. read more

I think I went back to my childhood today. Biking on Park Avenue, not worrying about cars, passing through amazing buildings and seeing details of the city I had never noticed before was amazing. Everyone walking, biking, enjoying their time. This might be the best free event NYC offers. It is obvious that it takes a lot of time and coordination and work for NYC DOT, but it is worth it. Will be back next week! read more

I first heard of summer streets and participated in it last year. I had a lot of fun last year that I went again this year and plan on going every year. It's usually 3 consecutive Saturdays in August from 7 AM to 1 PM. Where you can walk, run, ride from Brooklyn Bridge Park all the way to Central Park car and traffic free. However, it's not completely car and traffic free as there are a few streets where they have to let cars across. You get to go through the MetLife building which is usually not accessible by pedestrians, so remember to get a picture. Along the way you can get a free helmet and fitting. I would suggest going early to avoid sizes or colors running out. The line for the helmet looks long but we only wait about 15 minutes for our helmet. There's also a whole foods picnic where you can pick up free food and drinks. They have like hotdogs, ice cream, bars, juice, cookies, muffins, and more. The lines do get long but it moves along quickly. It's a great event that people should wake up early to participate in. read more

I happened to be in NYC on the last weekend they held this. It's a great event lasting from 7am in the morning until 1 pm for 3 Saturdays in August. They basically close down Park Avenue from the Brooklyn bridge leading up into central park. They were renting out bikes and roller blades for people if they wanted to but there were many people just running or walking the course. There are places where we would have to stop to let car through but it wasn't that much of an inconvenience. There were several water stations set up to drink from and had a special spigot to accommodate water bottles. There were several stops that featured vendors like whole foods and REI giving out free samples of stuff. I think the REI stop had a rock climbing wall and a yoga class too. The only problem I had with the event were with some of the participants. There were a group of people using the event to march on the course to protest something. There were people cycling who just don't know proper cycling etiquette, such as not passing on the left and warning others that they are passing them. read more

Started off on 40th street and park, nothing much was there besides muscle milk and massages. Walked down to 25th and that was where the fun began! It was pouring in the morning but thank god it stopped by 10. Did a quick tour in the picnic area, boy they know how to stuff you up with snacks and drinks! There were yogurt, peanut butter, coffee, apple sauce, organic hotdogs, greek yogurt ice cream, sorbet, cheese and crackers, snack bars and etc! After pigging out for a little bit, we quickly went to the bike rental on 25th. The line was long but it was a long wait because they needed to wait for bikes to come back. Anyhow, we probably waited like 40 mins or so, the ride was worth the wait! Biked down a little pass chinatown to the federal reserve building area. There was zip lining in that area and zumba class! By the time we were done with the biking it was already 12. All the other activities had long lines... We headed back to the picnic area and it was crowded! Overall, this event was super fun! I wish it was every saturday during the summer! read more

I went with four people. We got to Foley Square at 9:10 am. The zip line, which went about a 1/2 block, was totally sold out! That seemed unfair. They had a sign posted saying they were sold out at 7:30am. There should definitely be another system set up, so that people are aware of that in advance, and do not waste time going there. We enjoyed the free food court that Whole Foods set up. The franks, ice cream, apple sauce, juice and other items were tasty. We did have an opportunity to try out and enjoy the rock climbing wall. Lots of fun! It was small but the line was not too long and everyone had a chance to try to climb to the top. What I did not like, was the fact that there were no bathrooms at all! If you decided to walk run or bicycle there were absolutely no restrooms anywhere. I would have liked to wash my hands, before I had something to eat. You were completely dependent upon local business to let you use their restroom. That seemed incorrect. There should have been a few of the pay restrooms set up at the rest stations. There is one in Madison Square Park. I do not know why none were set up for the large crowds running, walking and biking. Aside from that it was a nice day and a good time was had by all. read more