Labor Day weekend is the date many visitors treat as the end of the outdoor season in New York. It is not. Early September still has room for one open-air museum stop inside the city and one beach drive out of it.
Terracotta ornaments on a Staten Island lawn
The west side lawn of the Biddle House in Tottenville holds Alice's Terracotta Garden, an outdoor exhibit by NYC Parks and the Tottenville Historical Society. Its antique terracotta pieces come from Tottenville's Atlantic Terra Cotta Company and look back at the early 20th century architectural styles used around New York and the US.
Tottenville sits at the quieter south end of Staten Island, so the crowd pressure of Midtown does not apply. You stand on grass the whole visit. That means the weather forecast matters more than any entry timing. If this becomes a full Staten Island day, our Staten Island guide is a better starting point than a random search for transit details.
A Jersey boardwalk that still runs
If the goal is ocean air and a noisy stretch of rides, the New Jersey coast is still reachable as a long day trip. Secret NYC's roundup points drivers to the Wildwoods boardwalk, roughly 2.5 miles long and set up with more than 100 rides. The strip was voted the best boardwalk in the country in the 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, according to the roundup.
This is a driving excursion, not a subway trip. Treat it as a full day out of the city.
Best tours and tickets in New York
Curated from Viator. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry
Related guides
NYC Fall 2026 Events: Arte Museum Deal, Hispanic Heritage Month, Halloween Plans
Low-priced anniversary tickets at Arte Museum New York, Hispanic Heritage Month events, a new NYTW play and the 2026 Halloween lineup.
Read more →West Indian Day Parade 2026: Eastern Parkway Shuts Sept 7 for 7 Hours, and a Retired Ferry
Eastern Parkway closes 7 hours for Brooklyn's West Indian Day Parade on Sept 7. Also: Staten Island fair and free comedy tickets on a retired ferry.
Read more →The Edge Observation Deck Is NYC's Highest Open-Air View at 1,131 Feet
The Edge at Hudson Yards is the Western Hemisphere's highest open-air deck at 1,131 feet. Check Playbill for Broadway shows and avoid foxes on Staten
Read more →9/11 25th Anniversary in NYC: Memorials, Crowds and Weekend Events
NYC marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 on Sept 11, 2026. Expect crowds in lower Manhattan, a Brooklyn memorial, and weekend events.
Read more →JFK Ends Curbside Uber and Lyft Pickups at Terminals 5 and 7: What Arrivals Do Now
Uber and Lyft pickups are off the curb at JFK Terminals 5 and 7. The AirTrain workaround, plus beach swimming ends September 13.
Read more →9/11 Memorial Opens to the Public for the 25th Anniversary: What Travelers Should Expect
The 9/11 Memorial opens for the 25th anniversary with a night-sky tribute and new exhibitions. How to plan a visit to lower Manhattan.
Read more →Editorial summary produced with AI support and reviewed. Facts are as reported by the sources linked in the text. Verify anything important before you act on it. Spotted an error? Use the contact form and we will correct it.
All prices and times on this page are ESTIMATES and change often. They are a starting point from an independent editor, never official or guaranteed figures. Always check the final price and the opening hours with the official venue or operator before you book or travel.
