Summer Streets 2018 takes place along Park Avenue on Saturdays in August. (Toshi Sasaki/Getty Images)

Summer Streets, a seven-mile-long festival for anyone and everyone, returns to New York for Saturdays in August. On Aug. 4, 11 and 18, Park Avenue will be closed between the Brooklyn Bridge and East 72nd Street from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the public to walk, run, and bike. Summer Streets will feature plenty of activities along the route, all of which are free.

Summer Streets is an annual event put on by the New York City Department of Transportation, with help from numerous partners, many of whom sponsor events along the street.

Things to Do at Summer Streets 2018

What is there to do at Summer Streets 2018? Plenty! There are five rest stops along the way, all of which feature activities, performances, and more. And while the infamous water slide may not be returning this year, there are still plenty of highlights.

Zip Line Down Centre Street

This 165-foot-long, 30-foot-high zip line is one of the highlights at Summer Streets every year. Participants can zoom down Centre Street, taking in a bird’s-eye view of New York City. Since this is one of the more popular attractions at Summer Streets, participants should arrive before 8 a.m. to secure a time slot. The zip line can be found at the Foley Square rest stop. More info here.

Climbing Wall and Obstacle Course

At the Astor Place stop, New Yorkers can scale an 8-foot climbing wall and run through an obstacle course. Harnesses and ropes aren’t necessary. The obstacle course has accessible features so everyone can complete, and it can always be made more difficult by trying to race through it for a prize. Or just try to race a friend!

Free Samples!

At the Midtown rest stop between East 24th and 25th streets, there will be a “Food and Beverage Sampling Zone,” where visitors can try different drinks and snacks from various vendors. It’s a great way to get a little bit of food before continuing down Park Avenue.

Learn to Inline Skate

Go! Sports USA will provide free skate rentals, along with free learn-to-skate clinics at its Skate Station, also at the Midtown stop. If skating has always seemed cool but a bit too intimidating for you, now’s your chance!

Take a Walking Tour

There will be several walking tours throughout the three Saturdays, showcasing the city’s architecture, parks and art. For example, the “Mansions, Money and Scandal: Gilded Age Splendor on the Upper East Side” tour held by the Municipal Art Society will take guests on a twisted history of the Upper East Side’s architecture and key players, such as Vanderbilt and Frick. The tour begins at 10 a.m. on Aug. 18 from the Uptown stop.

Bike Through NYC — Without Cars

There will be several free bike rentals along the seven miles of closed streets for guests to take out for a ride. For those who love biking but hate the hassle of NYC traffic, this is perfect. Check out the Bike & Roll rentals at the Foley Square stop to ride all the way through Summer Streets!

Watch a Performance

There will be many opportunities to catch a performance throughout the three Saturdays. Performance stages are at the Uptown and Midtown stops, with pop-up performances happening at Foley Square. Music of all genres, dance, theatre, martial arts and more will be showcased on the stages.

Summer Streets 2018 takes place on Aug. 4, 11, and 18, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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