I meant to send this article out months ago. As busy as life can get sometimes, we should still make time to share. Maybe the season is over for NYC street fairs (they end in November), but they go on every year, so you will have the opportunity to enjoy them in the near future.
There are so many things I love about this great city and NYC Street Fairs happen to be one of them. They start in early spring and end in November. They are among my most favorite events to partake in because 1) they are free, 2) excellent and unique finds, and 3) they happen every single weekend until near/after Thanksgiving. Street fairs are great for the family as well as the individual. I’ve attended them both alone and with my little boy and hubby, and although the dynamics were different, the time spent was equally enjoyable.
When I go on my own, I am usually looking for unique items that will take me some time to find. I may street fair-hop—yes, you can find more than one street fair going on a particular weekend day—and many are in close proximity to each other! When I go with my family, we are pretty much there to spend some time together, walk around, and usually end up buying rather nifty ethnic items for ourselves and our son (African musical instruments made out of dried calabash exterior and cowrie shells, Ecuadorian finger puppets, Peruvian musical instruments/fare—rainstick or maracas, etc). It always ends up being a fun day and something we look forward to each weekend. Please visit my Reviews Page for links to the NYC/NY Street Fair schedules (many of these, you’ll need to revisit after the New Year for updated 2009 schedules).
Now that the holiday season is upon us, outdoor holiday malls are NYC’s answer to street fairs, but in the colder weather. As with street fairs, you are able to find unique gifts while enjoying the scenery. The best holiday malls seem to be at Union Square and Bryant Park. However, a small, lovely outdoor holiday mall that most people don’t know about is located at St. Bart’s Church. They have utilized their outdoor restaurant area to house most of the holiday mall, while a few tents are set up right on the sidewalk outside of the church. St. Bart’s is located on East 50th Street and Park Avenue (109 East 50th Street).
Enjoy!
