8 Things you MUST do in NYC this Summer
1. The New York Botanical Garden:
Wander through 250 acres of historic landscapes and lush plant life in New York’s famous botanical garden. The garden hosts more than one million plants and 900,000 visitors each year. People flock to see the vibrant tropical, temperate, and desert flora as well as special exhibitions and events that happen regularly.
This summer check out “FRIDA KAHLO: Art. Garden. Life.”, which is the first exhibition to highlight Kahlo’s appreciation for plant imagery and nature in her artwork. The exhibition includes more than a dozen original artworks and recreates her famous garden studio in Casa Azul, her home in Mexico City.
Details: May 16th – November 1st 2015, $20 a ticket.
2. Smorgasburg at Brooklyn Flea:
The famous Brooklyn Flea is an outdoor market featuring 100 different food vendors from across the area selling fresh food and other food related items. This taste bud exhilarating event happens every Saturday on the Williamsburg waterfront at East River State Park from 11am-6pm, rain or shine. It is always free and has plenty of seating and open space to make the perfect Saturday picnic overlooking the Manhattan skyline.
Don’t forget to try: Blue Marble Icecream (organic ice cream from Brooklyn), Red Hook Lobster Pound (lobster rolls and seafood right from the Maine Coast), Brooklyn Soda Works (freshly made sodas made from fruit and herbs), and of course the famous Ramen Burger (a burger with ramen noodles as the buns).
3. Coney Island:
New York’s historic and beloved Coney Island is packed full of exciting things to do for all ages. With miles of beautiful beach and amusement parks, this is a perfect day trip out of the city that is sure to be worth it.
Don’t forget to try: Dino’s famous “Wonder Wheel” ferris wheel, a Nathan’s famous hot dog, and watch the free fireworks every Friday night in the summer at 9:30pm. For a full list of food and events check here!
4. Rooftop Bar:
You can’t visit NYC and not check out one of the swanky rooftop bars that all New Yorkers flock to as soon as the weather warms up. What is better than outdoor drinking while viewing the Manhattan skyline? Yea, pretty much nothing.
Here’s 3 articles that highlight the best rooftop escapes (including alcohol) for every area in the city:
· Bonus points: if you can sneak your way into one of the city’s super elusive rooftop swimming pools (some of them located on rooftop bars and hotels). Want some pointers? Here you go. Goodluck!
5. Bryant Park:
Any New Yorker knows this spot is one of the quintessential parks for fun events in the summer. From tai chi to Jazz performances, there’s something for everyone.
Check out: Bryant Park’s HBO Film Festival that features movies such as Ghostbusters, Footloose, and Back to the Future. This summer evening event is perfect for a date or fun get together. Feel free to bring your own picnic, but get there early…it gets crowded! Mondays, 5pm June 22nd – Aug 24th
6. The Metropolitan Museum of Art:
This iconic New York City museum located near Central Park houses more than 2 million pieces of art spanning much of the history of human culture. The museum is famous as a home of renowned paintings, porcelain, musical instruments, historical artifacts, costumes and more.
One of it’s latest and most popular exhibitions is the China: Through the Looking Glass exhibit. This exhibition explores the impact of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. In this collaboration between The Costume Institute and the Department of Asian Art, high fashion is juxtaposed with Chinese costumes, paintings, porcelains, and other art, including films, to reveal enchanting reflections of Chinese imagery.
7. Lincoln Center: Out of Doors Concert Series
Enjoy longstanding favorites and discover something new when Out of Doors brings three jam-packed weeks of world-class music, dance, and spoken word to the plazas of Lincoln Center. And it’s absolutely FREE! This outdoor summer concert series features acts such as Jungle Fire, Wycliffe Gordon, Afropunk, Lionbabe, Vintage Trouble and many more.
General info here: http://lcoutofdoors.org/general-information
Over 5 million people have seen this New York City tradition since it was first staged in the park’s Delacorte Theater in 1962. This year the production will include The Tempest, starring Oscar nominee Sam Waterston (The Killing Fields, Law & Order) and directed by Tony nominee Michael Greif, from May 27 to July 5. The park will also host performances of the bard's late romance Cymbeline, July 27–August 23. Tony winner Daniel Sullivan, who helmed last year’s production of King Lear, returns to direct. As always, all performances are FREE!
