People often say the best time to visit New York City is during Christmas season. There are pretty lights everywhere you go, cute and cozy coffee shops, intimate bakeries, free ice-skating, great sales and, of course, the beauty of Central Park covered in snow. While I am a firm believer that there is no bad time of the year in the city, I have recently discovered that if I had to choose a time of year as my favorite, I would no longer choose Christmas time.
(Pictured: Stone Street, Manhattan)
Summer in NYC is by far the best season, for tourists and residents alike. Everywhere you turn, there is another free activity going on, another cool event, a parade, a festival, a party, a boat ride; the list goes on. So many of these activities simply cannot be done in cold weather, so if you haven’t already, it is time to take advantage of summer in the city! Here’s a guide to help!
Free Kayaking
There are several locations scattered around Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn that offer free Kayaking and other fun water activities. While our rivers may not be the cleanest, they still offer a worthwhile experience of gliding alongside the city with friends. Or, actually take the sport seriously and break a sweat! Check out these companies for more info:
http://www.downtownboathouse.org/free-kayaking/
http://www.bbpboathouse.org
http://www.licboathouse.org
Food Festivals
Everyone knows New York has some of the best restaurants and chefs in the world, but summertime gives lesser-known cooks from all over a chance to showcase their talents through food and drink festivals. There are food and drink festivals nearly every weekend, so here are just a few of the upcoming ones:
Harlem Restaurant crawl
Queens Botanical Brew Fest
Battle of the Burger
Tastes from Around the World
NYC Food and Wine Festival
NYC Water-Gun Fight
Every year, Central Park hosts a very popular, very crowded, very '90s-inspired water fight. Get your swimsuits, grab a couple drinks, and go with some friends to feel like a kid again! Or, take your young cousin or the kids you babysit! No matter who you go with it can be a blast if you get in the right mindset.
Restaurant Week
Restaurant Week in NYC is HOLY. It is a three-week-long food festival where the best (and often most expensive) restaurants serve a three-course prix-fixe lunch ($25) and dinner ($38) menu. While these prices are still not cheap, it is a great deal considering the portions and quality of the food you are served. Check out French Restaurant week (happening right now!) and the classic NYC restaurant week.
Public Yoga Classes
With more and more people discovering their love of yoga, it seems the city has done the same. Locations like Bryant Park have been offering outdoor public yoga classes for the masses! If you are not shy and want to salute the sun alongside hundreds of other New Yorkers, then this is definitely something you should try.
Rooftop Brunch
Brunch is always a good idea, but it is especially good when you can tan simultaneously. Check out Time Out New York’s guide to NYC rooftop brunches with a view!
Booze Cruises
Booze cruises are a great idea if you have friends visiting from out of town, or if you are a tourist yourself. They are a chance to cool off, admire great skyline views, and, let's be honest, get your money’s worth from the bar. Check out these cruise lines for more info:
http://newyorkboozecruise.com
http://freedomofny.com/schedule.php
http://afterworkcruises.com/index.php
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/185631
Beer Gardens
Authentic Czech and German Beer Gardens are always a crowd favorite. With original themes, fun people and great quality beer (and food), a NYC “biergarten” should be at the top of your bucket list. Astoria is home to the oldest one in the city: Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden. This place has been around for 100 years and is still the best. Or check out any of the top beer gardens from these lists:
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/bars/best-beer-gard...
http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2011/07/beer-ga...
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/guide/new-york-citys-b...
Trapeze Lessons over the River
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, definitely check out NYC’s trapeze school! They offer trapeze classes right over the Hudson River and recently added a new location in Long Island City. It is something you have probably never done before, and are not likely to ever do again, so give it a shot!
Rooftop Pools
New York is home to some of the most famous hotels in the world. In the summer months, many of these hotels open their rooftop pools to throw fun pool parties with great DJ's. Some are even open to the public, but for those that aren't, there is almost always a way to get in.
Shakespeare in the Park/Shakespeare at Sunset
Whether you are an avid theater goer or just want to check out what the hype is all about, Shakespeare in the Park and Shakespeare at Sunset are free shows with professional actors that never disappoint!
Outdoor Movies
Every spring and summer, several parks and rooftops host outdoor public movie viewings. Audiences are often filled by groups of twenty-somethings picnicking or couples on a date. (Check out this list and calendar for more info.)
New York and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
The New York Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Botanical Garden are beautiful, expansive gardens that are easy to get to and provide a peaceful experience, which make you forget you are in the middle of a city.
Biking in Governors Island
While Governors Island is well known for its historic buildings and hosting music festivals such as Governors Ball, many New Yorkers forget how great a place it is for biking! The island is super easy to get to by ferry and is full of bike paths looping around parks and fields. They even offer bike rentals for those of us without our own.
Nearby Beaches
Lucky for New Yorkers, we basically get the best of both worlds in the summer. When you just want to relax on a quiet beach, The Hamptons, Fire Island, or Shelter Island are just a train ride away. Or, you can just as easily get to beaches with more of a social scene like Coney Island, Rockaway Beach, Jones Beach, etc. Here’s a list of all the nearby beaches you can get to without a car!
Nearby Wine Vineyards
With all of these, plus countless other activities and events I haven't even mentioned, there is no need for winter to come back any time soon.
