If you live in the New York City area, you can probably agree with me that this past winter season felt like the longest one ever! And so far we’ve been teased with a few blissful sunny days, offering the promise that summer fun is just around the corner. While we wait for summer to stop draggin’ its ass, take advantage of these fun events and activities while its not too hot, and not too cold.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/didier/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
1. The Whitney Biennial
Now through May 30th, 2010. General Admission $18, “Pay-what-you-wish” admission on Fridays from 6-9pm.
If you’ve never been to the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum in NYC, you should most definitely go! Especially now because this year marks the seventy-fifth edition of the Whitney’s signature exhibition. So, whether you’re an art aficionado, or you’re one of those people that’s always saying, “I should go check out art more often”, get on up there! The exhibit includes dozens of artists, and mediums ranging from paintings and sculpture to photography, video, installations, and much more.
2. Paintball
What’s more fun than getting a bunch of friends together and shooting the shit out of each other all day long out in the wilderness? Plan a fun group trip to Skirmish and take out your aggressions on your buddies. With about a 2-hour drive from the city, and about $80/person you can get all the equipment you need and a full day of paintball fun. Its best to go before the weather gets too hot because you’ll want to wear the full-coverage fatigues, goggles, neck protector, and possibly some padding if you’re concerned about getting hit at close range. Check the Skirmish website for special discounted days like Half-Price Paint days and Ladies Play Free days!
3. Beer Gardens & Breweries
This one’s a no-brainer. A large picnic table full of friends and a couple of nice big frothy pitchers o’ suds? I have a feeling most people will be doing this every weekend of the summer. Take my recommendation: If you’ve never visited the Brooklyn Brewery, get on over there this summer. They offer a brief tour on weekends throughout the afternoon, and then you can sit and get wasted to your hearts content in their indoor area. Looking for an outdoor Beer Garden? You have to visit Bohemian Hall. Over 100 years old, Bohemain Hall was once a Czech and Slovak social club, and still reeks with that old-timey feel, with its stone walls and a menu full of authentic Czech dishes. With a massive outdoor area, and , you could get totally lost in this place, or in your beer mug.
On the New Jersey side of the river? Check out Zeppelin Hall in my hood, Jersey City. Zeppelin Hall is newer, and has both large indoor and outdoor areas. They boast a selection of 144 beers, and also serve traditional foods like wursts, but also common american food like burgers and wings.
4. Ninth Avenue International Food Festival
May 15th & 16th, 2010. Rain or Shine!
If you find yourself bored on this May weekend, or perhaps just monumentally hungry, go join the hoards of people who will be chowing down at the 37th annual Ninth Ave Food Festival held on Ninth Avenue between 42nd & 57th Streets. Sample cuisines including Greek, Italian, Spanish, and much more. Its FREE. Eat like Dom DeLoise, then go hiking to burn that shit off.
5. Memorial Day Hangover Hike & Nap
Memorial Day
So after you scope out some art, shoot your bro in the face, and get nice and rolly-polly at the food fest, its time to plan some more outdoor excursions! And if you’re short on time and want to cram some hiking in the same holiday weekend as getting shit-hammered three nights in a row, check out the Memorial Day Hangover Hike & Nap trip offered by Urban Escapes! The trip starts with breakfast at a cute diner outside of the city, followed by an easy nature-walk to a lake-side spot perfect for napping. This trip is not sold out yet, so you still have time to get in on it.
6. Horseback Riding
I grew up horseback riding, and its something I try to do at least a couple times each summer. Its best to go on a nice sunny day, when the ground is dry, and the temperature enjoyable for both rider and horse. Check out any of these city spots which offer guided tours by horseback for beginners. I personally enjoy riding at the Silver Bit & Spur farm in New Jersey, where they let you take the horses out on wooded trails without a guide – a nice option if you’re a confident rider, or have one in your group.
Brooklyn – http://www.kensingtonstables.com/
Central Park – http://www.riverdaleriding.com/
Pelham Bay, Bronx http://www.bronxequestriancenter.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scurzuzu/ / CC BY-NC 2.0
7. Hanami Cherry Blossom Viewing & Sakura Matsuri Festival
Now through May 2, 2010 / May 1st & 2nd, at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Rain or Shine!
Hanami is a month-long celebration of the Japanese cultural tradition of enjoying the Cherry Blossom season. So, go get cultured at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The celebration culminates with a weekend event: the Sakura Matsuri Festival. Take in the amazing beauty of the public gardens, while enjoying traditional and contemporary Japanese music, performance, ikebana, and demonstrations. A Japanese menu will also be served in one of the food pavilions.
8. Walk the Bridges from Brooklyn to Manhattan
When beautiful weather hits, there’s no better way to enjoy an active yet relaxing and inspiring afternoon than walking across one of the bridges from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Take either the Brooklyn Bridge or the Manhattan Bridge, and take in the fresh air and refreshing scenery. Once you get across to Manhattan from either bridge, you can easily walk right into Chinatown for some much-deserved Dim Sum!
9. Bike Trip to Governors Island
Among the dozens of bike routes to enjoy in NYC and surrounding areas is Governor’s Island, where you can pedal casually down a tree-lined path, with historic Victorian buildings on one side, waterfront views on the other, and not a car in sight. Ride your own bike and take the ferry from Manhattan, or check out Bike and Roll, a bike tour company that offers rentals and guide maps. The cycling route includes Governors Island’s entire 2.2-mile waterfront promenade.
10. Plant a window box, or patio garden full of Herbs
Now is the perfect time to start getting your outdoor space or window boxes ready for summer by cleaning up, getting some cute pots and garden accessories, and planting fresh herbs! You can buy herbs that have already been grown a little, plant them in a sunny spot, then enjoy cooking, and making drinks with them all summer long!