I used to hate the summer. Heat, humidity, sand in my crack. But the older I get, the more I enjoy the rare amount of sunlight I get compared to the days spent at a desk, the time I get to spend with my friends and loved ones, and getting out and doing things I don’t always make the time for in the cooler seasons. If I could give you one piece of advice to make your life better, it would be to not let this summer pass without getting out, enjoying every beautiful day, and shaking it up with some different activities. Here are some suggestions of some fun summertime activities you can do in the NYC area. In the words of Will Smith, “put your car on cruise, and lay back… cuz this is summertime”.
1. Vintage Shopping and Killer eating… at the FLEA!
Sometimes you just have the urge to shop, but on a gorgeous summer day have no desire to feel the absolutely horrible choking affect brought on by the mere thought of visiting a mall or shopping district. One of the absolutely best days I had last summer was hanging out at the outdoor Brooklyn Flea market. I perused vintage and handmade wares, soaked up some much-needed sun, and ate amazing artisan foods. I snacked on a wide range of delicious treats including Pupusas (salvadoran corn cakes filled with cheeses, meats, or veggies), lobster rolls, and homemade ginger ice cream. What’s even better: I also came home with an amazing frame from the late 1800s, a shapely dress from the 60’s, and a pair of brand new vintage Bruno Magli shoes that only cost me $15. Score!
photo by xxooox on Flickr
2. The Great Outdoors is my Regal Cinemas
Yes! One of the best things about summer is totally watching movies in a park or on a rooftop or whatever. Bring a blanket, snacks, maybe a little flask o’ sumpthin on the DL, and take in a flick in a place where your feet don’t stick to the floor and the seating doesnt make you smell like old man. Check out some of these suggestions for taking in an outdoor movie in New York:
The Brooklyn Bridge “Movies with a View” Series, Thursdays
Annie Hall 7/8, Big Lebowski 7/22, Rear Window 7/29, Indian Jones & the Last Crusade 8/26
L Magazine Summer Screen, Wednesdays at McCarren Park, Brooklyn
Say Anything 7/7, Labyrinth 7/14, Romeo & Juliet 7/21, Dead Man 7/28, Point Break 8/11
Movies Under the Stars, Wednesdays at Pier 1 Riverside Park South
Neverending Story 7/7, Pans Labyrinth 7/14, Big Fish 8/4
Rooftop Film Noir Series, Thursdays at the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center
Laura 7/8, Double Indemnity 7/15, Sunset Boulevard 7/22, All About Eve 7/29
Vault of Horror Flicks, Fridays at the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center
Freaks 8/6, Invasion of the Body Snatchers 8/13, Night of Living Dead 8/20, Rosemary’s Baby 8/27
RiverFlicks for Grown Ups, Wednesdays at Pier 54
The Hangover 7/7, I Love You, Man 7/14, The Proposal 7/21, District 9 7/28, Star Trek 8/18
photo by mjstewart on Flickr
3. Walk the Line… The Highline, That Is
The Highline opened last year, and for those of you who haven’t heard about it, it is a re-designed and landscaped old elevated train structure that runs along a portion of Manhattan’s West Side. You can enter the Highline via various entrances in Chelsea and just, y’know, take a walk. Killer date night: Walk the highline from Gansevoort St to 20th while the sun sets, then head on over to Blossom for an amazing vegetarian dinner, then across the street to Billy’s Bakery for a sweet treat.
photo by rexroof on Flickr
4. Moonlight Kayaking & Canoeing
DUDE! Okay, this is something I really wanted to do last year but I’m lazy and I don’t keep a car anymore. However, it’s definitely on my list of must-do’s this year. If you’re willing to make the trek to Point Pleasant, PA whenever the next full moon comes around, River Country has a “Full Moon Splash” outing. Choose Canoe or Kayak, and choose your fate, as you navigate the river by nothing but the light in the night sky. Just one thing: I feel it only fair to warn you…the website for this place is fucking crazy.
photo by wendylinx on Flickr
5. Rock Out in the Summertime: Music Festivals
Siren Festival, Saturday July 17th
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Village Voice’s Siren Music Fest, annually held in Coney Island. This year’s acts include Ted Leo & The Pharmacists and ehhhhh some other bands. It’s free and all-ages.
McCarren Park Pool Parties
The McCarren Park Pool is still where it was, but this year the Rock ‘n Roll that used to hang out there is moving toward the Williamsburg waterfront along the East River between North 8th & North 9th Streets. Acts this year include Band of Horses, Silversun Pickups, Spoon, Pavement, Faith No More, and many more. So, if you want it all but you can’t have it, you can always get tickets to one of these shows and go get awesome.
Warm Up at PS1
The PS1 art museum’s summer music series kicks off July 3rd and will take place every Saturday from 2-9pm through September 4th. $15 admission gets you into WarmUp, where you can hang out, listen to music and drink beer all under the cover of whatever crazy structure they have built on the grounds at the time. Admission also includes all exhibitions. Check here for upcoming performance schedules.
photo by beef_taco_supreme on Flickr
6. Put me in the ZOO
When selecting some fun summer activities I pretty much cut out anything that had to do with children (sorry parents). Zoo-going, however, is a grand exception, because watching an orangutan wear a bucket on its head is just fun, no matter who you are.
Bronx Zoo
Right now the Bronx Zoo has some new additions to their family, including three 5-month-old lion cubs, a bear cub, and new baby lemurs from Madagascar!
Prospect Park Zoo & Central Park Zoo
Go watch some cute little guys get fed. Harbor Seal, Penguin & Sea Lion Feedings regularly. Visit www.centralparkzoo.com and www.prospectparkzoo.com for info.
Turtle Back Zoo
Check out “Night Moves”, a special guided tour once-a-month on summer evenings. Walk with a flashlight and observe the animals at night.
photo by wallyg on Flickr
7. Peach Picking
People typically wait for Fall to go picking things like pumpkins and squashes. But don’t forget those farms in summertime. July to August is prime peach-picking season, to be followed shortly by apple season! Farms like Alstede Farms, Demarest Farms, Melick’s Town Farm, and Terhune Orchards, all in New Jersey, have pick your own peaches available throughout July. Terhune Orchards also has a canning and preserving class on August 7th, so you can save some of those peaches for later on. (Its Free, but call in advance to make sure space is available).
photo by adwriter on Flickr
8. Rock Climbing
A fun indoor sport to take advantage of year-round, but for those who rarely go, why not make it a fun weekend activity? Check out Brooklyn Boulders, an 18,000 square food join packed with creative climbing structures, including a mock up of the Brooklyn Bridge! Also check out Chelsea Piers, of course, where Open Adult co-ed sessions are held throughout the week.
photo by crazyoctopus on Flickr
9. Dog Friendly Beach!
I can’t wait to take my little buddy out to chase waves and drool in the sand. Check out these beach spots that are dog friendly:
Dog Beach, Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Enter at Prospect Park West & 9th Street, follow the path past the Tennis House on your left and through the Long Meadow to the Upper Pool. The beach is paved and fenced so dogs cant swim too deep. Its not for serious swimming or training, but for dogs who want to trudge through some water and have some fun.
Island Beach State Park, New Jersey
Island Beach is a narrow barrier island that reaches for 10 miles between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. Dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet are allowed on the non-recreational beaches year-round! Check the website for details and directions to this hot dog spot!
photo by coral on Flickr
10. The Jersey Shore, DUH!
Okay, I know this is totally obvious perhaps, but I had to include it still because I feel that there are still many people who avoid the Jersey shore (hmm, why could that be?). Also, I have lived in New Jersey my whole life and whenever I have gone to the beach, its usually the same ones all the time! There are dozens and dozens of beaches I have never visited or tried. Since it’s usually a substantial drive and a full-day’s plan, we usually stick with something familiar, much like sticking with your routine meal at your favorite restaurant when you’re really hungy. Why chance it?
There really are so many great beaches to visit, like Belmar, Manasquan, LBI, and one of my favorites, Spring Lake. Ask your friends or co-workers for a new recommendation and just do it. Go to there! And if you need an easy reference, complete with parking info, fees, and highlights, download NJ Monthly’s 2010 Ultimate Beach Guide.
photo by laram777 on Flickr
