At the start of every summer, we promise ourselves that we're going to make the most of every opportunity the warm months provide. "This year we're going to finally... actually... seriously... do so much awesome stuff!" We say.
Well, as the season winds to a close, we thought an official checklist would be helpful - to make objectively sure that you made the most of your summer.
For those well on their way to a record year, maybe this will give you a few new ideas. And if you're just getting started with the fun this season, it's not too late! Just follow us through the following steps to summer awesomeness:
1. Outdoor Concert at Pier 97
Pier 97 opened this summer and has already staged some of the best shows of the summer. Upcoming concerts include Pantogram, Lorde, and Iggy Azalea.
Full calendar here.
2. Outdoor Movie
Movies and summertime go together like peanut butter and jelly. Outdoor movies and summertime go together like nutella with literally anything. You can’t beat that combo. Consult
our summer film guide for show times.
3. Smorgasbord
Get some sun and grab some of the best food in the city at this weekend outdoor food fest in Brooklyn. Saturdays at East River Park in Williamsburg and Sundays at Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
4. Outdoor Shakespeare
The Shakespeare in the Park series may be over for the summer, but that doesn’t mean that Shakespeare is no longer going on in the park. Venture to
Washington Square Park and
Bryant Park to get your culture on for free.
5. Drinks at a Rooftop Bar
Isn’t drinking on a roof is what summer is all about? Don’t forget to charge your phone so that you can Instagram dat summer sunset. Output's Kick Start party is one sure bet -
every Friday at 5.
6. Free Kayaking on the Hudson (seriously)
It’s a scientific fact that activities are at least ten times more fun when they’re free, and kayaking on a sunny day with a view of the New York City skyline is already a ton of fun. A ton of fun x 10 = a megaton of fun. Science.
Official info here.
7. Coney Island
Amusement parks have been one of the cornerstones of the summer experience since the Renaissance, probably, and not many are as fun or historic as Brooklyn’s Coney Island. If you find Zoltar, make sure you make a good wish (like getting picked in the SNL ticket lottery or a lifetime supply of cronuts).
8. Beer Cruise
Grab some pals and get a tad tipsy on a boat. You definitely won’t regret it. Unless you get seasick easily, in which case you should probably avoid booze cruises. Check out
Rocks Off Concert Cruise series for a quality time.
9. Governors Island
This summer is the first time that Governor’s Island is open seven days a week. Take advantage of this NYC gem by taking a free ferry over and spending the day chillaxing on hammocks and checking out all of the activities that Governor’s Island has to offer.
Check out The Trust for Governors Island for more info.
10. Baseball Game
The Yankees and the Mets seasons are in full swing (pun 100% intended) and the summer is the perfect time grab a hotdog and a beer and catch (pun still intended) a game. Schedules
here (Mets) and
here (Yankees).
11. High Line
Not only is the High Line and urban park full of amazing plants and art, it also has tons of places along the way to sit down and take in the view as well as grab a snack or souvenir. It’s also goes through Chelsea and the Meatpacking district so you can get some shopping in and then end your day with a beer and some food from one of the many awesome restaurants nearby.
12.
Trampoline Park
A room full of trampolines. Seriously. No more details necessary.
13. The Zoo (Bronx or Brooklyn)
Take a break from the city and head to the
Bronx Zoo or
Prospect Park Zoo to see some awesome, adorable, amazing, (insert other ‘A’ adjective) animals. We promise that it’ll end better than Jurassic Park. Probably.
14.
New York Botanical Garden
Flowers are pretty great! A whole bunch of flowers is really great! An entire garden of flowers is really, really great. Enough said.
15. Union Square Market
Open every day as long as that day is a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday, the Union Square Market is a New York institution. Stroll around and stock up on fresh, local fruits and vegetables as well as lots of other delicious foods.
16.
Alley Pond Adventure Course
Obstacle courses are one of the best parts of going to summer camp. If you’re in the mood to relive your glory days when you won the YMCA Camp Arbolado high ropes run (maybe that’s just me) or you just want to have the BEST DAY EVER, then you should definitely hop on the subway to Queens to experience this free ropes course.
17.
Brooklyn Flea
Friend: “Oh my gosh, where’d you get that super sick wooden Sasquatch sculpture?!?!!?!?”
Me: “Brooklyn Flea!”
I rest my case.
18. Swimming (duh)
There are lots of free outdoor pools in NYC to take advantage of, and it’s a completely accurate and valid fact that the ‘S’ in ‘summer’ stands for ‘swim.’ I heard that Snapple is even planning on adding it to their bottle cap ‘real fact’ collection, so you know that we’re dropping a truth bomb here. Check out
our guide to the city's best swimming spots for everything you need to know.
19. Outdoor Art (Japanese Sculpture Garden)
There are countless outdoor art installations in the city, and now’s the best time to check them out because they don’t look nearly as awesome covered in 6 inches of snow. A sculpture garden is definitely one of the best possible places to ponder the meaning of life. Admission to
The Noguchi Museum in Queens is free on first Fridays and only $10 otherwise.
20. Biking
It seems like every outing in the city results in the discovery of new and exciting places and neighborhoods. Biking is faster than walking, so you can find more places in less time, and that’s great because the more places you find, the more places you know about. Wow!
Did we miss anything? Have an NYC summer staple that we should add? Send your thoughts to
[email protected].
Now go forth and summer!
