 |
| Lynn Marie Hulsman, showing off her Harper Impulse Tshirt! |
When most people think summer vacation, they
think beach or mountains. Maybe you’ve even heard the old adage, “Everyone gets
out of the city in the summertime.” I may be a rebel, but I think that possibly
barring Christmastime, summer is the very best season to spend time in New
York. For one thing, you don’t have to don layers of clothing or trudge in
foot-swaddling boots when you go sightseeing. For tourists, this means you’re
free to pack lightly.
Another bonus is that crowds are light. Insider
tip: Many NYC offices have “summer hours,” meaning people flee their cubicles
and head to the Hamptons and Fire Island at 3 p.m. on a Friday, not to return
until 8 p.m. on a Sunday. It’s blissful to walk the sidewalks on the weekend
without getting bumped five times per block.
Finally, countless summer events are free in
New York City. If you plan ahead, you can catch a cheap flight. Save even more
money by doing a home exchange or booking through Airbnb.com. If nothing else,
bid for a hotel on Priceline.com and accept the cheapest thing you’re given.
Believe me, you’ll only be in your room to sleep. Save your splurge money for
shopping or for a meal at a legendary restaurant such as Jean Georges, Keen’s
Steakhouse, or La Grenouille. Then, save on your splurge by going at lunchtime.
If there are no tables, ask to eat at the bar. Bartenders are often generous
when customers are polite and chatty; you might get a free drink or comped
dessert along with a chance to chat up a real New Yorker.
So, if you’re planning a visit to NYC this
summer, here are my top picks for ways to spend your time.
1.
Free Fun at Bryant Park. Hands down the best place for free summer
activities in the whole city. Monday nights, catch a free outdoor movie on the lawn
at dusk. Schedules are announced mid-May and offerings have included Meet Me in
Saint Louis, The Shining, and The Mark of Zorro. Gather at 4 p.m., get ready to
swarm the lawn at 5 p.m., and bring a picnic (grab it at Pain Quotidien on 41st
and 6th), and wine to entertain yourself until nightfall (around
8:30 p.m.). Other attractions include free table tennis, pétanque, Kubb (a
Scandinavian bowling game), an outdoor reading room sponsored by the NYC Public
Library, and a Games Center, at which you can “check out” chess boards, Uno
cards, backgammon sets, Bananagrams, and more. Best part: The spectacularly
clean public restrooms, complete with fresh flowers daily.
 |
| Bryant Park restrooms |
2.
Shakespeare in the Park. It’s hard to believe tickets are free for some of
the best theater you’ll ever see, starring people you’ve seen on TV and the big
screen (Meryl Streep, Gregory Hines, Kevin Kline, Natalie Portman), along with
brilliantly talented people whose names you haven’t heard. The fun starts in
the early afternoon, when you’ll join the line in NYC’s world-famous Central
Park, right near the duck pond, and right below the castle you’ve seen in more
movies than you can count. Tickets are distributed every day that there’s a
performance starting at noon, and everyone over age 5 may receive two
complimentary passes. That means arriving at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. to line up.
Waiting is half the fun! Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, a thermos of coffee
and a bag of croissants, and plan to people watch (on steroids). Sure, you have
to wait, but who ever complained about spending a gorgeous summer morning
relaxing in Central Park?
 |
| Lynn Marie's daughter, in the green, enjoying Central Park ice cream |
 |
| Lynn Marie's son having fun at Central Park |
3.
Walk the High Line. If you haven’t heard of The High Line Park, you’re in
for a treat. Formerly an abandoned elevated train track from circa 1934, the
High Line has been transformed into a combination green space, art installation,
restaurant destination, shopping center, and exercise center. Check out the
innovative water features, talking art exhibits, sounds sculptures and lovingly
cared-for gardens as you move your blood while taking in a bird’s-eye view of
the Chelsea. Sit in the bleachers and sunbathe, or grab a paleta (Mexican ice
pop), while you stroll the tracks. You didn’t hear it from me, but there’s beer
and wine on sale for those who like a naughty afternoon tipple!
4.
Picnic Point on Governor’s Island. Take the free Water Taxi ferry to
Governer’s Island, the home of New York’s brand-new Water Taxi Beach, complete
with 20,000 square feet of sand (300 tons!), food and drink concessions, plus a
live music venue. Pass a sunny summer’s day bike riding, picnicking, or just
lolling around and looking at NYC’s stunning skyline. The Island is in full
operation every Friday through Sunday, and all Holiday Mondays from May 27 to
September 25.It’s like going to the country, while staying in the city.
5.
Maybe you’re way downtown after a visit to the 9/11 Museum, or Trinity
Church, or Fraunces Tavern. Great! You’re steps away from feeling like you’re
in one of your favorite films. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. One of New
York’s most iconic walks, the trek across the B’lyn Bridge offers not only an
up-close view of an engineering marvel, you get to witness breathtaking views
of Manhattan, and you can tell all your friends you’ve actually BEEN to
Brooklyn. Mount the bridge at City Hall in Lower Manhattan, right along Centre
Street. Plan to spend about an hour crossing the bridge (that leaves plenty of
time to take photos). Once you get there, it’s a short staircase down to DUMBO
and Brooklyn Heights. Shop or sight-see. There’s a new Shake Shack, or grab a
slice at the famous Grimaldi’s Pizza. If you’re feeling rich, and aren’t too
sweaty, dine at the legendary River Café.
 |
| Lynn Marie on the Amtrak train |
No matter how you choose to spend your time, a
trip to New York City in the summertime will leave you with memories that’ll
last a lifetime. Grab an evening drink at a rooftop bar, climb to the top of
the Statue of Liberty, take a train to Coney Island and scream your face off on
the Cyclone (postpone your Nathan’s hot dog until afterward), or enjoy the
Sunday Gospel Brunch at Harlem’s Cotton Club. Or take one of my suggestions.
There’s something for everyone when the Big Apple’s at its hottest.
It’s my firm opinion that you cannot make a
wrong choice when there’s so much magic on offer.
You can find out more about Lynn Marie and purchase her books at her Amazon author page (and yes, the recipe books are hers- this talented lady is also a chef!)
You can also follow her on twitter @lynnmariesays.
Lynn Marie Hulsman's most recent release is Summer at Castle Stone, a perfect holiday read, published by Harper Impulse.
This is going to come in very handy on our next family trip to the city! Thanks!
ReplyDelete