Ah, New York in the summer!
Though always a time when the persistent stench of the subway borders on the utterly unbearable, the stultifying heat wave predicted for this week–today, temps topped 100^ F– can’t keep New Yorkers inside.
Even though it’s too darn hot, there’s always something going on here. If you’re visiting our city this summer, check out our list of favorite activities and the fun places and events that you’re not likely to find in a guidebook.
*Murray’s Cheese Cave Tour: Conde Nast Traveler named Murray’s cheese caves one of the 50 coolest places in the world. We agree. For $10, you can enjoy a guided tour of the “caves” (really just temperature controlled walk-ins) where cheese is aged in NYC’s favorite cheese shop. Besides being really interesting, the cheese cave is literally cool. Plus, you get to enjoy samples of different cheeses. The tours take place at the Bleecker Street store, so if your appetite isn’t satiated, you can enjoy a slice from the famous John’s Pizza or a pastry at Amy’s Bread.
*Governor’s Island Events: Just off the southeastern tip of Manhattan is Governor’s Island, which for almost 200 years served as a Army and Coast Guard base. After closing the Island’s military operations in 1996, the Island was largely abandoned for almost 10 years. Today, the Island is poised for eventual mixed use development; in the meantime, the city is using the 172 acre Governor’s Island as a summer and fall recreational area. Each weekend, the Island serves as the site for arts and music events, the schedule for which can be found here. The Island is just a short (and free!) ferry ride from lower Manhattan, and makes a great half- or full-day trip.
*Tourists often complain that the summer arts scene in NYC doesn’t live up to its reputation and in some ways, that’s true. Many galleries close or scale back their hours and museums tend to save up their heavy-hitter exhibits for the fall. But tourists often aren’t aware that some of the city’s best arts and cultural events are sponsored by organizations that maintain a full summer schedule. Some of our favorites include The Korea Society, The Japan Society, Scandinavia House, and the French Institute, all of which host lectures, art exhibits, and films.
What are your favorite summer activities? Leave us a note in the Comments section below, and stay cool!
Photo: Luis Manuel Guaida (creative commons)
Hey there, excellent stuff! I disppeared into Washington Heights for three months way back in 2004. I loved being in the Dominican community, so, hence my tip…hang out in Washington Heights and play dominos with the locals up there.
Washington Heights is one of my favorite Manhattan neighborhoods, Richard– great tip! And if you make the trip that far north in Manhattan, be sure to check out Fort Tryon Park, at the northenmost point of Manhattan. Fort Tryon is a beautiful, largely unknown spot in the city that offers spectacular views of the Hudson River and of the city. It’s also home to the Met’s museum, The Cloisters, and an excellent restaurant called the New Leaf, the proceeds of which are redirected into the park.
And while we’re at it, here’s my guide to the 10 best NYC experiences in any season:
http://matadortravel.com/travel-guides/united-states/10-best-nyc-experiences-period
That’s right! there are amazing opportunities available through cultural and arts programs during the summer and it’s a great way to beat the heat. Here’s another one coming up this weekend!
The Beats in India
Soul of Asia Program
Saturday June 14, 2008
Discover what drew the Beats to India and how they inspired successive generations of Westerners to turn to the East for spiritual and creative wisdom, music, poetry and wild paisley bed spreads. The precursor to a journey that later inspired others such as the Beatles, Philip Glass among others.
Participants include Allen Ginsberg’s fellow travelers and poets Gary Snyder and Joanne Kyger, poets Sunil Gangopadhyay, John Giorno, Anne Waldman, and Ed Sanders, musician Steven Taylor, and authors Pankaj Mishra, Eliot Weinberger, Gita Mehta, and Bill Morgan. Based on Deborah Baker’s book “A Blue Hand: The Beats in India,” the program will focus on the Indian journeys of the Beats in the 1960s.
For a full schedule see: http://www.asiasociety.org/events/calendar.pl?rm=detail&eventid=17111
Purchase Tickets:
$20 Members, students w/ID and seniors, $25 Nonmembers
Online: http://tickets.asiasociety.org
By Phone (M-F 10am to 5pm) 212-517-ASIA (2742)
©2008 Asia Society | 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NY, NY 10021| 212-288-6400
Supported in part by Harold and Ruth Newman