101 things to do in the summer in New York City 2012
Our picks for the best events and things to do in the summer in NYC. Make a checklist, keep track on our Facebook app... just get outside and get started.
Fri May 25 2012
Celebrate Bastille Day
- Critics choice
- Free
Admit it—the French know how to live well. Relax, drink wine and throw a couple of boules in honor of Bastille Day. Among the celebrations throughout the city, one of the biggest is on Smith Street. The Gallic bistros—which include Bar Tabac and Provence en Boîte—shut down the thoroughfare for a day of music, French food and aperitifs, as well as the largest pétanque tournament in North America.
Ascend to locavore heaven
Ascend to locavore heaven
You can’t get produce that’s much more local than that from Brooklyn Grange. The rooftop farm in Long Island City supplies restaurants like Roberta’s, Fatty ’Cue and Bobo, and during its summer open hours you can shop at its farm stand situated in the lobby of its headquarters. (If Queens is too far, you’ll find stands at Smorgasburg and in McGolrick Park [Driggs Ave to Nassau Ave between Monitor St and Russell St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn; nycgovparks.org; Sun 11am–4pm; June 17–Oct 28]). While you’re there, head to the roof to admire what’s growing on the one-acre plot and find out more from a volunteer about how the farm operates.
- 37-18 Northern Blvd, (at 37th Ave), 11101
Get wet during City of Water Day
- Critics choice
- Free
Founded to celebrate the water that surrounds New York and New Jersey, this festival is returning to New York Harbor with free ferry transportation between Governors Island and Liberty State Park throughout the day. Programs include narrated boat tours of the harbor (sign up early to secure a spot), fishing, riverfront bike rides, and rowing and kayaking around the city’s waterways. • cityofwaterday.org
- Various locations
- Sat Jul 20
Ride the river
- Critics choice
Cruising New York’s waterways can be an expensive proposition, but the East River Ferry has joined the Staten Island Ferry in providing affordable views of the city from the water. We’re partial to chugging a brewski ($3–$6) on the way to Staten Island—toasting Lady Liberty along the way—but the East River Ferry now offers a less boozy alternative with concessions from Benchmarc Events, including iced coffee from Brooklyn Roasting Company ($3), chocolate or vanilla egg creams ($3) and Butter Lane cupcakes ($3). Make a day of it by riding the East River Ferry and using our New York neighborhood guides to explore nabes where it stops, like Long Island City, Queens; Williamsburg, Brooklyn; or Governors Island. Locations and schedules vary; visit nywaterway.com for more information.
Relax to chamber music in Central Park
- Free
One of New York’s oldest musical traditions, the Naumburg series welcomes a pair of top-drawer local chamber orchestras—Orpheus (June 19) and the Knights (July 10, 24)—as well as the popular violinist Lara St. John & Friends in a sultry all-Piazzolla program (Aug 7), for its 107th season. • naumburgconcerts.org
- 72nd St, (at Fifth Ave)
Borrow a bike
- Critics choice
This summer, look for the launch of the NYC Bike Share program, which will introduce 10,000 rentable two-wheelers, accessible via 600 stations in Manhattan and Brooklyn for a daily or annual fee. Alta, a Portland, OR–based company that has successfully operated bike shares in Washington, D.C., and Boston, will be running the system. Rollout date and prices are not yet established.
- Location TBA
- Date TBA
Perform in a Philip Glass premiere during Make Music New York
- Critics choice
- Free
The horns and sirens of NYC are drowned out by music during this annual one-day concertathon in public spaces throughout the city. This year, professional and amateur singers are invited to Times Square (Broadway at W 46th St, 6:30pm) to participate in the debut of a short choral piece, The New Role, by composer Philip Glass (pictured). If you’re interested, download the score on the NPR website and get practicing. For a full lineup of concerts, visit makemusicny.org for details.
- Various locations
- Fri Jun 21
Party on a roof
- Price band: 3/4
By now, if you’ve been completing our 101 things to do in the summer in order (as you should), you will have partied on a boat, in a grove and on an island. Now for a rooftop. Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC opens its space to the second annual Summer Series—think Pacha in the sky. A guest DJ spins (like Italian Alex Gaudino on June 10) while you recline in the lap of luxury, take a dip in the pool, drink in the view or pump your fist. Table reservation required at gansevoortsummerseries.com.
- 420 Park Ave South, (at 29th St), 10016
Make sure your Fourth of July goes with a bang
- Critics choice
- Free
For this mother of all pyrotechnic displays, Macy's will explode more than 40,000 fireworks choreographed to a 25-minute patriotic score. Stake out a nice spot along the Hudson to watch, and bring your own picnic basket with beverages to toast our country's birthday.
- Location TBA
- Thu Jul 4
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