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
Salute MCA and Hot 97 at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival
- Critics choice
This hip-hop blowout has evolved into a whole week of cultural activities. The NYC-centric schedule includes an opening-night competition for local artists to win a main-stage time slot (Brooklyn Bowl; July 9 at 9pm; $10), a seminar (Brooklyn Library, Central Branch; July 10 noon–6pm; $10) that includes a discussion on the demise and legacy of radio station Hot 97, a DJ showcase (Public Assembly; July 12 at 9pm; $10) and the BHF’s first-ever film night (reRun Gastropub Theater; July 13 noon–6pm; $10). Longtime rap hero Busta Rhymes will headline and cocurate the main event on Saturday (Pier 3, Brooklyn Bridge Park; July 14 3–8pm; $20–$65). Brush up on your MCA lyrics beforehand; we can guarantee tributes aplenty. • bkhiphopfestival.com. Festival pass $100.
- Various locations
- July 9–14
Because July Is Good Beer Month, sample suds all over town
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
The Good Beer Seal—an association of independently owned craft-beer bars in NYC—presents this monthlong celebration of quality brews. The event has won support from on high: Back in 2009, Mayor Bloomberg officially proclaimed July to be Good Beer Month. The schedule is crammed with tastings, talks, parties and festivals; check the website for details as summer approaches. Highlights include Cook Out NYC (July 7, 8), which pairs BBQ with craft suds on Governors Island; a Beer Book, Blog and Video Fest (July 25) at South Street Seaport; and Edible's annual Good Beer tasting event, featuring local grub and brews.
- Various locations
- Sun Jul 1 - Tue Jul 31
Explore ten museums for free during the Museum Mile Festival
- Critics choice
- Free
A 23-block stretch of Fifth Avenue becomes a car-free promenade when ten of the city’s most prestigious art institutions—including the Guggenheim, the Met and the Museum of the City of New York—open their doors to the public free of charge for three hours. The crowds at this annual culturefest can be daunting—more than 50,000 people are expected to show up—but don’t get overwhelmed; plan to get there early if you want to see big-name shows. Musical performances, including string quartets and jazz ensembles, will enhance your walk from one museum to the next.
- Fifth Ave from 82nd to 105th Sts
- Tue Jun 11
Ride the ferry to Sandy Hook Beach
- Critics choice
Sail to a pristine seven-mile stretch famous for its silky-smooth sand. The Seastreak Ferry transports sunseekers to Sandy Hook from two Manhattan locations. A 45-minute ride, tops (complete with free Wi-Fi, a full bar and a sundeck), will bring you to the prime swimming spot.
E 35th St at FDR Dr. Departs Mon–Fri 8:45, 11:15am; Sat, Sun 8, 10:30am, 1:20pm. • Pier 11, South St at Wall St. Departs Mon–Fri 9, 10:50am; Sat, Sun 8:15, 11am, 1:35pm • (seastreak.com). Round-trip $43, one-way $25.
Have lunch with Broadway stars
- Critics choice
- Free
Forgive us the somewhat misleading title, you won’t be having a tête-à-tête with Patti LuPone (you’re not Andrew Lloyd Webber are you—are you?!?), but this is better. During Broadway in Bryant Park, stars of the stage will serenade midtown office workers on break. While this year’s bill has yet to be announced, 2011’s lineup included performers from Memphis, Billy Elliot, Rock of Ages and Avenue Q.
- Sixth Ave, (between 40th and 42nd Sts)
Get Lowdown at the Hudson Blues Festival
- Critics choice
- Free
Just as you’d expect, there will be blues legends galore at the second annual free Hudson Blues fest (try Buddy Guy and John Mayall, for starters). But we’re thrilled to see fearless, fiery alt-country heroine Neko Case top the schedule this year, along with Brooklyn R&B survivor Charles Bradley.
- World Financial Center Plaza 220 Vesey St, at West St
- Wed Jul 11 - Thu Jul 12
Boogie down at Uptown Fridays
- Price band: 1/4
The Studio Museum of Harlem revives its summer courtyard parties with live DJs and libations. Just don’t spend all your time dancing and mingling, or you’ll miss the docent-led tours of summer exhibitions, including Caribbean: Crossroads of the World. This extensive survey of the art and representation of the Caribbean is exhibited over three venues (the others being El Museo del Barrio and the Queens Museum of Art), with the Studio Museum examining topics of race and the duality of the archipelago’s image. • $20, members $15.
- 144 W 125th St, (between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (Seventh Ave) and Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave))
Catch the country's masters of improv comedy at the 14th Annual Del Close Marathon
- Critics choice
During this annual weekend-long extravaganza, improv fans descend on several venues in Chelsea to indulge in a nonstop stream of laughter—courtesy of big-name talent from New York, L.A., Chicago and beyond—drinks and any number of other stimulants before passing out in a heap. Until you’ve been serenaded by a gaggle of Michael McDonalds or pummeled into submission by Wicked Fuckin’ Queeyah in the wee hours of the morning, you don’t know what punch-drunk is. • ucbtheatre.com
- Various locations
- Fri Jun 29 - Mon Jul 2
Marvel at the killer combination of puns and violence at Gotham Girls Roller Derby
- Critics choice
Angela Slamsbury. Bitch Cassidy. Anne Phetamean. No, those aren’t names of badass characters in a feminist graphic novel—they’re names of badass women athletes in New York’s all-female roller-derby league. Turn out for bouts (once or twice a month through Oct 27) as four boroughs (teams include the Brooklyn Bombshells and the Queens of Pain) leave it all in the rink. Afterward, slug a beer with the gals at the after-party, which is announced during the match. gothamgirlsrollerderby.com. • $19.99—$35.
- Various locations











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