Amy Ellison

Looking for the best things to do in Brooklyn? There's no shortage. Kings County is chock-full of stellar Brooklyn attractions, fantastic restaurants and bars, and fun things to do. The ever-beautiful and lush Prospect Park and Brooklyn Botanic Garden definitely earn the right to be included here. But we made sure to highlight a few hidden gems amid the well-known haunts. From Williamsburg to Red Hook and Dumbo to Crown Heights, here are the best things to do in the borough. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Brooklyn, NYRECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in Brooklyn RECOMMENDED: The best attractions in Brooklyn

New York City is full of free outdoor art that you don't even have to go to a museum to see. Sculptures, murals and photographs can be found in its parks, sidewalks and on its buildings! Locations such as the High Line, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn, Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens and other NYC locales all have a wide variety of pieces awaiting you, from massive sculptures to eye-popping murals and graffiti. Best of all, it costs you nothing to pay a visit. Below, find the best outdoor art in NYC to stroll by for a DIY walking tour. RECOMMENDED: The best art shows and exhibits in NYC

As much as New Yorkers love their city, they want to be transported to another space and time — at least that's the trend museums, companies and artists are capitalizing on. Immersive exhibits, events and experiences are popping up all over NYC these days. From theatrical experiences to trippy digital art taking over massive spaces, there's no shortage of ways to be immersed in a different reality. With so many ways to be immersed, we decided it was high time to round up all the cool, immersive events, exhibits and experiences happening in NYC now and coming up soon so you won't miss the chance to experience something new and potentially mind-blowing. RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now

If you want fantastic fresh fruits, veggies, meats and cheeses, NYC's close proximity to sustainable, family-run farms in the tri-state area has got you covered. The city's farmers markets are teeming with just-picked fruits and vegetables, along with freshly made bread and other artisanal products. Whether you’re on a mission to find the perfect premade picnic baskets to take to your favorite NYC parks or just simply looking for fun things to do outside, these seasonal or year-round farmers’ markets are sure to showcase the best our fertile Eastern Seaboard has to offer. With so many excellent alfresco options like these, you won’t be stepping foot in those garden-variety grocery stores anytime soon. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do outside in NYC

Francophiles can celebrate Bastille Day—NYC’s annual celebration that usually includes street fairs, dance events, live music, and performances (the cancan!)—through a number fun events this year. There are two major Bastille Day events you won't want to miss, and we've got the rundown on all the details below. So don your beret and red, white, and blue outfit and settle in for some French-themed fun. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC When is Bastille Day? The holiday is always held on July 14 to celebrate French National Day (July 14, 1789). This year, many celebrations are on Sunday, July 13. What is Bastille Day? Bastille Day, also known as French National Day, is a holiday celebrating the beginning of the French Revolution and the Storming of the Bastille. Where is Bastille Day? There are two major Bastille Day celebrations to bookmark this year, one on Madison Avenue in the Upper East Side and the other in Central Park. Keep scrolling for the full details. 

Grab the fam and head to Historic Richmond Town, a preserved museum village dating from the late 17th century, for its annual county fair--this year marking 45 years of summer fun. The Richmond County Fair, running from August 30-September 1, combines classic fairground festivities with a unique touch of Staten Island history, including signature demonstrations of historical trades by costumed interpreters. Play bingo, try a three-legged race, see aerial shows, be awed by stilt walkers, shop for local crafts, hear from storytellers and lots more. Plus, come hungry for fair fare like empanadas, lobster rolls, rice balls, funnel cakes and zeppoles.   All the fun's for a good cause, as proceeds support Historic Richmond Town in its mission to preserve and share local history.

Need to escape the city? Brooklyn's BIPOC-owned outdoor gear shop, Outlandish, is hosting it's monthly hiking program (Hikeish) at Harriman State Park on Saturday, July 26.  Pack some water, a snack (and your dog!) and join the group for an easy-to-moderate 4.1-mile hike through a shady forest, ending with a hangout by Pine Meadow Lake. Salomon demo boots and Black Diamond hiking poles will be provided for those who need them. It's $95 per person, and the shuttle to the park leaves from Outlandish at 9am and returns by 6pm, rain or shine.

Tribeca's iconic Woolworth Building is partnering with the craft café Happy Medium for a one-of-a-kind figure drawing session inspired by the building's famous neo-Gothic architecture on Wednesday, July 30. Whether you're an architecture buff or trying to build your art skills, this event welcomes all New Yorkers to connect and create under the Woolworth's breathtaking ceilings.  The event begins at 6pm and wraps up at 8pm. All materials for figure drawing are provided, and tickets are available now for purchase for $35 per person.

Every karaoke-goer's dream is becoming reality—head over to the iconic indie venue, Arlene's Grocery, on Tuesday, July 29 in the Lower East Side and perform your best song on stage with a full live band, the fabulous Nakatomi5, behind you.  From 8pm to 11pm (sign-ups start at 7:30pm), pick from an ever-growing list of rock, pop, indie and more and perform in front of the crowd of friends (and fans) to celebrate Arlene's 30th anniversary, marking three decades of live music on the Lower East Side.  Get your ticket for $15 day of, or for $10 if you purchase a presale ticket. If you do the presale option, you'll be automatically entered in a raffle to win free drinks, skip-the-line song passes and comps for future live band karaoke shows. 

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is hosting a variety of community events at the historic Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) in Sunset Park now through September 2025. The program has events ranging from lively parades and festive celebrations, to free film screenings and a series of events celebrating the heritage, spirit and traditions of New York City's diverse communities.  Coming up on July 26, there will be a special screening of Selena y Los Dinos, a documentary celebrating the iconic Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla. August 7 is the IPA-Beer celebration, a showcasing of curated selections of IPAs from local and regional breweries. Then, on August 16, a documentary about marine biologists, How Deep Is Your Love, will be playing. The series will wrap up on September 6 with an end-of-summer event celebrating Hispanic art, music and culinary traditions.

A new musical event has entered the scene: The inaugural Nomad Jazz Festival will debut from August 9 to 10, with events happening across Flatiron and Nomad.  The highlight of the festival will take place in Madison Square Park. Expect headlining performers such as Lizz Wright, Ravi Coltrane and the Roy Hargrove Big Band, along with some dance sets, including tap performers. You'll have the opportunity to participate in interactive performances from Asase Yaa Dance Theater Ensemble. Also expect face painting and try-it stations hosted by ABCirque, inviting children to explore the magic of the circus.  The best part: it's completely free. Just show up with a blanket or lawn chair and some snacks, then spend an hour (or whole day) listening to live music and enjoying the company of your neighbors.

Open Call: Portals is a new exhibition at The Shed's Bloomberg building in Hudson Yards featuring the work from 12 early-career, New York City-based artists. By exploring the forces shaping our world including colonialism, migration and environmental crisis, their art  examines the ties between political borders and identity, historical trauma and embracing the power of generational spirituality.  The art ranges from paintings and films to sculptures and performances by Zain Alam, AYDO, Mel Corchado, Marwa Eltahir, Patricia Encarnación, Laurena Finéus, Lily Honglei, Tyson Houseman, Jarrett Key, Chelsea Odufu, Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez, and Yelaine Rodriguez and Luis Vasquez La Roche. The exhibition is free and open every day but Monday. You can find the schedule for Open Call performances and conversations here. 

As a part of their 40th anniversary programming, City Lore is launching a new exhibition, "Legendary Looks: Preserving Our Legacy," at their gallery in the East Village, curated by Icon Ballroom Hall of Famer Founder Michael Roberson of Maison-Margiela, Legendary NYC Mother Jonovia Chase of Xclusive Lanvin and Icon International Mother Twiggy Pucci Garçon.    The exhibition spotlights House Ballroom community leaders Pioneer RR Chanel, Pioneer Alvernian Du'Mure-Versailles and Legendary NYC Father Joejo St. Laurent and their efforts to preserve House Ballroom culture and history. The multimedia presentation will feature 16 unforgettable looks by some of the top Ballroom designers. There will also be collections of ball flyers, archival photos, costuming pieces, along with video and audio excerpts of oral history interviews collected by the curators, with exhibition text written by Fatima Jamal and Mikelle Street. The three-part Legendary Looks Series also takes the opportunity to dive into the tradition and artistry in the LGBTQ+ House Ballroom community.  The exhibit will be available for viewing from July 25 until September 4, following an opening reception on Friday, July 25 from 6pm to 8pm. 

The annual Latin American Foto Festival (LAFF) features work by Latin American photographers exploring powerful and important topics. This year's festival, which runs through August 3, will include topics such as Venezuelans' reverse migration to South America; the housing crisis in Peru; youth-led resistance in Brazil; incarceration and the water crisis in El Salvador; life on a tiny island off the Caribbean coast of Colombia; decades of Bronx and Puerto Rican life; and the archival images of a Caribbean social club in Brooklyn.  The festival is free and open to the public with exhibitions at El Maestro Boxing Gym, CasaAmadeo, and Bronx Arts Space, all in the Bronx. Exhibitions will also be on view in Manhattan at  Loisaida Center, in Queens at Terraza7, and in Brooklyn at Toñita’s Caribbean Social Club.

Everyone watches women's sports, so go enjoy at laugh at this WNBA comedy show hosted by Defector Media. The show, hosted on Tuesday, July 15 at Littlefield in Brooklyn, celebrates the upcoming WNBA All-Star break. Hosted by Nora Jefferies and Jasper Wang, expect WNBA-themed games and giveaways, plus a lineup of comics including Devon Walker of Saturday Night Live, Julia Shiplett of Overcompensating, and Joey Dardano from Wild 'N Out. The fun starts at 7:30pm and tickets are $20, but use the code LETSGOLIBS for 10% off. 

Celebrate the art of being funny at the new Grand Street Comedy Festival from July 10-13. Venues include Flop House (known as NYC's "friendliest comedy club"), Brooklyn Art Haus, Fred's Dog House, and St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club. The lineup will feature comics seen on Netflix, HBO, and Comedy Central. Shows start at 8pm each night and end at 12:30am. Comic headliners include Jared Freid, Dan Toomey, Judah Friedlander, Sienna Hubert-Ross, Monroe Martin, Austin Nasso, Caitlin Peluffo, Yvette Segan, Natalie Cuomo, Fabrizio Copano, Liz Miele, Myq Kaplan, Keegan Tindall, Lea'h Sampson, and more. Tickets start at $17.85 for general admission. 

Don't miss out on the return of renowned Austrian artist Gustav Klimt in a new captivating exhibit this summer, Gustav Klimt: The Immersive Experience. From July 15 until August 31, the Hall Des Lumières in Lower Manhattan will host a rare opportunity to step inside of Gustav Klimt's legendary work brought to life through music, color and intricate visuals. The show is one-hour long, and tickets start at $29, with an opportunity to buy a family pack for $78, or reduced rates of $19 per ticket for youth, senior, veterans, or those with disabilities. Guests are welcomed daily from 11am to 5pm, except for Mondays. "This space breathes new life into Klimt's masterpieces, surrounding visitors with history, light, and the bold spirit of artistic revolution," per Harley Hendrix, managing director of Hall des Lumières.  

Next time you're sitting in traffic on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (knock on wood), take a glance out the window and you may spot this new addition to the neighborhood. The Atlantic Avenue BID, in collaboration with Thrive Collective and NYC DOT Art, has transformed 1.5 miles of the BQE underpass between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street. The open-air mural is one of the most ambitious street art projects in NYC right now, as seven massive works now line the streets connecting Atlantic Avenue with the Brooklyn waterfront.  RECOMMENDED: The best outdoor art in NYC this summer The mural features bright, colorful and eye-catching paintings of iconic NYC culture—pizza, pigeons, coffee (in a traditional bodega cup, of course), the Staten Island Ferry and a smiling cartoon version of the Statue of Liberty. Most importantly, the people of NYC and Brooklyn are heavily featured, with themes ranging from immigration and industry to biodiversity and community healing.  Photograph: Courtesy of Atlantic Avenue BID For the south wall, seven artists were selected by Thrive Collective to build the six art pieces and interpret the complicated past of the thoroughfare, while still celebrating the future. The pieces were each given individual titles: "Dockyards" by Will Power, "Industrious" by Vince Ballentine, "Restore" by Jodi Dareal, "Biodiverse" by Peach Tao, "Recreate" by Miki Mu, and "Reframe" by Christian Penn. In his piece, Will Power (William Richardson Jr.) featured Brooklyn's d

This summer in New York City, experience the unbelievable beauty of nature—without actually having to go outside. Head over to ARTECHOUSE in Chelsea Market now until Labor Day and immerse yourself in a new botanically inspired multi-sensory exhibition, "Blooming Wonders." This pixelated ever-moving landscape featuring psychedelic pink daises, fluttering butterflies and some abstract surpises is accompanied by calming, dreamlike ambient music.  The new 40-minute experience lets you hang out inside the 270-degree, floor-to-ceiling 18K-resolution digital canvas inside of the historic market's 100-year-old boiler room, while experiencing the fleeting beauty of spring and summer blooms come to life with immersive, interactive technology. While you're there, don't forget to grab a "Blooming"-inspired drink from the bar upstairs, like their take on an Aperol Spritz (think less Aperol and more "peachy" flavors). After drinks, head downstairs into the main room, find a floor cushion or open bench, enjoy some air-conditioning and get lost in the rich florals.  RECOMMENDED: Incredible immersive experiences to do in NYC right now Once you've finished the experience in the main gallery, you can head back upstairs past the bar to the small gallery on display, where you can find two different video games set up for you to mess around with. You can also get a bird's-eye view of the main room over the balcony while you're up there. Plus, it's a great excuse to partake in some shameless peopl

Step into the memories of iconic football player Lionel Messi—literally. The famous digital artist Refik Anadol has teamed up with Messi and the non-profit UNICEF to create his latest work, "Living Memory: Messi-A Goal in Life," a fully immersive experience showcasing the moment of Messi's (and football's) most iconic moment—his header in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final.  The exhibit is presented through a Christie's sale that will be open for bidding July 8 to 22, with the free immersive experience at Christie's New York in Rockefeller Center July 12 to 22. Tickets are available on-site at Christie's each day, while supplies last. RECOMMENDED: FIFA Club World Cup 2025 guide This unprecedented artwork from Anadol isn't simply a visual experience, but a multi-sensory memory for the audience and Messi. To create the installation, Anadol used data-driven artificial intelligence and open-source motion-tracking framework to map 17 points of Messi's body to reconstruct his body and expressions. Layered with biometric voice data, breathing rhythms and heartbeats, the tone and tempo is set for connecting with Messi in revisiting the goal. The experience is an eight-minute long, captivating "memory temple" according to Anadol.  "This isn't about nostalgia," Anadol said in a press release, as the reason for creating this art is to relive the depth of that split-second moment with Messi and to feel what the crowd and the world felt. Anadol has figured out how to c