![Jaime Lutz Jaime Lutz](https://media.timeout.com/images/103003836/750/562/image.jpg)
![Jaime Lutz Jaime Lutz](https://media.timeout.com/images/103003836/750/562/image.jpg)
Articles (9)
![The best smoke shops in NYC The best smoke shops in NYC](https://media.timeout.com/images/103137722/750/562/image.jpg)
The best smoke shops in NYC
At a smoke shop in NYC, you can find anything you need to satisfy your smoking needs. These are the best tobacco stores and vape shops in the city, so head here the next time you want to light up (or find an alternative to cigs). Whether you want to look classy AF at a cigar bar or youâre already shopping for a new bong for 4/20 events, you should know the choice smoke shops in New York. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to shopping in NYC
![The best art schools in NYC for taking a class The best art schools in NYC for taking a class](https://media.timeout.com/images/103137725/750/562/image.jpg)
The best art schools in NYC for taking a class
It's hard to make it out there as an artist, especially in a city already stuffed with masterpieces. But these eight schools give you the opportunity to take fine arts classes, from painting to photography to caricature drawing (yes, really). So sign up at one of these art schools ASAPâeven if you donât become Instagram famous, at the very least youâll finally be able to call yourself a real art fan.
![The best dating apps and sites for New Yorkers The best dating apps and sites for New Yorkers](https://media.timeout.com/images/102878614/750/562/image.jpg)
The best dating apps and sites for New Yorkers
If you're still looking for love, relax! We've got you covered. Check out these best dating apps, and you'll find there's an online dating program for anyone: Try Tinder if you're seeking a casual dalliance; How About We if you're tired of boring first dates; or Match if you're comfortable looking for something a tad more serious. So what are you waiting for? Get browsing with these NYC apps, find a great date idea and have a night on the town. (âŠor maybe âand find that perfect someoneâ?) RECOMMENDED: Full guide to date ideas in NYC
![The NYC end-of-summer bucket list The NYC end-of-summer bucket list](https://media.timeout.com/images/102854933/750/562/image.jpg)
The NYC end-of-summer bucket list
Hey, New York! While we sure hope you gave Labor Day weekend your best shot at having all the fun, we have to break the news to you: There is still a ton of utterly delightful, summery action to be had in the city. But you've got to act fast; this gorgeous warm weather will be gone in a few short weeks. We've compiled our 50 favorite late-summer activities to check off before the fall foliage sets in. So get to it! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC // $(window).load(function(){ $("input[type='checkbox']").change(function(){ if($(this).is(":checked")){ $(this).parent().addClass("selectedstatus"); }else{ $(this).parent().removeClass("selectedstatus"); } }); }); // // function showScore() { $('#seencount').html($(":checkbox:checked").length); $("a[id='shareme']").attr('href', 'http://www.facebook.com/dialog/stream.publish?app_id=110523762296825&redirect_uri=http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/last-minute-summer-bucket-list&picture=https://media.timeout.com/images/102854933/750/422/image.jpg&description=How many things have you checked off on Time Out New York%27s end-of-summer bucket list?&name=I%27ve checked off ' + $(":checkbox:checked").length + ' of Time Out%27s end-of-summer bucket list. How about you?'); $("a[id='tweetme']").attr('href', 'https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I've%20checked%20off%20' + $(":checkbox:checked").length + '%20of%20%40TimeOutNewYork's%20end%20of%20summer%20bucket%20list.%20H
![Meet the dinosaurs touching down at the American Museum of Natural History Meet the dinosaurs touching down at the American Museum of Natural History](https://media.timeout.com/images/103130159/750/562/image.jpg)
Meet the dinosaurs touching down at the American Museum of Natural History
If youâre a dino nerd (and no shame in that), youâve heard about the American Museum of Natural Historyâs newest tenant: a 122-foot-long Titanosaur, one of the biggest dinosaurs ever discovered. But heâs about to get some roommates. In âDinosaurs Among Us,â the institution looks at how these now-extinct beings evolved into everyday birds. âLiving birds share a common ancestor with dinosaurs like [the] Velociraptor,â says Mark Norell, the curator of the museum exhibition. (He named the Citipati, one of the dinos on display, so he knows what heâs talking about.) Here are our four faves. âDinosaurs Among Usâ opens March 21 at the American Museum of Natural History.
![Find the best improv comedy club in NYC Find the best improv comedy club in NYC](https://media.timeout.com/images/100107215/750/562/image.jpg)
Find the best improv comedy club in NYC
These are the cityâs top five comedy clubs for improv, whether you want to spend a night cracking up at the funniest New Yorkers or get onstage yourself, you brave soul. With spur-of-the-moment jokes and teamwork between comedian casts, a show at an improv comedy club is a one-of-a-kind experience. Just remember the things not to do at a comedy showâinterrupting a comedian will never go well, we promise. Just sit back and enjoy the improv show.
![What happens when four New Yorkers try to give up their worst vice for one week What happens when four New Yorkers try to give up their worst vice for one week](https://media.timeout.com/images/103025695/750/562/image.jpg)
What happens when four New Yorkers try to give up their worst vice for one week
Las Vegas may hold the title of Sin City, but for our money, NYC beats out that glitzy strip in the desert any day of the week. Drugs, food, booze, basically anything that sparks overindulgingâwe have it, in spades. Which is why we decided to take different writers from this adult amusement parkâa chronic self-pleasurer, a shopaholic, a social media addict and a cocktail fiendâto see how long they could go without indulging in their (letâs be real, pretty innocuous) bad habits. In effect, weâre recreating âThe Contestâ episode of Seinfeld. Because seriously, whatâs the deal with vices? [Canned laughter.] Photographs by David Williams
![The seven best places to take pole dancing classes in NYC The seven best places to take pole dancing classes in NYC](https://media.timeout.com/images/103006624/750/562/image.jpg)
The seven best places to take pole dancing classes in NYC
If the thought of another hour on the treadmill makes you cry with boredom, go for something a little more exoticâpole dancing classes. NYC is the place to be for the coolest classes, and people of any age can test out everything from guitar lessons to dance classes for adults. And these seven spots will spice up your workout (and bedroom) routine in no timeâthereâs even burlesque and yoga pole dancing. Youâll never step foot in a gym again.RECOMMENDED: Read more on classes in NYC
![A department store elf spills behind-the-scenes Santa secrets A department store elf spills behind-the-scenes Santa secrets](https://media.timeout.com/images/102990071/750/562/image.jpg)
A department store elf spills behind-the-scenes Santa secrets
Whatâs it really like being a department store elf? Visiting Santa and his elves to ask for gifts is a Christmas activity as classic as seeing the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, but behind the scenes, things get much more complicated than naughty and nice. So we went straight to the source, asking all our burning questions that werenât covered in the movie/musical Elf (or David Sedarisâ SantaLand Diaries).RECOMMENDED: See the full Christmas in New York guideDo elves hook up?Yeah, they do; a lot, actually. I know two elves who are getting married next year. And an elf and a Santa who are very serious. I was at this New Yearâs Eve party one time, and there were two elves who were hooking up with the same Santa. It was very dramatic.Do kids ever, er, make a mess on the big guy? Kids pee on Santa. Some get so hysterical they throw up, which isâŠfun. Some toddlers smellâthey clearly have a full diaperâbut their moms donât care and put them on Santaâs lap anyway. When Iâm an elf, my name is Silver Bell, and Santa will say, âSilver Bell, Santa needs a cookie after this.â Thatâs code that he needs to take a break and clean up.Do adult visitors hit on you? People take Christmas as an opportunity to be pretty pervy. The worst was when I was near these two dudes in their twenties, maybe early thirties, and one of them said, âI hope they pay you well,â and I said, âSanta pays me very well in cookies and candy canes.â Then they were like, âIâd let you suck my candy cane.â Ew. Do fights
News (3)
![10 New Yorkers share their weirdest late-night experiences in the city 10 New Yorkers share their weirdest late-night experiences in the city](https://media.timeout.com/images/105716137/750/562/image.jpg)
10 New Yorkers share their weirdest late-night experiences in the city
2am in New York Harbor  âI was on the Staten Island Ferry a few years back, and a very drunk woman started vomiting all over the place. Soon her wine-scented puke was running all up and down the floor, and to avoid it, all the passengers started running from one side of the ferry to the other, causing the boat to completely tip to each side.ââApril Lavalle, 26 2am on the Upper West Side âAfter downing margaritas, I was on the subway with two friends, holding on to the metal pole. After creepily staring at me for several minutes, some random dude sitting down leaned over and kissed my finger. I gasped, my friends gasped. I was drunk, angry and feeling especially empowered having just seen Magic Mike XXL. I screamed, âWhat the fuck did you just do?â He drunkenly slurred, âIâm sorry, I couldnât help it.â I continued to yell, âI did not give you permission to touch me.â âSorry, sorry,â he mumbled as he got off the train and stepped into the next train car. By this point, everyone on the train is staring. I exclaimed, âDoes anyone have hand sanitizer?â A woman stepped forward, handed me some. People started clapping.ââAnita Flores, 29 2:30am in the East Village âIt was one of my first gigs in New York: 2:30am and I still hadnât gone on. It was some venue that was really a basement for storing beer, but someone had added a mic, and hey, comedy! I didnât know anyone and ended up talking with this woman who was a model. She had been the victim of a random shooting on the 1 train. We
![How to turn your pet into a social media star How to turn your pet into a social media star](https://media.timeout.com/images/105716137/750/562/image.jpg)
How to turn your pet into a social media star
When I adopted a Shiba Inu in March from a local rescue organization, I quickly noticed something about his new dog friends: He was the only one that didnât have an Instagram account. When I posted a picture of my puppy, I simply added it to my own account with a caption like, âLook who managed to pass some sidewalk trash today without trying to eat it!â When other people posted pictures of their pets, somehow everyone went through the charade of pretending their dog had humanlike intelligence and the ability to take selfies, edit them and then add a clever caption about âtheir humansâ or whatever. As it turns out, my friends are smart, and I am not, because making an Instagram account for your dog can actually make you money. You can live off your dogâs Instagram celebrity, people. There are even talent agents who specifically work to make sponsored posts with social-media puppy âinfluencers.â Meet Loni Edwards, the managing partner of the Dog Agency, which represents Insta-star pups including Tuna of @tunameltsmyheart (1.9 million followers), Harlow of @harlowandsage (1.5 million followers) and this weekâs cover star, Chloe of @chloetheminifrenchie (171,000 followers). âItâs fun, rewarding and lucrative,â Edwards says of social-media sensations. âThe humans get to make money creating fun branded content with their furry best friends while spreading happiness all at the same time!â But that doesnât mean itâs easy. âItâs also important to realize it takes a lot of work,â she
![We tested out tips for calming down in the middle of Times Square We tested out tips for calming down in the middle of Times Square](https://media.timeout.com/images/103942669/750/562/image.jpg)
We tested out tips for calming down in the middle of Times Square
Every time I have to walk through Times Squareâand somehow, even after five years in New York, Iâm not always able to avoid itâI tense up. Itâs not that I hate crowds; I probably wouldnât be living here if I truly disliked other people. Itâs more the combination of lost out-of-towners, overheated costumed characters and pricey tourist traps that make it seem like Iâm walking through a commercial for hell. So I talked to life coach Dr. Liz Lasky (Ph.D., LCSW) about how Iâm supposed to exist between 39th and 46th on the West Side without needing a vacation from seeing other people vacation at M&Mâs World. âNew York City can be a crazy mess of a place! My suggestion is to create a safety plan for yourself,â says Lasky. âA safety plan is a plan you make in advance that you can pull out at any time that will help you feel safe. If you know youâre going to be walking through Times Square and the crowds really bother you, pick three things that will help you get through the experience. This might be listening to a funny podcast or a favorite playlist or having a mantra that you repeat to yourself. Preparedness is the key to success.â Lasky also recommends following up trips to stressful, tourist-filled hotbeds of commerce and overzealous Elmos with some time in New York Cityâs green spaces. (Apparently, nature doesnât just consist of watching a pigeon and a rat wrestle over a french fryâwho knew?) I decided to test these tips by forcing myself to visit one of Times Squareâs fine est