Jennifer Michalski

Get ready for another summer of fun in the sun! New York City beaches are opening for swimming and sunbathing starting Memorial Day weekend! A visit to one—if not all—of the best beaches NYC has to offer is needed when temperatures become hot and sticky. Whether you’re planning weekend getaways, a camping trip, a stay at an oceanfront Airbnb or just looking for ways to cool off or with friends, these beaches in New York are a quick subway, ferry or bus trip away. If you have a car and want to venture further out, we’ve also included off-the-beaten-track sandy shores that are less than two hours away and you can check out NYC's hidden beaches here. But first, some answers: RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do outside in NYC What is the best beach in NYC? That depends on what makes a beach worth visiting. Want pristine sand and fewer crowds, the best beach is Fort Tilden Beach. If you like a more iconic beach experience with a bit of crowding, the best beach is Rockaway Beach. What are the best non-crowded beaches in NYC? Fort Tilden is still less crowded than other beaches in NYC.

The start of sweater weather got you down? Cheer up! The best things to do in the summer in NYC can still be, er, done. We’ve rounded up every sizzling BBQ bash, outdoor concert and other sun-soaked essential to enjoy before it’s too late. (And if you are looking forward to crisp-weather New York, here are the best things to do in the fall.)

Pumped for the Summer Olympics in Rio? Us too. But if all of the stellar athletic feats make you mad you can’t, you know, actually do that, don’t fret: You can try a bunch of these sports without leaving the city. Discover water sports and fitness options at cool gyms in NYC that will make you feel like you’re going for gold. (If you need some inspiration, check out our list of the best sports movies of all time and get pumped with our playlist of workout songs. And after your workout, treat yourself by experiencing one of the coolest things to do in summer in NYC.) RECOMMENDED: Full coverage of the Olympics

New York City is chockfull of awesome things to do this season, but you know what? Even in a city as amazing as this, the cold-weather doldrums can really get you down, man. To help our fellow denizens beat the freezing-temp blues, we’ve concocted a list of products and practices that’ll help anyone snap into a good mood. So turn that frown upside down, New York. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the winter in NYC  1. Arise like a Zen god A Philips wake-up light mimics a sunrise by using a gradually brightening light to naturally rouse you, which in turn promotes a healthy circadian rhythm. Some of the wake-up light models even have corresponding soothing sounds (think birds chirping and stark piano compositions) to ensure you awake as blissfully as possible. (It’s a lot better than getting up to that ambulance siren, trust us.)  2. Break out the crayons Whether you color in the lines or not, adult coloring books (packed with illos of nudes, weed love and many, many other subjects not suitable for young ones) have erupted in popularity over the past few years and have been dubbed a great stress reliever and promoter of mindfulness.  3. Catch some z’s, Himalayan-style Breathe’s Himalayan salt-room holistic treatment is most commonly used to detoxify the respiratory system and help with better breathing, but dry salt therapy is also known to alleviate stress. After just 25 minutes in the calming atmosphere of a room (or a more private salt bed), you’ll be on your way t