Laura Ratliff

Pack your goggles, Chicago—for the first time since the Roaring Twenties, you can legally take a dip in the Chicago River. On Sunday, September 21, 500 swimmers will plunge into its green-tinged waters for the Chicago River Swim, an open-water race nearly a century in the making. The last sanctioned swim here happened in 1926, before decades of sewage and industrial pollution made the idea of a mid-loop backstroke… inadvisable. Since then, the river’s transformation, powered by the Clean Water Act, restoration projects and relentless local advocacy, has turned it into a surprisingly inviting urban waterway. It’s now home to nearly 70 species of fish, beavers, turtles and, for one morning this fall, a small army of humans in swim caps. The race will start at the Dearborn Street Bridge, wind east toward State Street, loop back west to Lake Street, and finish near the Clark Street Bridge. Two distances are on offer—one mile and two miles—and participants must be experienced open-water swimmers, triathletes or Olympians (no casual dog-paddlers allowed). Safety is a top priority. More than 100 personnel, including 40 lifeguards, will patrol the route on kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis and boats. Swimmers will wear GPS trackers, the U.S. Coast Guard will close the course to other vessels and daily water-quality testing will continue right up to race day. If bacteria levels spike, the swim could be postponed or canceled. The event is also a fundraiser. Proceeds will go toward ALS res

Back-to-school season can be expensive before you even get to the first day of class, but this year, New York Restoration Project is stepping in to lighten the load. Beginning Sunday, August 10, the nonprofit will give away more than 1,200 backpacks stocked with school supplies at community gardens across all five boroughs, running through the end of the month. The annual program—made possible by the Citizens Philanthropic Foundation—packs each bag with notebooks, pencils, crayons, glue sticks and other classroom basics. Supplies are first come, first served and children must be there in person to receive them. RECOMMENDED: The best states for education have been revealed—here's how New York ranked Founded in 1995 by singer and actress Bette Midler, NYRP is best known for transforming underused spaces into vibrant public gardens and parks in neighborhoods that need them most. The backpack drive is part of its broader mission to make those spaces hubs for community resources, not just greenery. “We’re proud to engage our gardens for these events and help our communities get a successful start to the academic year,” said Lynn Bodnar Kelly, NYRP’s executive director. Events will pop up throughout the city, often in partnership with local councilmembers and featuring extra activities. In Brooklyn’s Essex Street Community Garden on August 22, chef Genny Mack will host a cooking demo alongside the giveaway. A week later, on August 30, chef Brandy Cochrane will do the same at the Ta

Brooklyn ice cream makers have given us some truly wild flavors over the years—everything from cornbread to chorizo—but this one might take the cone: OddFellows Ice Cream Co. has teamed up with baby-product brand Frida to release a breast milk-inspired ice cream. Yes, you read that right. Before you start picturing a line of lactating volunteers in the kitchen, rest assured: There’s no actual human breast milk in the recipe. Instead, the flavor is a creamy mash-up of milk, heavy cream, sugar, egg yolks, honey and something that might make you pause—liposomal bovine colostrum. That’s the nutrient-packed “first milk” produced by cows after giving birth, similar to what human moms make for their newborns. The result is described by Frida as “lightly sweet, a little salty, with hints of honey and a dash of colostrum.” The oddball collab is timed to celebrate Frida’s new 2-in-1 Manual Breast Pump, proving that in the world of brand partnerships, no marketing concept is too out-there. While breast milk ice cream isn’t entirely new—it’s made occasional headlines in the past—this is the first time OddFellows is scooping the controversial style. If you’re curious (or just need an outrageous food story for your group chat), you can try it in person at OddFellows’ Dumbo shop, located at 44 Water Street, this weekend through Sunday, August 10. Those outside NYC can still get in on the weirdness, too: Pints, priced at $12.99, are available for nationwide shipping via Frida’s website, thou

We’ve seen plenty of oddball things happen in Grand Central Terminal—flash mobs, pop-up dining, even an indoor light show—but this might just be the first time you can volley a pickleball under its Beaux-Arts arches. From Friday, August 8, through Sunday, August 10, Vanderbilt Hall will swap commuters for court time as Pickleball in the Hall takes over in honor of National Pickleball Day, the sport’s 60th birthday and the upcoming 2025 Major League Pickleball Finals. The best part? It’s totally free. RECOMMENDED: Brookfield Place is hosting a free Tennis Open this month, and you can register to play now The pop-up is the work of CityPickle, the NYC-based pickleball pros behind several of the city’s most in-demand courts, in partnership with Major League Pickleball and sponsored by DoorDash. They’re rolling in the first-ever regulation pickleball court to hit Grand Central, with programming for everyone from seasoned dinks-and-drives veterans to absolute beginners who’ve only just learned that “the kitchen” is something you’re not supposed to stand in. You can reserve your spot for open play or sign up for clinics (yes, paddles are provided) via CityPickle’s site or app. Expect a mix of friendly competition, pro tips and the undeniable bragging rights of saying you’ve played one of the fastest-growing sports in the country beneath a ceiling painted with constellations. Court hours are generous, too: Friday from 2pm to midnight, Saturday from 8am to midnight, and Sunday from 8a

New York, get ready to shave some minutes off your Boston and D.C. escapes: Amtrak’s fastest train yet is officially pulling into service. On Thursday, August 28, the first of the long-awaited NextGen Acela fleet will debut on the Northeast Corridor, connecting Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston at top speeds the U.S. hasn’t seen before. (According to Amtrak, the new train will have a top speed of 160mph, which is 10mph faster than the current Acela fleet.) The launch is more than just a fresh coat of paint on America’s most famous train. It’s the first step in a full high-speed refresh: 28 brand-new trainsets will roll out through 2027, offering 27-percent more seats per departure and an expanded schedule for weekday commuters and weekend getaway-seekers alike. Five sleek new trainsets will start service this month, with the rest phasing in over the next two years. Photograph: Courtesy of Amtrak The onboard perks are more jet set than choo-choo. Riders can expect free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, individual power outlets and reading lights at every seat—because this is the kind of train you can work on without fighting for an outlet. The interiors are designed to feel more spacious, with upgraded finishes and lighting that make the old Acela suddenly look… well, old. Booking is straightforward, too. NextGen Acela options will be available on the Amtrak app, website and station kiosks. The new trains will run alongside the existing Acela fleet as they transition in

Break out the pinstripes and polish those cleats: Old-Timers’ Day is back at Yankee Stadium and it's bringing the Bronx Bombers’ glory days with it. On Saturday, August 9, the Yankees will host their 77th Old-Timers’ Day, marking the first full-scale return of the on-field alumni game since 2019. The midday event—complete with tributes, player introductions and a few innings of hardball—will honor the 25th anniversary of the Yankees’ 2000 World Series win over the Mets. RECOMMENDED: Yankees to celebrate 'Hamilton' 10th anniversary with original cast and free baseball hats Fans can expect a stacked lineup of legends from that championship squad. Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, catcher Jorge Posada, lefty ace Andy Pettitte and other fan favorites like David Cone, Tino Martinez and “El Duque” Orlando Hernández will all suit up once more. The roster even includes some first timers to the event: Roger Clemens, David Justice, Alfonso Soriano and José Vizcaíno are making their Old-Timers’ Day debuts. In total, more than 40 former Yankees will take the field, including Monument Park inductees like Paul O’Neill, Ron Guidry, Bernie Williams, and manager Joe Torre. Longtime fans may also spot familiar faces from decades past, like Bucky Dent and Graig Nettles, plus representatives for club legends Thurman Munson, Billy Martin and Bobby Murcer. After a pandemic-era pivot to ceremonies and Q&As, the return of live on-field action is a welcome shift. The YES Network will air the full festivi

Brookfield Place is serving up summer fun with a side of tennis. The downtown hub has once again transformed its scenic Waterfront Plaza into a pop-up center court for the 10th annual Brookfield Place Open, in partnership with the Tennis Channel. And yes, it's completely free to play. Whether you're an aspiring Federer or just want to volley with friends at golden hour, registration for open-court play opened today, August 7. Reserve your slot fast—each half-hour session allows 2–4 players, and space tends to go quickly. Walk-ups are welcome, but only if slots haven’t already been snagged. RECOMMENDED: The best tennis courts in NYC One court will be available for casual play, and racquets and tennis balls are provided (though BYOR—bring your own racquet—is strongly encouraged due to limited gear). All players must sign a waiver at check-in and minors will need a guardian present. Miss your time slot by more than five minutes? Your spot goes back into the wild. Beyond the baseline, Brookfield Place is turning summer into a lifestyle. Post-match, swing by the Tartinery Shack for their exclusive Honey Dew Cooler, a refreshing U.S. Open-inspired cocktail made with fresh honeydew juice, mint, lime and soda water. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, head to Sixpoint Brewery for a Peach Melon Ball Spritz (Southern Tier vodka, melon liqueur, and brut Champagne—need we say more?). The Brookfield Place Open 2025 runs through the end of August as part of the complex’s seasonal slate of events,

New York is no stranger to jaw-dropping architecture, but The Big Bend may be the wildest concept yet. Proposed by Athens- and NYC-based Oiio Studio, this U-shaped skyscraper would quite literally loop over Midtown Manhattan like a gravity-defying rollercoaster. At 4,000 feet in total length, it would not only tower over the competition—it would become the longest building in the world. Designed to arch high above Billionaire’s Row on 57th Street, The Big Bend would top out at 2,000 feet, making it taller than One World Trade Center. But height isn’t the only headline here. Instead of going up and up like its super-slender neighbors, this one bends over itself in a giant architectural horseshoe, connecting two towers at the summit in an elegant (or unhinged?) curve. RECOMMENDED: This new Midtown skyscraper will let thrill-seeking New Yorkers free-fall 300 feet So why build a skyscraper that looks like it belongs in an amusement park? Zoning laws, of course. New York City’s restrictive height and floor area rules make traditional vertical builds more expensive. By substituting height for length, Oiio’s architects argue that The Big Bend is a “modest solution” to Manhattan’s sky-high limitations. And hey, if you can’t go higher, go longer. The elevator concept alone is enough to make your head spin. Rather than a standard up-and-down shaft, the building would use a looping elevator system capable of moving vertically, horizontally and around curves. Think: The subway meets Spac

It’s official: Dishoom, the Indian restaurant so beloved in London that its bacon naan has its own fanbase, is finally crossing the pond. After years of speculation (and a wildly popular breakfast pop-up at Pastis last summer), the cult-favorite group has confirmed it will open a New York City location in 2026, per Eater. The exact address is still hush-hush, but Dishoom’s debut marks a major moment in the increasingly buzzy wave of Indian restaurants expanding from the U.K. to the U.S. Founded in 2010 by cousins Shamil and Kavi Thakrar, Dishoom channels the spirit of mid-century Bombay’s Irani cafés—spaces known for their democratic ethos, nostalgic charm and deeply comforting food. Today, the group operates more than 10 restaurants across the U.K., serving up signature dishes like black dal, gunpowder potatoes and vada pav to roughly 100,000 diners a week. It’s not just about the food, though: The richly layered interiors, filled with vintage photos and sly cultural references, have become part of the brand’s immersive allure. And now, with backing from private equity firm L Catterton (yes, the one backed by LVMH), Dishoom is going global, starting with Lower Manhattan. The investment, which reportedly valued the brand at nearly $400 million, could eventually pave the way for more than just restaurants; insiders hint that lifestyle extensions like boutique hotel-style stays might also be in the cards. Dishoom won’t be alone in its stateside debut. As the New York Times repo

If your summer weekend plans include hopping on the 4, 5 or 6 trains below Grand Central—don’t. The MTA is suspending service on all three lines south of Grand Central-42 St for two weekends this month, from Friday at 11:30pm to Monday at 5am the weekends of August 15 to 18 and August 22 to 25. The disruption is due to concrete replacement work under the switches north of 14th Street, which is all part of a larger infrastructure overhaul to keep the system from falling apart (literally). According to the MTA, the work will help prevent leaks and corrosion and ensure smoother, more reliable rides for the 1.1 million daily Lexington line users. While the tracks are closed, the MTA will also squeeze in additional upgrades, including accessibility improvements, tunnel repairs and work at Borough Hall. Expect serious service changes. The 4 won’t run between Grand Central and Crown Heights–Utica Avenue or New Lots Avenue, though it will still operate locally up to Grand Central from Woodlawn. The 5 will stop short at East 180th Street, serving only riders heading to or from Eastchester–Dyre Avenue. And the 6? That’s a no-go between Grand Central and Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall, though service will continue locally from Pelham Bay Park to Grand Central. To soften the blow, the MTA is bringing back weekend W trains for the first time since March, running from 7 am to 7 pm on Saturdays and 10 am to 6 pm on Sundays. The 42nd Street Shuttle will also run continuously, including overnight

New Yorkers love rules—until those rules start messing with their side hustle. A new poll commissioned by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, first shared with amNewYork, finds that 78-percent of NYC residents think the city’s ban on short-term rentals like Airbnb should be revisited or are open to changing it, with a growing number citing affordability and flexibility as top concerns. The survey, which canvassed 503 adults across the five boroughs, paints a picture of a city fed up with laws that don’t reflect economic reality. Passed in 2023, Local Law 18 all but outlawed short-term rentals unless the host was physically present, essentially killing the market for private apartment Airbnbs. City officials say the law is necessary to protect long-term housing stock, but New Yorkers aren’t so sure. A whopping 82-percent say the law hasn’t made housing more affordable, while 95-percent agree that residents need “flexible ways” to make ends meet. RECOMMENDED: The 20 best Airbnbs in the Catskills for a picture book retreat “Our poll data shows that residents are demanding practical solutions that look to build more housing to scale,” said Randy Peers, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. “New Yorkers also recognize that significantly restricting homeowners from activating their space for short-term rentals is not a solution to the growing problem, and in fact, hurts the local economy more than it helps.” Those outer boroughs—where hotel options are slim and touri

It’s official: The Brooklyn Mirage is going dark for the rest of 2025—and possibly beyond. Avant Gardner, the parent company behind the sprawling East Williamsburg nightlife complex, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, following a chaotic summer that saw the highly anticipated reopening of its flagship outdoor venue implode before the season even began. RECOMMENDED: The best nightclubs and lounges in NYC Originally slated to debut its revamped space with a May 1 set from techno star Sara Landry, the Mirage never got past the front gates. Hours before doors were supposed to open, the company canceled the show and issued refunds, citing a missed inspection deadline. “The venue is show ready,” they insisted on Instagram at the time, but TikTok sleuths and frustrated fans pointed out the floors weren’t even poured yet. Now, three months later, the Mirage is shuttered, the CEO has been replaced, and Avant Gardner has filed for bankruptcy protection in Delaware court. The company owes more than $10 million to various vendors, including a whopping $1.8 million to DJ Black Coffee’s entertainment company, and holds as much as $500 million in liabilities against less than $100 million in assets. In a public statement Monday, new CEO Gary Richards—brought in two months ago to stabilize the company—called the bankruptcy “the most viable path forward” after “catastrophic” financial fallout from the Mirage’s failure to open. “Everyone I speak to has had the best sets and very special memo