Summer in the City: 3 Affordable Ways to Enjoy NYC on a Budget
If you’re a New Yorker, you probably have mixed feelings about summer in NYC. Mainly because, as with many things about living in New York, you have to compromise. Warmer weather means leaky window air conditioning units and steamy sidewalks, but still, we all long for a couple of months of beautiful long summer city days and nights.
Here are 3 ways to enjoy NYC outdoors this summer, whether you live here or plan on visiting.
View at sunrise
1. GET ON A BOAT!
FLOAT ON THE HUDSON
As soon as Summer Fridays kick in, it seems like everyone’s trying to figure out how to get off the island - but you don’t have to leave Manhattan to “leave” Manhattan. You can hop on a boat and sometimes it doesn’t have to go anywhere at all in order for you to feel like you’ve escaped the city.
Parked on the Hudson River, you can board the Frying Pan, a historic floating lighthouse, or Grand Banks, an oyster bar aboard a historic wooden schooner, and enjoy food and drinks as you sway and watch the sunset.
WANT TO SET SAIL? NYC HAS THAT TOO.
For $10 a day (or $25 for the entire season), you can cruise up the Hudson River 6-days a week on the North River Lobster Company (a.k.a. Lobster Boat). Side note: I remember when it was free, but I guess all good things must come to an end (it’s still a great deal!). The Lobster Boat brings New England to NYC with lobster rolls, seafood platters, cocktails and everything in between.
More expensive options:
New to NYC or want to experience NYC in a new way? You can sail around Manhattan and to the Statue of Liberty with Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. Cruises range from The Best of New York, to specific landmarks and themes. You can book a cruise on their site as early as same-day, just pick a specific time and you’re set.
Want to hit the beach for the day or spend the weekend in Massachussets or Rhode Island? Take the Seastreak ferry to Sandy Hook, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Newport or Providence. It’s the best and most relaxing way to reach these destinations from NYC.
2. USE THAT PICNIC BLANKET
(YEA, THE ONE STUFFED ALL THE WAY IN THE BACK OF YOUR STORAGE UNIT)
WATCH STARS UNDER THE STARS
Summer nights are filled with outdoor movies in some of the most interesting places all around NYC. You can catch every type of flick in places such as Bryant Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Socrates Sculpture Park, Randall’s Island Park, Lincoln Center and even the Intrepid Museum - to name a few. Check out the full line-up here on NYC Go and don’t forget your picnic blanket.
Photo credit: Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum
AN EVENING OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Listen to one of the most prestigious orchestras on one of the most famous lawns in the world - all while enjoying your picnic and sipping on some wine. The New York Philharmonic returns with its annual “Concerts in the Park” this summer on the Great Lawn in Central Park. Performances begin at 8 p.m., but it’s highly recommended you arrive a couple of hours early to secure your piece of grass for the evening. The Great Lawn is located in the middle of the park from 79th to 85th Streets. For more information click here. Visit CentralPark.com for other concert series, including the Summerstage Festival, The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series, Harlem Meer Performance Festival and more.
Photo credit: CentralPark.com
3. FEED YOUR MIND, BODY & SOUL
WITH SUMMER BREEZE
FREE YOGA
Take your yoga practice outdoors this summer for free! Bryant Park offers one-hour sessions every Tuesday morning and Thursday evening on their lawn. For everything you need to know to find your zen visit BryantPark.org.
For other free yoga sessions around NYC, both indoor and outdoor, click here.
WALK THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE
Whether it’s from Manhattan to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Manhattan. crossing the Brooklyn Bridge by foot is one of the best free things to do in NYC. Depending on how many times you stop along the way, the walk can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. In the summer, either sunrise or sunset are the most enjoyable times to cross the bridge as the temperature is just right and less crowded - not to mention the view is perfect. For more information on crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, click here.
EXERCISE ON THE HUDSON RIVER
I’ve lived on the west side for several years and there’s nothing like spending your days along the Hudson in the summer. There are several places along the river where you can rent bikes (including CitiBike), paddle boards and kayaks.
