Story of our lives: On June 1, we always promise ourselves we’re going to take advantage of the millions of amazing things to do in NYC. But by the end of August, we’ve spent the whole time sitting on our butt in Sheep Meadow (which isn’t a bad thing, but still). This year, it’s going to be different. We’re seizing all 92 days, people. Summer starts…now.
Sweetheart T
A fitted cotton t-shirt with a sweeping v-neck will give you that sexy girl-next-door look—with just a hint of cleavage, of course. Consider it your go-to for nights at the honky-tonk.
Nashville Live Music App
The who, what, when and where of Music City, this free app helps you browse over 150 venues, see updated band schedules and get in the party mood with a changing selection of featured music.
June 1
Eat lunch alfresco at Claudette (and trick your Instagram followers into thinking you’re in Paris).
Alex Sushkov Lab
June 2
Embrace your inner nerd at the World Science Festival--where else can you spend the evening geeking out about dark matter with a bunch of physicists?
June 3
Wait in line for free tickets to see the all-lady production (yessss) of Taming of the Shrew at the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park.
Erik Weiss
June 4
Take a pilgrimage to Randall’s Island to see the Killers, Marian Hill and tons more bands rock out at the Governors Ball.
Sammy and the City
June 5
Stroll through the park and shop for a new painting for your dining room at the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit. It’s multitasking at its finest.
Bryant Park Blog
June 6
It’s summer, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn anything new. Take a free Italian, Japanese or Brazilian Portuguese class in Bryant Park.
June 7
There’s nothing better than a glass of refreshing lemonade. Oh, except getting to see Beyoncé sing Lemonade live at Citi Field.
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
June 8
Go old school with funk/soul band Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings in the Prospect Park bandshell, part of BRIC’s Celebrate Brooklyn! Lineup.
UNSPLASH
June 9
Thinking about adopting a pet? Learn how to raise happy chickens in the city at the Imani Community Garden’s urban chicken coop. (Yep. Seriously.)
June 10
Time for a three-hour vacation: Sip cocktails and eat tapas as Gin Mare transforms the gorgeous Ramscale Studio rooftop into a Mediterranean paradise.
June 11
Finally, a use for that flapper dress you bought for Halloween. Sip gin rickeys and do the Charleston at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island.
Joan Marcus
June 12
Head to Broadway hot spot the Metropolitan Room to watch the Tony Awards live while drinking martinis. Something tells us a little show called Hamilton is going to win some stuff.
June 13
Longing for the great outdoors? Rough it at OutdoorFest in Brooklyn, where you can learn wilderness survival skills, then go sailing.
Denise Ofelia Mangen/The Moth
June 14
Prepare your best true story for the Moth StorySlam at Housing Works Bookstore (or just watch others tell theirs). No pressure, but it better be good--it’ll be broadcast on the podcast.
Sundance Film Festival
June 15
See next year’s hit movies before they’re released wide at BAMcinemaFest--first up on opening night is the indie hit Little Men, starring Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Ehle and Alfred Molina.
June 16
Here’s your new signature summer dish: Learn to make killer fried chicken and biscuits at Haven’s Kitchen. You’ll win every picnic, we promise.
The One Group
June 17
Stake out a spot on STK Downtown’s breathtaking rooftop at happy hour. Order a Manhattan and the crispy rock shrimp. Repeat as necessary all summer long.
Yana Paskova/Getty Images
June 18
Channel your inner Ariel at the Coney Island’s annual Mermaid Parade. It’s crowded, hot and crazy, but it’s worth it.
June 19
Spend the day swimming at Brighton Beach--when you get hungry, hit the streets for a bowl of authentic Ukrainian borscht at Café Glechik.
June 20
It’s a summer tradition: Sip a glass of white wine and watch the sunset at the Frying Pan, a docked boat off the Hudson.
June 21
Your nails called. They want a new warm-weather-friendly manicure from Paintbox.
Pier A Harbor House
June 22
Who needs a vacation home when you can kick back at Pier A Harbor House in Battery Park? All of the views, none of the mortgage.
ROBIN MARCHANT/GETTY IMAGES
June 23
This is not a drill. Amy Schumer is headlining at Madison Square Garden. We repeat: This is not a drill.
Don't Think Productions
June 24
Catch one of the dozens of all-night improv shows at UCB’s Del Close Marathon, where the chance of an Amy Poehler sighting is extremely high.
Jamesport Vineyards
June 25
Sample hundreds of Long Island wines and treats at the North Fork Crush Wine & Artisanal Food Festival at Jamesport Vineyards. Wear your elastic-waist pants.
NYC Pride
June 26
Put on your best rainbow ensemble and join in the Gay Pride March as it celebrates its 46th year.
June 27
Wake up early to grab an everything bagel doughnut (yep, it’s as weirdly delicious as it sounds) at the Doughnut Project.
June 28
Guys, best news ever: You can finally learn to make Roberta’s pizza from scratch at this Brooklyn Kitchen class taught by chefs Anthony Falco and Peter Litschi.
Shake Shack
June 30
We know it’s completely cliché, but wait an hour for a burger at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. You know it’s worth it.
NYC Parks
JULY 1
Get brave and sing in front of a bunch of strangers outside at Totally Public Karaoke at Pier I. (Might we suggest “Formation”? It’s what Beyoncé would want.)
Twenty20
JULY 2
Venture out to Rockaway Beach for some free Yoga on the Beach, then jump into the ocean to cool off.
Eataly
JULY 3
Eat oysters and sip summery cocktails at Eataly’s beachy new rooftop pop-up restaurant, Sabbia.
July 4
Scope out an early spot at Brooklyn Bridge Park for a picnic (bring grown-up juice boxes), then stay for a perfect view of the fireworks.
JULY 5
The weirdest (but still kinda cool) summer plan ever: Get a head start on your winter wardrobe at Bryant Park Knits, where you can knit sweaters and scarves in the sweltering heat. It’s free, and you even get yarn and needles.
Central Park NYC
JULY 6
Usually the woodsy Hallett Nature Sanctuary in Central Park is closed to the public, but from 2 to 5 p.m. you can explore the lush forest trails.
JULY 8
Who needs one lunch when you can have 12? Head to Broadway Bites in Greeley Square for a ton of amazing lunch options in one outdoor spot.
Kevin Yatarola/Midsummer Night Swing
JULY 9
Dance under the stars at Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing, featuring live music by the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra. If you’re really good, you might win the lindy hop dance contest.
July 10
Can’t swing a trip to France this year? Pop over to the Bastille Day Street Fair on 60th Street between Fifth and Lexington avenues.
Astoria Beer Garden
JULY 11
Sip Czech beer and spend the day lounging at the picnic tables at the Astoria Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden.
JULY 12
Stargaze--and planet gaze--on the High Line with telescopes provided by the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York.
July 13
Design your own ice-cream creation at Magnum’s New York storefront in Soho (we like ours with gold flakes).
July 14
Take the Jitney to the Hamptons for the day (but before you go, sign up for PureWow’s Hamptons edition so you’re in the know).
July 15
Take a day trip uptown to the Cloisters--check out medieval European art, then explore the gorgeous grounds.
July 16
Yay, we don’t have to go to the Jersey shore to bump, set and spike. Play free beach volleyball from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pier 25 (and yep, there’s real sand).
July 17
Try the almost-too-pretty-to-eat Japanese raindrop cake at Smorgasburg Williamsburg. (We said almost.)
Twenty20
July 18
Have a picnic in Central Park…anywhere besides Sheep Meadow. There are so many other great places to explore, like the grassy spots around Belvedere Castle.
July 19
Take advantage of the beautiful weather and wait outside for a cotton-candy milkshake at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer.
July 20
It’s a New York must: See Billy Joel sing “Uptown Girl” at Madison Square Garden as part of his concert residency.
July 21
Explore the Met Breuer, a satellite gallery dedicated to modern and contemporary art in the former Whitney Museum space.
Joel W. Henderson/Mr. Purple
July 23
Take a chocolate-making tour at Raaka Chocolate (but try to resist dipping your hands into the vats.)
July 24
Sip a refreshing avocado margarita at Mexican hot spot Javelina. (Veggie cocktails are really in right now.)
July 25
See and be seen at the pool at the Beach at the Dream Downtown…if you can get past the velvet rope at the door.
New York State Park
July 26
Lounge in the hammocks at Gantry State Park and gaze at a panoramic view of the New York skyline.
July 27
Get a big dose of '90s high school nostalgia at McCarren Park’s outdoor screening of 10 Things I Hate About You.
July 29
Take a break from the hustle and bustle--head to Ditmas Park for a healthy, local feast at the Farm on Adderley.
Joan Marcus
July 30
See Jessie Mueller knock it out of the park as a baking guru in the new Sara Bareilles musical Waitress on Broadway. (Oh, and the whole theater smells like pie.)
July 31
Get an early head start on your holiday shopping at the Artists & Fleas “Christmas in July” event in Williamsburg and Chelsea Market, featuring handmade goodies and caroling karaoke.
August 1
Even if sports aren’t your thing, you have to see the Mets play the Yankees at Citi Field. If only for the cheese fries.
August 2
They’re baa-aaack. A new revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats is opening on Broadway. Meow.
August 3
Watch The Royal Tenenbaums under the stars at Pier I in Riverside Park South and steal decor ideas for your apartment.
August 4
Learn to play chess in Bryant Park. By the end of the summer, you’ll be a grandmaster. (Well, maybe.)
August 6
Summer Streets is back: From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., it’s totally safe to bike, run or play on Park Avenue from the Brooklyn Bridge all the way up to Central Park.
August 7
Munch guanciale e pepe rice on Santina’s colorful patio and pretend you’re dining along the Amalfi Coast.
August 8
Take a day trip to Fort Tilden in Queens, one of the (relatively) less crowded beaches in the city.
Aire Ancient Baths
August 9
Air-conditioning not cutting it? Plunge into the 46-degree ice bath at Aire Ancient Baths and you’ll forget all about the heat.
August 10
Eat lunch, New Orleans-style: Order a pound of crawfish with potatoes and corn at Lower East Side seafood spot The Boil.
August 11
Wake up bright and early for this fusion of yoga, ballet and calisthenics outside the Flatiron building, taught by the folks at the Rise NYC.
August 12
Relax on Gallow Green’s cozy porch swing and sip a Pimm’s Punch (Pimm’s No. 1 with crushed ginger, cucumber, mint and lime) in the charming rooftop garden.
August 13
Learn how absinthe is made (and, of course, sample some) at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Herbal Spirits Tour.
August 14
You look sweaty. Skip the McCarren Park Pool (too crowded) and get a day pass at the McCarren Hotel’s gorgeous pool instead.
August 15
Eat wild-caught oysters and take in the beautiful view at Grand Banks Oyster Bar.
August 18
Hang out at The Top of the Standard Hotel, a gorgeous rooftop lounge you’ll never want to leave.
August 19
Get your Zen on with a seven day urban retreat at the Shambhala Center, a Buddhist meditation space.
Twenty20
August 20
Go on the NYC Margarita March and sample eight margaritas from bars across the city. A portion of the proceeds goes to non-profit and charitable organizations, so win-win.
August 21
Can’t decide which band to see? Check out the Billboard Hot 100 Music Festival at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater--this year, Ariana Grande, J. Cole, Calvin Harris and tons more share the bill.
August 22
Take a winemaking tour at City Winery, then sip a glass of local wine. And you might want to buy an extra bottle or three to take home.
August 23
Pretend you’re in Malibu and hang ten at Brooklyn Surf Bar in Williamsburg. There’s even sand on the floor.
August 24
Spend the day basking in the sun at Coney Island--and don’t forget to go for a spin on the iconic Wonder Wheel.
Twenty20
August 25
You couldn’t pay us to golf. Mini-golfing on the other hand? We’re there. Play 18 holes at Pier 25 in Hudson River Park.
August 26
Hang out on the patio and listen to live jazz music at Italian joint Le Fanfare in Greenpoint.
August 27
Sip a summery Lao with mezcal, agave and passion fruit juice on the Press Lounge roof while gazing at the unbelievable view.
August 28
Take a stroll down Bank Street in the West Village, one of the most beautiful streets in New York City.
August 29
Nab a seat to the first round of the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. (But if you see a green ball flying at your head, duck.)
August 30
Bike up through Riverside Park and into the gorgeous Untermyer Gardens and Conservatory--but pretend you’re in Greece instead of Yonkers.
August 31
Congrats! You officially made the most of your summer. To celebrate, set sail on a North River Lobster Company cruise. You deserve all the lobster rolls.
