33 Things Every New Yorker Should Do This Summer

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Stargaze on the High Line. The Amateur Astronomers Association hosts weekly sessions with high-powered telescopes.

Stargaze on the High Line. The Amateur Astronomers Association hosts weekly sessions with high-powered telescopes.

Learn more about hours and locations here

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Now that the weather is nice, wait in line for the famous Cronut at Dominique Ansel Bakery in Soho. Nothing beats the original.

Now that the weather is nice, wait in line for the famous Cronut at Dominique Ansel Bakery in Soho. Nothing beats the original.

See what else the bakery has to offer here

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Chow down on delicacies from old and new vendors at Smorgasburg, the weekly food fest on the Williamsburg waterfront and Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Chow down on delicacies from old and new vendors at Smorgasburg, the weekly food fest on the Williamsburg waterfront and Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Find out the locations, hours, and participating vendors here

Let out your inner child and visit the animals at the Bronx Zoo (and eat popcorn, of course).

Let out your inner child and visit the animals at the Bronx Zoo (and eat popcorn, of course).

See the zoo's hours, rates, and location here

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Spend a day on Arthur Avenue — the REAL Little Italy in the Bronx — eating Italian pastries and gelato.

Spend a day on Arthur Avenue — the REAL Little Italy in the Bronx — eating Italian pastries and gelato.

Find a full merchant list, hours, location, and directions here

Jump into a hot tub and watch a movie at Hot Tub Cinema in Brooklyn. The first event sold out in two hours, but the company promises "there's plenty more to come."

Jump into a hot tub and watch a movie at Hot Tub Cinema in Brooklyn. The first event sold out in two hours, but the company promises "there's plenty more to come."

Sign up and keep an eye on all future Crowdtilt and Hot Tub Cinema events here

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Have a picnic in DUMBO’s Brooklyn Bridge Park. The waterfront park has views of the skyline, a carousel, lots of food and drink options, and sports.

Have a picnic in DUMBO’s Brooklyn Bridge Park. The waterfront park has views of the skyline, a carousel, lots of food and drink options, and sports.

See everything you can do at the Brooklyn Bridge Park here

Drink up at SingleCut Beersmiths, a brewery in Astoria, Queens. This brewery has a rotation of beers on tap and garage doors that open in nice weather.

Drink up at SingleCut Beersmiths, a brewery in Astoria, Queens. This brewery has a rotation of beers on tap and garage doors that open in nice weather.

Learn hours, tour times, and location here

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Cool down with locally made ice cream from Ample Hills Creamery in Prospect Heights. Flavors include Salted Crack Caramel and Ooey Gooey Butter Cake.

Cool down with locally made ice cream from Ample Hills Creamery in Prospect Heights. Flavors include Salted Crack Caramel and Ooey Gooey Butter Cake.

Find hours and location here

Cruise around the Hudson River while eating a Shrimp Bo Boy or Lobster Cobb Salad with the North River Lobster Co., a new "sailing lobster boat."

Cruise around the Hudson River while eating a Shrimp Bo Boy or Lobster Cobb Salad with the North River Lobster Co., a new "sailing lobster boat."

See their hours and location here

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Dust off your Spark Notes and go see Shakespeare in the Park. This summer's performances include "Much Ado About Nothing" and "King Lear."

Dust off your Spark Notes and go see Shakespeare in the Park. This summer's performances include "Much Ado About Nothing" and "King Lear."

Find out more information about Shakespeare in the Park here

Take a dip in one of the city's many pools. One awesome option is the McCarren Hotel's saltwater pool, one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in New York City.

Take a dip in one of the city's many pools. One awesome option is the McCarren Hotel's saltwater pool, one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in New York City.

Buy tickets and see hours and location here

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Watch a free movie on the deck of the Intrepid Museum. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, and food, plus all movies are sea-, air-, and space-themed.

Watch a free movie on the deck of the Intrepid Museum. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, and food, plus all movies are sea-, air-, and space-themed.

See dates, times, and location here

Scream your head off on the rides at Coney Island's Luna Park. There are two new ones — the Thunderbolt and Luna 360 — that are particularly thrilling.

Scream your head off on the rides at Coney Island's Luna Park. There are two new ones — the Thunderbolt and Luna 360 — that are particularly thrilling.

Compare prices and plan your trip here

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Breathe in clean, fresh air in the Hudson Valley. It's only a one-hour train trip away, and there are breweries and plenty of nice restaurants in addition to all that nature.

Breathe in clean, fresh air in the Hudson Valley. It's only a one-hour train trip away, and there are breweries and plenty of nice restaurants in addition to all that nature.

See what else Hudson Valley has to offer here

Head to Flushing, Queens and gorge yourself on authentic, delicious Chinese food. We recommend Asian Jewels Seafood for its amazing Dim Sum.

Head to Flushing, Queens and gorge yourself on authentic, delicious Chinese food. We recommend Asian Jewels Seafood for its amazing Dim Sum.

See more fantastic Chinese restaurants here

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Take in the annual July 4 fireworks show with millions of other New Yorkers. The 2014 show will take place over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Take in the annual July 4 fireworks show with millions of other New Yorkers. The 2014 show will take place over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Learn more details about this year's show here

Ride the A train all the way up to 190th Street and visit The Cloisters, a branch of The Met that displays Medieval European art. Nearby Fort Tryon Park also has awesome views of the Hudson River.

Ride the A train all the way up to 190th Street and visit The Cloisters, a branch of The Met that displays Medieval European art. Nearby Fort Tryon Park also has awesome views of the Hudson River.

Learn more about The Cloisters and how to get there here

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Dance to the music of your choice at Quiet Clubbing. Participants are handed wireless headphones and can listen to any of 3 DJs.

Dance to the music of your choice at Quiet Clubbing. Participants are handed wireless headphones and can listen to any of 3 DJs.

Find out more info and see a video of what it's like here

Rent a bike and ride along the Hudson River from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan to Dyckman Street in Inwood.

Rent a bike and ride along the Hudson River from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan to Dyckman Street in Inwood.
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Soak up the sun on the patio of the long-awaited Union Square Pavilion. In addition to cocktails, the outdoor restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Soak up the sun on the patio of the long-awaited Union Square Pavilion. In addition to cocktails, the outdoor restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.

See the menu and location here

Escape to New York's Rockaway Beach. Grab some homemade Italian ice from DiCosmo's Ices and find a spot on the sand.

Escape to New York's Rockaway Beach. Grab some homemade Italian ice from DiCosmo's Ices and find a spot on the sand.

Find directions and more info here

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Celebrate Bastille Day on July 14th on Smith Street in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. From 12 AM to 8 PM, visitors can enjoy French food, drinks, and a game of Petanque.

Celebrate Bastille Day on July 14th on Smith Street in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. From 12 AM to 8 PM, visitors can enjoy French food, drinks, and a game of Petanque.

Find out more about this year's Bastille Day here

Swing through the air at the New York City Trapeze School. With two outdoor locations in the city, amateurs can enjoy the weather while flying like circus performers.

Swing through the air at the New York City Trapeze School. With two outdoor locations in the city, amateurs can enjoy the weather while flying like circus performers.

Buy classes and find out more info here

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Get boozy at brunch on a New York City rooftop. Alma Restaurant in Brooklyn has three floors and gorgeous views of the New York skyline (plus, killer guac).

Get boozy at brunch on a New York City rooftop. Alma Restaurant in Brooklyn has three floors and gorgeous views of the New York skyline (plus, killer guac).

Find more great rooftop establishments here

Paddle around in sunny Central Park. The Loeb Boathouse has a fleet of 100 rowboats for lazy days.

Paddle around in sunny Central Park. The Loeb Boathouse has a fleet of 100 rowboats for lazy days.

Find out pricing and location here

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Beat the heat and go rock climbing at Brooklyn Boulders. The Boerum Hill, Brooklyn gym has bouldering, top roping, and lead climbing, plus classes for beginners.

Beat the heat and go rock climbing at Brooklyn Boulders. The Boerum Hill, Brooklyn gym has bouldering, top roping, and lead climbing, plus classes for beginners.

Find out the location, hours, and buy classes here

Play mini golf on Manhattan's Pier 25. The 18-hole miniature golf course features a waterfall, cave, and sand traps.

Play mini golf on Manhattan's Pier 25. The 18-hole miniature golf course features a waterfall, cave, and sand traps.

Find out hours, cost, and location here

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Pay homage to the victims and heroes of September 11th at the newly opened 9/11 Memorial Museum, which contains poignant multimedia and artifacts from that day.

Pay homage to the victims and heroes of September 11th at the newly opened 9/11 Memorial Museum, which contains poignant multimedia and artifacts from that day.

See some of the can't-miss artifacts here

Take a day trip to Governors Island via a free ferry and relax in hammocks with incredible views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.

Take a day trip to Governors Island via a free ferry and relax in hammocks with incredible views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.

Find out the ferry schedule and hours here

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Fly a kite in Prospect Park. With plenty of open spaces (and not as many annoying tourists as Central Park), it's the perfect place for running around.

Fly a kite in Prospect Park. With plenty of open spaces (and not as many annoying tourists as Central Park), it's the perfect place for running around.

Click here to see why Prospect Park is the best park

Dance along to your favorite DJs at Electric Zoo 2014. The music fest will once again be held on Randall's Island on Labor Day weekend.

Dance along to your favorite DJs at Electric Zoo 2014. The music fest will once again be held on Randall's Island on Labor Day weekend.

Buy your tickets and see who's playing here

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After perusing the art, have drinks on top of The Metropolitan Museum. The Roof Garden Café has specialty cocktails, wine and beer, plus outstanding panoramic views of Central Park and NYC.

After perusing the art, have drinks on top of The Metropolitan Museum. The Roof Garden Café has specialty cocktails, wine and beer, plus outstanding panoramic views of Central Park and NYC.

Find out how to get there and see the menu here

Summer is also all about burgers.

Summer is also all about burgers.

The Best Burger In Every State >>

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