Free Summer Activities in New York City

Is it hotter in the summer or the city? That's a silly question my dad asks. However, the real question is: is it any fun in the summer in the city? In New York City, things can get expensive. Still, there are some free things someone can do.

First there's Central Park. There are a few things in that area one can do. The most obvious, would be to hang out in the park. Bring some towels and suntan lotion and get a tan. Bring a frisbee. Have a picnic. Climb on some rocks. Enjoy the scenery.

Also in Central Park is The Delacourt Theatre. This is an outdoor theatre in which The Public Theatre (a very notable off broadway theatre company) puts up two shows a year. This series is called Shakespeare in the Park. Usually, it is one Shakespeare and one modern play or musical. However, this year they are doing two Shakespeares, but don't fret. The Shakespeares they chose are Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Nights Dream. These plays are friendly even to those who hate Shakespeare.
For more information visit www.thepublictheater.org.

Also in the area are two museums: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Museum of Natural History. Both of these museums are technically free. The "fees" that are posted are actually suggested donations, but, if you can, try to throw them at least a couple of dollars. They are public museums and this is how they get much of their funding.

At the Met, there are a vast variety of permanent collections including, Greek and Egyptian Art, the Costume Collection, African Art, Asian Art, and many more. Some special exhibits that will be around this summer are: Poiret: King of Fashion, Excellence and Elegance: Decorative Arts of the Eighteenth-Century Qing Court, and Venice and the Islamic World, 828-1797. For more information on this museum visit www.metmuseum.org.

The Museum of Natural History is a great place to bring kids and interesting for adults as well. This is the museum featured in Night at the Museum, in which you see several parts of their permanent collection, such as the dinosaur exhibit. The also have an Imax theater which is always showing new and interesting movies. The museum also has one of the best planeteriums around. This summer they will have special exhibits like: Gold, Exoplanets, Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns, and Mermaid, and Frogs: A Chorus of Colors.

Another spot is The Cathedral Church of St. John the Devine. If you have never been there, it is stunning. When I visited, I told my friend that I wanted to get married there...and I'm Jewish, so that says something. It is a true gothic cathedral and the largest one in the world. Also explore the grounds outside the church. There is a lot of beautiful things to see.

While you're in town stop by the Main Concourse of Grand Central Station. It was featured in the second X-men movie for those of you that may be unfamiliar. It is an historic landmark in New York and the ceiling has a beautiful painting of all the constellations and signs of the zodiac.

Also, take the time to stroll around Times Square and Greenwich Village. While they are certainly two very different atmospheres, they are both more than worth the energy. You can stop in by Mott Street to go to an arcade. Or you can explore canal street with it stores and restaurants. A stroll down Broadway will yield all the lights, magic, and big city that we all think of when we think New York.

So, there is plenty for a poor person, such as myself, to do in New York City in the summer. Take a walk in the West Side Park by the river. Hang out in Central Park. Go to a museum. See some theatre. The possibilities are endless. Oh, and all the museums have air conditioning. Just something to keep in mind.