As I bring you this latest update, beads of condensation roll down the glass of icewater by my keyboard. Whirling blasts of hot air rush from my fan. A heavy heat haze hangs outside my window, and the people walking by on the street seem withered and fatigued.
Welcome to August in The City.
While there have been occasional periods of relief in this Summer of 99 (The Last New York Summer of the Millennium) it looks, overall, like its going to be another hot one, folks. Sure, in terms of raw temperature, it’s no hotter here than in many appealing destinations; the city, however, with all its black pavement and granite faced buildings, has a way of steaming up like Darwin in December. And let’s not forget that the US of A has yet to go metric: although it may be a cool 35 degrees where you are, it’s a broiling 97 here.
In order to deal with the life-draining August temperatures, I highly
recommend that you employ the insatiable traveler’s two favorite defense mechanisms: escape and diversion. There are plenty of nooks and crannies full of cold, dry air to tuck yourself away in on those scorching afternoons.
When you can’t be bothered to hide, Free Summer ’99 continues in August with budget-friendly activities to get your mind off the heat…
Chapter 1: Escape
There are few better places to seek shelter from the assault of the summer sun than one of New York’s many museums. The number of options is immense – with collections focusing on everything from folk art to the architecture of a skyscraper.
However, two of the city’s most notable exhibits will be wrapping
up this month.
The American Century Part 1: 1900-1950 at the Whitney (Madison and 75th St.) closes August 22, and an exhibit of this depth or magnitude is unlikely to be found again. Bringing together over 700 pieces of painting, sculpture, photography, film, and music, the
remarkable collection chronicles fifty years of American history, culture, and society. Tickets are an investment at $13.50 – less with a student ID or the coupon on the museum web site – but it is money well spent.
If all of the Hopper portraits at the Whitney are making you feel a bit isolated, get to know the billions of bacteria and viruses that share your life at “Epidemic!“, on display until September 6 at the American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West and 79th St.). While the
Whitney has an impressive collection of Calder mobiles hanging from its ceilings, AMNH chose, instead, to go with a giant plastic parasite motif. Wander through the rainbow of microorganism models and learn about the delightful array of plagues and pestilence present around the globe.
While you’re there, head over to the Hall of the Planet Earth, an informative new addition to an already excellent museum, or the Hall of Biodiversity, a far more visually stunning and user-friendly exhibit.
After a day at the Whitney or the AMNH, you will find yourself nowhere in the neighborhood of a great spot for an exotic treat: Green Juice Ice Cream, at the corner of Walker and Centre Streets, one block from the Canal Street subway station.
Although Chinatown is not a place I recommend in August – the sun has a way of inciting a cornucopia of offensive odors (e.g. warm fish), this little shop carries ice cream in delicious varieties like Green Tea and Ginger. For the hot, hungry, brave (and congested), it is well worth the detour.
Chapter 2: Diversion
As I mentioned in my July update, summer is a great time to reap the benefits of free festivities in the city. Nearly all of the programs listed there continue this month, although some of the schedules and performances have changed.
Following is a quick rundown of the fun to be done; for descriptions, details, and ticket information, go back to my July page.
One new but highly entertaining addition I came upon this month: The Society for Creative Anachronism reenacts Medieval jousting every Tuesday night in Union Square Park around 6 pm. They welcome spectators, and even provide appropriately dressed wenches to answer any questions you
may have about the spectacle. Only in New York.
Also new this month is the August 6 Twilight Tattoo, a military sunset parade on the Great Lawn in Central Park. The month brings many street fairs and a few parades.
Having saved so much money by frequenting these complimentary events,
perhaps you are seeking out a little indulgence. Allow me to point you to Serendipity III at 225 East 60 Street. In addition to a delicious and diverse selection of overpriced food, they serve up an overwhelming antidote for heat and hunger: the giant masterpiece that is the Frozen Hot Chocolate.
Since words cannot possibly do this confection justice, you’ll just have to try it yourself.
Chapter 3: So you’re hot AND out of cash…
Let’s review, shall we? There are several appealing ways to escape the summer sun if you have a few dollars. And for those that don’t, there are numerous free events to distract you from the onset of heat stroke.
However, there remains one other option. On that rare and blessed occasion, coolness and freeness may – like Simon and Garfunkle or chocolate and caramel – come together in glorious union.
The trophy in this category goes to the Pier 26 boathouse. The boathouse provides free kayaks during the weekend for paddling on the Hudson. For those who rise early, choose not to sleep, or have yet to adjust to Eastern Standard Time, take advantage of the 8:30am Saturday morning excursion to the Statue of Liberty. There are also three sand volleyball courts next door where you can sign up and play.
For a comprehensive list of museums that are always free, and free nights of museums that usually aren’t, check out this site.
There you have it… August in a cool and low-budget nutshell. Watch out for the camels – they spit.
New York. The Big Apple. The City That Never Sleeps.
Home of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Village, Broadway.
Hundreds of "Gap’s", thousands of suicidal taxi drivers, millions
of residents, and – for those of you uninterested in any of the
above – infinite places to get a cold beer.
Pack light: you can buy anything you’ve forgotten at an exorbitant price.
Longing for Milo or Vegemite? Try Chinatown. Unable to sleep without
your foreign brew? Try Peculiar Pub. Looking for company? Just step
outside…
NYC is comprised of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the
Bronx, and Staten Island.
Most travelers stick to Manhattan, but the more adventurous (and those
with a few more days here) will find that exploring the outer boroughs
is about as "off-the-beaten-track" as you can get here.
Whatever your scene may be, you will not be disappointed: museum goers, fine
diners, people watchers, tormented writers, sight-seers, all-night
clubbers… this is the place.
Descend into the smoky depths of a no-cover jazz club, retrace the
steps of your favorite Seinfeld episode, enjoy lo mein while being
serenaded by scantily clad transvestites. Be brave. Blend in. (it¹s
hard to stand out). And don’t sleep too much… you¹ll miss something.
When you arrive, check out the tourist office in Times Square. Grab
a subway map and get oriented. Figure out your priorities, drop
off your pack, and set out.
Some helpful sites on NYC:
Try New York sidewalk.com
for more mainstream current info.
There’s always the Village Voice, although picking up an actual copy (free) would be better, because the real scoop is in the ads.
The "Official" NYC site.
New York related sites
(museums, teams, etc).
For listings of arts events in the city, try the front of The New Yorker
magazine.
The Author
As for me, I’ve spent the last 5 years here in Manhattan. I’m originally
from Philadelphia.
Despite
my love of NYC, I take every possible opportunity to flee the country.
It’s part of a running dilemma I have, choosing between streams/stars
and public transport/great used book stores.
This past year I taught science in Brooklyn, but with the school year ended I have headed to Greece to volunteer with the Sea Turtle Protection Society. I’m not exactly sure just yet where this trip will lead…
As a warning, I am slightly biased towards places of interest for people- watching,
hiking, stout beer, and all things chocolate.
Happy travels!
