11 great things to do in NYC this summer

1. Governors Island
This former military post, that dates back to the Revolutionary War, opened as a public park in 2006. It offers great views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. There are all kinds of free fun activities going on every weekend.

Ferry leaves Lower Manhattan from the Battery Maritime Building, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal (212-440-2202, www.govisland.com)

2. “Three Hidden Gems” in Central Park
Of course, everyone knows Central Park, but do you really know Central Park? Here are a couple of places well worth strolling through.

• The Ramble: from 73rd to 79th street.
  The park is restoring the “Ramble” and bringing the water back into the crevices, crreds and caves that were originally in the park 150 years ago. A walk through this area will let see what Olmstead and Vaux envisioned 150 years ago.
• Woodlands Walk, West 102nd Street.
  Walk under the Huddlestone Arch and meander through the woodlands. You won’t believe you’re in NYC.
• The Whisper Bench
  (between 79th and 80th) Located in the Shakespeare Garden you’ll find the Whisper Bench. Whisper on one end, and it will travel to the other side. Visit www.centralpark.com. for details.

3. Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock is a six-level observatory atop the Art Deco skyscraper, 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
The upper decks are 850 feet above street level. Views include some of the city’s most prominent landmarks from the Chrysler Building to the Brooklyn Bridge and from Central Park to the Hudson and East Rivers.

SUNRISE SUNSET tickets allow guests to visit twice in one day. Adults $18. Kids 6-12 $13.00 Buy tickets in advance online.

4. Lower East Side Tenament Museum
A New York City Museum that tells the stories of immigrants who lived in 97 Orchard Street, a tenement built in 1863 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. First tour at 11am, last tour at 5pm, 7 days a week. Tickets, $17 for adults.

5. Gracie Mansion.
Tour the historic Mansion, where most of our former Mayor’s have lived, Mayor Bloomer excepted.

General Tours are offered on most Wednesdays at 10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM and 2 PM. General admission is $7 for adults, $4 for seniors, and students are admitted free of charge. Tours last approximately forty-five minutes.

Tea Tours are available for groups of 25-50 people on Tuesdays and Thursdays at $25 per person. A delicious selection of homemade tea sandwiches, teacakes and scones are served. To make reservations call 212-NEW-YORK.

6. New York Public Library Tours:
This Beaux-Arts building was the largest marble building in the U.S. at the time of its construction in 1911. In addition to beautiful architecture and an impressive book collection, the museum is features temporary exhibits on a variety of topics. Don’t miss the free guided tour to get a full appreciation of the library’s architecture, history and artwork. 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue

All tours leave from the Library’s first floor. Building Tours: Free one hour walking tours Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. highlighting the history and architecture of the New York Public Library. These tours are a great way to get an overview of the beauty and expanse of the Library’s collections.

Exhibition Tours: Free tours of the Library’s Current Exhibitions at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

7. The Chelsea Market.
Visit the place where Oreo cookies were first made. Great food court with all kinds of specialty items, and awesome restaurants too. The 22-building complex fills two entire blocks bounded by 9th and 11th Avenues and 15th to 16th Street. You’ll find bakeries, gelato, and meat stores, and great restaurants too, like, Del Posto, an Italian restaurant owned by fellow “Iron Chef”, Mario Batali.

Hours: Monday – Saturday: 7am to 10pm, Sundays: 8am to 8pm Address: 75 9th Avenue (Between 15th and 16th Streets), New York, NY 10011

8. High Line
Just above Chelsea Market, passing through the building on the 10th Avenue side, is a beautiful new park, called the High Line, that just opened in early June. This abandoned, elevated railroad track has been converted to an urban oasis and when fully completed it will run from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. The first opened section of High Line runs from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street. The High Line is open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.

9. Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
It’s been under construction since 1892 and is still unfinished, but is among the largest Gothic Cathedrals in the world.

1047 Amsterdam Ave, (Morningside Heights area of NYC). (212) 316-7540

10. Grant’s Tomb in Riverside Park
While you’re still in Morningside Heights, visit this impressive monument located in beautiful Riverside Park at 122nd Street & Riverside Drive. The park is 191 acres (from 72nd – 125th Street) located along the Hudson River. And then have lunch at Tom’s Restaurant, the most famous restaurant in Morningside Heights is Tom’s Restaurant, which was also the regular locale where the Seinfeld characters gathered for burgers, fries, and coffee. 2880 Broadway on the corner of 112th Street.

11. Cruise around Manhattan.
You’ll love this classic 1920s-style vessel circles lower New York, passes by Governor’s Island, closely approaches the Statue of Liberty, glides under the Brooklyn Bridge and passes by the historic South Street Seaport in a 1.5-hour cruise. Get half priced tickets for $18.00 from Goldstar. Membership is free.

Sail around Manhattan.
Tour New York harbor aboard the tall ship Clipper City. See New York’s legendary landmarks on a 90-minute excursion aboard the city’s largest commercial sailing vessel. Half priced tickets for $19.50 from Goldstar. Membership is free.

Republished with permission from The Three Tomatoes.