SPEND A DAY IN COLD SPRING, NY
Cold Spring is easily accessible by Metro North, and you can just hop right off the train and walk into town. The views of the Hudson Valley are so beautiful—the foliage, the water and the mountains are stunning. There are tons of hiking trails in the area, so most people you see walking around town are wearing leggings and carrying backpacks.
The happening lunch spot is Hudson Hil’s, but if you can’t get a table there, plenty of other cute restaurants line the main street. Spend the afternoon popping into shops and just walking around. Have a coffee along the river… It’s just an incredibly pleasant and easy adventure you can organize at the last minute.
GET CULTURED AT THE CLOISTERS
The Cloisters are another one of those things that every New York transplant has on their bucket list—and with good reason. This extension of The Met is one of the hidden gems of the city and worth the long journey to get there—split an Uber with friends or take the A train all the way to 190th and then walk about 10 minutes.
Along with the oft-photographed cloister itself—containing pristine, lovely gardens and statues and fountains—the inside of the museum itself is rather incredible. Take your time roaming the medieval galleries and do yourself a favor and look up why there are so many unicorns in the artwork.
The Cloisters offer beautiful views of the Hudson River, and give you plenty of reasons to just take a seat and spend some time breathing in the fresh air and feeling the warm sunshine on your face.
STAYCATION AT THE PARKER MERIDIAN
If you’re feeling particularly indulgent and determined to have access to a body of water this weekend, why not book a staycation at The Parker Meridien? This luxe hotel pool boasts incredible views of Central Park and a tiered outdoor sundeck—so while I’d recommend spending as much of the weekend as possible wrapped in a white robe, you’ll also be able to work on your tan, sip many cocktails and take a refreshing dip without ever having to put on shoes. (Day passes for this pool are available for $150—but like for that price why not just get a room and make a weekend of it, amiright?)
BOWLING AT THE GUTTER
If you like bowling and cheap pitchers of beer, this is your spot. I definitely love both, and The Gutter is a welcome throwback to the dirty, old school smoke-filled alleys where I used to bowl in high school. (I was on the team, okay?) It’s a great option if it happens to rain this weekend or it’s just too damn hot, and you can fold it into a whole Williamsburg day with brunch at Allswell and summer jewelry shopping at Catbird. (If it is nice? Conclude your day with sunset rooftop drinks at The Ides at The Wythe.)
THE HONORABLE WILLIAM WALL
One of my all-time favorite summer activities in New York is an evening aboard The Honorable William Wall. This floating clubhouse (part of The Manhattan Yacht Club) not far from Ellis Island is accessible by a fleet of motorboats that ferry out from downtown Jersey City. $22 gets you a ride to and from the clubhouse, and once aboard, drinks are relatively inexpensive. My advice? Pack a picnic (there’s no food served) and head out in time for sunset. Grab a spot on the top deck that looks back at the NYC skyline and get tipsy while enjoying the cool breeze that can be hard to find within the sweltering city.
DAY TRIP TO FIRE ISLAND
After my first experience on Fire Island a few summers ago, I couldn’t quite believe how lovely it was, nor could I believe I hadn’t been before. I was told, “Don’t tell anyone.” So I won’t mention the beautiful beaches that feel like a cross between Montauk and The Shore, the $5 Long Island Iced Teas you can find in Kismet or the gorgeous pathways shrouded in sea grass and the lack of cars… Not a word.
