I still remember the first summer I had to spend in NYC after college. I felt deprived of my mom’s backyard pool, the 5 lakes surrounding the area I grew up in, my canoe! Coincidentally, I was also somewhat broke. So, I took Vanity Fair’s summer guide, and decided to make it the best, cheapest summer ever by going to as many of the things in it I could fit in/twist people’s arms into going to with me. Since then, it has become somewhat of a tradition. I sift through the free movies in the park, outdoor concerts, and new restaurants/bars and send out a list of events I would like to attend to all my friends. Then I put them on my google calendar, and make that summer fun happen. This year, Vanity Fair is slacking off, and hasn’t put out a summer guide, so I made my own!

Free (mostly) and Outdoor Concerts

• Good Morning America Summer Concert Series
• Today Show Summer Concert Series
• Celebrate Brooklyn! Summer Concerts
• RiverRocks Free Concerts
• Summer Stage by the City Parks Foundation
• Philharmonic Orchestra in the Park

Free Outdoor Movies

• SyFy Movies with a View in Brooklyn Bridge Park
• Tomkin’s Square Park Movie Series
• HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
• SummerScreen in McCarren Park
• Central Park Conservancy FilmFestival
• RiverFlicks in Hudson River Parks
• Intrepid Summer Movie Series
• South Street Seaport Movie Series

Other Fun Things to Do Outside

• Lunchtime Broadway in Bryant Park
• Shakespeare in the Park
• Rumble on the River: August 1^st 7pm @ Pier 84
• Hester Nights: Every Thursday at Eventi Plaza
• LIC Flea
• Brooklyn Flea
• Rooftop Pool Bar In Brooklyn
• Ferry Bar Crawl
• River to River Festival

New Places to Try Out

• Blue Ribbon Beer Garden @ the Thompson LES
• Gilligan’s at the Soho Grand
• Watermark Bar – they have boozy snow cones (you just have to order off the menu)
• Smush Dessert Deli

Old Outdoor Favorites

• Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club
• The Frying Pan
• The Boat Basin
• The Standard Beer Garden
• Studio Square Beer Garden
• The Bohemian Beer Garden
• Loreley Beer Garden
• Berry Park

And if you’re still looking for something to do? Make sangria and bring it along to a park with a picnic. Head on over to Coney Island and check out Luna Park’s new rides. Go to the beach! Many are walkable from public transit. Check out an exhibit at the Met and go for a cocktail on the roof.