The summer heat is already here, and that means it’s time to get outside. Whether you’re looking for something to do with friends or just need some fresh air, New York City just booms during these months.
4th of July
The Fourth of July is a special day for Americans. It’s the birthday of this country, and it marks the Declaration of Independence from England in 1776. Celebrating this holiday can be an exciting time for everyone. Although there are also some important things to keep in mind before you head out on your trip: 1. Make sure you have plenty of food at home! This is a time to share, where families and friends gather outside for some moments’ sharing. Or be ready for fireworks all over New York as a sign of this celebration.
LGBT pride parade
You might be thinking, «What is a pride parade?» Well, it’s an annual celebration of the LGBT community. The parade is the biggest in America and it’s held on June 28th every year in New York City. It was started by Harvey Milk and other members of the Gay Liberation Front in 1970, as a way to show support for the queer community at large.
The event has continued to grow over its lifetime—now attracting over 1 million participants each year—and has you can feel how the city transforms on this weekend! There is immense support from everyone and freedom is out on the streets.
Outdoor cinema, New York style
Aside from all the commemorations, you can start to find outdoor cinemas all over the city, spread out through the piers and parks, but one of my favourites is located on the roof of a restaurant in SoHo.
The experience is similar to going to see a movie at your local theatre: you sit on lounge chairs, and drink cocktails while watching films projected onto large screens overhead.
Nature in New York
Nonetheless, New York also has plenty of nature within a couple hours reach, and Big Indian Mountain is one of them: This 4,000-acre preserve in the Catskills has plenty of activities for families, including hiking and biking trails through old-growth forest. It is a treasure escape from the lively city, and allows you to reconnect with nature.
Not so far away we also have the Governor’s Island, this former military base is now a national park where you can see Manhattan from above (in fact, it was once used by George Washington). It offers beautiful views of New York City, as well as access to several beaches along its coastlines.
While there are plenty of festivities to celebrate our independence, it seems that we have a lot more in common than what separates us, even when celebrating freedom.
