NYC 101

The view from the Metropolitan Museum’s roof garden

Fri
Feel guilty because you’re not taking advan-tage of the culture, entertainment and tasty morsels of New York City? Here’s a chance to bag some essentials in a hurry. A Friday evening in the summer is the perfect time to visit the roof garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St; 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org), where the work of Chinese sculptor Cai Guo-Qiang is on display. Beforehand, meet a masterpiece: Duccio’s Madonna and Child, painted circa 1300, which the Met snapped up in 2004 for $45 million. Bear right at the top of the grand staircase to find the small, very expensive panel. Then take the elevator and step outside for a spectacular view of Central Park and the midtown skyline (plus a cash bar—open till 8:30 -tonight and Saturdays).

Dinner calls: Walk west for The Boathouse (midpark at 74th St, 212-517-2233) and its contemporary seafood-oriented menu (or opt for an informal snack on the terrace). After sustenance, time for the requisite New York jazz experience. The Village Vanguard (178 Seventh Ave South between Perry and W 11th Sts, 212-255-4037) has been hosting hepcats for 71 years, and the bills are still vibrant. The July lineup includes saxist Steve Wilson’s group, swing from the Heath Brothers and the Joe Wilder Quartet, and more experimental sounds from the Greg Osby Quartet.

Sat
Sleep in (you’re on vacation!), then board an eastbound 7 train; the Willets Point stop is near the Queens Museum of Art (Flushing Meadows Park; 718-592-9700, queensmuseum.org) and that scale-model panorama you’ve been meaning to see for years. Next, take the  7 back to the P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center (22-25 Jackson Ave at 46th St, Long Island City, Queens; 718-786-3139, ps1.org), where the world-renowned Warm Up party is in full swing (Saturdays 3–9pm, through September 2). Burgers, barbecued chicken and the like ($8 a plate)  help keep the groove going.

Sun
The schedule starts at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum (108 Orchard St at Broome St; 212-431-0233, tenement.org), where you’ll be reminded of the immigrants who came before us and how they struggled to make the city what it is. Speaking of which, lunch at nearby trend magnet Essex (120 Essex St between Delancey and Rivington Sts, 212-533-9616) is evidence of just how much the metropolis has evolved.—Soren Larson