50 things to do now in New York City

Ride the Staten Island Ferry
During this commuter barge's 25-minute crossing, you get superb panoramas of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Boats leave South Ferry at Battery Park. Call or see the website for schedules. Battery Park, South St at Whitehall St (718-727-2508, siferry.com)

Visit Governors Island
A seven-minute ride on a free ferry takes you to this seasonal island sanctuary, a scant 800 yards from lower Manhattan. Governors Island was a military outpost and off-limits to the public for 200 years. Today, the 22-acre area provides a peaceful setting for cycling (bring a bike on the ferry, or rent from Bike and Roll once there). The island hosts a program of events, such as concert series and art exhibitions. Where else can you have a picnic directly across from the Statue of Liberty? Slip 7 at South St (govisland.com)

Eat at Shake Shack
The lines can be daunting, but patient souls will be rewarded: Sirloin and brisket are ground daily for excellent patties, and the franks are served Chicago-style on poppy seed buns with a "salad" of toppings and a dash of celery salt. Frozen-custard shakes hit the spot, and there's beer and wine to boot. It's worth waiting in line for, if you ask us, but if you're in a rush, the Upper West Side's wait rarely exceeds 20 minutes. 23rd St at Madison Ave (212-889-6600) - 366 Columbus Ave at 77th St (646-747-8770). Subway: 1 to 79th St. Daily 10:45am-11pm. Average burger: $4. The 10 best outdoor restaurants in NYC

Visit Coney Island
In its heyday, Coney Island was the site of several amusement parks; most of the stomach-churning rides and funnel cake vendors will be bulldozed to make way for luxury beachside condos and a rumored Disney-type destination. However, the vintage wooden rollercoaster, the Cyclone, and the giant Wonder Wheel remain open. And there's always the beach and the adjoining Boardwalk, which hosts a number of music festivals. Head left on the Boardwalk to Brighton Beach, New York's Little Odessa, where you can sup on borscht and smoked fish. D, F, N, Q to Coney Island-Stillwell Ave.

Eat at Barney Greengrass
Despite decor that Jewish mothers might call "schmutzy," this legendary deli is a madhouse at breakfast and brunch. Enormous egg platters come with the usual choice of smoked fish (such as sturgeon or Nova Scotia salmon). Prices are high but portions are large-and that goes for the sandwiches, too. Or try the less costly dishes: matzo-ball soup, creamy egg salad or cold pink borscht served in a glass jar. 541 Amsterdam Ave between 86th and 87th Sts (212-724-4707, barneygreengrass.com)

Have a drink and listen to music at The Frying Pan
This "lightship"-a floating lighthouse once used by the Coast Guard—sank while docked in Maryland and spent three years underwater. Later salvaged, she is now a floating bar near Chelsea Piers. The Pan's lunch and dinner menu spans crab cakes, salmon and burgers; sip a tiki drink and experience sonic happenings such as the recent electronic-music installation Sound in the Frying Pan. Pier 66, West Side Highway at 26th St (212-989-6363, pier66maritime.com)

Go to the Museum of Natural History
Home to the largest and arguably most fabulous collection of dinosaur fossils in the world, AMNH's fourth-floor dino halls have been blowing people's minds for decades. Roughly 80% of the bones on display were actually dug out of the ground by Indiana Jones-types. The Hall of Human Origins boasts a fine display of your old cousins, the Neanderthals. The spectacular $210 million Rose Center for Earth & Space—dazzling to come upon at night—is a giant silvery globe where you can discover the universe via 3-D shows in the Hayden Planetarium and light shows in the Big Bang Theater. An IMAX theatre screens larger-than-life nature programs, and you can always learn something new from the innovative temporary exhibitions and easily accessible research library. Central Park West at 79th St (212-769-5100, amnh.org)

Check out the P.S. 1 warm up party
This massively popular annual music-and-dance series, held in the courtyard of the contemporary-art hotspot, features a stellar slate of DJs and performers. What bands are playing? Which DJs are spinning? As of now, we have no clue—but who cares. Starting July 4, the beats will be banging and P.S.1's courtyard will be packed. 22-25 Jackson Ave at 46th Ave (718-784-2084, ps1.org/warmup)

Eat at the Red Hook ball fields
Although it's home to Fairway and Ikea, Red Hook's remote location makes it feel like unexplored terrain. Hop on the free ferry service from downtown and head for the much-praised Latin-food vendors that set up shop on the Red Hook ball fields. Sample excellent El Salvadorian pupusas and other national delicacies, and watch some serious teams play soccer–kickball in McCarren Park this ain’t. Red Hook Recreational Area, Clinton St at Bay St. Red Hook staycation

Climb to the crown of the Statue of Liberty
Lady Liberty's crown opens on July 4 for the first time since 9/11, and will stay open for approximately two years. Make a reservation to climb the 354 steps for a stunning view of New York harbor. Book early or late in the day; the crown will close if the interior becomes too hot. Liberty Island (212-363-3200, nps.gov/stli)

See the Cloisters
Set in a lovely park overlooking the Hudson River, the Cloisters houses the Met's medieval art and architecture collections. A path winds through the peaceful grounds to a castle that seems to have survived from the Middle Ages. (It was built a mere 70 years ago, using pieces of five medieval French cloisters.) Be sure to check out the famous Unicorn Tapestries, the 12th-century Fuentidueña Chapel and the Annunciation Triptych by Robert Campin. 99 Margaret Corbin Dr, Fort Tryon Park (212-923-3700, metmuseum.org)

INDEX New Places
Get up to speed on the scenes, spots and events you need to be hitting up this summer.