Hamptons in NYC

FOOD AND DRINK

Almond 12 E 22nd St between Broadway and Park Ave South (212-228-7557, almondnyc.com). The owners of the Bridgehampton bistro Almond unveil a New York City location, focusing on simple French fare, like roasted chicken with hand-crushed potatoes. Every week from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Almond is hosting Summer Fridays, in which guests are treated to a three-piece jumbo-shrimp cocktail, hamburger with fries, a choice of one Blue Point Summer Ale or a cucumber and ginger caipirinha, and unlimited free pool in the restaurant’s billiards room. All for a very un-Hamptons-like $21.

Brooklyn Fish Camp 162 Fifth Ave between DeGraw and Douglass Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-783-3264). We’ve been reminded by recent cinema gaffes like Bewitched and The Honeymooners that remakes of beloved originals rarely live up to expectations. Mind you, Brooklyn Fish Camp is no flop: Menu holdovers from the seminal Mary’s Fish Camp—the cultish lobster roll, rosemary-stuffed whole fish and succulent lobster knuckles—are as fresh and delicious at the spin-off as they are on Charles Street. But the thrill of scoring a precious seat at the tiny West Village original simply doesn’t carry over to the Brooklyn location, which is too spacious and lacking in character to feel special. You’ll eat well, at least, and while the weather’s nice you can eat outside, too: There’s a lovely deck in back.

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory Fulton Ferry Landing Pier at Old Fulton St, Dumbo, Brooklyn (718-246-3963). In 2001, Mark Thompson—then a manager at River Café—approached his boss with the proposition that they should turn the 1920’s fireboat house, located just south of the Brooklyn Bridge, into an ice cream shop of unparalleled quality. Using only top-grade ingredients like local cream, unbleached Hawaiian sugar and fresh fruit, this ice cream long ago won the hearts of NYC foodies. Thompson obviously takes pride in his technique as well: “All of it is made by myself or my apprentice, and only five gallons at a time, to ensure consistency.” Perhaps that’s why the flavors he concocts taste both delicate and rich, the culinary equivalent of a Fabergé egg.

Ed’s Lobster Bar 222 Lafayette St between Broome and Spring Sts (212-343-3236). Ed McFarland (yes, the “Ed”) is rolling with the downtown-shellfish-shack formula pioneered by Pearl and mimicked by spin-offs (Mary’s Fish Camp) and imitators (Ditch Plains) alike. That would mean cramped quarters, no reservations and a studied informality. Given the name, most come for lobster, and what Pearl’s is to bivalves, Ed’s is to that crustacean: Lobster is served steamed, grilled, broiled, chilled or stuffed into a pie. This spot doesn’t replace Maine or Cape Cod, but it’s nice to find such an excellent shellfish shrine a lot closer to home.

Gowanus Yacht Club Smith St at President St, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (no phone). In a city overrun with excessively styled nightspots, there’s a lot to be said for the “come in and drink beer” manifesto of one seasonal haunt. Squeezed next to an F-G subway entrance and Bagels by the Park, the GYC—an outdoor beer garden for ironic, scruffy types—has a garage sale–meets–fraternity house decor. On cool nights, bartenders may fire up the potbellied stove to take the chill off. The half-barrel grill is usually glowing, so you can chow down on bockwurst, then slake your thirst with a pitcher of Dentengem’s Witbier.

The Hill 416 Third Ave between 29th and 30th Sts (212-481-1712). Dune Southampton owner Matt Shendell brings his nightlife savvy to Murray Hill. The upmarket lounge features 30 televisions and booze that’s suited to both the typical (four-buck cans of Pabst) and atypical (strawberry-lychee punch) sports-bar clientele. Ditto the food, which includes fondue—a throwback to the spot’s previous life as Dip.

Home 20 Cornelia St between Bleecker and W 4th Sts (212-243-9579). Although the original owners have sold their interest in Home, chef Ross Gill (Dos Caminos), continues their sustainable vision. His affordable, honest menu offers comforting classics like warming corn chowder, studded with plump cockles and flecks of bacon. Though some dishes needed more salt, the juicy Newport steak was near perfect. Desserts included a respectable apple-cranberry pie—an essential item given the restaurant’s name.

Hudson Bar At the Hudson hotel, 356 W 58th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212-554-6303). Philippe Starck’s once smokin’-hot hotel bar, with its lit glass floors and music- and fashion-industry honcho crowd, is Manhattan as seen on TV. Sprightly strawbellinis are made by sexy barmen with artfully mussed hair, and you’re just as likely to see British tourists as a White Stripe or, hey—isn’t that Katie Couric?

Marquee 289 Tenth Ave between 26th and 27th Sts (646-473-0202, marqueeny.com). The owners tore the roof off a former garage and custom-made everything here: the vaulted ceiling, the glass-beaded chandelier, even the champagne buckets. The centerpiece is a spectacular double-sided staircase that leads to a mezzanine level overlooking the action below. The club accommodates up to 600 people, but despite having been around for a few years, is still so hot that you’ll have trouble getting past the velvet rope. Don’t expect much musically, though—as with many venues where the scene trumps the tunes, it’s largely middle-of-the-road fare (Christina Aguilera and Paris Hilton both had their album-release parties here).

Mary’s Fish Camp 64 Charles St at W 4th St (646-486-2185). Named after owner (and former Pearl Oyster Bar partner) Mary Redding, this tiny space has the fun, low-key feel of an informal coastal Florida seafood house, only without shrimp peelings on the floor. Whole fish, such as red snapper, daurade and tilapia, are simply prepared: Stuffed with fresh herbs, they’re cooked quickly at high heat to keep the flesh flavorful and moist. Lobster comes either grilled, boiled or in a roll. Join the crowd and have a tall, gooey hot-fudge sundae for dessert.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St (212-535-7710, metmuseum.org). There’s something especially lovely about getting tipsy in an iconic NYC spot. As the weather becomes balmy, this oft-overlooked gem is a fine place to enjoy the southern vista of the midtown skyline, as well as Central Park from above.

Nello 696 Madison Ave between 62nd and 63rd Sts (212-980-9099). On this stretch of Madison Avenue, money talks. And at Nello, where suave waiters pamper Upper East Side princesses, a $22, “I’d like the appetizer salad of arugula, pears and fontina cheese, please.” The similarly fresh and tasty tuna tartare (one of a good selection of antipasti, which also includes chicken livers and grilled sea scallops) will set you back $37. Hefty portions of traditionally cooked meats and seafood run upward from there, as do the exquisitely prepared pastas. Maybe you should just whip out the plastic and let it do the talking.

Nick and Toni’s 100 W 67th St between Columbus Ave and Broadway (212-496-4000). If it’s door drama, celebrity sightings and big attitude you’re looking for, better catch the Jitney out to Nick and Toni’s sceney sister in the Hamptons. But this branch, located near Lincoln Center, offers a quiet haven for decent, slightly overpriced meals and a civilized, mature crowd. The menu changes seasonally, but expect pastas, a few risottos, such as a laughing-bird shrimp and spring peas, and simple, often wood-oven-roasted entrées such as whole fish, roasted chicken or pork chops.

Pacha 618 W 46th St between Eleventh and Twelfth Aves (212-209-7500). The worldwide glam-club chain Pacha, with outposts in nightlife capitals such as Ibiza, London and Buenos Aires, hit the U.S. market in 2005 with this swanky joint helmed by superstar spinner Erick Morillo. The spot attracts heavyweights ranging from local hero Danny Tenaglia to big-time visiting jocks such as Jeff Mills and Josh Wink, but like most big clubs, it pays to check the lineup in advance if you’re into underground beats.

Pearl Oyster Bar 18 Cornelia St between Bleecker and W 4th Sts (212-691-8211). This convivial, New England–style joint was a forerunner of the city’s fish-shack trend. The outstanding lobster roll—sweet, lemony meat laced with mayonnaise on a butter-enriched bun—is Pearl’s raison d’être, but more sophisticated dishes fare equally well: A bouillabaisse features briny lobster broth packed with mussels, cod, scallops and clams, with an aioli-smothered crouton balanced on top—a great value at $18. For dessert, try a bittersweet chocolate mousse topped with a quenelle of barely sweetened whipped cream. Finally, a restaurant worthy of its hype.

Rusty Knot 425 West St at 11th St (212-645-5668). This Hudson River–hugging nautical “dive bar” from Taavo Somer (Freemans) and Ken Friedman (the Spotted Pig) is a confusing—but successful—high-low hybrid. Faux Tiffany lamps and neon beer signs clash with the elaborate tiki cocktails (devised by Milk and Honey vet Toby Maloney), and with the foppish hordes who queue up outside the place. You’d never find the eponymous Rusty Knot—a refreshing, blender-whirred mix of rum, ice and mint—or eats like a luxe bacon–chicken liver sandwich at a grimy pub. But you would find three-buck pints of Busch and 50-cent rounds of pool. Happily, the Knot has those bases covered, too.

79th Street Boat Basin Café W 79th St at the Hudson River (212-496-5542, boatbasincafe.com). Yes, it gets crowded. And yes, it gets crowded with annoyingly preppy UWSers. But the view, the terrace and the breeze make it hard to write off the Boat Basin. Summer in the city almost requires a visit or two to this social hub, and if you don’t mind waiting, you will be rewarded with a cynicism-busting sunset over the Hudson while you down burgers and beers with your best friends.

Sweet Melissa Crémerie 276 Court St between Butler and Douglass Sts (718-855-3410). Melissa Murphy, who operates Rockwellian patisserie Sweet Melissa in Cobble Hill, has expanded her Court Street shop to include this scoop spot. She also plans to add a creamery annex to her Park Slope location. Ice cream comes from Philadelphia company Bassett’s, and house-made toppings include nut brittle and marshmallows. Sip an egg cream, bubbling with seltzer, in the rear garden—the outdoor space has doubled in size.

Union Square Greenmarket 16th to 17th St between Union Square East and West (212-788-7476). Here you’ll find yourself shopping elbow-to-elbow with top chefs for all manner of regionally grown culinary pleasures. While the Greenmarket is best-known for its healthy goodies, sweet teeth will also be sated here. Seek out cider donuts and gingerbread cookies for a fantastic dessert while browsing the healthier fare. The Union Square Greenmarket is the granddaddy of them all, but there are dozens of additional markets throughout NYC. For hours and other locations, head to cenyc.org/greenmarket.

Yard At the Soho Grand Hotel, 310 West Broadway between Canal and Grand Sts (212-965-3000). The Soho Grand’s outdoor restaurant has a menu with a mission: to offer the kinds of food you’d serve in your backyard, if you had one. Cooks fire up the grill for beef, turkey and veggie burgers with top-shelf condiments like Cayuga blue cheese, pancetta and radicchio. Those who dream of alfresco dinner parties in the Hamptons can try the lobster roll. Desserts are simple and summery: a bowl of cherries, fruit pie and ice-cream cones. Check the weather before you go. Just like at home, there’s no cookout in the rain.

SHOPPING

The Bicycle Station 171 Park Ave at Adelphi St, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn (718-638-0300). This shop is an absolute godsend for cyclists on their way to or from Prospect Park—and the many others who make a detour just to get their steed serviced by owner Mike Rodriguez and his crew. In a refreshing change from the usual attitude-laden bike store, the stationmasters want to find exactly the right cycle for you, they don’t up-sell, and they don’t look down on newbies who can’t tell derailleurs from crank arms. “Quick, efficient and friendly” seems to be the shop’s unofficial motto. “I think customer service means being nice,” says Rodriguez. Amazingly, this freakish philosophy hasn’t hurt the shop, which has been around for 11 years.

Calypso 815 Madison Ave between 68th and 69th Sts (212-585-0310, calypso-celle.com). Hippie-chic tunics, peasant skirts, patterned flowing frocks and candy-colored beaded camisoles are staples at Christiane Celle’s many Manhattan outposts. Hit up this tropical-island-inspired label for sexy summer wardrobe essentials that will never go out of style. See the website for additional locations.

Fishs Eddy 889 Broadway at 19th St (212-420-9020, fishseddy.com). Penny-pinchers frequent this warrenlike shop for sturdy, vintage dishware and glasses—recycled from restaurants, ocean liners and hotels—but there are plenty of affordable, freshly minted kitchen goods, too. Add whimsy to mealtime with glasses adorned with images from various fables ($5 and up), platters printed with the Brooklyn skyline ($16–$23) and Cynthia Rowley’s popular Dirty Dishes dinnerware ($10–$16), which feature reclining scantily clad girls.

John Derian 6 E 2nd St between Bowery and Second Ave (212-677-3917). World famous for his eternally popular decoupaged plates and platters depicting everything from turn-of-the-century love letters to mating donkeys (starting at about $48), Derian’s old-world-feeling shop is chock-full of great gifts like papier-mâché votive holders ($35) and Moroccan poufs in gold and hot pink ($265–$325). The adjacent dry-goods shop features a slew of covetable linens, such as delicately printed pillowcases from John Robshaw and imported suzanis.

Jonathan Adler 37 Greenwich Ave at Charles St (212-488-2803, jonathanadler.com). Good things come from Jersey: Take this domestic-design superstar, for instance, whose playful housewares could brighten any apartment. Needlepoint throw pillows with prints of ’60s models ($165) channel Andy Warhol, and stoneware salt and pepper shakers molded like a snake and apple or a pair of whales ($48) bring personality to the table. Cure friends suffering from the bleak-studio-apartment blues with Adler’s manifesto My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living ($35). See the website for additional locations.

Mollusk 210 Kent Ave at Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-218-7456, mollusksurfshopnyc.com). In a former loading dock on a graffiti-covered corner of B-burg, this San Francisco–based surf shop hopes to get Rockaway-bound wave riders stoked with handmade boards ($550–$1,275) and artist-designed tees ($24).

Ralph Lauren 867 Madison Ave at 72nd St (212-606-2100, ralphlauren.com). Ralph Lauren spent $14 million transforming the old Rhinelander mansion into an Ivy League–like dream of a superstore: It’s filled with oriental rugs, paintings, riding whips, leather club chairs and a huge range of covetable cashmere sweaters, polos and tailored pants.

Ralph Lauren Girls 878 Madison Ave between 71st and 72nd Sts (212-606-3376). Good news for preppy-chic young ladies: Ralph Lauren Girls is the all-American fashion house’s first boutique dedicated to females ages 4 through 16. Tweens can pick up cashmere sweaters ($225) and polos ($35) to add to their chichi summer-break wardrobes.

Tracy Feith 1318 Madison Ave at 93rd St (212-383-8595). You know you’ve made it when Target approaches you to do a designer collaboration. Fashion designer and surfer dude Tracy Feith’s colorful collection, both for Target and his Upper East Side outpost, will have ladies dressing for summer all year round. Baby blue walls and dark wood floors are the backdrop for Feith’s cheerful kaleidoscope-colored frocks, woven straw bags and cork wedges.

SIGHTS, SUN AND FUN

Battery Park City Parks Along the Hudson River between Battery Pl and Chambers St (bpcparks.org). Not to be confused with the touristy, busker-filled Battery Park just to the east, this serene series of small walkways and plazas is a gorgeous escape nestled into the skyscrapers of lower Manhattan. Find a shady, cool spot in the Esplanade, reflect at the Irish Hunger Memorial or sunbathe among the hotties on the lush grass of Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, overlooking the mouth of the Hudson.

Chelsea Piers pool Pier 60, 23rd St and Eleventh Ave (212-336-6000, chelseapiers.com). Need a spot to cool off from the summer swelter and get away from the teeming masses? It doesn’t get much better than this beautiful blue escape inside of Chelsea Piers. The six-lane, 25-yard pool doesn’t come cheap: A day pass will set you back $50, but when the mercury hits 90 and the pavement starts to melt your shoes, it will feel well worth it.

City Island (cityisland.com). Overlooking sailboat-dotted Long Island Sound, Eastchester Bay and a slice of Manhattan in the distance, this tiny island in the north Bronx has lovely small-town charm to spare. Taverns and antique stores bump up against galleries, wine boutiques and toy stores, and it’s not uncommon to spot tough clammers enjoying drinks next to a family of four. Grab a sensational brunch at City Island Diner (304 City Island Ave, 718-885-0362), lunch at the Snug tavern (302 City Island Ave, 718-885-9559) or some fish and chips at the Crab Shanty (361 City Island Ave, 718-885-1810).

CityView Racquet Club 43-34 32nd Place between Queens Blvd and Skillman Ave, Long Island City, Queens (718-389-6252, cityviewracquet.com). This ultraswanky membership-based tennis facility has seven Har-Tru courts, four squash courts, state-of-the-art fitness facilities and a spa (offering a variety of massage techniques to help you work out that tennis elbow). Feeling peckish after your workout? There’s a café where you can unwind and replenish.

Coney Island beach Boardwalk at Stillwell Ave, Coney Island, Brooklyn (718-372-5159, coneyisland.com). On hot summer days, the Coney Island beach can get congested with working-class families staking out towel space next to hipsters, senior citizens and teenagers with boom boxes. The water is placid, though, and avid swimmers can be seen a little ways out, doing laps along the shoreline, as kids wade to their knees to splash and laugh. If you’re tired of baking and soaking, there’s still plenty to do along the boardwalk, even after the demise of Astroland amusement park. The Cyclone roller coaster is still here, as is the Wonder Wheel, and unhealthy treats ranging from Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to sugary funnel cakes help make for a perfect day in the sun.

Floating Pool Lady Barretto Point Park, Tiffany St at Viele Ave, Hunts Point, Bronx (floatingpool.org). Thanks to the tenacity of urban activist Ann Buttenwieser, New Yorkers are able to dive into a seven-lane, 82-foot swimming pool docked just off Hunts Point in the Bronx when it makes its return this June. “It’s a great thing for this neighborhood, which has never had a public pool,” says Parks and Recreation commissioner Adrian Benepe. Best of all? It’s free.

Governors Island Slip 7 at South St (govisland.com). A seven-minute ride on a free ferry takes you to this seasonal island sanctuary, a scant 800 yards from lower Manhattan. Thanks to its strategic position in the middle of New York Harbor, Governors Island was a military outpost, off-limits to the public for 200 years. It finally opened to summer visitors in 2006. The verdant, 172-acre isle still retains a significant chunk of its military-era architecture, including Fort Jay, started in 1794, and Castle Williams, which was completed in 1812 and used as a prison. The 22-acre area containing the forts and historical officers’ residences is now a national landmark. Today, the island is jointly run by the city, the state and the National Park Service, and it 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 (see website for schedule), and where else can you have a picnic directly across from the Statue of Liberty?

Jacob Riis Park Beach 149th St to Beach 169th St, Rockaway Park, Queens (718-318-4300, nps.gov/gate). It’s too far to reach by foot, but the Green Bus Line stops right at the subway station, and the short ride is worth it (you can also get here by NY Waterway ferry; go to nywaterway.com). As part of Gateway National Park, Jacob Riis is well maintained, and the beach is stunning. Dunes swoop up to one side and an endless sky stretches out over the clear blue water. The only litter comes from clamshells and occasional bits of rope washed up from fishing boats that moor farther down toward Breezy Point, at the very end of the peninsula. It seems like it’s a thousand miles from the city, but if you stand on top of a dune and look west, the Manhattan skyline is visible.

Kayak on the Hudson downtownboathouse.org. So long as you know how to swim and show up in a bathing suit or shorts, the Downtown Boathouse will furnish you with a kayak, lifejacket and paddle, and turn you loose in one of its enclosed bay areas on the Hudson for 20 minutes. There’s no fee for this fun treat at any of the Downtown Boathouse’s three locations. See the website for locations and details.

The Mansions on Clinton Avenue Clinton Ave between Park Ave and Fulton St, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. Want to feel like you’re among the ultrarich without actually having to deal with the snobs? Head to Clinton Hill and take a stroll down Clinton Avenue. Between 1880 and 1915, NYC’s wealthiest industrialists built homes here, the most famous of which was Charles Pratt’s home at 232 Clinton Avenue (now part of St. Joseph’s College). While most of the massive homes have been chopped into apartments, they haven’t lost any of their ornate splendor, and walking along the tree-and-grass-lined sidewalks is enough to help you forget you’re in NYC. But the hipster dens on Myrtle and DeKalb Avenues and the nonstop bustle of Fulton Street are right there to snap you back into modern, urban reality.

Mini Golf at Randall’s Island Golf Center 1 Randalls Island (212-427-5689, randallsislandgolfcenter.com). Any golfer worth their checkered knickers will tell you that putting is just as important as hitting the ball long off the tee. The two 18-hole putt-putt courses here offer varying degrees of difficulty and undulations to help golfers hone their short game.

The Morgan Library and Museum 225 Madison Ave at 36th St (212-685-0008, themorgan.org). This Madison Avenue institution began as the private library of savvy financier J. Pierpont Morgan, and is his artistic gift to the city. Building on the collection Morgan amassed in his lifetime, the museum houses first-rate works on paper, including drawings by Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Picasso; three Gutenberg Bibles; a copy of Frankenstein annotated by Mary Shelley; manuscripts by Dickens, Poe, Twain, Steinbeck and Wilde; sheet music handwritten by Beethoven and Mozart; and an original edition of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol that’s displayed every yuletide. In 2006, a massive renovation and expansion orchestrated by Renzo Piano brought more natural light into the building and doubled the available exhibition space.

New York Botanical Garden Bronx River Pkwy at Fordham Rd, Bronx (718-817-8700, nybg.org). Among the diverse specimens found in this urban Eden are banana trees, moth orchids, the largest collection of New World palms in captivity and a 50-acre tract of pristine forest.

The pier behind Ikea 1 Beard St between Dwight St & Halleck St, Red Hook, Brooklyn (718-246-4532). While wandering through the mostly windowless Ikea store is hardly a relaxing experience—especially on weekends—the pier out back is one of the most serene spots you’ll find in NYC. Duck inside the megastore and pick up a snack and some coffee, then head out back to chill on the surprisingly comfortable metal lounge chairs while you watch the boats float by on the East River. When you’re ready to head back to the bustle, there’s free busses and (much more exciting) a free Water Taxi to shuttle you out of Red Hook.

Rockaway Beach Beach 44th St to Beach 149th St, Rockaway Park, Queens (718-318-4000). Variety stores, flower shops and run-down hotels dot the sidewalks leading to the lovely beach immortalized by the Ramones’ song “Rockaway Beach.” Although projects and high-rises loom a few miles down along the water, not too many buildings face this relatively uncrowded stretch of beach. A strange mix of people finds its way here, and it’s easy to imagine the late Joey Ramone casting shadows on the white sand, along with the inhabitants of welfare hotels and nursing homes, the middle-class homeowners from the south end of the peninsula and the surfing aficionados who come here to catch the waves.

The Rose Center for Earth and Space Central Park West at 79th St (212-769-5100, amnh.org). The American Museum of Natural History’s space-age wing includes the renovated Hayden Planetarium and several innovative exhibits about the evolution and history of the universe. It’s the perfect place to view the stars for light-polluted city folks.

Sava Spa 211 Pinehurst Ave between 185th and 187th Sts (212-543-0008). Relax at this uptown getaway for the stinkin’ rich and curiously famous. Uma Thurman, Kyra Sedgwick, Trudie Styler and, of course, Sting have all paid visits to aesthetician Joanna Czech. You should too. Doors open at 9am on Saturdays, when guests are wrapped in cashmere blankets and served cappuccino.

South Beach Father Capodanno Blvd at Sand Ln, Staten Island (718-816-6804). Since 1995, Staten Island has pumped $20 million into restoring this 1.7-mile boardwalk, making it one of the most visited spots in the southernmost borough. Throughout the summer, you’ll find free concerts and fireworks displays, and you can catch your dinner off the Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier. The breathtaking views of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge remain an attraction year-round.

South Street Seaport Museum 12 Fulton St between Front and South Sts (212-748-8600, southstreetseaportmuseum.org). Set throughout 11 blocks along the East River, this museum is an amalgam of galleries, historic ships, 19th-century buildings and a visitors’ center. Wander around the reconstructed streets and pop in to see an exhibition on marine life and history before climbing aboard the four-masted 1911 Peking. The seaport is generally thick with tourists, but it’s still a lively place to spend an afternoon, especially for families with children, who will enjoy the atmosphere and intriguing seafaring memorabilia.

Water Taxi Beach 2-03 Borden Ave at 2nd St, Long Island City, Queens (watertaxibeach.com). New York Water Taxi president Tom Fox has teamed up with Schnäck owner Harry Hawk to create a seasonal beach bar and restaurant in Long Island City. In addition to noshing on summer grill grub like hot dogs, burgers and fish tacos, patrons can sip beer and margaritas while soaking in a killer view of the Manhattan skyline, and DJs regularly spin here until the wee hours. This summer, two additional Water Taxi Beaches open at South Street Seaport and on Governors Island. See the website for hours and additional details.

Wave Hill 675 W 252nd St, gate at Independence Ave and 249th St, Bronx (718-549-3200, wavehill.org). This city-owned garden in the north Bronx retains the same horticultural traditions that it had when it was a private estate between 1843 and 1960. You’ll find some of the city’s most meticulously groomed gardens, as well as stunning, sweeping views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades. Tue 3–July 19: “Arbores Venerabiles” The conservatory has declared 2009 the “year of the trees”; to celebrate, 12 artists (including Joel Adas and Jill Lear) were invited to create work based on trees found within the garden.