August Bank Holiday in the City
Fly across the pond this bank holiday weekend to enjoy the many perks of visiting New York City in August. Incentives include reasonably priced flights (from £428 return*), lower room rates and balmy temperatures of up to 28?. Stay at the iconic Viceroy New York in the heart of Manhattan from £170 ($266) per room/night (incl. taxes & fees) - up to £200 less than during high-season. As many New Yorkers leave town during summer, explorers benefit from a bustle-free city, making getting about and visiting top tourist attractions less of a strain. Aside from the usual check-list sights, there is an abundance of quirky happenings taking place across the city over the long weekend, from stargazing on the high line, to the SummerStage music festival, making August a desirable time to visit. Here are our top picks for an enviable itinerary:
*Price based on direct return flights from London Heathrow to New York JFK with US Airways
SummerStage New York
A favourite with New Yorkers, SummerStage sees free performing arts gigs popping up across the city from May until September. SummerStage celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with a special line-up showcasing hip-hop, old-school funk, jazz and even cantorial music artists. Those in the city on 30th August can listen to reggae jams performed by Damian Marley and Stephen Marley, and Morgan Heritage on 69th Street from 7pm onwards. Check out the line-up at: cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage/.
Stargazing on the High Line
The Amateur Astronomers Association (AAA) set-up their high-powered telescopes on New York's highline so that amateur star gazers can see the wonders of the universe. For those who don't know their Aquila from their Equuleus, the AAA experts are on hand to point out the constellations above Manhattan's skyscrapers. The event takes place every Tuesday from 7:30pm onwards. For details visit thehighline.org/activities/stargazing.
New York International Fringe Festival
Over 16 days, FringeNYC sees 1,200 different shows from over 200 companies from around the world gather to take to the stage, performing a plethora of acts from musicals, mash-ups, comedies and tragedies to parodies, performance art and puppetry. One of the biggest happenings in New York City, FringeNYC alumni include the likes of Urinetown The Musical and Silence! The Musical. Join the crowd this summer to see new stars in the making. Tickets are still available over the bank holiday weekend from £12 ($18). For bookings visit fringenyc.org/.
MoMA PS1 Presents Warm Up 2015
Introducing audiences to experimental live music, sound and DJs from the US and overseas, the Museum of Modern Art's Warm Up outdoor music series runs every Saturday over the summer until 5th September. Held in the museum's courtyard, the 18th edition of the Warm Up series will feature an installation by New York/Madrid architecture firm Andrés Jaque, headed by one of the most challenging contemporary European architects in the world. Highlights on Saturday 29th August include FALSE WITNESS and #KUNQ. Please visit momaps1.org/.
1980s Film Festival
In 1980, the free Central Park Conservancy Film Festival was founded by a group of concerned citizens determined to reverse the decline of Central Park. In celebration of their feat, this year's film festival will only be screening films from the year 1980. Visitors over the bank holiday weekend can enjoy Raging Bull on Friday 28th August or Superman II on Saturday 29th August to get their retro-film fix. Enter the park at West 72nd Street, gates open at 6:30pm; films start at 8pm. Book on goo.gl/qDJ2a6.
Wave Hill's Manicured Garden
New York enjoys temperatures of up to 28? in August, making it the perfect time to visit Wave Hill, a 28 acre estate in the Hudson Hill section of Riverdale, Bronx. Visitors can relax on the slopes of the Hudson River in one of the estates many horticultural gardens and mosey around the botanical gardens. There are also three beautiful historical houses to visit dating back as far as 1843 including Wave Hill House which gives the estate its name. Those visiting in late August may wish to join the Tai Chi Chuan class, a form of internal martial art, on Saturday 29th August from 10am-11am or perhaps the Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath-Force of Nature exhibition tour from 1pm onwards at the Glyndor Gallery. More information at wavehill.org/.
Rooms at Viceroy New York are from £171 (US$266) per room/night (incl. taxes & fees) over the August bank holiday weekend. Bookings: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/newyork.
