Summer is the season for free outdoor concerts in New York. The Summerstage concert series at Ramsey Playfield in Central Park has free concerts throughout August, featuring well-known and emerging musical acts from around the world. Summerstage isn't limited to concerts; it also features free readings, talks and movies. Bring a picnic basket and enjoy free music in one of the greatest city parks in the world.
Be sure to check out the Celebrate Brooklyn! annual summer concert series, which features free outdoor concerts at The Bandshell in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. The River to River Festival also sponsors free music and dance performances in downtown Manhattan locations.
Each summer, HBO sponsors the Bryant Park Film Festival. The first three Monday evenings in August, a classic Hollywood film will be screened in Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan. Movies in August 2009 include "Kramer vs. Kramer" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Be sure to get there early to get a good spot on the grass. Picnicking is encouraged.
More recent releases are shown on Pier 54 at the Hudson River Park in Manhattan every Wednesday. Films for August 2009 include "Tropic Thunder" and "Pineapple Express."
Traveling with children? The Hudson River Park Flicks for Kids screens a children's film every Friday on Pier 46 of Hudson River Park. Be sure to bring comfy blankets or lawn chairs because the concrete pier isn't comfortable.
New York City is a diners' paradise where you can find cuisine from Afghanistan to Sweden to Senegal. Enjoy a fine dining experience for less by sampling the prix fixe Restaurant Week menus at gourmet restaurants throughout the city. Though Restaurant Week officially ends in July, many of these restaurants extend their special prix fixe lunch and dinner menus until the end of the summer.
Those on a tight budget can pick up a few bottles of wine and take advantage of New York's many BYOB restaurants, such as the quaint Tartine bistro in the West Village or one of the several, festive BYO Indian restaurants clustered around 6th Street in the East Village.
