Four Points Friday: New York City

Summer is here, inspiring travelers the world over to daydream about discovering new places. If you aren’t sure just where to go next, look no further. Here are four reasons to escape to New York City this season.

  1. See New York City from another perspective – and beat the crowds – by going up to the top of the Empire State Building at night. The observation deck is open until 2am, so you can take your time admiring the interiors of the Art Deco icon before stepping outside to soak up the twinkling lights of the city that never sleeps. If you’re feeling romantic, save your visit for later in the week, as a live saxophonist plays jazz hits Thursday through Saturday nights.
  2. Explore the Big Apple’s flora & fauna at the 250-acre New York Botanical Garden. Spend an enchanting evening watching the sunset surrounded by nature’s beauty right in the heart of Brooklyn. The garden offers extended evening hours every Tuesday during July & August, where you can enjoy free entertainment and savor a specialty cocktail or snack from the Yellow Magnolia Canteen.   
  3. It’s summertime, and that means baseball season is in full swing. Kick back with a big city ball game at the New York Mets’ Citi Field.  While the Yankees may be the more storied of the two teams, sports fans shouldn’t miss the chance to visit Citi Field, where the outfield terrace offers clear views of the whole field and food from iconic NYC eateries like Shake Shack and Blue Smoke.
  4. New Yorkers know summer has arrived when the outdoor markets return – especially Smorgasburg, the largest weekly, open-air food market in the country. Kicking off March 31st, the market brings more than 100 local food and beverage vendors to two locations in Brooklyn, drawing tens of thousands of people each week. Sample everything from locally sourced lobster rolls and Filipino halo halo to Shanghai street food and Long Island craft beers.