6 Best Ways To Beat The Heat In New York City
Here are six ways to beat the heat in the Big Apple as it bakes. By Carly Petrone.
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Grab some friends and beat the heat together with Escape Entertainment. Take part in a live escape game like Monkey Mayhem or Prohibition Pandemonium and spend an hour trying to win the race in order to escape! In Monkey Mayhem, order must be restored from the chaos cause by a renegade group of monkeys on the run. Can you problem solve, capture them from landmark buildings, and return them to their cages? If so, this game is for you. If you feel like going back in time then try out Prohibition Pandemonium. In this game, you'll be transported back to the Roaring Twenties in NYC where your ability to escape the long arm of the law is tied to a trail of clues (if you can find them). Get out of your everyday routine and start challenging your senses and testing your wits using clues, keys, passwords, and missing puzzle pieces. Admission is $30/person, with a special 20% off until July 15th. See website for more details and to make your reservation.
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Grab the kiddos and head over to the Central Park Zoo to say hello to the Snow Leopards. Yep, we said Snow Leopards. Get a close up view of these magnificent cats that can navigate steep terrain with grace and poise. Check out the two adorable cubs that frolic with their mom, Zoe. Or say stop by next door to say hello to the male cat, Askai. If you're in the mood for a cocktail on the way home, definitely try out the Snow Leopard Vodka-based cocktails at Seamstress and Caledonia on the Upper East Side. Sip on the tasty Southside Rickey (Snow Leopard Vodka, Lime Juice, Muddled Mint, and Cucumber) or the Conservation Martini (Snow Leopard Vodka, Dry Vermouth, and Rosemary) at Caledonia or be adventurous at Seamstress with the Summit to Sea Martini (Snow Leopard Vodka, Yerba Mate-Infused Dry Vermouth, and Lemon Twist) or the Glacial Maid (Snow Leopard Vodka, Aquavit, Cucumber, Ginger, Lime, and Mint). The best part? 15% of proceeds from Snow Leopard Vodka sales go toward donating to snow leopard conservation projects around the world. So make sure to snap a photo of your cocktail using the hashtag #GreatVodkaForGood.
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Brooklynites can head over to Brooklyn Bridge Park and take a dip in the Pop-Up Pool! Open now through Labor Day, it's the perfect hidden gem and cool down spot for families. The pool is only 30 feet by 50 feet in size, and maxes out at an easy 3.5. feet deep. This means swimmers of all ages are welcome to jump in and enjoy the water. Make sure to get your wristband as only 60 people at a time are allowed into the pool at a time (every 45 minutes). So get your bathing suit on and dive in! Pool is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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Cool off with a mug of beer at Zeppelin Hall in Jersey City. This casual Biergarten is serving up more than 144 European and American craft brews on draft, while the food menu doesn't disappoint either. Grab a spot inside or brave the heat on the patio before digging into signature dishes like Giant Pretzels with Obatzda cheese dip (Bavarian cheese made with brie, cream cheese, butter, onions, and spices), Pierogies, and Weiner Schnitzel. Head over there on the weekends if you're into meat – there's a pig roast every Saturday and Sunday starting at 2 p.m. Wash it all down with an Oktoberfest beer or specialty brew like Achouffe's La Chouffe or Weihenstephaner Vitus. They may be hard to pronounce but you'll certainly remember how good they tasted in this hot summer weather.
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Get on your boat shoes because you're about to set sail with Manhattan by Sail. Enjoy a 90-minute voyage during The Shearwater Daytime Sail and relax aboard the stately schooner yacht that was recently declared a national landmark. This 82-foot yacht can fit up to 50 passengers, making it an intimate ride along the New York Harbor. Take in the scenic views and let the wind flow through your hair while sipping on a beer, glass of wine, or soda. Watch the crew in action and move about the boat if you're curious about how it all works. Just don't forget your camera – you'll definitely want to grab a shot when the crew unfurls the Shearwater's sails. Cruise departs Monday – Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $36. Check website for more details.
Make a splash and learn something too at the Children's Museum of Manhattan's City Splash exhibit. Keeping your little ones cool in the heat of summer is important, but showing them learning can be fun and creative is an added bonus. City Splash offers a unique, hands-on way for kids to learn about the properties of water with fun experiments like testing the science of buoyancy and using funnels, pipes and other water tools to explore how storm drains work. Break out the sunscreen, grab the towels and get ready for a day of learning and fun in the sun.
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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.