By: Stefanie DiMartino

Things are heating up this summer – both temperature and event wise! New York City was never really gone, but it is definitely back. So, if you’re looking for all the best things to do, the best art exhibits, and the best in dining, then here are my top picks of the best things to do in NYC July 26-August 1.

To stay up-to-date on NYC happenings, download Cue now and follow my calendar! 

The Top 7 Best Things to do in NYC July 26-August 1

THINGS TO DO

DAYBREAKER: JOY GENERATION RELEASE

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021 | 6-9am | $39+ per person

Sony Hall, 235 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036

Certainly, Daybreaker parties are the best way to kick off your morning! There’s no better way to start your day off right than with yoga and a dance party. 

“This is the first record release party in Daybreaker history and it’s going to be a historically mischievous moment. Sarrah Strimmel will begin by blowing the minds (and opening the hearts) of all our press guests, in another unpredictably delicious Sing-Along-Yoga. Once the pipes are warm and the mats are rolled, we drop the lights and Soul Summit illuminates the dance floor. Our favorite front-man MC Elliot LaRue will have the camera-people too riled up to focus…and we dance it all out in honor of the future of music. The uniform for this one is iconic JOY YELLOW. Let’s make a sea of sunshine too bright to ignore and too fun to forget.” – Daybreaker 

Get tickets now and don’t miss out on this fun and bright event!

Note: This is a 100% vaccinated event. 

CITROVIA AT MANHATTAN WEST

Daily | FREE!

435 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001

Sticking with a bright and yellow theme, Citrovia at Manhattan West is a new and colorful interactive exhibit! Be transported to an expansive and extraordinary lemon citrus garden. Featuring thousands of oversized, hand-made lemons, billowing fabric clouds mimicking a sunrise and sunset, along with leaves and 19-foot-tall lemon trees, you definitely do not feel like you’re in the middle of a busy city!

SEA THE CITY: HOT TUB BOAT TOUR

Liberty Landing Marina, 84 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City, NJ 07305

Are you looking for the perfect summertime activity? Get onboard a Sea The City Hot Tub Boat Tour then! It is well worth the experience.

Sea The City offers hot tub boat tours, yes, hot tubs ON a boat! Truly, this is such a unique experience and something you don’t want to miss out on!

The boat has two full size hot tubs on it and for 90 minutes, it sails to the Statue of Liberty and back, offering stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Each hot tub holds 10 people and the ride is BYOB. Coolers, Ice, and Cups are provided free of charge. 

PS: For FREE towels on your tour, write FUNK TOWELS in the booking comments and let them know that you got the idea from me!

SARAHFUNKY NYC TOURS

Saturdays, Sundays, Custom day/time | $57+ 

Tourism is ramping back up in NYC! And, there’s no time like the present to book a SarahFunky NYC tour. Rated 5-stars on TripAdvisor, you certainly do not want to miss out on any of these one-of-a-kind experiences! 

There are quite a few tour options to choose from to fit your interests and your budget!

For a truly unique experience, book a custom designed private tour with either Sarah, Luis, Marcus, Nicola, or Gary! Or, you can get the best of both worlds with food and sightseeing and join the Best of New York Food Tour with Luis that includes four epic spots and behind the scenes experiences! Another option is to join A Secrets of New York Tour and visit hidden locations in lower Manhattan and learn secrets most New Yorkers don’t even know! They are all NYC experts and enjoy showing others around the city they love, so be sure to book today!

AND, WANT EXPERT VACATION PLANNING FOR YOUR NYC TRIP?

Now, you can plan your dream NYC vacation with FunkyTours Concierge! Make your NYC trip and experience even more special and memorable with custom-designed plans that fit your budget and your unique interests.

MUSEUM/ART EXHIBITIONS

THE LOOKING GLASS

Now – August 29th, 2021 | FREE!

The Shed Plaza and The High Line, 545 West 30th Street, New York, NY 10001

“The Looking Glass a free, outdoor exhibition of augmented reality (AR) artworks viewable on The Shed’s public plaza until August 29. Invisible to the naked eye, these artworks come to life on your phone’s screen when you aim your camera at the right spot, appearing as real as the environment around them. Through the juxtaposition of physical and virtual worlds, the works in The Looking Glass convey a sense of surprise and wonder about the spaces we move through every day.” – The Shed

KAWS: WHAT PARTY

Now – September 5, 2021 | $16+

Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238

KAWS: WHAT PARTY is on view now at Brooklyn Museum. The exhibit features more than 100 works ranging from rarely seen graffiti drawings and notebooks, to paintings and sculptures, to smaller collectible and furniture, and to monumental installations of his popular companion figures. There are also new pieces featured that were specially made just for the exhibit.

DRINKS/DINING

THE SIDECAR & GALLOW GREEN 

The McKittrick Hotel, 542 W 27th Street, New York, NY 10001

If you’re looking for an elevated dining and drinking experience, then look no further than Gallow Green. It is the greenest rooftop in NYC and the perfect spot to reconnect with your partner, your friends, or your family.

THE SIDECAR

Before being transported to the rooftop, spend some time at The Sidecar, the newest outside addition at The McKittrick. The Sidecar emulates an old-fashioned train car and offers light bites and drinks.

While there, you can snack on blackened popcorn, chorizo, homemade salt & vinegar chips, and gouda, while also enjoying hand crafted cocktails. The Sleep No More is the perfect summertime drink and is as delicious as it is beautiful with its purple hue (made with vodka, elderflower, citrus, and cider, garnished with butterfly-pea flowers). 

GALLOW GREEN

Continue your journey aboard an “old-timey” elevator and ride up to the magical Gallow Green space. You feel like you stumbled upon the most beautiful secret garden, surrounded by dreamy lights and lush greenery and flowers everywhere. And, because it’s a rooftop, you can catch stunning sunsets, along with views of the Empire State Building!

Gallow Green’s menu is absolutely perfect for summer. Some menu highlights are the Fattoush, which is light, tasty, and perfect in warmer weather. The McKittrick Burger is one of the juiciest burgers I’ve ever had and the bacon marmalade just takes the flavor over the top in the best way imaginable! 

Of course, no meal is ever complete without dessert. My favorite was the Orange Panna Cotta – creamy, yet light and airy, with sweet orange notes.  The Chocolate Mousse comes in a close second, and is rich and decadent, but not in a “too chocolate-y” kind of way. 

Whether you’re visiting NYC or you’re a local excited to finally get back to NYC life, I highly recommend visiting Gallow Green. Certainly, it’s a one-of-a-kind spot offering tasty food and drinks, along with Instagram-worthy photos! 

In conclusion, these are the top 7 best things to do in NYC July 26-August 1. Have fun and most importantly, stay safe!