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The Best Things to Do in NYC this August
by New York Bucket List
New York City came back with events and attractions galore for us to enjoy, and the innovation is far from over. This month welcomes in festivals celebrating seltzers and rums, next level virtual reality art exhibits, rainbow swimming pools, dragon boat races—and so much more to explore.
To squeeze in all the fun summer days you can, we’ve got the best suggestions for New Yorkers in August below.
Note: Indoor mask recommendations/requirements are continuously updated to best protect the city. We urge readers to check the latest recommendations from public health officials when planning their outings.
Brunch and Yoga at Baby Brasa
Get all the Sunday-funday spoils rolled into one at Baby Brasa—a vibrant group of “restobars” in the city—each Sunday this August! Here you’ll find Peruvian brunch dishes, live music, seasonal cocktails, and a yoga class guided by their in-house instructor.
Ticket Options:
- $49 per person, includes yoga class, 1 brunch item, 1 drink
- $69 per person, includes yoga class, 1 brunch item, 1 drink, and merch (hat & shoulder pouch)
Where: 173 7th Ave. South, West Village, New York, NY. 10014
When: Class starts at 9:30 AM; Sunday, August 8, Sunday, August 15, Sunday, August 22 - Rock N Flow Class, Sunday, August 20
Cocktails and Comedy Night
If you descend Canary Club's avant-garde club space: you’ll find a hilarious hidden gem. Here lies Cocktails & Comedy, taking place every Tuesday with shows at both 7pm and 8:45pm. In between belly laughs you can enjoy the Canary Club's New Orleanian-menu and unique cocktail program, with an emphasis on shareable bites.
Tickets:
- $30 for 2 (each person gets 1 drink)
- $60 for 4 (each person gets 1 drink)
Where: 303 Broome Street, NY 10002
When: Every Tuesday, two shows at 7:00pm and 8:45pm
Seltzerland NYC on Saturday August 7th
Seltzerland—the nationally touring hard seltzer festival, is splashing down in NYC on Saturday, August 7th! The Brooklyn EXPO will transform into a hard seltzer paradise, with over 100 unique sparkling beverages to sip. Plus, tons of Seltzer swag, games and munchies.
Bucket Listers' exclusive tier access:
Tickets: GA, $52 per person
When: Afternoon (11 AM - 1:30 PM) and Evening (5:30 PM - 8 PM)
What's Included:
- 100+ hard seltzer tasting across the course
- Photo ops, games, swag and activities
- A Seltzerland tasting cup
- Food for purchase on-site
VIP Tickets: $72 per person
When: 2 PM - 5 PM
What’s included: Everything in GA, plus…
- An extra 30 minutes of bubbles
- A full can of Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzer
- An eccentric specialty cocktail
- Complimentary food dish.
New York Rum Festival & Congress on August 21st
In case the “Congress” title didn’t clue you in, this is some premier rum tasting and brand seminars to revel in. Happening Aug 21st, all Rum Geeks and Spirits Aficionados (and any aspiring conosiers) won’t want to miss this.
Bucket Listers exclusive Tickets:
Tickets: The Rum Apprentice Experience for 2: for $89 for 2 people
When: August 21, 2021 at 5-7 PM
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
What's Included:
- 2 Passes for Rum Festival 5-7pm
- 2 Complimentary Souvenir 3oz Tasting Cup
- Access to seminars (based on capacity)
Arcadia Earth Immersive Exhibit
Immerse yourself in underwater worlds, fantasy lands, and inspirational art installations as you explore the future of our planet. This next-gen art exhibition—powered by VR and interactive environments—is designed to educate each explorer on how small lifestyle changes will have a massive saving impact on the future of our planet.
Bucket Listers special ticket access:
Tickets: $34 per person
Where: 718 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
When: Tickets can be used during off peak hours: Thursday/Friday 2pm - 5pm, Saturday 10 am - 2 pm, Sunday 10am - 2pm
Museum of Ice Cream Scoop & Cocktail Package
Special for August, the MOIC is providing the exclusive offering of an evening tour of their dreamy space with an included cocktail in hand on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
Tickets: $40 per person
When: Ticket can be redeemed on Wed. or Thurs. evening from July 21 - August 31, Evening Hours are between 6:30 - 7:30 PM
What's included:
- General Admission Ticket for the Museum
- 1 Cocktail per ticket
Happy Go Lucky Exhibit NYC
Sunnyhues Entertainment is bringing back its wildly popular high-tech art exhibit this summer. HGL uses LED lighting and projections to transform rooms into glorious sensory experiences. Look out for fan-favorites: The Diamond Palace and Silver Ocean, and a brand new 360° installation called the Kaleidoscope.
Tickets:
$31 Weekday General Admission
$35 Weekend General Admission
$17 Child Tickets (ages 4-15)
Where: 32 Mercer Street, New York 10013
When: June 23 - August 18
Movies with a (Brooklyn Bridge) View:
Every Thursday in August you can see a free movie as part of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s series “Movies with a View.” Showtime is at sunset, but we recommend arriving a little early to score the best spot on the lawn when it opens at 6 pm.
Schedule:
August 5: Shaun of the Dead
August 12: Patti Cake$
August 19: Akeelah and the Bee
August 26: Karate Kid
Where: Harbor View Lawn
Dragon Boat Festival on Aug 7th
The annual festival in the heart of Queens will host hundreds of colorful dragon-boats racing on Meadows Lake in Flushing Meadows Park. Besides the race, there will be traditional dance, martial arts, music, folk art, and Chinese food to enjoy.
When: August 7th, 9 AM - 4 PM
Where: Meadow Lake, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Swim at the Rainbow Outdoor Pool
The gorgeous outdoor pool/artwork at Roosevelt Island is back for its seventh year! Framed by the Midtown Manhattan skyline, the pop-up pool will be open through the summer. The freshly painted whimsical deck also features loungers, hammocks, beach-style lifeguard chairs and other outdoor furniture—all with a brightly animated pop-art feel.
Tickets:
Weekday | Day Passes: $30 for Roosevelt Island Residents, and $50 for Non-residents,
Weekend | Day Passes: at $40 for Roosevelt Island residents and $65 for Non-residents.
Where: 36 River Rd, New York, NY 10044
Mini Golf and learn through Brooklyn’s new Putting Green
Putting Green, a squeaky new 18-hole course on the North Williamsburg riverfront, has finally opened! Here to provide a great time for New Yorkers, but, even more so: to teach about climate change, green and blue infrastructure, animal habitats, and emissions at each hole. Expect different, themed installations educating you on polar bears, sea levels and debris cycles as you put.
Tickets: Available on site, first-come first-serve basis. $10 Adults
$5 Kids/Seniors, Wednesdays Before 5pm & Saturdays Before 1pm $5 Adults and $2 Kids/Seniors
When: Monday – Wednesday: 12pm – 8pm; Thursday – Sunday: 10am – 8pm
Where: River St & N 1st St
Splurge at the Governors Island Fashion Art + Design (FAD) Market
Governors Island buzzes with a primo flea market every third weekend until October 17th. Visit the tree lined King Avenyne to shop over 35 of the city's best emerging makers, designers, artists, and entrepreneurs—all in one spot.
When: Aug 21st and 22nd | 11am - 5pm
Where: King Ave at Governors Island
Cover Image Courtesy of Max Touhey