Summer in New York City

[Velimira Velikova]

For many New Yorkers, the classical chant sounds too true in a late August across Manhattan, and residents flee to their summer houses in the cooler latitude of Long Island. But whilst trampling the broad avenues of the Big Apple at the height of midsummer might not seem the obvious recreational choice, there’s no better time of year to enjoy the city glamour and Labor Day sales.

New York in the summer is bursting with sight-seeing buses, camera-clicking flocks and 'I Heart NYC' t-shirts: Times Square is overrun and the Empire State Building’s elevator queue stretches for miles.

If you are a first time visitor, take the beaten path, but also leave a few days to explore authentic New York: take a stroll through Central Park’s surprisingly uncrowded avenues, from Columbus Circle all the way up to Central Park to enjoy one of the numerous free concerts – from Philharmonic to children’s jazz; pick up afternoon snack at New York’s iconic Zabar’s food market.

Further down the Hudson, are the shady streets of the Greenwich Village, where you can fill up on organic blueberries from the Union Square Greenmarket, hang out with the chess-players and get a turkey breast sandwich with gravy in an old fashioned diner.

Avoid the boat tour to the Liberty Island and climb aboard the Staten Island Ferry to enjoy a magnificent view of Lower Manhattan.