Photo courtesy Governors Island

Well Happy 4^th of July Weekend. Looking for the best view of the fireworks in NYC? Check out the Edge at Hudson yards. If you don’t want to travel this summer, our roving photographer says check out Resort Pass for a staycation. July is a huge month for street fairs. Love sunsets? Head to Governors Island, now open in the evenings. Our Broadway Babe celebrates Mel Brook’s 96^th birthday with a special treat. And Valerie Smadone recommends a one-woman pay for view show, Agita, that just won several awards including “Best Comedy.”

 July 4th on the Edge

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 04: A view of the fireworks during the Edge at Hudson Yard’s 4th of July Celebration at Edge at Hudson Yards on July 04, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Edge at Hudson Yards)

One of the best views of the Macy’s Fireworks display may well be at The Edge in Hudson Yards, the highest sky deck in the western hemisphere. Visitors can take in the illuminated city while exploring the sky deck’s thrilling glass-floor, angled glass walls and skyline steps. Plus, there will be a live DJ music performance as you take in the celebrations. Tickets are $250 and include entry between 7PM-8PM until midnight, 2 glasses of champagne [21+] or non-alcoholic drink, a gourmet corn dog and unlimited popcorn! Get the details.

The Broadway Babe’s Entertaining Picks

Our Broadway Babe, Randie Levine Miller has some great entertainment finds for us, perfect for a long weekend. In honor of Mel Brooks 96th birthday, there’s a tribute show to Mel from the Kennedy Center from a few years back. A terrific Jack Paar Special, “The Sound of Applause” featuring some amazing old timers, and Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Plus, some of Randie’s insider sidebars. Get the details.

Sunsets at Governors Island

Gov­er­nors Island just announced evening hours for the area Sois­sons Land­ing, one of the best spots in the city to watch the sun­set on the hori­zon. Vis­i­tors can enjoy deli­cious food and drink from Island Oys­ter, Taco Vista and Gitano Island, along with unique well­ness expe­ri­ences from QC NY Spa and beau­ti­ful pic­nic spots with­in the area sur­round­ing Sois­sons Land­ing in the Gov­er­nors Island His­toric District.

Start­ing Fri­day, July 1, Sois­sons Land­ing will remain open late every night of the week through Octo­ber 31, weeknights until 10 PM and Friday and Saturdays until 11 PM. Evening fer­ries to Gov­er­nors Island run from the Bat­tery Mar­itime Build­ing in Low­er Man­hat­tan, with the last pub­lic fer­ry over to the Island depart­ing at 8:15 p.m. Sun­day through Thurs­day and 9:15 p.m. Fri­day and Sat­ur­day. The last fer­ry off of the Island departs at 10 p.m. Sun­day through Thurs­day and 11 p.m. Fri­day and Sat­ur­day. While Sois­sons Land­ing will be open until 10 p.m., all oth­er areas on Gov­er­nors Island will close at reg­u­lar­ly post­ed pub­lic hours — 10 p.m. on Fri­days and Sat­ur­days through Sep­tem­ber 3, and 6 p.m. Sun­day through Thursday. Get the details.

 July Street Fairs

There are street fairs galore this month, starting today with the Murray Hill Street Fair, on Lexington Avenue from 34ᵗʰ – 42ⁿᵈ St. Other biggies are the Times Square Fair on July 16th, the UWS Fair on July 17th, and the Grand Central Food Block Party on July 23rd. Check out the full list.

Times Square Summer Fair
Saturday, July 16
7th Avenue from 47th – 57th St.

6th Ave Chelsea Festival
Saturday, July 16
6th Avenue from 14th Street to 23rd Street

Sixth Avenue Summer Fair
Sunday, July 17
6th Avenue from 34th – 42nd St.

UWS Summer Fair
Sunday, July 17
Broadway (W) from 65th St to 72nd St

Grand Central Food Block Party Series
Friday, July 22
41st Street from 3rd – Lexington Ave.

Festival Of The Americas
Saturday, July 23
6th Avenue from 42nd – 56th St.

60th St- Central Park
Saturday, July 23
60th Street from 5th to Madison Avenue

Myrtle Avenue Festival
Sunday, July 24
Fresh Pond Road to Forest Ave – Queens

Bryant Park Area Fair
Sunday, July 24
41st Street from 6ᵗʰ Ave. – Broadway

Vanderbilt Y Lexington Ave Festival
Sunday, July 24
Lexington Avenue from 42nd Street to 52nd Street

Midtown East Food Fair Series
Friday, July 29
52nd Street from 3rd – Lexington Ave.

Times Square West Spectacular
Saturday, July 30
8th Avenue from 42nd – 54th St.

Bleecker St Festival
Saturday, July 30
Bleecker Street from Christopher to Bank

3rd Ave Cooper Sq Festival
Sunday, July 31
3rd Avenue from 6th Street to 14th Street

Lexington Avenue Summerfest
Sunday, July 31
Lexington Avenue from 42nd – 57th St.

Enjoy a Resort Staycation in NYC

With travel becoming more challenging between flight issues and rising gas prices, our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens, fully recommends checking out Resort Pass. Hotels in many cities are making up for lost income by selling day passes to their rooftop pools. Last Saturday I took my daughters to a gorgeous pool in Williamsburg, a mere subway ride to paradise.

We spent the day soaking up the sun, dipping in the pool and inspired by vivacious crowd simply enjoying the long hot summer days in style. Trendy Williamsburg is an interesting Brooklyn neighborhood, a true mix of the old and gritty and new and trendy. It is very crowded and full sounds, smells and life. Check it out and maybe even make a splash this summer! Nicole is the author of The Long Pause and the Short Breath.  Follow her on Instagram@nfrconsult.