NYC LIFE Insiders Guide: Cool Things to Do on Hot Summer Days

by What's Happening Around Town · Published August 13, 2021 · Updated August 14, 2021

Oh baby, it’s hot out there. Here are a few fun ideas of things to do that will keep you cool in or out of the shade. As a precursor to Broadway’s opening this fall, Valerie Smaldone suggests a wonderful costume exhibit of theatre, film, ballet, and live event costumes. Love jewelry? Well Beautiful Creatures, a new exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History will blow you away. A spectacular new roof top bar with a 360-degree view is only a tram ride away. Or how about a getaway to Montauk without leaving the city? And cool down at the NYC Aquarium with some spineless sea creatures. And join us for a LIVE Facebook celebration next week from the comfort of home.

Fabulous Costume Exhibition

Head to the former Modell’s space on 42nd Street, for Showstoppers! Spectacular Costumes from Stage and Screen is a 20,000 square foot spectacle on two levels at 234 West 42 Street. Industry craftspeople are also on site showing the intricate process of what it takes to create costumes. Ticket sales benefit the costume industry. Get the details.

Now- Sept. 19. Beautiful Creatures at the AMNH

A serpent choker with a sapphire-encrusted head was created by jewelry designer Joel Arthur Rosenthal during the 1990s and features his signature mix of pavé-set precious and semiprecious stones. Courtesy of The American Museum Of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History has reopened the doors to its Mignone Hall of Gems and Minerals. You are so going to want to see Beautiful Creatures which features more than 100 animal themed precious jewels by the world’s great jewelry houses from Cartier to Suzanne Belperron’s butterflies, and artists too like Salvadore Dali. Get the details.

New York’s Newest Rooftop Cocktail Lounge

Thanks to 6SqFt for alerting us to New York City’s newest rooftop cocktail lounge on Roosevelt Island. You are so going to want to hop on the tram to the Panorama Room that is on the 18^th floor of the island’s first hotel to open, called Graduate Roosevelt Island.

The lounge has 360-degree views of three boroughs and a unique perspective of the Queensboro Bridge. Get more details and photos.

Montauk in NYC

**Rendering by TMRW, courtesy of Brookfield Place New York**

Montauk is one of our favorite places. But if you can’t get there this month, head to the waterfront Upper Plaza at Brookfield Place to The Bungalow, a “relaxing urban oasis inspired by the beachside retreats of Montauk.” Enjoy views of the Hudson River and New York Harbor with a cocktail and food too. Enjoy live music and DJs, bocce courts, and weekly events and arts programming. Get more details.

New York City Aquarium

Cool down inside the New York City Aquarium and be transported to the world of sea creations. Among the many exhibits is one called Spineless, which features weird and wonderful invertebrates that may lack backbones, but they’re the backbone of our ocean. You’ll see the giant Pacific octopus (pictured above), moon jellies, zombie worms, and more up close and personal. Get the details.

A PBS Must Watch. Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age

Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age, the long-awaited sequel to the late Rick McKay’s 2004 documentary Broadway: The Golden Age — By the Legends Who Were There, will have its television premiere via PBS’s Great Performances beginning August 14 around the country. The New York area premiere date is August 19 at 8pm ET. The film will also stream via the PBS Video app. Watch the trailer.