Aren’t we lucky to be able to experience NYC’s 145 remarkable museums? We have three suggestions for captivating exhibits happening now. The Metropolitan Opera’s Summer HD Festival returns to Lincoln Center starting August 23. One of our favorite spots, Eataly, offers several wine and food classes, and there’s one tonight! Need a mini escape from the city? Head to Wavehill, a beautiful 28-acre estate on the Hudson just 12 miles from midtown. Another great escape is fishing off Long Island and our LI reporter has the scoop on charters. And our roving photographer is roving…..

Museum Exhibit Picks

If you are sometimes overwhelmed by the number of exhibits in our museums at any given time, here are three we suggest visiting.

Unseen Work: Photos by Vivian Maier at Fotografiska

This incredible retrospective showcases 230 photographs and video clips by the late photographer Vivian Maier, capturing post-war America and the facade of the American dream. It’s a must-see at Fotografiska in the Flatiron District until September 29. GET THE DETAILS.

Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion at The Met

Unlike traditional exhibits, this multi-sensory experience allows you to smell, touch, and hear the clothing. Explore the fascinating world of fashion at The Met and interact with the garments in a whole new way. GET THE DETAILS.

Jenny Holzer: Light Line at the Guggenheim

Discover the thought-provoking work of artist Jenny Holzer, known for her powerful use of language and light. The Guggenheim hosts this immersive exhibit that challenges perceptions and sparks conversations. GET THE DETAILS.

Aug. 23-Sept. 2. Opera Under the Open Sky

The Metropolitan Opera’s Summer HD Festival returns to Lincoln Center Plaza  Here’s what you can expect:

• Free Screenings: Enjoy eleven free screeningsprojected onto a big screen on the façade of the opera house. These screenings feature highlights from the 2023–24 season, including operas like Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Verdi’s La Forza del Destino, Bizet’s Carmen, and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.
• Special Opening: The festival kicks off with a special screening of the Academy Award–winning film The Red Violin, directed by François Girard and starring Samuel L. Jackson and Greta Scacchi.
• Opera Stars: You’ll see performances by renowned opera stars such as Nadine Sierra, Benjamin Bernheim, Lise Davidsen, Angel Blue, and more.
• No Tickets Required: More than 2,500 free seatsare available nightly on a first-come, first-served basis. Rain dates are not scheduled.

For additional details, visit Met Opera’s official website.

Aug. 24. Formaggio & Vino: A Cheese and Wine Class with the Experts

Hurry and sign up right now and get your seat at Eataly’s cheese and wine class from  6 to 7PM.  Their resident Cheesemongers and Beverage Experts will walk you through a tasting journey of the best selection of formaggi and vini. Not only will you learn how to perfectly pair these cheese and wines, but you’ll also learn about the stories behind the products: about the animals and people who produced them, the people who crafted them, and the land that gave them life. If you miss this one, don’t worry…they have several wine, cheese, and beverage classes. GET THE DETAILS.

In this Class You Will:

• Taste a selection of cheeses with Eataly’s cheesemonger
• Taste wines specifically selected to pair with the cheeses with our beverage experts
• Learn to taste wine and choose pairings like an expert

Spend a Day at Wave Hill

This beautiful 28-acre estate nestled in the Hudson Hill section of Riverdale in the Bronx, is just twelve miles from midtown. Situated on slopes overlooking the Hudson River, it has breathtaking views across the river to the New Jersey Palisades. Perfect for nature lovers and photographers alike! It features over 4,000 varieties of trees, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants.

They offer programs from talks to walks. It’s a captivating blend of classic horticultural craftsmanship and daring design. If you’re an artist, bring your sketch pad or palette.  So, whether you’re a seasoned gardener, an art enthusiast, or simply seeking tranquility, Wave Hill awaits! GET THE DETAILS.

Roving the Ice Cream Shops

 Our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Miller, has the scoop on scoops.

Stressed backwards spells desserts! That’s a good enough reason to focus on ice cream. I simply adore ice cream. It is and has always been my go to treat, my comfort food, my addiction and my first choice.

I like it all! Soft serve, gelato, artisanal, traditional ice cream….

If I am in a new big city or small town, I research the ice cream shops. In each supermarket I thoroughly investigate the freezer aisle. I follow global ice cream sites on instagram, as I get pleasure from discovering new inventive flavors and seeing the figure a scoop cuts. If there is a pint in my freezer, I cannot stop til it’s gone.

I do favor a cone, be it sugar, wafer or waffle. I wait to get down to that very first bite where the scoop meets the rim and the combined crunch is a symphony in my ears.

Summer may be the best time for ice cream but the cold winter months never stop me.

I think as August winds down, we should all go for as much ice cream as possible. I hope you are as strategic and skilled as I am, when the heat and humidity challenges and battles the flavors, threatening to melt the cool treats into a puddle, sticking to the hot cement.

Cheers, and best of luck beating the late summer heat!

Spotlight on Long Island: Get “Reel”

Our Long Island reporter, Andrea Peponakis says get off the seashore and get hooked on Long Island’s waterways via a fishing charter boat making your catch of the day your fresh meal for the night. It’s a fabulous way to spend half a day or a full day with family, with friends, or go alone and make new friends on any of these welcoming vessels. Cast your rod, take in the view, and enjoy one of your best days ever.  GET THE DETAILS.