Eight Great Ways to Summer Fun
Summer once meant freedom from school, bare feet, and catching fireflies past bedtime. Now, the daily routine doesn’t always allow for the same glorious acknowledgements of the season. But it can still be a time to relax and rejuvenate. With Memorial Day having already snuck past and the first official day of summer, June 20, just around the corner, it’s time to take advantage of some warm weather activities!
Sunday, June 8, 2008 by Susan O’Connor
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Summer sidewalk options: top, Amelia’s Bistro; middle, Torico’s Ice Cream Parlor; bottom, the Hudson Waterfront Walkway
8. Enjoy a ferry ride on the New York Waterway ferry. It costs a bit more than the PATH, but the breeze on the top outdoor deck is the perfect way to beat the heat. Though it’s a short ride, it will speed you into summer.
7. Eat at an outdoor café. Enjoy a delicious brunch, tasty lunch, or delectable dinner at one of the many eateries with sidewalk seating. Amelia’s, at the corner of Warren and Morris, makes for an especially delicious destination.
6. Get a copy of Fahrenheit 451, the book selected as Jersey City Library’s “Big Read” book for the summer. It’s the book that everyone in the community is encouraged to read and discuss. Enjoy reading the book in the cool of Van Vorst Park prior to the first ever Jersey City Book Festival taking place there on September 13. You’ll then be ready to partake in the panel discussion about the book, which will take place during the festival.
5. Treat yourself to homemade ice cream from Torico’s Ice Cream Parlor at 20 Erie Street. Ordering from the sidewalk window is not only a fun option, but it can also be quicker if there's a long line inside.
4. Peruse the farmer’s market at Hamilton Park on Wed. from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. to find produce for a delicious summer dinner. Or stop by the Farmer’s Market at Van Vorst Park on Saturdays, starting June 14th from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Treat yourself to fruits and veggies or make it a complete picnic in the park with the cheese, breads, and other specialties also being sold.
3. Take an evening stroll along the Hudson Waterfront Walkway. Watch the New York City skyline melt into various shades as it reflects the sherbet color sky.
2. Drink under the stars at a rooftop bar. Both Skinners Loft and the Iron Monkey open their rooftops during the summer.
1. See a film in Van Vorst Park. They'll be playing every other Wednesday night when the sun goes down starting June 11 with the movie Juno. Not only is it free outdoor fun, but they even offer freshly popped popcorn! Heck, maybe if you cast off your flip-flops and catch a firefly you’ll even feel like a kid again.