Summer in the Heights?

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I'm coming to New York!!!

Well to be more accurate, I found a place to stay in Washington Heights, and the unbelievable happened and my boss gave me three weeks off in August, without blinking. (I don't think he realizes that I'm already in a vacation day overdraft, but I'm sure not going to be the one to remind him.) So…all that's left is to book a ticket.

But before I do that- I want to ask you, my dear American readers- is it a good idea?
Because some folk here are telling me that August in New York is horribly hot and humid, and smelly, and worst of all - dead- with everyone clearing out of the city.

Fact or Fiction? I'm collecting votes.

And if you're of the "Do it!" camp, then have any advice and tips?

Comments

  1. YJune 7, 2010 at 11:22 PM

    oy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 7, 2010 at 11:34 PM

    Yes, NY in the summer is humid (and there are thunderstorms!). Yes, a lot of people are away. But on the plus side...New York in the summer is also chock full of awesome free events--concerts, outdoor theatre, etc.--and the Heights is a lot less overwhelming when it's a little bit empty. If you've never really experienced New York (have you?) it could be a lot of fun.

    ReplyDelete
  3. DBJune 7, 2010 at 11:49 PM

    WHY WHY are you coming on vacation to new york??

    ReplyDelete
  4. BilingualJune 8, 2010 at 12:16 AM

    I'm seconding the opinion of Anonymous 11:22pm. It's hot and humid, but it's also a great idea to come. Have a great time!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJune 8, 2010 at 12:24 AM

    If at the back of your mind you're considering going to also try a YU shidduch or two, then that's not reason-enough to go.

    (Besides the fact that I'm not sure you realise how awry their hashkofa is)

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 8, 2010 at 1:34 AM

    its a LOT more humid and hot in Israel in august!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Something DifferentJune 8, 2010 at 2:19 AM

    Come! I'll take you to the ice cream store! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Michael KopinskyJune 8, 2010 at 2:20 AM

    If you're going to meet people, why not come in September, when a lot more people will be around?

    ReplyDelete
  9. tembowJune 8, 2010 at 3:16 AM

    You should definitely come. The weather is always fickle, no matter what time of year.

    ReplyDelete
  10. G6June 8, 2010 at 3:46 AM

    If you come to the Heights, you absolutely must come to Casa G6 for a Friday night meal!
    We're here all summer and have a 22,000 BTU air conditioner running ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. gpickholzJune 8, 2010 at 4:18 AM

    Major mistake, sorry to say
    no one will be there and you won't be able to breathe.

    ReplyDelete
  12. NYC GirlJune 8, 2010 at 4:18 AM

    It's not too bad here in the summer! There are always interesting events going on, and less native New Yorkers around to get annoyed at the tourists. If you need ideas of what to do I can help you out.

    ReplyDelete
  13. הצעיר שלמה בן רפאל לבית שריקי ס"טJune 8, 2010 at 8:40 AM

    Yeah, NY summers are simply unbearable. Try sleeping without air conditioning, I dare you! On the other hand, it is actually sort of romantic here in the summer, before the hustle and busle of September come. A good place to find some summer love! : P

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJune 8, 2010 at 10:38 AM

    Go and enjoy.

    Some people love NY in the summer when there are free concerts and people slow down a bit (b/c of that heat, etc). Clearly, some people hate it (all year long too!). But August is when *you* have a place to stay and the vacation time -- so why deliberate? If you are able to look at your trip as an adventure instead of salvation, you'll surely take a lot home with you. Ft. Tryon Park is exquisite, by the way. A good place to sit and read, or write (though I'm not sure about WiFi), or just wander through the flowers with the Hudson twinkling in the distance, and give yourself the freedom to dream.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousJune 8, 2010 at 12:30 PM

    Bear in mind, that more people will be motivated to tell you to come, than people bothering to write to tell you not to come. (I'm surprised this many have already written to say 'no'). So don't necessarily take this as a fair indicator of whether to come or not.

    ReplyDelete
  16. ChannaJune 8, 2010 at 1:13 PM

    I started dating my husband in the summer in NYC, so I'm a little biased, but I think NYC in the summer is lovely and fun, even if the weather is awful. Stuff to do: anything in Central Park - boating, free concerts (often with fireworks afterwards), free Shakespeare, gogeous walking trails. Carousel (and free movies if you're not too frum for that) in Bryant Park. Street fairs (but only go to one, since they are all the same). Greenwich Village (just fun to walk around and look at the weirdness). The Statue of Liberty (even though you can't go up anymore, it's still a fun boatride, and amazing to see the diversity of people - mostly immigrants - who are there with you).

    ReplyDelete
  17. Maya ResnikoffJune 8, 2010 at 4:22 PM

    NYC in the summer is in some ways more reasonable than NYC at other times. Yes, it's hot, but it isn't unbearable- rather like Israel in June, I'm finding currently. Do what pleases you most- but if you want to come, don't let the heat dissuade you.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousJune 8, 2010 at 11:26 PM

    Definitely DO IT!!! My best advice would be to take a day to put the frum away, put on a tube top and a pair of jeans and enjoy the experience of seeing how the secular world lives. You don't have to get drunk or engage in debauchery. Just a social experiment for the sake of writing about it..

    ReplyDelete
  19. MushkieJune 9, 2010 at 8:39 AM

    Hi chutznik, just discovered your blog, I guess you've heard it once or twice before but you have a real way with words :)

    I haven't been to N.Y. in the summer since I was 4, but go for it - there's always air-con! It's the ppl that count anyhow.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Shades of GreyJune 9, 2010 at 11:10 PM

    I vote why not - there are guys around, and people to stay with. Especially if your vacation schedule is non-negotiable with you boss, and you've been wanting to come over and check out the YU-ish scene, why not?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ariella's blogJune 10, 2010 at 12:52 AM

    The Breuer's people of the Heights, traditionally, summered in Tannersville. But not everyone is part of that group or can afford to go away for the season. We were in the Heights for the summer when we lived there with just one air conditioner for our apartment.

    For great summer outings on a budget in and near NY, see http://www.examiner.com/x-18522-NY-Jewish-Bridal-Examiner~y2010m6d3-Dont-knock-a-cheap-date

    ReplyDelete
  22. Frum N' FlippingJune 12, 2010 at 10:51 PM

    Thanks everyone for your responses! It sounds like a lot of fun, I'm definitely going to try and visit!

    Something came up at work (I hate deadlines) so my plans are on hold for a bit, but I'll let Y'all know if I'm going.

    G6- I'd love to take you up on your invite :-)
    Ariella- that post is really useful, thanks.

    BTW, to all the people who assumed my goal is dating- it's not. More to have a fun vacation, see new stuff, and meet new friends. Dates are an added bonus ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. G6June 13, 2010 at 4:46 AM

    We can't wait!
    Bring a friend.
    Bring two......
    Keep in touch :D

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousJune 18, 2010 at 1:19 AM

    frum n flipping blogger meetup? that would be very cool
    Brad

    ReplyDelete
  25. TehilaJune 22, 2010 at 6:58 AM

    yeah, its not so bad, Israel is also really hot! and please please do a blogger meetup- I'd be happy to come!

    ReplyDelete

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