Top 10 sights of New York

By Melanie Lahmann

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Beat The Heat in NYC This Summer

Summer is well and truly upon us, at once awesome and yet unbearable in its glory. There’s still a few months of sun left (fingers crossed) to explore all the wondrous delights that New York has on offer. But it’s also hot. Very, very hot. All those tall, glass, sky-scraping behemoths and streets paved with tarmac mean that NYC scorches like no other. Still, you’ll want to make the most of the sunshine before it skedaddles for another half year, so here are some of the best ways beat the heat in NYC this summer. Water is your friend, human Water is brilliant, isn’t it? Not only does it make up 70-odd percent of your flesh body, it’s also pretty neat to drink too. You should be drinking 2-3 liters a day, and that’s never truer than when the sun’s beating down. Your best bet is to carry a reusable bottle around with you. Not only can you fill it up at one of the many water fountains around, but you’ll also be super environmentally friendly. If only people had been as conscientious as you over the past century. Maybe things wouldn’t be so hot. Of course, if you’re already out with no water bottle of your own, you can pick one up from any number of shops and stands around town. Remember to stay hydrated on the subway too. Not all of them are air-conditioned, and the ones that aren’t can become a humid kind of hell. Dress to impress (your body's temperature) Dare to get those pasty legs out in a sundress or a pair of shorts. Freedom is key – anything tight or heavy is only going to make you sweat buckets. That’s not pleasant for you. Or for anyone else who might be within smell-shot. Are you brave enough to don a pair of sandals or flip flops too? O’ courageous one, we salute you. Or just run away from the sun Of course, if it all gets a bit much and you want to seek the safety of a beautifully air-conditioned building, there’s plenty of inside hilarity to be had too. Fancy a little culture to go with the cold air? There are museums aplenty. Looking for a little summer spending spree? Try the innumerable shops. Or if you’re starving, stop by a local restaurant and pray they have air-con. Ice cream, you scream, everybody screams As if you needed an excuse. What better way to beat the heat in NYC this summer than with the ice-cold, sugary delights of ice cream? You’re sure to find ice cream vans on most street corners, so go exploring. Vegans can even have their chilly tastebuds sated at one of the renowned Van Leeuwen shops around town. Just cruisin' Miss all of the hustle, bustle and blazing microclimate of the city by backflipping on to a boat. Sweet moves. If you’ve never seen the city by sea, then you haven’t even lived. There are plenty of options too. Take a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, and catch a glimpse of NYC’s iconic skyline with the glorious breeze running over you. Close your eyes and imagine it. Excellent. Or go say hi to Lady Liberty on the retro Shearwater Classic Schooner. Either way, you’re bound to beat the heat in style. Them’s just some of the ways to beat the heat in NYC this summer. If you're ready to take o New York armed with all of our tips, here are some of the best things to do this summer.
Dom Bewley
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What Would The Founding Fathers Do in NYC On July 4th?

July 4th is fast approaching. A time when we all celebrate independence, and maybe re-watch a certain cheesy sci-film too. Thanks to the Founding Fathers, we have so much to be grateful for. It’s just a shame they couldn’t see what a great country America has become. But what if they could? What if we could somehow travel back to the 18th century, and bring some of the Founding Fathers to 2019? Who’d have the biggest Instagram following? Which would start their own reality show? And how would they be spending July 4th? Well, through the magic of time travel, we can tell you now. Here is a totally real list that we definitely didn’t make up. What would the Founding Fathers do in NYC this July 4th? George Washington How could we not start with the top dog himself? Hero of the War for Independence and our very first President, George Washington needs no introduction. Well known for his wooden teeth and hatred of cherry trees, he also famously crossed the Delaware River in order to land a humiliating blow against the nefarious British. And the first thing he said to us when we brought him to 2019 was “I want to see the city by sea”. Really. He really said that. That’s why we recommended he take a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise! George marvelled at the iconic modern skyline and learnt a lot about his future (and our past) from one of the award-winning guides that accompanied us on our cruise. He loved it. Thomas Jefferson TJ was POTUS number 3, but what a lot of people don’t know about him is that he was something of a palaeontologist. He amassed a huge collection of fossils and was particularly obsessed with woolly mammoths. So after we brought him to 2019, we had a good chat, and the first thing he wanted to do was go to the American Museum of Natural History. He loved the 94-foot long blue whale and was in awe of the Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. Benjamin Franklin Ben Franklin loved science, and is often considered the man who discovered electricity. Sadly, kite-flying isn’t as popular as it used to be, so he insisted on going to the New York Hall of Science. Ol’ Ben-Dog got his hands all over the 450+ interactive exhibits on offer, and even managed to confirm some of his 18th century hypotheses. When he goes back, he may even be able to change the course of human history. Because this is definitely real. We've mastered time travel pretty well, wouldn't you say? Alexander Hamilton Founder of the New York Post, and current Broadway star, Alexander Hamilton was humbled to see how far his renown had continued to rise over 200 years later. In disguise, we managed to sneak him onto the Hamilton Happy Hour Tour, a two-hour walking tour through New York’s oldest neighbourhood. Hamilton enjoyed how much his life and accomplishments still mean to people. And so will you. John Hancock Most famous for sporting the first, and largest, signature on the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock was also a hugely successful merchant with a thriving trade business. Secretly, though, he simply loved fireworks. That’s why he’s so looking forward to seeing Macys Fourth of July fireworks over the Brooklyn Bridge. He wouldn’t shut up about the 75,000 fireworks due to be set off, and he’s also hungry to flex his trading muscles with an 11% discount at Macy’s Herald Square. James Madison America’s tiniest president, James Madison stood at just 5’4”. So you can understand his delight when we took him on a Madison Square Garden All Access Tour. Though he didn’t know much about modern sports, he was understandably delighted that one of the most famous sporting arenas on the planet was named after him. He especially loved the VR experience showcasing some of The Garden’s biggest ever events. John Adams One of Americas greatest ever patriots, John Adams is also responsible for the country’s oldest band – the United States Marine Band. Who knew he was such a music lover? Well, we did. He told us in person when we brought him to 2019. That’s when we knew that we had to take him on a Harlem Gospel Tour. On the three hour tour, John learned a lot about the cultural roots of Gospel music, and got to see many of Harlem’s most famous landmarks like the Apollo Theater, Abyssinian Baptist Church and Striver’s Row. So if you were wondering what the Founding Fathers would do in NYC this July 4th, now you know! Want more inspiration on things to do this Independence Day weekend? Check out our blog on things to do in NY this summer.
Dom Bewley

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