My summer island Getaway

“One need never leave the confines of New York to get all the greenery one wishes” That quote by Poet Frank O’Hara is plastered as bold as can be in front our vista of the Hudson and New York Harbor as my friend and I were enjoying a beautiful lunch on a glorious summer day at SouthWestNY's huge outdoor cafe at the Financial Center. No words were ever truer, we agreed as raised our margueritas to toast the poet's keen observation.

For visitors to the city who long for a quick island getaway during their stay, I highly recommend a few hours in "the country" at Governors Island. It is open to the public every Friday and Saturday from now until September 2nd. It is easy to get there via the FREE and delightful ferry ride that goes from the beautiful Battery Maritime Building which you'll find just east (left) of the Staten Island Ferry terminal near Battery Park. Once you are there you will find facinating lectures and tours conducted by enthusiatic National Park Rangers who clearly love sharing the history of the island and the two forts that are located there. There are also beautiful homes you can walk by (we liked the Admiral's House very much)and lawns to picnic on plus spectacular views of our beloved Manhattan Skyline and lovely Lady Liberty.

After a couple of hours on Governors Island, why not come back to manhattan and enjoy a scenic walk along the waterside at Battery Park City? If you walk until you reach the small marina at the World Financial Center you will find the sign with Frank O'Hara's Quote in front of Southwest NY. Another great outdoor cafe there is P.J.Clark's.

Of course, if you stay at the Library Hotel or the Hotel Giraffe which are some of the best hotels in the city NYC'S HKHotels Rank in Top 10 on Tripadvisor.com, you can find lovely roof gardens on the top floor of your hotel, and enjoy a bit of country right in the heart of the city. Summer weekends are not just the most beautiful time to be in New York. The hotel's weekend rates are at the best prices of the year; for example, at Hotel Giraffe the weekend rate for a Deluxe Queen bedded room including Breakfast in the morning and wine and cheese reception in the evening in August is up to $175 less that that same room in September! That will leave you with plenty of extra $$ to add an extra day to your trip. Plus, the whole city seems to offer the best values at this time of year as well.

Here are some more great summer savings I discovered on NYC & Company's website.
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"Susan and God" at Mint Theater
www.minttheater.org
311 W. 43rd St. (betw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.)
212-315-0231
Specially priced tickets at $37.50 each.

July 1 - September 4
Specially priced tickets at $37.50 each.
Offer Code: NYCSB

Ballet NY at The Joyce Theater
www.joyce.org
175 Eighth Ave. (at 19th St.)
212-242-0800
20% off individual ticket price.

July 1 - September 4
July 1-2: Sat. at 2pm & 7:30pm; Sun. at 2pm.
Offer Code: SUMMERBREAKS

Battleworks & Paradigm Together at The Joyce Theater
www.joyce.org
175 Eighth Ave. (at 19th St.)
212-242-0800
20% off individual ticket price.

July 1 - September 4
July 5: Wed. at 8pm.
Offer Code: SUMMERBREAKS

Battleworks at The Joyce Theater
www.joyce.org
175 Eighth Ave. (at 19th St.)
212-242-0800
20% off individual ticket price.

July 1 - September 4
July 6, 8 & 9: Thurs. & Sat. at 8pm; Sun. at 2pm.
Offer Code: SUMMERBREAKS

Chicago City Limits
www.chicagocitylimits.com
318 W. 53rd St. (betw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.)
212-888-5233
Two for the price of one admission.

July 1 - September 4
Two for the price of one admission.
Offer Code: NYCSB

Chicago The Musical
www.chicagothemusical.com or www.broadwayoffers.com
Ambassador Theatre, 219 W. 49th St.
212-239-6200
Specially priced tickets at $78.25 each.

July 1 - September 4
Limit 8 tickets, not valid Saturday evenings. Orchestra/front/mezz sections. Offer may be revoked at any time.
Offer Code: NYCSB

Chunky Move "I Want to Learn to Dance Better at Parties" at The Joyce Theater
www.joyce.org
175 Eighth Ave. (at 19th St.)
212-242-0800
20% off individual ticket price.

July 1 - September 4
July 11-15: Tues.-Fri. at 8pm; Sat. 2pm & 8pm.
Offer Code: SUMMERBREAKS

Drumstruck
www.drumstruckny.com or www.telecharge.com
New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St. (betw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.)
212-239-6200
Specially priced tickets: $36 Tues at 7pm. $41 Wed-Fri at 8pm and Sun at 7pm. $46 Sat at 2pm, 8pm and Sun at 3pm.

July 1 - September 4
Specially priced tickets: $36 Tues at 7pm. $41 Wed-Fri at 8pm and Sun at 7pm. $46 Sat at 2pm, 8pm and Sun at 3pm.
Offer Code: NYCSB

Forbidden Broadway: SVU
www.forbiddenbroadway.com
47th St. Theatre, 304 47th St. (at Eighth Ave.)
212-947-8844
specially priced tickets at $35 each.

July 1 - September 4
specially priced tickets at $35 each.
Offer Code: NYCSB

I Love You Because
www.iloveyoubecausethemusical.com
158 Bleeker St. (betw. Sullivan & Thompson)
212-307-4100
Specially priced tickets at $42.50 each.

July 1 - September 4
Specially priced tickets at $42.50 each.
Offer Code: NYCSB

National Comedy Theatre
www.manhattancomedy.com
347 W. 36th St. (betw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.)
212-629-5202
Specially priced tickets at $12 each.

July 1 - September 4
Specially priced tickets at $12 each.
Offer Code: NYCSB

Paradigm at The Joyce Theater
www.joyce.org
175 Eighth Ave. (at 19th St.)
212-242-0800
20% off individual ticket price.

July 1 - September 4
July 7,8,9: Fri. at 8pm, Sat. at 2pm; Sun. at 7:30pm.
Offer Code: SUMMERBREAKS

Pilobolus at The Joyce Theater
www.joyce.org
175 Eighth Ave. (at 19th St.)
212-242-0800
20% off individual ticket price.

July 1 - September 4
Mon. July 17, 24 & 31 at 8pm; Sat. July 22, 29 & Aug. 5 at 2pm.
Offer Code: SUMMERBREAKS