“It’s been a long, tiresome journey for us New Yorkers since March. What started as mandated lockdown and quarantine in a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic would turn out to be an extensive test of strength and character for the city, with many of us coming together to fight back strong like the tough New Yorkers that we are.

In the past six months, we’ve masked up, socially distanced, and shown our love for one another by following strict safety guidelines. And not only has our hard work brought NYC’s daily infection rate to less than 1% for almost seven weeks, but we now also get to revel in the official return of indoor dining (announced just yesterday by Governor Cuomo), a well-deserved indicator of our accomplishments. Indoor dining is currently slated to resume on September 30 (albeit at reduced capacity to start).

Until you can actually dine indoors again and enjoy the best food city in the world, keep busy with these weekend plans. From a bicycle flea market, lawn games in Industry City, or a magic show paired with bespoke cocktails — we’ve rounded up everything to eat, drink, see, and do in NYC.

Soak in the September sun at a new beer garden

Weekend-long
Williamsburg
N 11th Street Cookout, a beer garden with big backyard energy, opened this month for all your outdoor drinking needs. The picnic tables are placed far apart, letting you soak up the good vibes without breathing in your neighbor’s germs. Order up a few $5 hot dogs to line your stomach for all the IPAs you’re about to drink, lather on some leftover sunscreen, and soak up these last few weekends of warm weather in the city.
Cost: Draft beers start at $8

Kayak along a park that’s triple the size of Central Park

Saturday, September 12, 3:30pm
Staten Island
Explore the wildlife surrounding Freshkills Park, a still-closed park in Staten Island that’s triple the size of Central Park, with a 2-mile kayak trip along its waterways. You don’t need to BYO kayak, but you do need a car to get to the spot, so hit up a friend with four wheels or rent a car share. And don’t wear anything you don’t mind getting wet! The reservations fill up quickly, so be sure to grab a spot on the waitlist if they’re all sold out.
Cost: Free

Throw some boules at a pétanque pop-up

Weekend-long
Industry City
Pétanque, a très français lawn game that’s a little like bocce, is popping up in an Industry City courtyard through The Carreau Club. Reserve a court, let the staff teach you how to throw some boules, and grab some of their beer, wine, or cocktails to guzzle on the lawn. If all that boule-throwing works up your appetite, stop by their M. Wells snack bar for an on-brand pan bagnat served with some good old American potato chips.
Cost: Courts are $20 per hour with two-hour minimum

Score a new (or used) bike for your fall commute

Saturday, September 12, 10am
Park Slope
If you’re one of the many New Yorkers who bought a bike during the shutdown (or if you’re still looking to score one after seeing nothing for sale on Craigslist for months), head to the annual NY Bike Jumble, NYC’s only bicycle flea market where vendors will be selling used bikes, bike parts, and bike gear for bargain prices. It’s all outdoors, so wear a mask, keep your social distance, and get ready to show off your shiny new wheels.
Cost: Free to browse

Celebrate the reopening of the Brooklyn Museum

Saturday, September 12, 2pm
Prospect Heights
The Brooklyn Museum is reopening this weekend (along with other cool exhibits and museums), and they’re kicking it off with an outdoor party. On Saturday afternoon, head to the museum’s plaza for DJ sets, a steel pan performance, and food from local vendors including Island Pops and Wadadli Jerk. To get inside the museum, be sure to reserve a timed ticket — they’re limiting the capacity to 25% so you’ll have plenty of space to social distance while admiring the collection.
Cost: Opening party is free; museum tickets are $16

Order lunch from a Michelin-starred Punjabi chef

Weekend-long
East Village
Veeray da Dhaba, a brand-new restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Hemant Mathur, is bringing “dhaba” — Punjabi roadside cooking — to the East Village. Instead of opening a fine dining spot, Mathur decided to focus his new venture on food that’s ideal for takeout and delivery. Order a tiffin lunchbox, which comes with dal, rice, naan, veg, and entrees including lamb curry or vegan pindi chole, or snack on deconstructed samosas and deep-fried paneer fritters with mint chutney while strolling around the neighborhood.
Cost: Tiffin are $14; entrees start at $14

Pair cocktails with tricks at a magic show

Sunday, September 13, 5:30pm
Nolita
Feel like your week could use a little bit of magic? The Musket Room is hosting mentalist Mark Clearview for Spirits & Miracles, a performance that combines magic tricks with drinking. During a three-course meal, Clearview will make things appear and disappear, predict your future and know your past, and otherwise astound the socially-distant crowd. Cocktails will be paired with each course, including a totally bespoke drink that’s paired to your “spirit” — so be sure to come in a good mood. Book via Resy.
Cost: $178/person”

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