New York City Things To Do in August

Food is the theme for August and NYC does not lack in food festivals, markets, and restaurant openings. Nosh at these events this month:

Two words: Night market. No matter the group of people, there will be a cuisine for everyone, whatever the craving is. Held in different boroughs, multiple nights of the week, and always providing live music, food, and entertainment. A guaranteed scene. 

Blues and BBQ go together like peanut butter and jelly. Mosey over to Pier 76 for Blues BBQ Festival, August 19th. It will be a full day of music on two stages and smokey, saucy barbeque served by local pitmasters. Forget the white t-shirt and pack extra wet wipes! 

New restaurants pop up every week in the city but how many are on a boat? La Barca Cantina, docked at Pier 81, hosts brunch, lunch and ‘After Darka’ with tacos, tequila and ambiance as you journey to the Statue of Liberty and back up the Hudson River. Feast your appetite on a Tower of Tacos and wash it down with a bucket of beers. Boarding passes required. If you don’t want to go out into ‘open waters’, check out the Frying Pan at Pier 66. Same boat feels and stays attached to land.

Some say the best meal is the one made at home. Okay, maybe no one says that but sometimes you just want a home cooked meal. Next time you do, pack it up and head to the park for the perfect low budget date night. Bryant Park Picnics Performances happen every Friday night (sometimes Saturday), no ticket required. Show up early to nab a spot on the lawn and set up your picnic before the show starts at 7pm. The park provides chairs and blankets but recommend you B.Y.O in case they run out. 

Smorgasbord: a buffet of everything. Quoted as the “largest open air food market”, Smorgasburg welcomes all to share in the joy of food with over 70 vendors to visit. Block out your Friday, 11am - 7pm and prepare for a food-ploration at the WTC location. Word on the street: there is a loophole for lines as pre-ordering is available with some vendors.

Work up an appetite, make room and feast all month long on the eclectic cuisines of the city.