1. Water Taxi Beach at the Seaport is offering a sneak preview this weekend, before the official opening June 30. One of two new WTB’s (the other will be on Governor’s Island) debuting this season, this spot boasts plenty of throwback entertainment options: mini-golf! Ping-Pong! Skee Ball! For more outdoor drinking options, consult our guide.
2. Our favorite alfresco spot along the Gowanus Canal BKLYN Yard opens (officially) this weekend with Parked, a celebration of food trucks. And speaking of mobile food, Mr. Chocolate, Jacques Torres, will be rolling out his own ice cream carts beginning May 30.
3. Asphalt Green’s pool is open now; here’s our guide to more around the city. Plus, pool bars!
4. Welcome strawberries! The sweet season kicks off at the Greenmarket June 1. You can even toss them in your pasta like chef-partners Ron Suhanosky and Colleen Marnell-Suhanosky like to do come spring at Sfoglia.
5. Big Apple Barbecue Block Party runs noon to 6 p.m. in Madison Square Park June 13 and 14; be sure to get there early to sample the full array of meat, meat, and more meat.
6. Thanks to the Downtown Alliance, you can borrow a bike—for free—for two and a half hours through the end of September.
7. There hasn’t been a comedy at Shakespeare in the Park since 2007, so we’re particularly primed for Anne Hathaway’s turn in the cross-dressing classic Twelfth Night beginning June 9.
8. Starting June 14, Brooklyn Flea moves to Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sundays, a definite upgrade from its current asphalt digs in Fort Greene. Added bonus: get there by Water Taxi.
9. David Byrne plays a free concert in Prospect Park on June 8 to kick off Celebrate Brooklyn’s series. It’s just one of a particularly strong summer concert season, including Constantines, Conor Oberst, Beastie Boys, M. Ward, Big Daddy Kane, Depeche Mode, and Animal Collective.
10. The River to River festival returns May 31 with the Bang on a Can Marathon, twelve straight hours of experimental music. And then when you want to turn your brain back off…South Street Seaport’s Water Taxi Beach is open.