By Jungsuh Kim
After three hot months of summer, we can finally say fall is almost upon us. Fall is the perfect season to get out and explore our New York City playground before classwork starts to pile up. Whether it is going to a concert, attending a book fair or checking out the newest coffee shop down the block, there are always tons of fun and affordable things to do in the city we call home.
The best part about living in NYC is the liveliness that surrounds. One of the most popular events is the Global Citizen Festival held every September in Central Park on the Great Lawn. This is a charity event where people complete tasks online to raise awareness about some of the world’s biggest challenges, such as hunger and poverty, in order to win two tickets to the highly anticipated concert. Global Citizen Festival makes its way to Manhattan on Sept. 24 with Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Major Lazer and Selena Gomez set to take the stage.
Another free concert event is the Summer Stage Series that takes place in Central Park at Rumsey Playfield. Once a week, starting in June and ending in October, artists come to take the stage at no cost. The concerts take place mostly on Wednesday nights, perfect for the majority of Fordham students who opt out of scheduling classes for that day. While some of the artists may not be as well-known as the ones performing for Global Citizen, this is the perfect space for a small get together with a group of friends during the middle of a dull week.
For all those bookworms out there, the Brooklyn Book Festival is the perfect venue to engage with upcoming literary stars and emerging writers. Located in Brooklyn Heights, the festival is steps away from the Borough Hall stop on the 4 Train. Vendors, such as the Brooklyn Arts Press and the National Book Foundation, will make an appearance at the festival scheduled for Sept. 20. This is the perfect opportunity to find a new book to read or to network with some literary magazines for a potential internship.
If theater is more up your alley, be sure to check out Megan Weaver and Hassan Christopher’s dance theater piece, “Ghost Card.” The performance is inspired by dozens of crowdsourced stories, making it a unique and entertaining experience. It takes place at the Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria, Queens. The event is completely free to attend, but an RSVP is required. You can go to ghostcardshow.com/rsvp to reserve tickets.
For those looking for outdoor adventures, Inwood Hill Park is a fantastic spot found in Manhattan’s most northern neighborhood. Located on Dyckman St. by the Hudson River, the park has existed since the pre-Colombian era. From barbequing areas to kayaking sites, there is something for everyone at Inwood. It is especially beautiful during the fall when the leaves begin to change colors.
If shopping is your ideal splurge after studying, stop by the Bushwick Flea Market. This is an outdoor market in Brooklyn with live music every Saturday and Sunday for the month of September. Located on Wyckoff Ave., in between Suydam St. and Willoughby Ave., the Bushwick Flea Market has everything from vintage clothing to Omega jewelry. Who knew digging through vintage bins could be so fun?
The Long Island City Flea and Food Market is the Queens equivalent to Brooklyn’s Bushwick Flea Market. This market has a large range of retro finds and antiques, delicious cuisines and amazing views of the river. Of-age visitors can venture through the beer garden, which has up to eight different types of local brews to choose from. The LIC Flea and Food Market is located on 46th Ave in Long Island City, Queens between Vernon Blvd. and 5th St.
Last but not least, the most famous market of them all, Smorgasburg. Famous for attracting more than 10,000 visitors per day, this outdoor food market has all you would want to eat (and more). From the world-famous ramen burger to an incredibly refreshing coconut water, Smorgasburg has a lot to offer. It takes place at Williamsburg’s East River State Park every Saturday extending into October. Only one rule is important when coming to Smorgasburg: come hungry and leave happy.
Whether visiting a park, grabbing food at an outdoor market or attending a free concert, NYC always has your back when it comes to having affordable fun. Even though summer is almost over, do not be afraid to venture to a new part of the city for a break between the madness of classes and internships. After all, fall is the perfect time for new beginnings.
