Remember when we were little and summer meant we got a break from day to day life and all we had to worry about was Popsicle stains?
Those were the days, man.
Unfortunately, for most of us, summer isn't a three month long nonstop party - we still have to work, we still have to do adult things, blah blah blah.
But that doesn't mean that we can't take full advantage of all that New York City has to offer in the warmer months.
We all deserve an adventure every now and then, especially when we live in the greatest city in the world.
And while Brooklyn might occasionally get a bad rap for its deeply-felt gentrification and over-saturation of artisinal cheese shops, it's still one of the best places to enjoy summer in NYC.
Between the gorgeous parks, incredible flea markets, and stunning views of Manhattan, its essentially a playground for all things summer.
Read on to discover all of the must-visit spots in BK this season.
1. Brooklyn Botanical Garden
There's nothing more summery than hanging out in a garden bursting with beautiful cherry blossoms.
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If you haven't made your way to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden yet, there's no more time for excuses. Especially because the garden offers free guided tours all summer long, every day except Mondays.
2. Bushwick Collective Block Party
For the fifth year in a row, the Bushwick Collective Block Party will go down on the first Saturday of June, offering live music performances, street art and graffiti displays, food trucks, giveaways, and more.
It's not only a dope outdoor event, but you'll also get to catch the street artists in action, painting buildings and creating their masterpieces right before your eyes.
3. BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
This amazing series of concerts goes down every year at the Prospect Park bandshell.
The lineup is usually pretty impressive; this year features artists like the Violent Femmes, Ray LaMontagne, Josh Ritter, and more.
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It's the perfect way to celebrate BK, hipsters and all.
4. Smorgasburg
This outdoor food festival offers some of NYC's most delicious, most sought-after creations (remember the Raindrop Cake?).
It goes down every weekend in BK - Saturdays in East River Park, and Sundays in Prospect Park. You don't want to miss any of the newest food crazes; after all, how often does rainbow food come around, right? Wait...
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5. Sunset Park
New Yorkers are all about the views - there's a reason we go rooftop-crazy in the warmer months.
But the absolute best place to watch the sun go down this summer is in BK's own Sunset Park, tucked away in the neighborhood of the same name.
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The Manhattan skyline positively glows at sunset, creating an breathtaking experience that you absolutely miss this summer.
6. Nitehawk Cinema
While it's nice to get out and enjoy the summertime weather, sometimes it's just too damn hot. All we want to do is sit in an air-conditioned room for hours on end and not move. It's just an inevitable effect of summer.
So why not take dinner and a movie to a whole other, much more epic level? This Williamsburg theater not only shows some of the best indie films around, but serves food and drink during the screenings, right to your seat.
They're also celebrating their 5th birthday this June, and to celebrate they're doing a handful of celebratory screenings, $5 draft beers starting June 20th, and, quite possibly best yet, free tots on their birthday, Friday June 24th - ALL DAY LONG. #TotsForTheWin
Get your tickets right here!
7. Brooklyn Flea
Maybe it's a tad overpriced, but the Brooklyn Flea is really all about the experience. It's just something all New Yorkers should do.
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You might even run into a celebrity or two while scoffing at overpriced melon ballers.
Check out 11 Incredible Things You Absolutely Must Do in Manhattan This Summer.
[Feature Image Courtesy Twitter]