Hey New Yorkers: when you hear “Memorial Day Weekend,” what's the first thing that comes to mind?

It should be lots of beer, lots of American flags, and lots of patriotism. For many, this upcoming weekend also means skipping town and heading out to the Hamptons or down the Jersey Shore.

But how about those New Yorkers who don’t want to strap on a pair of boat shoes and pop their collars? (Sorry, Hampton-goers, that was just too easy.)

I mean really, what about those of us who can't afford to buy an overpriced train ticket and travel three hours just to visit a beach?

Oh, and don’t even get me started on the perils of getting to the Jersey Shore.

Logistically, if you don’t want to spend four hours traveling between the George Washington Bridge, the Turnpike, and the Garden State Parkway, you should cross the Shore right off your list. Immediately.

So staying in NYC this weekend might just might be the best choice you ever made. Why?

Well, for one, it’ll be much less crowded. You’ll get to frolic around, down the beverage of your choice, and explore our extravagant city-- and you won’t have to push past overbearing crowds to do it.

How else will this weekend absolutely rock in NYC? Read on to find out 26 reasons why staying local is the best move you'll ever make for Memorial Day Weekend 2015.

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1. Grab a day drink (or three)

Day drinking: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. It’s an art, not a science.

NYC is far and away the best city to day drink. Because that last sentence was obvious, it’s also obvious that you’ve spent the last year honing and sharpening your day drinking skills.

MDW is the perfect chance for you to exhibit what you learned at SantaCon, Mardi Gras, and St. Patrick’s Day, young grasshopper.

In other words, this is your moment, you own it, you better never let it go. Refresh yourself on all the tips and skills you’ll need to survive a MDW day drink fest here.

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 2. Visit a rooftop bar

Why does rooftop drinking rock? Well, let’s see.

It incorporates all the world’s best things into one activity: cool, delicious, refreshing alcohol. The gorgeous summertime weather, and the vertigo-inducing euphoria of staring down onto the sprawling NYC skyline.

Now, let’s see, what rooftop should you drink at? You could hit up Rockefeller Center’s SixtyFive (named for the floor it sits on) for food, cocktails, and wine.

Or, you could check out our comprehensive guide to rooftop drinking in NYC here. It's that simple.

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3. Pick up someone at a bar

Looking to shake it up in the sheets? Yeah, same.

It’s the best way to exude your patriotism to freedom and America, of course. Check out the best places to pick up here.

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4. Visit an underrated restaurant

It’s Memorial Day, which means it’s time to explore.

Remember when we talked about how the city will be so much less crowded this weekend, specifically for your traversing pleasure?

Well, what better opportunity is there to check out all the underrated restaurants you’ve never made time for than during MDW? Go get chicken and waffles at Amy Ruth’s.

Yeah, that made us hungry too. See what other NYC restaurants are devastatingly underrated here and start making a list for the weekend, will ya?

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5. Brunch it

You have to day drink on MDW. We’re pretty sure that’s written into the Constitution. Or it's at least an amendment. (Really, the 21st Amendment wasn’t passed for no reason.)

The best way to get your day drink on is brunch. Pound some pancakes and wash it all down with a mimosa or three.

But really, what kind of bruncher are you? Are you an artsy Instagrammer or a bottomless b*tch? Find out here.

And once you’ve discovered what type of bruncher you are, check the best spots to brunch in NYC.

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6. Discover a hidden bar

There’s no better time to explore the city than this weekend, where you will be among the city’s sole explorers.

You won’t have to push past frustrating tourists or angry rush hour commuters. Find out which hidden bars you can discover here.

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7. Take a day trip

In the spirit of the holiday, it’s about time you reinvigorated your sense of wonder with the best in nature that NYC has to offer.

Do you want to hike or canoe? Then explore New Paltz or Cold Spring for the day.

Find out where else to day trip right here.

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8. Visit Smorgasburg (they're all over NYC)

Smorgasburg is no longer just in Brooklyn.

It’s now in in Manhattan, Coney Island, and Queens. So you can acquire some of the most satisfying delicacies in our city from wherever your little tummy desires.

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9. Hit up Yankee Stadium & eat like a champ

Snag yourself some tickets to see the Yankees hand the Texas Rangers a good ol' fashioned ass whooping (hopefully).

There’s no better way to celebrate our country than slurping beer, singing the national anthem, cheering for the Yankees, and chowing down on the Stadium’s awesome grub, right?

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10. Take a free cruise with the North River Lobster Company

Bangin’ booze and luscious lobster on a free Hudson River cruise; what’s not to love?

Oh, that’s right. Nothing.

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 11. Visit Eataly

Never been to Eataly? Well, this is your shot.

Avoid the crowds and get your fill. Boom, boom.

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 12. Go by Madison Square Eats

This festival (held twice a year by Urbanspace and the Madison Square Park Conservancy) showcases delectable cuisine from local food vendors hearkening from the surrounding neighborhoods.

If you like good food, you don’t want to miss this eating extravaganza.

Overwhelmed by the sheer number of options? We’ve helped narrow down the 9 best vendors you absolutely need to check out here.

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13. Hit up the Upper East Side

Contrary to popular belief, the UES actually sort of rocks.

And if you’ve never partied there, you’ve got to give it a shot. Get wasted at Supply House and then watch the sunset at Randall’s Island Park.

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14. Have a drink (or three) in the West Village

There is no better way to honor the men and women who died serving our country than to exercise the freedom they fought for.

And that clearly means you should get wasted at a speakeasy in the West Village. Come on now!

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 15. Satisfy your sweet tooth cravings

After you’re done stuffing your face at Eataly and Smorgasburg, you’ll definitely want some more dessert.

Here are the best places to dessert in NYC.

And if you're into something more specific, like cake or pie, here are the best bakeries in NYC that will make you want to stuff your face.

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16. Eat at a BBQ joint

Nothing says summer better than ribs, coleslaw, and cornbread.

So it's simple: here are the best places to satisfy your barbecue cravings in NYC. Can't get much easier than that, right?

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17. Dine al fresco, anyone?

Now that it’s summer, you have to eat outside.

So where are the best places in NYC for outdoor dining? Check out our list here.

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18. Have a picnic in a park (that doesn't start with the word "Central")

Of course, Central Park will probably be lovely on Memorial Day, and filled with troves of well-to-doers and holiday-celebrators.

But what if you’re tired of Central Park? Find out which parks to picnic in here, since it’s already obvious that picnicking on MDW in NYC is an excellent choice.

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19. Visit the Bronx (finally, right?)

Manhattan and Brooklyn aren’t the only boroughs with under-the-radar food gems.

And since you won’t be traveling to Long Island or Jersey this MDW, why wouldn’t you hit up hidden food gems in the Bronx that’ll take your taste buds on a trip around the world?

And while you’re at it, why not check out the Real “Little Italy” of NYC? (That’s right... it’s in the Bronx, baby.)

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20. Cross the Hudson River and discover Hoboken

Stop gazing longingly across the Hudson River into Hoboken, thinking about all your friends who live just a quick ride away on the PATH train.

This is the weekend to visit them. And, newsflash: Hoboken is fun.

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21. Try out a random bar in Williamsburg

If you’re not already obsessed with Williamsburg, let us convince you.

Here are the best bars to hit up in Williamsburg, and they will undoubtedly be poppin' this weekend. So take some notes.

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22. Visit Queens International Night

What happens when the nation’s most ethnically diverse borough hosts a night centered around food? Well, taste bud heaven, that’s what.

Hit up Queens International Night, choose from a variety of food from around the world like Taiwanese fried chicken, empanadas, Peruvian steak sandwiches, and Colombian hot dogs, and leave satiated.

Find out more right here.

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23. Why not try a farmers market? 

Tour all the locally grown products in one giant famers’ food show-and-tell. Match up an actual plant with the food you adore.

Find out which farmers markets in NYC you should scope out right here.

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 24. Hit up an outdoor food festival

It’s nice out now, remember? This weekend we are celebrating the wondrous arrive of summertime.

So hit up this city's mecca-like food festivals and chow down amidst the summertime air.

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 25. Sing the night away in a karaoke bar

End your weekend singing in some of NYC’s finest karaoke bars.

It’s the best way to exude your patriotism and bond with your musically talented (or challenged) pals.

Find out which karaoke bars you must make sure to find, and tear the roof down with your gorgeous voice right here.

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 26. And finally, if you start to have a bad holiday weekend...

Remember this: you still live in NYC. Cheer up.

If that wasn’t enough to convince you, check out 7 wonderful ways to take your mind off a bad day.

Did Someone Say Rooftop Pool Party? Summer Fridays Just Got a Whole Lot Better.