New Yorkers are going to be sad to see summer go-- yes, even those sundry, little things that we won’t actually admit to.
Summer is one of the most nostalgic times of the year; the time of the year to get out and enjoy the city without risking any limb losses due to frostbite.
So even if we complain about the little inconveniences that seem to plague us during these warmer months, there are some things that we secretly just love to hate.
Here are 9 of the most wonderful things we will miss most about summertime in New York City.
1. The constant search for some precious air conditioning
nate_thebartender2k14 No a/c ...fine hope u like the electric bill cuz I took all the fans in the house . #igotmadfansnow #toofuckinghot #noac #noproblem
We know- not having air conditioning is completely miserable. It is like living in Hell and being naive enough to think that eventually a nice refreshing breeze will drift through your open window.
But one upside of this overheated inevitability is that it gives you some great motivation to get out more.
[anad]
Who wants to slowly cook to death in their own home? No, we’d much rather retreat to the homes of our amazing friends who happen to have A/C, or step out to get some dinner or drinks at a nice, temperature controlled restaurant.
Basically, when you can’t stand the heat of your own apartment, you’re more likely to get out and be social. So as much as it truly sucks to be without air conditioning, there are a few benefits (whether we admit it or not).
2. Perfect park weather
We all know that NYC’s park game is STRONG. Shakespeare in the park, free concerts in Prospect Park, yoga classes by Brooklyn Bridge, and sitting back with a basket of food and a jug of sangria will all be sorely missed once the summer ends.
We may pretend that we’re above lounging in the grass to bake ourselves in the summer sun and wistfully look at the jungle gyms that we’re too old to use, but we all know that parks are no joke.
Yes snow is pretty, but frigid weather is enough to keep us indoors despite our best intentions. Once the summer ends, going to the parks just won’t be the same.
3. Outdoor eating
ladamanyc La Dama and our sisters restaurant Guacstar are open for July 4. Come watch the fireworks with us! 💫💥✨💥✨💫🎆🎇🎆 Happy fourth of July. #wheretowatchthefireworks #fireworks #happyfourthofjuly #fidi #stonestreet #4ofjuly #outdoorsdinning #nyc #nycpatio #patio #mexicanfood #latinrestaurant #nycdinner #usa
There are few things more sacred that outdoor dining in our beautiful city. The elaborately overflowing gardens, immaculate patios, graffitied courtyards, and strings of lights are everything.
Don’t get us wrong, the restaurants here have some killer dining rooms, decor, and ambiance. But no matter how many potted trees you stick inside, it’s still not a garden, there’s still a ceiling, and summer is still over.
4. Ice cream trucks
We may whine about their ubiquitousness, the pesky jingles that cement themselves in our brains day and night, but everyone secretly loves Mister Softee.
[anad2]
Summer just wouldn’t be the same without the constant peppy tunes calling us to ditch work for ten minutes and treat ourselves to an absurdly cheap ice cream treat that may or may not leave our tongues looking tie-dyed.
5. Hanging out on roof tops
spoiled_nyc celebrate the #90s with @spoiled_nyc & @tablelist 🗽 free rsvp: SPOILEDTBT.COM 🗽 thursday 9/17 at 7 p.m. @hudsonterrace #spoiledTBT #nyc #nycrooftop #spoilednyc #tablelist #hudsonterrace #TBT #throwbackthursday #bestthursdayever #onehouropenbar #takeover #nolinesthistime #80sbaby #90skid 📠📟📼📟📺
There are certain sacrifices we inevitably make to be able to live in a city as weird and wonderful as NYC. Backyards are more often than not just one of the unfortunate casualties of living here.
That’s why roof access is such a beautiful thing. Whether it’s the beautiful Hudson Terrace where we'll be throwing down hard for The Dopest #TBT Ever, or a modest Brooklyn walk-up with a perfect view of the sky-line, roofs are like backyards only better.
We may like to think that we don’t need open skies and picnic tables to share with the neighbors, but we all know we’ll be counting down all winter until we can head back up to our rooftop escapes again.
,6. Skipping the coat check when you go out
There are few things more trivial and annoying than walking into a sweaty bar or club with your winter parka. Between the long coat check lines, the habit of forgetting to zip up your pockets, and having to spring a few extra dollars, the setup is less than ideal.
We get it- once the weather is freezing, you’re patting yourself on the back for even abandoning your cozy apartment to willingly traverse the wet, snowy streets just to see your friends and hopefully get a good buzz.
[anad]
We’ve even heard terrible rumors that some people get a little too tipsy and (gasp) forget their coats, leaving themselves stranded in the tundra with no warmth.
So as much as we despise the rainforest temperatures and persistent wafts of B.O that haunt our summer nights out, at least we’re not dealing with the coat check.
7. Road trip season
adirondackvibes 🍀🌺🔷🌺🍀 // photo credit: @down_by_the__river // #adirondackvibes #adirondacks #adk #reflection #mountains #views #pureadk #nature #escapenyc #iloveny #upstate #summer #visitadks
Ok, so no one needs an excuse to go to Coney Island, but really we’re all secretly grateful that it is an obligatory summer staple as New Yorkers. The hot dogs and funnel cakes, the water and the boardwalk, the mermaid parade, need we go on? It’s awesome, we all know this.
Summer offers the perfect opportunity to re-live your childhood traditions, to go to carnivals, food festivals (especially Greek ones), and just pick up for a spur of the moment road trip. There are beaches to be sun-bathing on, hills to be hiked, tents to be pitched, and picnics to be had.
As much as we wish it were otherwise, somehow going on an impulsive getaway just isn’t as easy the rest of the year.
8. Random, unannounced neighborhood fireworks
iameyre Don't even know what the occasion was... #RandomFireWorkShow. #ManhattanBridge #NYC #NYCnights
The Fourth was a while ago. That doesn’t seemed to have deterred the neighbors from continuing to set off all manner of homemade fireworks whenever they damn well feel like it.
It may not be a nightly occurrence anymore, but it’s dwindled down just enough to the point where when you hear one go off it scares the living hell out of you every time.
[anad2]
But really, as much as we hate jumping at the snappy sounds of bottle rockets and questionably made mortars, we’re going to miss it once the monotony of our usual street sounds resumes with no exciting interruptions. Let the people have their fun, we’ll miss the occasional startle.
9. Wearing sandals
samanthap_rt Relaxing > going to work early. That overtime just isn't worth it anymore. Flip flop weather! #pedi #wax #pool #sunshine #therapy #countrymusic #flipflopweather #spring #tattoo #workflow #relax
Sandals, be they flip-flops, gladiators, platforms, or whatever the hell else people are strapping to their feet, are a summertime essential. They’re comfortable, cute, and well worth the tessellated tan lines.
Now, it is a well-accepted truth of living in this city that if you wear sandals out, you will come home at the end of the day with feet look like they’ve been dipped in tar. Your feet get trashed, and your floors get gross, and oh god the shower water is turning black and grey.
We may decry the dirt that sticks to us magnetically here in NYC, but we all know that we wouldn’t have it any other way. Once we’re forced to resort back to thick socks and boots, we’ll definitely miss the foot freedom we got to enjoy all summer long.
Check out 9 Telltale Signs You Need to GTFO of NYC for the Weekend.
[Feature Image Courtesy: Instagram]