So, you've probably noticed it's been extra hot in New York City lately. In fact, this coming weekend's supposed to bring record 60 degree temperatures. Last time the temperature reached the mid-60s in December was in 1923.
Which means what for us?
On the one hand, it's a bummer because it means there won't be any idyllic, sparkling blanket of snow falling over the city anytime soon.
On the other hand, it's excellent, because it means we'll be able to experience the city's outdoor splendors in December like never before.
So we have some tips for you for enjoying this December's insane weather. Stop getting down and out about climate change, first of all. Enjoy it. Party on someone's roof deck. Picnic in a park. Visit NYC's outdoor art exhibits.
Basically, we want you to do everything we're usually never able to enjoy in December. Read on to find out what they are.
1. See outdoor winter art exhibits
Usually, when the winter strikes, we all flock back into our apartments and hibernate there for several months.
This December though? Well, that's not what we're doing. We're able to peruse the beautiful outdoor art exhibits much more freely this December, without fear of freezing off our extremities.
There's Rashid Johnson's Blocks on The High Line through March of 2016; it's a minimalist three-dimensional black steel grid that's being grown over with plants. There's Jeppe Hein's Please Touch the Art on display in Brooklyn Bridge Park through April 2016.
There are cartoonishly twisting benches and mirrors mimicking the shape of the Manhattan skyline in Please Touch the Art.
This December, unlike any December before, we're free to frolic the city and peruse all this outdoor art. We won't even freeze our faces off to do it.
2. Bike in Central Park (208 West 80th Street)
Have you been really meaning to get on your Central Park biking game, but you just didn't find the time during the fall?
Well, you've just been afforded this excellent opportunity then, haven't you?
Renting a bike in Central Park costs just $15, and includes a helmet, basket, lock, and map. It's open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for bike rentals and returns.
We can assure you that there's hardly a more exhilarating experience in this city than flying full speed down a hill in Central Park, gazing at the scenery, while a bright, cold winter sun shines on you. Since it's warmer out this season, we get to experience this for longer.
3. Ice skate ... without a coat (various locations)
Everyone knows puffy coats bog you down and make it much more difficult to move around. Ice skating is an extremely fun, entirely required December activity.
This December, though? We have the unique pleasure of potentially getting to ice skate, without those huge puffy winter coats holding us back.
Since it's going to be in the 60s, we'll be able to glide around the rink at the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park, or the skating rink in the Bryant Park Winter Village, or the rink at Rockefeller Center, completely unburdened by our restrictive coats.
If you're looking for us, we'll be skating coat-free for the win. Hollaaa!
4. Outdoor sports
thefrenchtraveler_ Back to business Head Coach for this weekend ! Thanks girls for all ! #rugbywomen #teamspirit #rugbygirl #friends #sports #pictureoftheday #picoftheday #instaday #instapic #instarugby #rcm #rugby #rugby7s #nyc #randallsisland #instagram #instagramers #iphone #paysbasque #croixbasque #rugbyfeminin #filles #igers #igrugby #instatravel #instatraveling #friends #instagirl #rugbygram #beforethegame #usa
Why not gather an athletic crew of pals together to hit whatever basketball court is closest to your apartment?
Why not rent out a field at the East River State Park and get some friends together to play touch football? Or grab your friends to play soccer in Prospect Park?
Usually during December, outdoor sports with friends is left on the back burner until the sun returns to us. This December, we don't all have to sequester ourselves away in our separate gyms on separate ellipticals.
Instead, we can join together in some playful, collaborative exercise.
,5. Visit Wave Hill (West 249th Street - the Bronx)
wavehill Today's cloudy skies have a silver lining–the colors of the Wild Garden are brilliantly heightened! #wavehill #gardenglory
Wave Hill is a 28-acre public horticultural garden and a cultural center, and it's all on a slope overlooking the Hudson River. There are stunning views, a botanical garden, and lots of stunning exhibits.
We've been gifted all this really great weather, and in our own, very humble opinions, you should take advantage of the weather by checking out what Wave Hill's got going on.
An especially poignant occasion for this winter is Benjamin Swett's New York City of Trees, on display until March. It's a compilation of absolutely stunning photography of the trees that compose NYC's urban forest.
You now have the unique opportunity to compare these photos of trees to the actual, magnificent alive ones in Wave Hill's collection. Since, you know, it's nice enough outside to do that and everything.
6. Picnic
haleheartysoups One of our favorites, any time of the year...🌞 #lunch #soup #nyc #boston #nycpicnic #lemonade #summer
We daresay that the picnic you never got around to having in the fall is still entirely possible before January.
Sure, everyone might need to bundle up, but all we're saying is that last year at this time the ground was covered in snow and frost. Could you spread out a blanket and lounge beside the river?
No, you could not.
So why not take advantage of the peculiar, strange, 60-degree weather this weekend and toss out a blanket? Maybe day-drink with some friends. Visit Washington Square Park, Tompkins Square Park, Randall's Island or Battery Park.
It doesn't matter what park you visit. All that matters is that you take advantage of this absolutely splendid opportunity to be outside longer.
7. Roof deck hangouts
To all you lucky roof deck owners out there in the city: the time to clear off your deck, cover your furniture, and bring in your deck furniture has not come yet.
Could you have an outdoor SantaCon pregame? Well, you most certainly could this December, and that's something we've never been able to say before.
With great power comes great responsibility. We're not sure that totally applies here. What we can say is that if you have a roof deck, you're doing your friends a disservice by not having them over. Outdoor hangout space in this city is sacred, so you've got to flaunt what you got, you know?
Our point is, we've never been able to have such festive roof deck hangouts as we'll be able to have this season. We'll be able to give away secret Santa presents on the roof, drink eggnog, gaze at the city's holiday lights, all while barely even being cold. That's a win if we've ever heard one.
Check out 7 Things to Do This Weekend That Are Classier Than SantaCon.
[Feature Image Courtesy AllenBukoff.com]