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Summer fun to savour

 

Now that our much anticipated spring has finally settled in and with summer right around the corner, its time to take in all the outdoor activities available in the area. With so many options for fun in the sun you will need to carefully plan your calendar to fit it all in. So get out there and enjoy a few of these ideas with the focus on enjoying the sights, nature, food and the camaraderie of those doing the same. Make this your summer to remember!

 

Plan your visit to Six Flags Great Adventure Wild Safari in Jackson, New Jersey. 2011 Season passes are already on sale and offering deals on parking and admission, so it's a great time to plan ahead and save. Get an up close and personal glimpse of all your favorite wild animals from Africa, Australia and the Americas.

 

The 39th Annual Lighthouse International POSH Fashion sale will be held at The Plaza Hotel from May 12-15th. Here is your chance to get deep discounts on designer, vintage and contemporary items donated by Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Dior, Ferragamo, Gucci, Hermes, Lanvin, Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, and more. As their website explains, "Funds raised from POSH help support a variety of services to help New Yorkers who are visually impaired live independent and productive lives." Visit www.poshsale.org to find out more.

 

Visit one of the many delicious Portuguese restaurants in Newark and enjoy a plate of paella.

 

Drive or take the train to one of the Jersey Shore's gorgeous towns including Seaside Heights, Ocean Grove, Long Branch, Asbury Park, Sea Bright, Spring Lake and Point Pleasant Beach. You'll discovery why they made a hit show about it.

 

Take in a free movie at Bryant Park, New York during their Summer Film Festival. Concerts are also held there and in Rumsey Playfield, Central Park all summer as part of the Good Morning America Concert Series.

 

The Today Show is also holding its annual Toyota Concert Series at their Rockefeller Center studio location with artists including Rihanna, Bruno Bars and Maroon 5. Visit today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041478/ for a complete rundown of the shows.

Take a walk along the High Line Park in the Meatpacking District of NYC. Enjoy the incredible views, numerous recliners and beautiful floral arrangements on display. The meatpacking district also offers many high class restaurants, shops and bars to enjoy.

 

Step back in time and visit one of the many majestic mansions and aboretums on Long Island's Gold Coast, including Planting Fields in Oyster Bay, Old Westbury Gardens, plus the Guggenheim and Vanderbilt Mansions. You will get a taste of the good life from this once gilded age in American history. 

 

Experience one of the many street fairs, festivals and parades that take part in the city over the summer months, like the Bastille Day festivities, the Puerto Rican Day Parade, the Gay Pride Parade and the West Indian Day Carnival in Brooklyn.

 

Even though many shows stop taping during the summer months you still need to book tickets in advance to be a part of their Fall audience. Some of the shows that tape in New York are: The Colbert Report, Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Show with David Letterman, Live with Regis and Kelly, Saturday Night Live, the Today Show, Jimmy Fallon Show, The Tyra Banks Show, The View, Rachael Ray Show, The Maury Show, the Nate Berkus Show, Wendy Williams Show and The People's Court. Each show has their own website that you must visit to request tickets and to find out days of availability, as well as audience member protocol. A google search of each show plus the word tickets will supply this information. Tickets are free and there is a wait of several months to get tickets to many shows, so it's advisable to request tickets now for Fall tapings.

 

Several events feature the opportunity to dance in the streets to rhythms such as Swing, Hip Hop, Latin Salsa and Soul Music. Dance parties offer lessons, great views, food and entertainment. The South Street Seaport also has several events featuring food, dancing, concerts and cultural performances. Check their website at www.southstreetseaport.com/events for more information.

 

Hike the Hudson Valley region, along one of several trails which take in the spectacular views across the river and down towards New York City. Visiting one of the many mansions and historic towns along the Hudson is also a great way to spend the day. Mansions like Olana, Boscobel, Kykuit, Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, Locust Grove, Montgomery Place, Lyndhurst and Sunnyside to name a few. You can also visit West Point Military Academy, Bear Mountain State Park (which the Appalachian Trail runs through) and the Culinary Institute of America.  

New Jersey also offers wonderful hiking opportunities as well as historic mansions to tour. Just some of the choices are Skylands Mansion at Ringwood State Park, Greenwood House and Gardens in Short Hills, Duke Farms in Hillsborough, Patriot's Path in Morristown, Watchung Reservation, West Milford Baker's Dozen peaks in the Heart of the Highlands, Winterthur, Allaire State Park, the Van Vleck House and Gardens in Montclair and Willowwood in Chester Township.  

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