SPORTS & LEISURE

nathan's famous hot dog eating contest

Head to Coney Island this July 4 to see top competitive eaters like Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi down mind-boggling amounts of franks at this free event.

SPONSORED CONTENT

lucy's legacy: the hidden treasures of ethiopia

Discover the rich history of Ethiopia and see Lucy, the world's most famous fossil. Special offer: Each day from June 30 until July 10, the first 10 visitors to the Official NYC Information Center at 53rd Street and Seventh Avenue will receive free admission to the exhibition.

SPORTS & LEISURE

get in the water: 9 nyc pools

Summer is officially here, and if you've been feeling aquatically deprived, the wait is over. Take a dip at these nine public swimming spots across the City.

SPORTS & LEISURE

kids' summer dream teams

by Jonathan Zeller

School's out, and the heat is on—so drop the remote! NYC pro-sports teams have something better on deck for kids this summer.

OUTDOORS & RECREATION

2009 mermaid parade: wet but festive

by Emily Gordon • Photos by Malcolm Brown

If there's one population that doesn't get scared off by a little rain, it's mermaids. Not to mention all the other celebrants of the annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island.

DINING

fedorable: the story of a west village dining institution

by Erin O'Hara • Photos by Myrna Suarez

For the past 57 years, Fedora Dorato's picturesque hideaway has been a place of refuge in this storied New York City neighborhood.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

free concert city: summer music preview

Your guide to NYC's (almost 100% free) summer music festivals, from Blondie to Beethoven to a big green monster…seriously.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

movies under the skyline

by Harrison Peck

Spend a warm summer night watching your favorite stars light up the big screen at a slew of locations throughout the City.

DINING

the scoop on nyc gelato

by Kathleen Squires

Looking for a sweet way to beat the heat? Check out these nine NYC gelaterias, each featuring dense, rich, innovative flavors like chocolate cayenne pepper, avocado and olive oil.

SHOPPING

nyc flea markets

by Lynn Yaeger

New York is a bargain-hunter's paradise—you just need to know where to look, and in the summer, sometimes that means outside.

FEATURED COMMENT

ask new york city about new york city

The Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit is phenomenal. I didn't think I'd be getting so close to them. You're literally nose-to-nose...–user kwong on an exhibit at the Bronx Zoo