August in New York City: Staying Busy While Practicing Your English July 29, 2019

Listen, I know I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it every year. Summer is NOT my favorite season. I like the emotional feeling of summer – feeling free, having the longer days, taking vacations, and all that good stuff. But weather wise? NOT my favorite time of the year. I’m fair-skinned, and I’ll admit, I do in fact have a low tolerance for extreme heat. So with that, I tend to get sick of the summer season pretty quickly and start looking forward to fall by the middle of July. But even then, August is the epitome of the dog days of summer. The hottest days of the season tend to fall in this month, so my biggest recommendation for you this month is to enjoy the outdoors, but also prepare for activities that will be indoors to take advantage of the air conditioning and relief from the sun.

Because of this heat, many people tend to take their summer vacations during this month and flock to areas with beach access. The city tends to quiet down because of this, which means it’s a great opportunity for you to explore and grab your friends for ways you can practice your English skills. This month, I’m including things to do that are indoors, so if you’re anything like me, you can get through this last round of summer without feeling like you’re going to pass out.

1. The Rolling Stones, August 1, 2019, MetLife Stadium

No matter where you call home or what language is your first, you know that The Rolling Stones are one of the most iconic musical acts of our time. Around since the 1960s, this group has evolved throughout the decades to be one of the most legendary faces of rock and roll. As these group members age through time, it might be a great idea to see them now, as we’ll never really know when their next tour will be their last. Catch them while you still can! If you can’t make the show, you can do the next best thing and listen to their full portfolio – it’s a great way to get familiar with their music AND give your English skills a true through song!

2. New York Cocktail Expo, August 18, 2019, Long Island City, NY

As I mentioned above, there’s a spirit about summer that just means taking a load off and enjoying your time away, either from school or work. And truly, what better way to enjoy the summer than attend an event that’s all about mixed drinks?? Gather your friends for the day and arrange a ride home beforehand so you won’t have to worry about after a day of tasting and sampling new spirits and cocktails. As the most attended cocktail event in New York, you can interact with hundreds of other people from all over the city to find out what their favorite drinks are, what they learned, and their advice for making the most of your day. Be sure to hydrate and drink plenty of water this day!

3. Color Factory, SoHo

Originally created and celebrated in San Francisco, this collaborative experience has now migrated to New York City. It’s a huge celebration of color, which will make you feel alive and excited with all of the visions. If you’re serious about your Instagram, this is a great destination for you, as you’ll have plenty of opportunities to show your followers what you’re up to in New York City. A great way to not only meet more people is to include English language hashtags in your posts so you can interact with others that experienced the exhibit and learn how they appreciated the event.

New York City is the city that never sleeps or calms down. It’s also a heat box in August, so I of course recommend always having a plan for staying indoors to escape the heat. Just as there are endless things to do outside, there are also plenty of opportunities to stay cool indoors. From museums and restaurants to expos and pop-up events, you really won’t have to worry about running out of things to do. Worst case scenario, you can also just save your money and stay indoors and catch up on your Netflix queue – what better way to get your English listening skills in! Get your friends together, and come up with a plan for the hottest month in New York City – and be sure to hydrate this month!