offManhattan

Watch the Macy’s Fireworks Saturday night (over the Hudson River this year) from the Chandelier Room at the W Hoboken, and dine on their special Fourth of July menu. [NJ.com]

Ten bucks gets you into the Fourth of July extravaganza at Harry’s at Water Taxi Beach for hot dogs, burgers, sand, sun, music, beer, and tropical drinks. [AMNY]

Head to Coney Island on Saturday to see defending champ Joey Chestnut and former six-time champ Takeru Kobayshi eat 50+ hot dogs each in ten minutes at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest. [The Buzz]

Cross bowling alleys off the underrated date night list now that the eco-conscious Brooklyn Bowl is opening on Tuesday, July 7th at 6p.m. While The Gutter will always have a sweet place in our retro-loving hearts, this summer, we’ll be ordering off the Blue Ribbon and Brooklyn-brewed draught menus while live bands create the soundtrack to our strikes. [BrooklynPaper]

What: Williamsburg Walks

When: 4th of July & July 11th, Noon-Sunset

Where: Bedford Ave to North 4th to North 9th

Why: If sunny summer days conjure up childhood memories of playing in the streets, head to Williamsburg Walks this weekend for a temporary pedestrian party on Bedford Avenue that’s fit for kids and adults of all ages. Enjoy a neighborhood free of cars and full of festivities like hula hooping, horseshoeing, hopscotch, concerts, and Polish food demonstrations.

What: Edible Evenings: A Celebration of Wine, Beer, and Food

Where: Conservatory Kitchen at New York Botanical Garden

When: Thursdays, July 9-August 20, 6-9p.m.

Why: Exhibits you can eat and drink. Nowadays, we’re all adjusting to a new more responsible budget, which means less dining out and more c-c-c-cooking! Head to the Bronx where seven events spanning grilling, slow food, and tropical treats are sure to revive our appreciation for the fruits of Mother Nature’s labor, not to mention prep us for that upcoming dinner party and/or picnic in the park. Some specials on the menu: “A Taste of Arthur Avenue” on July 9, “Botanical Beverages: Beer, Wine, and More” on July 16, and “Summer Desserts: Berries, Pastries, and Chocolate” on July 30. ‘Tis the season to be locavorting.

What: Artscape

When: July 17-19

Where: Mount Royal Avenue and Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD

Why: Artscape is the country’s largest free public arts event, bringing more than 150 artists, designers and craftspeople to the streets of Baltimore, along with a stacked roster of musical shows, featuring headliners Dionne Warwick, Cake, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

This spring, Montauk was ranked number eight out of the Ten Best Surf Towns in America by Surfer Magazine, much to the chagrin of local surfers. Although it’s no secret that surfers are territorial and secretive, the ocean is a vast and limitless beast, and if you’re just starting out you don’t need to surf the biggest spots. Stick to this guide for beginners and you’ll find a welcoming wave with small crowds and friendly faces.

Get the Gear: If you don’t have your own surfboard or wetsuit, head to Main Street where Montauk’s premiere surf shop Air and Speed has everything you’ll need. Owned by local Stu Foley and his environmentally-conscious family, the store will help you find just the right board and fit in a wetsuit for reasonable daily rates. Even better, Air and Speed offers surf lessons, private and group, which include a board and wetsuit rental. One of Stu’s strapping sons will give you a professional lesson, starting with pop-ups on the sand and ending with you catching plenty of waves. If the surf makes you nervous, ask for a lesson with Bob, a local surfer, who has more than twenty years as a lifeguard under his belt.

What: World Football Challenge

When: July 24, 8:00 p.m.

Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD

Why: The World Football Challenge is bringing some of the biggest squads from Europe and Mexico to the US for a round-robin tournament of six exhibition matches this summer, including a game between AC Milan and Chelsea at M&T Bank Stadium. It’s a rare opportunity to see some of the world’s best players in the US, particularly for soccer fans whose last look at European teams was during the 2009 UEFA Champion’s League Final in May.

What: International Festival of Arts & Ideas

When: Saturday, June 27th

Where: New Haven, Connecticut

Why: For the past 14 years, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas has paired arts programming with a plethora of panels and conversations on current and international affairs. While the world is in a constant state of change, the tragic series of events that have unfolded in recent weeks and days allows this year’s festival themes of Global Identities and Local Heroes to resonate with heartbreaking significance. “We look to the festival’s global storytellers to uncover universal narratives and celebrate the richness of myriad perspectives,” said Mary Lou Aleskie, the annual event’s executive director. True to this, festival goers have a cultural panorama of exhibitions to visit this Saturday, spanning theater, dance, opera, music, and programs about the ideas behind these arts.

What: Wine Film Festival

When: Five Sundays starting June 28th—July 26

Where: Enoteca, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

Why: If you can’t be in Provence, Burgundy or the Napa and Santa Ynez valleys, wine lovers must look to adventures that can be harvested closer to home. This weekend, take a trip across the Brooklyn Bridge to Enoteca, a new wine bar in Carroll Gardens that’s pairing two of the things a summer destination simply isn’t complete without: vino and an outdoor film festival.

What: Makers Market

When: Friday, June 26-28

Where: Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens

Why: Long Island City has more than Manhattan views and water taxi beach to offer this weekend; with the sun finally shining (please, oh please), come visit the giant, pause-worthy structures while browsing through one-of-a-kind goods and wares. Presented by American Craft, The Noguchi Museum, and R 20th Century Gallery, Makers Market in Socrates Sculpture Park is showcasing 30 craft makers from New York to California, including Daniel Michalik / DMFD Studio, Elyse Allen Textiles and Esque Studio. You’ll find unique textiles, ceramics, turned wood bowls, glassware, bicycles, jewelry, furniture, motorcycles and other creative goodies. If you’ve been putting off hanging pictures and decorating your cozy New York space, or just can’t stand your cheapo LACK coffee table anymore, here’s your chance to pillage beautiful, reasonably priced designs while supporting the arts and drinking cocktails. Score!