offManhattan

From a family-friendly barbecue on a historic boat ride up the Hudson River to fireworks in the Hamptons, a concert on Governors Island, and a block party in D.C., here are 14 July 4th activities, events, and hotel packages to make your holiday getaway feel complete—even if it just means watching the sparks soar from another borough.

They chugga travelers from point A to point B with celerity and “green” grace, and this Saturday, May 8, marks the 3rd annual National Train Day. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation together with Amtrak wants the country to get all aboard this weekend. So to celebrate the locomotives and galvanize riders, they are pulling out all the stops from celebrities to special getaway packages in more than 50 cities, including Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C.

If you’d rather not leave town this weekend, attend the NYC Kick-off event at Penn Station on Friday 12-2pm, where actor Taye Diggs will trigger the 3D “trainscape” installation, comprised of edible artwork and moving model trains. Or consider spending a few days in Philly with a $300 package that includes accommodations at the Holiday Inn Historic District, free admission to the Independence Seaport Museum, and round-trip fare from NYC—look for the historical baseball exhibit at the 30th Street Station when you arrive.

· If you’re feeling particularly earthy this month, plan your trip to D.C. for the star-studded, event-packed Climate Rally on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. [EarthDay.org]

· The 13th annual TAP New York Craft Beer and Food Festival will take place at Hunter Mountain’s Base Lodge April 24 and 25, and the theme is BBQ. [tap-ny.com]

· Stone Barns Center will present The Carnivorous Kitchen: An Expert Panel Discussion & Meat Market this Sunday 2:00-3:30p.m; for five dollars, learn to make the best sustainable decisions when sourcing meat and fish for dinner. [StoneBarnsCenter.org]

· Traif restaurant opens in Brooklyn this week with a stone-tiled back patio, bacon-wrapped blue cheese-stuffed dates, and local brews. [thrillist.com]

· New York’s favorite outdoor market is back this Saturday with vendors peddling all things vintage, crafts, art, jewelry, and food—Red Hook Lobster Pound, oh yes—so make sure to swing by the Brooklyn Flea, which really officially welcomes Spring. [BrooklynFlea.com]

From spy games to rides on 1908 carousels, these six kid-friendly museums across six Northeastern cities will help keep boredom at bay on weekends or during the lengthy school holiday that looms on the horizon. The venues are just far enough under the radar to feel undiscovered, and the kids will be having so much fun they may not even realize that you have slipped in a soupçon of culture.

offManhattan recently starting blogging for The Huffington Post, and we want to make sure our readers are up to (green) speed on all things oM. So, with Earth Day’s 40th anniversary approaching, we’ve discovered that the National Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. has chosen this year to supplant a pretty cause with a truly ecological one. From adrenaline-pumping activities to sustainable eats, here are six green ways to celebrate the annual spring event.

1. Ditch the car. Take the bus.
2. Opt for sweet (sustainable) dreams.
3. Bike the blossoms.
4. A green appetite.
5. In the greenlight.
6. Drink Greenly.

Read the full story on Huffington Post’s Green section.

Anthony Bourdain had lobster cappuccino with Bill Murray at X20 in Yonkers while exploring the Hudson Valley for No Reservations. [Eater]

Speaking of the Hudson Valley, start planning for your culinary trip north of the city during the area’s restaurant week, March 15-28. [HVRW]

Britain beat Acela to the punch with free wi-fi on trains. [Jaunted]

If you want to spice things up for Valentine’s Day, go on a naked scavenger hunt. [Going]

If you’re in D.C. during February, the Lobby Café at the Ritz is offering a blind dessert tasting for $45; or you could just buy the champagne and chocolate sauce, and do it at home. [UrbanDaddy]

The Sam Mendes-directed play The Tempest will start showing on Valentine’s Day in conjunction with The Bridge Project at BAM. [BAM]

Money might not grow on trees, but vegetables do grow on walls; see for yourself at the latest lunch hot spot to open by Mixt in D.C. [UrbanDaddy]

Instead of watching Avatar a second time, put the dough towards a dinner at one of these participating restaurants—proceeds will go to the Haiti relief effort. [DineOut4Haiti]

Last year brought gourmet accoutrement to the fast food chain, now Arby’s is opening a location inside a beautiful landmarked building in Brooklyn. [AMNY]

If you wanted to go to the Sundance Film Festival, well, it’s coming to Brooklyn for one night. [BAM]

When in Montreal recently, Jimmy Fallon Twittered about where he specifically had a blast. (Ever hear of Joe Beef?) [Jaunted]

Did you know that Brooklyn is ripe for decentralized urban farming? BK Farmyards does, and they’re taking action. [GOOD Blog]

• Recently renovated Savoy Suites in Georgetown is offering a Thanksgiving Holiday Dinner Package starting at $159; while in D.C., visit the new “Inside Tim Russert’s Office” exhibit at the Newseum. [Savoy]
• While you’re shopping for the big feast accoutrement at Greenpoint Farmers Market in McCarren Park this Saturday, donate some produce to the Food Bank for NYC. [DailyCandy]
• If you like your pie extra crumbly (or the aunt with special dietary needs is coming for dinner) gluten-free cooking just got easier. [NPR]
• The Langham Boston has a Thanksgiving prixe-fix for four at $175, and room rates from $165. [LanghamBoston]
• Let the kids know the little ways they can help green Thanksgiving. [GreenGuide]
• Brooklyn Kitchen still has organic locally-sourced birds in case you forgot to reserve the pièce de résistance. [BK]
• The Sagamore Resort in upstate New York is offering a special Thanksgiving package starting at $597 to sweeten their Lake George setting even more. [NYT]