offManhattan

Take a break from that Green IT For Dummies book and learn about organic farming in person and in style. Sustenance on the Farm, started by Margaret Noon, president of Slow Food Northern NJ, is hosting some delectable fundraising feasts throughout the summer months to both educate and tantalize their guests. The mission of Sustenance is to host events that will spread an awareness of earth stewardship and “Redefine a Garden State of Mind” while supporting local farms that practice sustainable techniques.

The names of Atlantic City’s streets are familiar to anyone who has ever spent an afternoon playing Monopoly. Now that you’ve left childhood games behind, you may be acquainted with the hedonistic pleasures that make Atlantic City the Tri-State area’s grown-up playground. Although its gaming casinos have put it prominently on the map, don’t be fooled into thinking it is a one-note town. It is a haven for fine dining, tax -free outlet shopping, top-notch entertainment and a slew of events that are garnering national attention, from the upcoming Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival to the Atlantic City Film Festival slated for this fall.

A New Way to Get to Atlantic City
Whether you visit Atlantic City to roll the dice or stroll the boardwalk, you can save time, money, and greenhouse gas emissions the next time you visit—without skimping on comfort. Hampton Luxury Liner is now offering daily coach bus service to Harrah’s Resort and Caesars from several convenient locations in Manhattan, along with one in Plainview, Long Island. They are well known for transporting New Yorkers to the Hamptons and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, without the hassle, expense, and carbon footprint that comes with driving. 1.4 million gallons of gasoline are saved every year in the U.S. as a result of using public transportation, so if you haven’t hopped on the car-free wagon, this is your chance to.

To some, paintball appears to be a barbaric activity, when in reality it is an adrenaline-fueled game of tag or capture the flag for all ages. There is a wide range of places to play paintball near New York City. From the traditional outdoor fields, to the air conditioned indoor arena, to the amusement park shooting gallery, there is something for every skill level. If you haven’t tried paintball before, now is the time, and here’s where to go:

NY Paintball | 47-11 Van Dam St, Long Island City, NY | 718.361.8337 | nypaintball.com
The only indoor paintball center in New York City, NYC Paintball is just a few stops outside of Manhattan on the 7 train. If you don’t want to get messy, there is also laser tag.
How to get there: Take the 7 train to 33rd Street stop, then head southeast on Queens Blvd toward Van Dam St., turn right at Van Dam St., and look for 47-11 Van Dam St.

Ridgewood, New Jersey is a bustling, low-lying suburban village in Bergen County, about 45 minutes outside of Manhattan. New Jersey Transit buses run regularly from Port Authority (make sure to take the express bus to Van Neste Square, not the Park & Ride) or take the New Jersey Transit train from Penn Station and transfer at Secaucus Junction. Both the train and bus stations are located centrally in Ridgewood and let you off right in the midst of small town charm.

· Make your way to newly opened Brooklyn Farmacy in Carroll Gardens and celebrate what’s in season by ordering a Strawberry Sundae, Strawberry Special, or Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. [gothamist.com]

· The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival at historic Boscobel Mansion has begun with performances of Troilus and Cressida and Taming of the Shrew. [hvshakespeare.org]

· If Eco, Luxury, Volunteering are all keywords that heighten your travel experience—and if you also like free Chipotle and Brooklyn Brewery beers—mark your calendar for the ecotourism film festival event, “Global Sustainability: Central America to Maine,” at Eastern Mountain Sports SoHo on Sunday, July 22. [greenlivingproject.org]

· Bamcinematek’s Cary Grant film series starts this weekend with the Thirty Day Princess, Charade, and North by Northwest. [BAMcinématek]

· Those looking to purchase contemporary pottery or learn the art of crafting clay should head to the Old Can Factory in Brooklyn for the free Meet Your Maker and Your Potter event this Sunday. [ceramicsbrooklyn.com]

· Grill, hula hoop, drink lemonade, and dance about in support of the Adopt-A-Farmbox initiative bringing farm and health education to four local schools this fall. [Potluck BBQthon]

· Sport your Spain or Netherlands (or USA!) jersey, and enjoy the hat tricks and vuvuzeling at the final World Cup game at 2:30pm on Sunday; pick from one of these fun six places in Brooklyn, Queens or Hoboken. [oM]

· Walk through the home of Alice Austen, a female pioneer of photography, at the opening reception of the Alice Austen House Museum this Sunday in Staten Island; it’s worth the trip on the free ferry. [dailycandy.com]

Dozens of famous authors, including Edgar Allen Poe, H.L. Mencken and David Simon, have lived in and drawn inspiration from Baltimore, making it a wonderful place for a literary escape and a fitting host for the 15th Annual Baltimore Book Festival in September. In advance of the event, which is scheduled for September 24-26, squeeze in some summer reading with some titles from these four used bookstores that honor the literary heritage of the city.

Normal’s Books and Records: This perennial award-winner ranks as John Waters’ favorite Baltimore book shop, and the collectively owned operation has been selling esoterica for 18 years. In addition to philosophy, classics, metaphysics and contemporary fiction, Normal’s has a ton of vinyl and indie ‘zines from around the world. (425 E. 31st St., normals.com)

Fireworks have gone out with a bang and the heat says summer has settled in for the long haul, so apply the sunscreen, throw on the hats and head out with the family to enjoy the cornucopia of free and cheap activities in and around New York City. You can keep the kids occupied through August, and without breaking the piggy bank, with these seven suggestions—from free outdoor movies at night to free biking and a tennis clinic with the champions—that should prove fun for everyone.

For thrill-seekers, adrenaline junkies, and anyone who envies birds for their ability to fly, there is a new opportunity for you to soar at high speeds among the tree tops just two hours from NYC. Over Memorial Day weekend, New York Zipline Adventures opened what will become the longest zipline operation in North America at the popular winter ski destination of Hunter Mountain. Currently, two tours are available for the zipping throughout the Catskills’ forest canopy, over streams, waterfalls, and wildlife on a 1/2-inch steel cable.