Surviving Spring Fever in New York

It's a testament to the energy of New York that people still want to come here despite its generally lousy weather. With wet, sloppy winters and oppressively muggy summers, all you're really left with are a few fleeting weeks in the shoulder seasons where you can experience this perfectly imperfect city in ideal atmospheric conditions. Perhaps it's in part a function of their scarcity, but those few fleeting weeks are glorious. As the first balmy days of spring 2008 remind me of how much our mental and physical well being is connected to the climate, it's worth going over a few highlights of New York that are all the better in perfect weather.

Let's get the obvious one out of the way: the emergence of exposed flesh and the requisite sunglasses required to ogle said flesh, casts every New Yorker in a whole new light, adding a tantalizing dimension to the ever-present pastime of people-watching. In certain neighborhoods, it's much like being in a movie, with a parade of characters straight from central casting. No matter who you are, if you're here, you're in the film, so you might as well play your part, or else pick a bench, kick back, and watch the production. The outdoor tables at the East Village bar/restaurant 7A provide a particularly great view of the human scenery, especially the corner tables closest to the avenue. Your front stoop might be even better.

But before we got too sloshed and randy, we should get some exercise. The first stop is Central Park. Sure, it's not exactly a secret hideaway, but it's a stunning place, and relaxing on a blanket in the Sheep Meadow is at once a serene and surreal experience. Since you're not allowed to play with baseballs, footballs, or soccer balls (or lawn darts, for that matter) your sole sporting option is the Frisbee, and that's a beautiful thing. Impromptu Frisbee groups spring up in the center of the field, with a few Frisbee wizards mixed in with struggling, stiff-wristed amateurs. You definitely want to have an authentic Wham-O brand Frisbee, so stop by Paragon Sports at Union Square on your way to the park.

Next stop: the Hudson River. Everybody who has ever done the Walk-Up Kayaking thing has essentially had their Come to Jesus moment, and they spend the rest of their days trying to convince reluctant friends to try it. It's as simple as this: you get to use a kayak for free, and you can paddle it around an embayment on the Hudson River for twenty minutes (or longer, if there's nobody waiting). Wear shorts, shades, and sunscreen, and leave your valuables in a locker (free locks). Your ass will definitely get wet from water splashing in the boat, so bring an extra pair of knickers if that bothers you. It's worth it, because sometimes you've just got to float. Stuff a couple of bucks in the donation box before you leave.

While we still have some daylight, let's heed the call of nature, by which I mean looking at pretty flowers and trees and stuff. The Bronx's New York Botanical Garden is at its best in the springtime, but if you don't feel like schlepping up there, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a convenient alternative. If you're in town May 3--4, check out the Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival, with performances of Japanese music, dance, drumming, drama, flower arranging, and more. I've been, it's cool.

As far as beaches go, New York has a few, Coney Island and Brighton Beach in Brooklyn and Rock Rock Rockaway Beach in Queens being the biggest. They're a long ride from Manhattan on the subway, and not quite as nice as you want them to be. Visit in the morning, when everything seems cleaner and more mellow, or get tickets to a Cyclones game, held at one of the best minor-league baseball stadiums in the country. It's also the year of the frog at the New York Aquarium, which is a nice place to get splashed by a sea lion or make faces at penguins. As far as the ocean is concerned, you may not want to do too much swimming because of the ever-present risk of whitefish attack.

But if you've got your heart set on a funky beach party, look no further than Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City, Queens. This man-made beach on the East River certainly isn't for water sports, but you'll enjoy picnic tables, volleyball, sprinklers, music, cheap beer and fruity drinks, and fantastic views of the water and Manhattan skyline. Best part? You can take the Water Taxi to get there, which is a nifty mode of transport. Yes, I do love that Water Taxi Beach.

Of course, if you're not about the nature so much, you can revel in the über-urban springtime experience at the outdoor dining and drinking establishment of your choice. On the casual end, there's Danny Meyer's Shake Shack in Madison Square park. People either love or hate the Shake Shack, but I'm on the loving side because the burgers are phenomenal and the park is pretty too. Elsewhere in the city, the outdoor dining options vary as much as the restaurants themselves. With the exception of 7A, I prefer tranquil back gardens to noisy sidewalk cafes, and have enjoyed many a reasonably-priced springtime evening evening under a star or two at joints like Cucina di Pesce and Sweet & Vicious in Manhattan, and Pete's Candy Store and Spuyten Duyvil in Brooklyn.