Too hot to stay outside? Here’s a list of weekend activities where you stay cool in air conditioning and can still have fun!

Movies
This indoor activity never gets old. Grab a group of friends and head off to your local movie theater. It’s a great way to stay cool and enjoy the latest horror flick or romantic comedy. Don’t forget to get some popcorn – it’s a great snack and fun to throw at friends!

Shopping
Every girl loves a shopping trip. If it’s too hot to go outside, go to the mall! Spend all day being cool in air conditioning and get some cute outfits; we can never have too many of those. Going to the mall is an easy way to stay out of the heat and have fun.

Go to a Museum
For all you city people out there, spend the day museum hopping. Go to places like The Met or the MOMA (it’s free on Fridays!). There are plenty of art galleries and museums to enlighten your brain while you stay cool. Maybe one will inspire you to make your own art!

Broadway
Although located in NYC, Broadway is not just for city-dwellers. Take a trip in to see one of the amazing shows out right now. You can try for Catch Me If You Can (unfortunately not starring Leonardo DiCaprio, but one can dream), The Book of Mormon (it won the Tony for Best Musical!), or Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark (everyone loves a good superhero story). There are so many more shows that you can go see, and they’ll keep you entertained, while cooling you down with their a/c. Don’t forget to bring a jacket!

Comedy Show
Another type of show that will keep you laughing is a comedy show! If you’re not into the whole singing and acting scene, go see a comedy show that will most likely make fun of all that. There are plenty of them around and they’ll be sure to have you catching your breath after laughing so much. I recently went to the Upright Citizens Brigade in NYC and it was hilarious; I highly suggest it! For more information on the UCB go here.

New York Aquarium
Head out to Coney Island and walk around the New York Aquarium. Bring friends and admire all the different kinds of fish they have. Just don’t jump in the tanks!

Spa
Don’t want to walk around museums or aquariums? Well then get relaxed and go to a spa for the day. A massage never hurt anyone. One of the best indoor activities there is, spa going is sure to keep you occupied, cool, and calm for the whole day.

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
Love the winter? Well then the Sky Rink is the place for you. Enjoy a nice day ice skating at this year round ice rink. A perfect way to cool down in the hot weather. Bring friends and have some fun!

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
What better way to cool down on a hot day then to have some ice cream? Head out to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory for some great ice cream. It’ll be sure to cool you down and while you’re there head over to Coney Island and hang out at the beach. If it cools down enough even catch a Cyclones game!

Eat Some Sushi
Don’t know what to eat on a hot day? Sushi is the perfect food to eat when it’s 100 degrees out. Although delicious, pizza is a hot food and might enhance the already hot temperatures. Grab sushi with some friends, the cool, refreshing fish is something different that’ll be sure to keep you cooler then a piece of pizza.

-Summer 2011 Intern, Sari Cohen

Four day weekends can only mean one thing at the beginning of July: 4^th of July weekend. With that comes long beach days, sunburn, pool parties, hamburgers, hotdogs, family, friends, and of course, fireworks.  No matter where in the country you are, from  New York to California, the party always stops to stare up at the sky when the firework show begins. As a crowd, we stare in amazement as flares of red, orange, green, pink, yellow, and purple colors light up the sky in different shapes and sizes followed by a crackle and a simmer. Here is a list of the top 15 best places to watch a firework show according to Rebecca Ballhaus from AOL new:

 15. Turtle Bay Resort – Oahu, HI: a 10-minute show

 

14. Sunoco Welcome America Celebration – Philadelphia, PA: a 15-minute show

 

13. Go 4^th on the River – New Orleans, LA: a 13-minute show

12. A Capitol Fourth – Washington, DC: a 20-minute show

11.  Fair St. Louis – St. Louis, MO: a 20-minute show

10. Presbyterian Hospital July 4^th Spectacular – Charlotte, NC: a 20-minute show

 

9. Boston Pops Firework Spectacular – Boston, MA: a 21-minute show

8. Fisherman’s Wharf Fireworks Extravaganza – San Francisco, CA: a 21-minute show

 

7. Seattle’s Family 4^th Celebration – Seattle, WA: a 21-minute show

6. Lights on the Lake – Lake Tahoe, CA: a 23-minute show

5. Light Up the Night – Aurora, CO: a 25-minute show

 

4. Macy’s Firework Spectacular – New York, NY: a 26-minute show

3. Kaboom Town! – Addison, TX: a 30-minute show

 

2. Let Freedom Sing – Nashville, TN: a 30-minute show

 

1. Atlantic City Firework Spectacular – Atlantic City, NJ: In total, a 46-minute show

http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/06/28/july-4th-fireworks-15-of-the-biggest-shows-in-america-ranked-p/

 -Summer 2011 Intern, Amanda Pryor

10) Grilling Tools
Most Dads love the summer time and the best part of summer for Dads is finally getting to use their grill in the backyard.  Why not kick off the summer right by getting him some new tools so he can make the perfect burgers, steaks, or whatever he may cook.  Go the extra mile and offer to be his taste tester!

9) Alcohol
Get your father a nice aged top-shelf whiskey, bourbon or scotch.  It’s a great gift to share with him on his day and helps relieve some stress he may be feeling from those long workdays.  Also, its something he may not have gone out to go get himself.

8) Personalized Gift
Parents always like to know we love them, and that we’re not “too cool” to say it.  Get him a personalized dad gift showing how much he means to you.  You can even make something yourself to make it extremely personal.  Add a very heartfelt card and he’ll know that you will be his little girl or boy.

7) A set of Golf Clubs
No matter how good he may or may not be at the game, having new equipment or equipment for the first time will make him happy.  A nice addition would be to get him a gift certificate to the local country club for a free round.  If you have brothers and sisters this can be an easy gift to split multiple ways and you can even get another certificate for one of his friends to go with him!

6) Books
 No matter what your dad may be in to, whether it be sports, music, entertainment or just reading in general, a new book will always give him something to do for a while.  He’ll enjoy reading it and will love that the thoughtfulness came from you!

5) Gadgets
Get him his first ipod, a new phone, a new TV, or a new laptop/desktop.  Parents don’t usually go out and spend a lot on new gadgets for themselves so it will be a nice surprise.  Set it up with him, and teach him new things.  He’ll appreciate the time you take out of your day to spend with him. 

4) Sneakers/Clothes
Like we said, parents usually don’t go completely out of their way to have the hippest clothes, or a brand new pair of sneakers every month.  He’s probably wearing the same sneakers for the last couple of years that he does everything from mowing the lawn in to going to the store to pick up milk.  Surprise him with a new pair of really nice jeans or a new pair of running sneakers you know he would never get himself. 

3) Concert tickets
See if your dad’s favorite band is doing a reunion tour or coming back into your city.  Get two tickets for your parents to go.  It will make a great, thoughtful gift and allow your parents to spend time together they may not always get.  Also, you’ll please both parents! It’s a win, win!

2) Sports Tickets
It’s a great way to spend time together enjoying something you both like.  Take him to his favorite team’s game.  Depending on your financial situation, take him to an away game letting him see a new arena.  Turn it into a weekend trip if you can!

1) Landscaping Services
Most dads mow their own lawn, trim their own bushes, and get rid of all those nasty weeds.  Sign him up for a landscaping service so he can finally relax and let someone else do it for a change.  If he is the type that doesn’t like someone else taking care of his lawn then get him a new lawn mower, lawn edger, or weed whacker.  They can always use something better than what they’ve had for so long. 

–Jackie, Summer 2011 Intern

1. Big Book of Parties by Diane Warner
2. Make it Memorable by Robyn Freedman Spizman
3. Successful Event Planning by Shannon Kilkenny
4. Clever Party Planning by Suzanne Singleton
5. Parties that Wow: Setting the Stage for Creative Entertaining by Joanthon Fong
6. The Party Planner by David Tutera
7. Porch Parties: Cocktail Recipes and Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining by Denise Gee
8. Event Planning : The Ultimate Guide to Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Conferences, Conventions, Incentives and Other Special Events by Judy Allen
9. Event Planning Business by Tim Roncevich and Steven Primm
10. Planning Special Events (J-B Fund Raising School Series) by James S. Armstrong

-Lisa Glover, Summer 2011 Intern

With the sun out and temperatures still rising, it is time to indulge in some summer time fun.  While the classic summer activities such as barbecues and beach visits are always fun, why not partake is some new and exciting summer time activities?  The following are ten alternative outdoor activities to have a unique summer you will never forget.

10.  Paintball

Paintball is fun for so many reasons.  It is great exercise, relieves stress and allows you to get outside with your friends.  In addition, it is always fun to sneak up on a buddy and shower them with paintballs.

9.  Sky Diving

Adrenaline junkies; this one is for you.  Sky diving is way to observe the summer landscape from whole new perspective which you won’t soon forget.  If your are in the New York Metro Area why not contact Sky Dive Long Island a reputable sky diving location only 70 miles outside NYC.  Penta’s president, Michele, has been several times and recommends it to all!

8.  Surfing

If you are not from California or Hawaii there is a good chance you have not even considered trying to surf but taking a surf lesson is an alternative way to enjoy the beach.  It is great exercise and you can keep cool in the ocean while still getting outside.  Plus, if you get tired of wiping out you can hop out of the water and work on your tan.

7.  Dune Buggy/ATV Trails

Off road vehicles such as dune buggies and ATVs allow you to get outside, observe nature and feed your need for speed.  Taking the dune buggy or ATV out on the trail is always exciting.  You’re going to need a helmet, you’re going to get dirty and you’re going to have a ton of fun.

6.  Parasailing

Parasailing is a great summer activity because it allows you to view the ocean from a whole new perspective.  A parachute attached to a speed boat brings you about 4 stories above the water and takes you for a ride.  It is a great summer activity because you are out on the water having fun and enjoying an unforgettable experience.

5.  Rock Climbing

This is another activity that will require the assistance of a professional but a great summer activity nonetheless.  It is a great exercise and allows to view the world from an angle view get to see.

4.  Beach Soccer

Beach soccer is a new spin on the classic game.  Like some of the other activities on the list beach soccer is a unique way to enjoy those beach visits.  Work up a sweat on the sand then cool of in the waves.

3.  Make your own Ice Cream

Instead of hunting down the ice cream man, how about making your own ice cream.  It is a fun family activity and you end up with a perfect summer treat for a hot summer day.  Click here for step by step instructions

2.  Write a Poem

The beautiful weather and landscape of summer is great inspiration for a poem.  Why not jot down a view lines while relaxing on the lazy summer days.  In winter, break it out and remember those warm days will be here again.

1.  Turn off TV/Phone/Computer for a day

While this may seem mundane, it truly is a unique experience in this day and age.  Why not take some time to enjoy being disconnected without worrying about work or mindless entertainment and just enjoy the natural beauty of summer.

-Steve Zanzonico, Summer 2011 Intern