What to Do in NYC This Week to Shake Up Your Routine

Since the beginning of August, NYC has celebrated 50 years since the birth of hip hop with a number of events, including an immersive exhibit at the Hall des Lumières. The digital installation, titled Hip Hop Til Infinity, walks guests through the history of hip hop and explores its influence, not just within music, but as a cultural movement. It runs through September 17, and tickets cost $42 per person, but be sure to check the website for special presentations and events hosted within the space for an extra special museum experience.

49 Chambers St., Manhattan

From August 22 to 27, the grounds are free and open to the public with a variety of fun, tennis-centric events and activities for the whole family. Each day has its own feature from Stars of the Open, an exhibition match to benefit Ukraine relief efforts with tennis stars like John McEnroe, Carlos Alcaraz and Elina Svitolina to Flavors of the Open, the tournament’s signature food event featuring top chefs like Alex Guarnaschelli, Josh Capon, Kwame Onwuachi, Masaharu Morimoto and others. On top of all that, you can register for a free Fan Access Pass and be entered for a chance to win 2023 Women’s and Men’s finals tickets. The pass will grant you entry to exclusive activities, seating areas and more. If you’re thinking about visiting the US Open, you don’t want to miss this opportunity.

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing

It’s not often you get to see stars in NYC (by which we mean celestial bodies, not Taylor Swift and her posse), but on Wednesday, August 23, a team of expert astronomers will be on site at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt to guide folks through a tour of the night sky with state-of-the-art telescopes on an outdoor terrace more than 90 stories up. The interactive experience is run in conjunction with the Amateur Astronomers Association and is open to budding stargazers of all ages. Tickets cost $42 for anyone 13 or older and $36 for kids ages 6 to 12 (children 5 and under have free admission), but NYC and Long Island residents can enjoy a $5 discount. P.S. In the event of rain, the stargazing will be pushed to Thursday, August 24.

45 E. 42nd St., Manhattan

This annual summer music festival is always a guaranteed fun time, but this year’s theme, Circus of Soul, has us even more excited to get our groove on. Described as “a carnivalesque exhibition that spotlights all aspects of Black creativity” by organizers, Afropunk 2023 takes place from noon to 10 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday (August 26 and 27) in Greenpoint Terminal Market. Headliners include R&B crooner Jazmine Sullivan and rapper-producer Flying Lotus, as well as a whole slate of other performers you won’t want to miss, like Jazmine Sullivan and Baby Tate. Tickets start at $133 for a single day general admission pass.

Greenpoint Terminal Market, Brooklyn

Toward the end of his life Vincent van Gogh became somewhat obsessed with capturing the spirit of the cypress trees that grew near his home in the south of France and now, for the first time ever, a huge collection of his cypress paintings have been gathered together for an exhibit at The Met. “Van Gogh’s Cypresses” runs through August 27, and is broken down chronologically so you can really see his process as he continued to paint this singular subject. The exhibit also includes some of his most famous work, like “Wheat Field with Cypresses” and “The Starry Night,” so we highly suggest you find time to pop over before it comes to a close. As always, tickets are “pay what you wish” for New Yorkers, but the suggested donation is $30 for adults.

1000 Fifth Ave., Manhattan

If you’re looking to get out of the city for the afternoon, the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse is an incredibly fun getaway. And this year, it’s even easier to get to thanks to Amtrak which is offering direct trains to the fair, five times a day from August 23 through September 4. Once there, you can expect all the usual fair favorites—delicious food stalls, carnival rides and a variety of fun competitions—as well as designated Indian, Pan African, Asian and Latino Villages to celebrate the contributions, history, and experiences of those peoples. There are also planned performances by The Fray, Ludacris, REO Speedwagon and Rebecca Black, among others. Tickets to the fair start at $6 for adults (kids under 13 and adults over 64 have free entry) and Amtrak tickets start at $95 per person.

581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse, NY