I missed the part about the highlands . I'm a native NYer but don't know anything about it. Where is it located and what is it?

socrates sculpture park in queens

There's a great party that happens on the Gowanus Canal called Mister Sunday every Sunday in the afternoon. Tacos from Red Hook Ball Fields, sangria and the best dance music I have heard in New York City for a long, long time.

No bird watching in Jamaica Bay in summer (last caller). Go in fall or spring when the birds are migrating.
Summer Suggestion: The Fringe Festival in Aug.
Too bad you missed free Thursday noon concerts at St. Mark's Church Plaza in July.

Free concerts in Washington Sq. Park and Tompkins Sq. Park

Last night's Chelsea Art Walk was incredible! When's the next one?
Show at the Meulensteen Gallery superb.
Tons of street traffic.
Who knew?
Trouble seems to be in getting the info out there and knowing what it is.

for a couple of guests whose supposed role is to write about things to do here, these two seem a bit light on suggestions.

You don't have to wait in line for hours to see the big Shakespeare in the park. Every summer I go to lots of Shakespeare plays and other classic theater outdoors all over the city. There's Hudson Warehouse at Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument at Riverside Park (last weekend for Chekhov's "The Seagull"), Shakespeare in the Parking Lot on the Lower East Side (last weekend for "Comedy of Errors"), the Inwood Shakespeare Festival in Inwood Park (currently doing HG Wells' "War of the Worlds"), Brave New World Rep's "The Merry Wives of Windsor (Terrace) at a church field near Prospect Park, Pulse Ensemble is doing "As You Like It Tonight" at Riverbank State Park in Harlem.

I already saw the Smith Street Stage do "Macbeth" in Carroll Park, Piper Theatre do Moliere's "The Miser" at the Old Stone House in Park Slope, and "Much Ado" by the Boomerang Theater in Central Park off W. 69th St. And more!

There is a wonderful outdoor summer Shakespeare alternative in the amphitheatre at Riverbank State Park (145th & Riverside Drive). Currently in their 7th season, showing a critically acclaimed production of AS YOU LIKE IT--a delightful production, right by the river, FREE. 8 PM until August 13.

For Shakespeare; just show up for the stand-by line at the Delacorte around 6 pm. Bring some food and wait for the extra tickets. I've done this every year since 2002 and it's only failed me once (when Pacino was there)!

One can get tickets for SITP in various booths in the Boroughs; there's also virtual ticketing on SITP site: http://shakespeareinthepark.org/tickets/virtual-ticketing/

The Sunset Marina in Broad Channel, a couple of closer stops on the A train than going into Rockaway (although Broad Channel is part of the Rockaways) has kayaking, single and tandem. Sunset Marina is family owned and operated and reasonably priced.

I took the East River Ferry on a Saturday a couple weeks ago.
A one day hop-on-hop-off pass is only $12. It's a great deal to visit LIC/Hunter's Point, Greepoint, Williamsburg North & South, DUMBO, Wall St./Pier 11 and Governor's Island. Otherwise, a one way pass is $4.

why would ANYONE want to kayak in the nyc rivers!?!?

You can go on a boat and see a concert. It's called Rocks Off and the bands are very popular. Boat takes off on Hudson Street.

Bye the way: East River Ferry is 4 dollars one way.

Sorry, folks..I miss the old Brooklyn and this daffy duo is clear evidence that it was a better place as a working class borough of Churches than the yuppie-style "artisanal hell" it is now!

two events in Hudson, NY Sat, July 30, the NADA Basilica space Hudson, NY:

http://basilicahudson.com/about/

POP-UP GALLERY PORTRAITS : 6:00 - 8:00 PM at 430 Warren Street

World Science Fair at NYU in May.

Two favorite outdoor activities are both at Bryant Park.

Wednesdays Word for Word has authors discuss their books while interviewed by interesting hosts.

Thursdays until 8.11 at 12:30 it's Broadway in Bryant Park. A taste of four or five musicals are performed by cast members. Always entertaining.

In general, Bryant Park is loaded with lovely activities all summer.

Indoor airconditioned activities included:
Tuesdays and Thursdays Macy's (34 St.) has cooking demonstrations at 1:00 p.m. as does Williams Sonoma at 1:00.