Summer City Guide: New York City

When it comes to summer activities, the warm weather always brings out the best in us. So for the next 15 days, we're going to be dropping City Guides telling you the best concerts to see, outdoor activities to do, and places to eat, shop and stay with a summer focus. First up, New York City. With that, here's our Summer 2013 essentials in the Big Apple.

Download Summer City Guide: New York City As A PDF

When it comes to music festivals in NYC, Governors Ball (June 7-9) always sets the tone for the summer. And with expanded programming this year, including new performance areas and headliners Kanye West, Kings of Leon and Guns N’ Roses, there’s no better reason to make a trip to Randall’s Island.

Website: governorsballmusicfestival.com

Although Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z are visiting 12 cities in North America this summer, they’re doing not one, but two dates at Yankee Stadium (July 19 and 20) for their Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour. Make sure to keep “Suit & Tie” in heavy rotation until then.

Website: justintimberlake.com

What better way to spend Labor Day Weekend (August 30-September 1) than dancing your face off with Avicii, Tiësto and Armin van Buuren on Randall’s Island. And in case you hadn’t heard, they’ve added a second main stage, making Electric Zoo even rowdier than it already was.

Website: electriczoofestival.com

Just blocks from Complex HQ, the 11th annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party (June 8-9) is primed to kick off the summer in finger-licking fashion. With award-winning barbecue from the country’s top pitmasters, Madison Square Park won’t stop smelling like pulled pork and cornbread for at least a week.

Website: bigapplebbq.org

Open every Saturday in Williamsburg (East River State Park) and Sunday in DUMBO (Brooklyn Bridge Park), Smorgasburg’s nearly 100 local vendors satisfy even the most peculiar of palettes. We’d suggest you show up hungry, arrive early and stay late.

Website: smorgasburg.com

After becoming New York’s first solar-powered restaurant in 2005, Habana Outpost is the spot to be in Fort Greene when the weather gets nice. Come for the corn, but stay for the community.

Website: habanaoutpost.com

Although you’ll have to fight through the tourists during the peak season, don’t let that deter you from enjoying the High Line this summer. Built on an old freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side, the public park features everything from pop art to popsicles.

Website: thehighline.org

Entering its eighth year, SummerScreen is everything you could possibly want on a summer night: music, food trucks and a free movie on a gigantic screen. Dust off your blanket, and we’ll see you every Wednesday in McCarren Park starting July 10.

Website: summerscreen.org

Held in MoMA PS1’s courtyard, the museum’s outdoor music series continues this summer for the 16th year in a row. Giving both established and emerging artists a platform for experimentation and collaboration, Warm Up 2013 kicks off June 29 and takes place every Saturday this summer through September 7.

Website: momaps1.org/warmup

Located just around the corner from their world headquarters, Warby Parker’s new flagship store should be on everyone’s list of places to go this summer – whether you wear glasses or not. And if you need new specs, an in-store optometrist is on hand to perform eye exams seven days a week.

Website: warbyparker.com

This summer, go from Milan to Midtown and check out Moleskine’s first American outpost. Located on the ground floor of the Time Warner Center, the little black rectangle has been reimagined into a retail space, with more notebook options than you can imagine.

Website: moleskine.com

Summer is for surfing, and Saturdays has you covered. With a flagship in SoHo and a second location in the West Village, gear up for your trip to the beach at the city’s premier surf shop.

Website: saturdaysnyc.com

Whether it’s a long weekend or a weekend away from your apartment, King & Grove Williamsburg is your best bet in Brooklyn. Besides the rooftop bar and amazing views of Manhattan, their salt-water pool is one of the largest outdoor swimming holes in New York.

Website: kingandgrove.com

From vacation to staycation, Thompson LES is perfect for those that love luxury, design and feel more comfortable downtown. Need an example? How about an outdoor rooftop pool featuring an Andy Warhol filmstrip. Perfect for Instagram and a hot summer’s day.

Website: thompsonhotels.com

The backstory of Hôtel Americano is as unique as the Chelsea neighborhood it resides in. As the first Grupo Habita hotel to open outside of Mexico, no detail was spared – the building was even designed by a Mexican architect. While the rooftop pool is small, the atmosphere more than makes up for it.

Website: hotel-americano.com