Memorial Day Weekend

To most, Memorial Day Weekend equates mini excursions, lake side retreats, and beach getaways – but to land locked New Yorkers, it means an island all to themselves. For any New Yorker who has stayed local for MDW, they are familiar with the fact that the city becomes a ghost town, in a very eerie way. As to not get spooked, take advantage of the empty streets by visiting a few of New York’s famous landmarks that we typically avoid due to overcrowding, all while also helping to support those popular attractions that were harmed during Hurricane Sandy.

SATURDAY

Spend your Saturday celebrating the official reopening of the New York Aquarium. After being closed for repairs since Sandy’s wrath, the Aquarium will reopen its doors on May 25^th and unveil its brand new sea lion show. While you’re there don’t forget to say hi to the penguins and walruses within Sea Cliffs.

SUNDAY

On Sunday, why not head back to Coney Island? Sandy gave Luna Park quite the brutal punch, leaving it five feet underwater and with $500,000 worth of damage to face. But after swift renovations all is well. Help give back economically to the iconic New York attraction by sitting in on a few sideshows, taking a ride on the Cyclone, scarffing down a couple Nathan’s hot dogs and, of course, going for a stroll on the beach.

MONDAY

Monday spend your day taking in the beautiful flora at the usually too-crowded-to-handle High Line. Stroll hand in hand with your significant other or take advantage of the open lounge chairs as you spend the day vegging out on the beautiful high-rise park. Once you’ve had your fill, coax your hunnie into a quick Meatpacking District shopping trip by promising to end with a cold brew at the Chelsea Brewing Company, where they offer rotating taps of craft beer.

SAMPLE SALES THIS WEEK: VINCE, INTIMACY, & HILTON HOLLIS

After a laid back long weekend, it will be hard to get back into the groove come Tuesday. Sample Sales agree, as they are not plentiful this week due to people returning from vacations, graduations, etc. However, absolutely do not miss the VINCE Sample Sale on Wednesday, May 29^th. This will be the first time ever the So-Cal brand will be hosting a sample sale and beginning at 10AM on Wednesday within Chelsea Market’s Prive space, VINCE will unleash wallet friendly discounts to the fashionably inclined public. VINCE’s sleek yet trendy casual clothing (if you don’t own one of their tee shirts you are missing out!) will be marked down up to 70% off.

Of course, you’re going to need something to go under your fabulous new casual wear, so pop on over to the Intimacy Lingerie & Loungewear Sample Sale where brands such as Chantelle, Cleo, Elomu, Fauve, and Simone Perele will be up to 90% off. Even if you’re not in need of new lingerie, pay the Intimacy Sample Sale to grab yourself your swimwear wardrobe for the summer, as bikinis and bathing suits will be on sale as well.

For something new, head to the Hilton Hollis Sample Sale this week on 36^th Street, where the recently launched brand will offer up to 80% off their asymmetrical dresses and graphic print sateen jackets. At last year’s sample sale, sizes 0-16 were available, as were samples for as low as $10.

By Caitlin Colford

“Ladies, seamen! 12 o’clock!” shouts Samantha to her girlfriends Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda. “I pray when I turn around there are sailors, because with her, you never know,” Miranda replies with snark. Relive the classic Sex and the City episode “Anchors Away” with your girlfriends this Memorial Day Weekend and stick around town in order to catch a glimpse (or perhaps a little more) of some hunky Fleet Week sailors.

We don’t want to make it obvious that we want in on some sailor attention, so the best bet is to make sure you’re in the right place at the right time. Get wardrobe approval from your gals and head down to Pier 90 & 92 on 51^st Street and the West Side Highway on Saturday with your besties where, from 8am-5pm, Free Ship Tours will be taking place. Snoop around your future fling’s bunk as he hangs on the dock nearby and smiles at you as you pass.

Invite the cutie in uniform to bring some friends along as he joins you and your girlfriends for a group movie date. What’s more romantic than a good flick outdoors, under the stars? Rooftop Film Summer Series presents Kumaré Saturday evening @ 8PM on the Open Road Rooftop on the Lower East Side. You’ll splurge for the movie tickets as long as he opts to take you all out for drinks after.

Now that you have a new (and hot!) gang to hang with for the weekend, gather your girlfriends and call up your sailors. Treat them first to a morning of country pride in Times Square (I know, who goes to Times Square? Just remember, these guys are from our of town – they’ll love the tourist trap!) where Military Bands march and play while vets and service members alike crowd around to cheer for America from 2PM-5PM.

Now that the torment is over, on to the fun! Since these guys are stuck on a boat all day, I’m sure they are well attuned to all things video games. Therefor, they will love you for the next event you’re taking them to – the New York City Zombie Bar Crawl! Grab some cheap red face paint (or lipstick) and add a dash of blood to fit in with the undead impersonators as you participate in the 6^th Annual Zombie Crawl starting at 3:30, hoping from bar to bar and ending at an after-party at the Public Assembly with Rigor Mortis Revue’s horror burlesque.

Phew! It’s not easy keeping up with those guys. Time to recover on Monday, the final day of your long weekend of fleeting bliss. Soak up the last day with your sailors as your head for a late picnic in the East River Park (you’re going to need to sleep in after the bar crawl!). Celebrate Memorial Day traditionally and claim one of the park’s six public grills as you watch your man grill up some burgers and corn on the cob. The views of the water, sweet smell of barbecue, and hunky seamen will make for one unforgettable Memorial Day.

With New Yorkers out of town for Memorial Day weekend, they courteously allowed you and your girlfriends first dibs on the sea’s hottest sailors during Fleet Week. Unfortunately, everything good must come to an end but it was fun while it lasted and hey, there’s always next year! In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, “That’s why I love New York. Just like that, it can go from bad to cute.”

By Caitlin Colford