“Autumn in New York” may be one of the most famous songs about the Big Apple and without a doubt, the fall foliage and air in Central Park in the month of October is wonderful. A Christmas Eve skate in Rockefeller Center is a New York City staple as well. Come to think of it, just about any time is a good time to visit Gotham. No matter what the season, Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx and Brooklyn offer a slew of wonderful options, festivals and events for tourists.

With that in mind, here are ten terrific reasons to venture to New York City this summer. It could very well be the best time to visit the phenomenal metropolis.

10. American Museum of Natural History

The museums that dot the New York cityscape are the best in the world – of this there can be no dispute. From the MoMA to the Guggenheim, Met to the Museum of Natural History, Manhattan is a cultural oasis. The very same Museum of Natural History has some great stuff on tap for the summer of 2009, namely an exhibit on “Extreme Mammals” and back by popular demand, “Frogs: A Chorus of Colors”.

9. Broadway

With the broadcast of the Tony Awards on June 7, the ceremony that honors the very best on Broadway, summer is the ideal time to hit the “Great White Way” and see a show. Popular tickets this year include the musicals “9 to 5″, “Billy Elliot”, with music by Elton John, and the revival of “Hair”, in addition to the play “God of Carnage”.

8. Restaurants

Good food and New York City go hand in hand. From eclectic street stalls to Michelin star celebrity chef vehicles, the Big Apple is awash with options to satisfy your hunger. Some of the best new restaurants to try this summer include David Chang’s new Momofuku Ko, Corton, April Bloomfield’s The John Dory and Persephone.

7. Citi Field

Two new ballparks grace the New York City skyline this summer. Citi Field, the brand new home of the New York Mets, is in the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park section of Queens and while somewhat lost in the hype of the New Yankee Stadium, still cost $900 million to build.

6. New York Fashion Week

New York hosts two fashion weeks every year, in February and September. The Spring Fashion Week in early September is a must-attend spectacle, with scores of galas, shows and events in Manhattan. While many are VIP only of course, there’s still a lot for the common folk to enjoy about Fashion Week.

5. The Met

The superb Metropolitan Museum of Art gets into the summer act with a slew of special exhibits. This year the buzz is all about rooftop art and models. Roxy Paine’s “Maelstrom” sculpture on the roof of The Met has been a big hit and “The Model as Muse” exhibit runs through August 9.

4. National Puerto Rican Day Parade

With average annual attendance in the millions, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade is one of the major events on the New York City calendar. The parade virtually shuts down Manhattan and transforms the city into a big carnival, as anyone familiar with Seinfeld will well remember. The music, dance moves, rhythms, costumes and floats are infectious, so get into the act this June.

3. New Yankee Stadium

Though the recipient of criticism for high ticket prices and poor play on the field, this is New York and the Yankees are a religion. Even if you have a casual interest in baseball, try to score a cheap seat to a game at New Yankee Stadium. The $1.5 billion stadium left no detail out and despite the gripes, is the future of spectator sports entertainment.

2. Central Park SummerStage

A trip to Central Park in the summer season is a must, but better to time it with a big free concert. Why not? The SummerStage program in Central Park is one of the premier staples of Big Apple summers, with scores of big name acts and new talents on the bill. Concerts go on all summer, just consult the web for schedules and times.

1. US Open

Most people forget about tennis until the US Open comes to Flushing Meadows in Queens. The Grand Slam is the most fun tournament to watch and better yet, attend. The crowd atmosphere is intense, electric and fun, especially on center court after sundown for a big night match.

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