With summer finally here, I'm already starting to create a list of activities I'll be getting into, whether it's a night out with my girls or a solo day out!
I've been tired of the predictable, aesthetically pleasing fine dining dinners, typical club sections with bottles, or drinking the weekend nights away at bars. Don't get me wrong, I love to eat, but there's so much to explore in and around the city! This summer, I vow to do just that.
Here are a few luxe and out-of-the-box (for some) things to do that combine elegance with enjoyment and offer the opportunity to learn and/or be creative. Because high-value women deserve high-quality fun and experiences <3.
1. A Night At The Met: Art Gallery & Wine Pairing
• Where: The Met Fifth Avenue: Fri & Sat 5-9 PM
• Cost: $30 for out-of-state residents. NYC residents and students from NY, NJ, and CT pay what they wish to enter.
My Takeaway: It's cultured without being overcrowded. You have the option to sip curated wines, enjoy light bites, and listen to live music while exploring emerging artists and their work in a beautifully lit gallery space. This is great for people who enjoy art or are looking for creative inspo!
2. Ballet at The Metropolitan Opera
• Where: The Lincoln Center (Summer Szn—June 10th - July 19th)
• Cost: $60–$300 (depending on seating)
My Takeaway: This is somewhere you can go and comfortably enjoy by yourself or for an elegant girls' night out. Typically, this isn't something I would have leaned towards in the past, but I've been more open to exploring activities that I can see myself enjoying, and can also expand my palate. Sometimes, with the willingness to step out of your comfort zone, you'll find yourself drawn to things you would have overlooked otherwise!
Dressing up elegantly, sipping champagne (water for me), and getting lost in talented performances that tell stories sounds like a time! I'm personally looking forward to checking out the Swan show and this summer activity the most!
3. Attend a Polo Match in Bridgehampton
• Location: Bridgehampton, NY
• Cost: General admission starts at $214-$318
My Takeaway: The thrill that comes with the polo matches alone has me convinced. However, the fact that it's a high-energy sport where women and men also come dressed to impress, and I can have fun putting together old-money looks with a modern twist, has me sold. I just feel that being in that type of environment is a manifestation of riches.
4. Textured Paint and Picnic Class
• Location: Central Park
• Cost: Classes typically range from $93 (6/28 & 7/11 are the next upcoming dates)
My Takeaway: It's a creative, textured painting class that takes place in Central Park at a beautifully laid-out picnic area, where the recommended attire is chic.
• Where: Chelsea, NYC
• Cost: $15-24 Finger foods, Drinks: Limited menu & costly $25+
My Takeaway: It's not your average speakeasy! I love that you'll be met with live performances. According to the site, impromptu, pop-up live performances take place every night between 9 and 11 PM. The performances range from jazz singers and Broadway performers to burlesque artists, providing a vintage experience.
Sidebar: I would eat before going; the food reviews aren't great, but the overall experience is still good.
Double sidebar: Honorable mentions for jazz speakeasy — Somewhere Nowhere, The Django, or The Flatiron Room. They're all the perfect vibes for a sexy night out, sexy when you want to feel like a character taking part in an old-school film.
6. Luxury Perfume-Making Class
• Where: Olfactory—3 Locations in West Village, Nolita, and Williamsburg
• Cost: $85
My Takeaway: I'm a perfume girlie. I just have to leave the house knowing when I walk past people, they'll either wonder what I have on or simply ask! So, having some fun creating my own custom signature scent and learning the art of fragrance layering piques my interest. It's indulgent and personal, and you get to choose how expensive you smell on the walkout!
Sidebar: There are a bunch of DIY classes you can take, such as the charm bar for cute jewelry making, wick and pour for candles, lipstick/gloss classes, body butter classes, and so much more! Whatever you're interested in making, finding a class is just a Google search away!
I'm in this era where I want to connect with the things and people that speak to the higher version of myself. My idea of fun has evolved over the past few years, and it continues to change as new things spark my interest. If any of these stand out to you or you decide to check them out, let me know! I'd love to hear about your experience.