Going for a stroll on Atlantic Beach is a fall Sunday must. I rarely go to the New York beaches in summer because of the crowds, but standing on an empty, windy beach is a total mind soother. Make sure to take a peek at the Miami-colored Catalina Beach Club. Beaches close mid-September.

I love this quaint lil bar, as it's a good switch of energy from the bar next door. Mostly quiet, cozy and with a working fireplace, I like it here.

Guided visits to 101 Spring Street offer direct engagement with Donald Judd’s art and vision. Advance reservations are required.

Neighbourhood bar

Dead Horse Bay is about an hour and a half from lower Manhattan by public transit, but well worth the journey. There is so much glass on the beach that the waves make a soft tinkling sound as they roll in. It’s a scavenger’s dream, and glass isn’t the only thing you’ll find here. There are still plenty of horse bones to remind you where the place gets its name.