Helen Dugan

Chelsea Market in NYC is paradoxically current. Between the ever-changing food options, pop-ups and sample sales, there is always something new. But the building itself, which is arguably positioned in the Meatpacking District rather than Chelsea, is more than 100 years old. It’s a New York icon, for sure. If you have never been, or simply haven’t been in a while, there’s a lot worth checking out. It’s one of the best food halls in NYC, and is considerably one of the best places to go shopping. From great comfort food spots to one of Manhattan’s best wine stores, here are the best places to visit in Chelsea Market right now. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Chelsea Market, NYC

The beloved animated Disney musical Frozen is finally coming to the St. James Theatre on Broadway, and we now have an official opening date for the production. Previews for the show will begin on February 22, and the official opening night will be March 22. Given the popularity (or cult-like fanaticism) the movie generated, tickets will definitely go fast.  The cast includes Caissie Levy as Elsa, Patti Murin as Anna, Greg Hildreth as Olaf, with Jelani Alladin and John Riddle as Kristoff and Hans, respectively. Tony-winner Michael Grandage will bring Arendelle to life as the musical's director. In addition to the movie's chart-topping soundtrack and its Oscar-winning hit "Let it Go", the play will feature new songs written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who penned the movie's tunes. While the Disney princess story is technically geared towards kids, I have a feeling there will be more than a few of us adults lined up in blue. Maybe it's a good time to finally offer to babysit your visiting niece and nephew as a... uh, "favor" to their parents.  Tickets are available now online. If you're in more of an analogue mood, you can also purchase them via phone by calling the Disney Broadway hotline at 866-870-2717.  This article was updated to reflect the correct opening date.

Unless we're talking about "The One With the East German Laundry Detergent", pretty much everything about NYC laundromats is a pain. Spoiler alert: there are no cute Ross and Rachel moments to be had at my local spot, and I don't look nearly as good in sleeveless flannel. Instead, clothes get ruined by half-broken machines that eat what precious few quarters I can dig up; everything about the fluorescent lighting and blaring daytime TV is migraine-inducing. Not to mention all the monotonous waiting involved in a typical trip to do laundry: namely waiting for an open machine and waiting for each cycle to finish.  However, it looks like the game is changing—at least in Brooklyn. At Celsious, a new eco-friendly laundromat coming to Williamsburg, you can expect new energy–efficient Electrolux washers, which not only save water but also text patrons when their wash is done. Celsious will also provide customers with free The Simply Co. three-ingredient detergent. While that promise already cuts back significantly on your wait time, it gets even better: Celsious is installing an organic bar with Caffe Vita coffee drinks and local Saraghina Bakery treats. It all kicks off when Celsious opens in Williamsburg in September, and it sounds too good to be true. At the very least it sounds too good to not be a hit with the hipsters of the 'burg, so get there early (or very late) to avoid crowds. 

A post shared by Pasta Wiz (@pastawiz) on Jun 11, 2017 at 6:08pm PDT The Pasta Wiz Express, the confusing Harry Potter–themed eatery that opened in Williamsburg earlier this year, is apparating across boroughs and opening a second location in Greenwich Village. The new location, located at MacDougal Street between Bleecker and West 3rd Streets, will host its grand opening on September 5. While the dreary NYU high rises are not nearly as scenic as Hogwarts' castle towers, bringing the wizard-inspired spot to the millennial-filled neighborhood makes complete sense. After all, NYU does have its own Quidditch club. Sadly, you wont find any chocolate frogs or cauldron cakes here, just casual Italian food. The outpost promises organic pasta dishes and salads, including build-your-own options, that are ready in just five minutes. But the Pasta Wiz's connection between fast-casual noodles and the magical universe of Harry Potter is befuddling. (Pasta kind of looks like a Basilisk. Maybe?) There are plenty of places in New York that make you feel like you're Harry Potter, and this pasta spot isn't the most magical one. 

If you didn't get as much culture in these past few months as you had hoped, it's not too late. MoMA PS1 is throwing an end of summer shindig on Thursday, August 31, which provides a good excuse to add one more museum trip to your summertime excursions.  The Night at the Museum party's $15 tickets are available online to the public, and the event is free to MoMA PS1 members. It will be the last weekend to check out the final weekend of the Jenny Sabin Studio's Young Architecture Program's outdoor immersive installation Lumen, which will be lit up spectacularly in an after hours technicolor light show. The white, beehive-like enclosure is prime for an artsy new Insta. Plus, it's otherworldly enough to make you feel okay about staying in town for Labor Day. The museum is also opening up its gallery for the night, so you can check out the summer exhibitions like Maureen Gallace: Clear Day, Tomas Rafa: New Nationalisms, and Ian Cheng: Emissaries before they close. Expect ample music, booze and M. Wells fare to fuel your gallery viewing. It doesn't sound like a bad way to usher in a long weekend of comparatively unvirtuous lazing around. 

When you live in NYC, it can be hard to stick to a budget. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking for a concert, art exhibit, comedy show or even a date idea, there are plenty of places to good time without paying a dime. Here are the best free parties, cultural events and things to do between now and next Wednesday. RECOMMENDED: Free things to do in NYC guide Dirty Thursdays: GlitteratiBreak out your body glitter and most shimmery sparkle for this decked-out dance party. Think glowing makeup, rhinestones, sequins, gilded skin, iridescent hair and some serious disco-ball shine. House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn (347-469-9882, houseofyes.org). Thu 17 10pm–4am. Outdoor Movie Screening: NYsferatu: Symphony of a CenturyAndrea Mastrovito’s animation of the 1922 vampire film Nosferatu retells the thriller in contemporary New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Grand Central Pkwy to Van Wyck Expwy between Roosevelt Ave and Robinson Pkwy, Queens (646-416-6940, nycgovparks.org). Thu 17 8:30–10:30pm. Sweat Fest NYCInfamous lifestyle brand the Sweat Party has been leading New York’s wellness scene long before the word became buzzy, focusing first on health-infused nightlife events. Now, they travel the world hosting epic fitness parties. Join them in Central Park for free workout swag and a taste of all the best local classes, from intense boot camps to holistic healing and nutrition coaching. Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, midpark from 66th to 72nd Sts (904-337

Shoe shopping gets a bit of flack for being, well, not necessarily the most highbrow way to spend your time. It may not as virtuous a pastime as reading or volunteering, but shoes are important (as is stimulating the economy). Head to a new shop in Soho, and you might as well be visiting a contemporary art gallery—how cultured of you. Brazilian footwear brand Melissa Shoes' new Galeria Melissa space at Broadway between Spring and Broome Streets functions not only as a shop, but also as an art gallery. The spot is curated by creative sister-duo Rémy and Kelsey Bennett. The Bennett sisters—no relation to Elizabeth and Jane—brought their project The Future of Her into the space. As you peruse styles, you'll experience the installation works of artists Signe Pirece and Sam Cannon. The concept is inspired by similar Melissa Shoe-stores-cum-galleries in Saõ Paulo and London, and it is architecturally designed by Brazilian artist Muti Randolph. The whole thing is visually stunning, but it's also a functional store for Melissa's eco-friendly PVC-based shoe designs. Try not to get too spend-happy while buying shoes around all that art—you might just end up with a much bigger bill than you bargained for. 

If you're looking to putt your way to a hole-in-one on your next Tinder date, we've got just the spot. Next month, New York is getting rooftop bar that has not only classic skyline views and a wide list of libations, but also a mini golf course and carousel. Come this September, you'll be able to practice your short game with a drink in hand, all while looking out onto the Empire State Building. What a time to be alive.  Tao nightlife group—which we can thank for such nightlife staples as Tao and Lavo—is bringing the whimsical state fair-themed rooftop bar to NYC. Called the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge, the spot will be situated atop Moxy Times Square, a soon-to-open Marriott chain hotel that will bring a number of other new eateries and bars to midtown. The hotel and its bars will all be operated by the Tao group, and are slated to open sometime next month.  Located at 36th Street and Seventh Avenue, the project boasts the largest indoor/outdoor hotel rooftop bar in the city. The bar promises to have an ambiance and charm capable of bringing back memories of the sketchy rides, greasy food and questionable carnies from the local fairs of your youth. 

Mass meditation specialists The Big Quiet are returning to NYC for their largest event yet at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, August 20. Which is good, because you won't find such hyper-neurotic and simultaneously wellness-obsessed people anywhere else. Maybe in L.A., but they don't need the zen as much as we do; we've had a very stressful summer.  First timers, fret not. This is not an uncomfortable sit-in-silence marathon. In fact, this event is all about comfort. You get 30 minutes before and after the official ceremony to snap pics and enjoy this novel way of seeing one of the world's most famous venues. There will be an active warm-up lead by Outdoor Voices (the brand is also giving out swag bags to court side seats and discount codes to all). Next, certified Sound Therapy Practitioner Sara Auster will orchestrate a sound bath (a meditative listening exercise), by leading a number of musicians on bowls and gongs. The meditation itself only lasts 20 minutes. Afterwards, you can enjoy a variety of acoustic performances on the court and a $15 Sweetgreen app-credit to help you stay on the health train post-event.  Tickets are $40. Cop them here.       

When you live in NYC, it can be hard to stick to a budget. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking for a concert, art exhibit, comedy show or even a date idea, there are plenty of places to good time without paying a dime. Here are the best free parties, cultural events and things to do between now and next Wednesday. RECOMMENDED: Free things to do in NYC guide Summer in the Square: Dueling DJsFancy yourself the next Simon Cowell? At this weekly showdown, some of the city’s best musical talent—violinists, DJs, dancers, beatboxers and beyond—face off, and you choose the winner. This week features local DJs Tom Macari and B. Mills squaring off with their turntables to prove who’s the best mixer in the game. Union Square Park, 14th St to 17th St between Union Sq West and Union Sq East (summerinthesquare.nyc). Thu 5-6pm. “dOGUMENTA”Get your pup cultured at this pop-up museum for dogs. Curated by Mica Scalin, Jessica Dawson and her pooch, Rocky, the unique weekend exhibit features art works that play to canine perception through the use of sound, smell, touch and color. Contributing artists include Tibi Tibi Neuspiel, Dana Sherwood and more. Arts Brookfield, 250 Vesey St (212-978-1698, brookfieldplaceny.com). Fri 11–Sun 13 8am–1pm, 4–8pm. Hong Kong Dragon Boat FestivalThis 27th annual fair features teams of rowers racing dragon-emblazoned boats for. During the multiple heat competition, enjoy performances by Shaolin monks and the CASYM Steel Orchestra, and indulge

Once upon a much simpler time, we poor young people wanted pets because they were actually affordable. A nice place to live? Finding human companionship? Seeing Beyonce live? Everything else we want is either too expensive, impossible, or both. A pet was like a less-of-a-responsibility child that any newly independent 20-something could adopt and nurture to feel like a quasi-adult. Unfortunately, that time has passed. It turns out getting that dream Cocker Spaniel named Penny might just cost you a pretty one.  Today, financial advising website WalletHub published their study of 2017's 100 best U.S. cities for pet ownership. New York City ranked incredibly low at number 97—besting only Honolulu, Baltimore, and Newark. But when you break down the metrics, it turns out NYC actually isn't all that bad for pet owners, it's just damn expensive. The study's criteria for "pet-friendly" locations involved ranking each city on 21 different marks, including number of veterinarians or pet-welcoming restaurants per-capita and walkability. NYC actually ranked in the top 10 for "outdoor pet-friendliness," being in the top five for most dog parks per capita, and the top three for most pet businesses per capita. Sadly, the city also ranks in the top five for highest dog insurance premiums and highest veterinary care costs, making it the number one most-pricey spot in the "pet budget" list. Looks like you'll have to pay through the nose for that Tabby you've been wanting—just like you will for

Somehow, it's already August. If you haven't taken a swim yet this summer, time is of the essence. You could try your luck at any of the public pools around the city, but if small children and questionably high levels of chlorine aren't what you had in mind, you're better off at one of NYC's rooftop pools—preferably one that doesn't involve sand unnecessarily "imported" from Long Island an doesn't make you shell out $20K for loungers. Profundo Pool Club is the latest swimworthy spot to grace our city. Perched atop the Ravel Hotel in Queens, the newly-opened oasis offers a 1,000-square-foot pool, daybeds, cabanas and a bar serving frosé, spritzers, sushi, poke and classic summer lobster rolls. Since it isn't surrounded by skyscrapers, the pool club boasts unobstructed views of the skyline and, weather permitting, plenty of sunshine.  Unsurprisingly, this ain't free. Reservations can be made online; day passes for pool access are $50, and loungers range from $200 to $400 for poolside access. Everyone gets a free towel, so there's no need to BYO. Plus, the lounger reservation fee goes as a credit towards refreshments so you can order food and beverages with the $200 or $400 you put down. There's nothing like wearing a swimsuit to put you in the mood to eat $400 worth of food in one sitting, right? Sunscreen wearers beware: there is an extensive banned-items list including liquids of any kind, and for reasons I can't quite imagine, makeup with compact mirrors and lipgloss.   

Governors Island is kindly staying open late this month so that those of us who don't have summer Fridays can enjoy a taste of relaxation and a pretty sweet sunset. With unobstructed views of New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline, you're definitely in for a technicolor dream as the sun goes down. On Fridays August 11 and 18, Governor's Island—which usually closes at 6pm—will stay open to the public until 10pm. There will be hourly ferries heading from the Battery Maritime Building in Manhattan to Governor's Island between 5:30 and 8:30pm, with return boats departing on the hour every hour between 7 and 10pm. So if you can't crack open a bottle of rosé in Montauk by 5pm on a Friday, shuck some fresh Montauk Pearls and raise your spritz to the urban high life at Island Oyster. The waterfront seafood and cocktail joint will be open late along with a handful of other beer halls and eateries. Enjoy the after hours island hopping, just don't miss the last ferry back—we can't confirm that the Revolution-era military post isn't haunted.