It’s nearly upon us once again. The New York City Marathon is one of the country’s – if the not the world’s – greatest sporting events. The marathon traditionally draws over 100,000 applicants from almost every country in the world, and is watched by an impressive two million people who line the streets of New York to witness this event. Around 40,000 eventually manage to cross the finish line. In addition, another 315 million viewers from around the globe watch the televised version. While the first New York Marathon was held in 1970 with only 127 participants, this event has grown to significant proportions and it is safe to say that most marathons organized today are based on the New York Marathon model. The New York City Marathon also provides a solution to disabled athletes through its official wheelchair division. Every year, more than 200 of the world’s top wheelchair-bound competitors vie for the honor of being declared the winner of this division and the event has become one of the most important in handicapped sports.   

New York is well-known for its wonderful fall foliage in the many parks and wooded areas in and around the city. Central Park especially is the perfect place to enjoy the changing seasons and to enjoy the wonderful spectacles of nature. The park was conceived in 1850. The city, which had quadrupled in size over the previous 30 years, was losing its green spaces. The call for a public park was led by “Evening Post” editor and orator William Cullen Bryant, and the 843 acres of swampland and immigrant housing was purchased by the city.

It comes as no surprise that in a city that brings us some of the top culinary offerings in the world, will also be home to the best chocolate shops on earth. Chocolate loving visitors to New York City should take some time to explore these magnificent locations and sample their delights.

Jacques Torre, Frenchman and chocolate master extraordinaire, has opened two shops in New York City, one in Brooklyn, known as D.U.M.B.O, and the other on Hudson Street. D.U.M.B.O, in pure European style, offers handmade delicacies by Torre himself, and allows visitors to view the entire chocolate-making process from huge windows within the store. Café-style tables welcome visitors to rest while they taste these delightful creations. In the Hudson Street store, Torre makes chocolates out of beans using authentic vintage equipment and, again, allows visitors a peek into the marvelous process.  

Although August may be drier and slightly cooler than July, it is nevertheless a hot and humid month in New York City and visitors should take that into account when packing for their trip to the Big Apple. This is a wonderful time of the year to enjoy long summer nights, a multitude of cultural events and beautiful parks.

August is a great time to enjoy many free concerts and activities in the many parks scattered around the city. Shakespeare in the Park, for example, is a much-loved summer time theatrical event that has brought some of the best plays written by the Bard to over four million people since it began in 1954.

While many local New Yorkers try to avoid staying in the city during the month of August because of the heat, the Big Apple can actually be quite an exciting place to be during the summer. True, August is usually hot and humid – with temperatures reaching average highs of 83 degrees Fahrenheit and average lows of 69 degrees Fahrenheit. However, August is usually cooler and drier than July and therefore slightly more pleasant.