Overwhelmed by the oppressive summer heat, the main characters of The Great Gatsby—Tom, Daisy, Nick, and Gatsby himself—decide to drive from Long Island into Manhattan, where they take a suite at the Plaza Hotel and order an enormous bucket of ice to cool rising temps and tempers. This August, we recommend a little adventure in the opposite direction—no, not to Long Island, but to Governors Island for the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party. Just a short ferry ride from the tip of lower Manhattan, Governors Island is an idyllic location for this spectacular event, which draws thousands and thousands of celebrants, many of whom will be dressed in authentic Roaring 20s attire, to picnic and dance the day away to the greatest jazz hits of the era. The inimitable Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra will be headlining the event, which takes place from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. across two days, Saturday, August 25, and Sunday, August 26. A wide range of cuisines will be available for purchase from on-site food trucks and vendors, and beverage options will include lemonade, sodas, thoroughly chilled beer, VieVité Côtes de Provence Rosé, and a number of refreshing summer cocktails.
Address: Colonel’s Row on Governors Island