Bikinis & Ice Cream. Frida Kahlo & the Bronx. Goodbye to Summer. For Real.

Summer is almost over. Goodbye to bikinis. Goodbye oy flip flops. Goodbye to my rompers and goodbye to hot summer street days.

Except for you Southern folks…

What are you talking about Cessie? Summer is OVER, you all want to say- right?

I know most people consider Labor Day weekend as the last official weekend of summer. But because I am always trying to stretch Summer for as long as I can (it is my FAVORITE season-mainly because I was born, it involves bikinis & fun in the sun). Well I went and did my research and Google says the first day of Fall is September 24 this year. So what does that mean? It means that technically THIS weekend is your last official weekend of summer!

So even though I won’t be in NYC to enjoy it, I’ve made sure to give you some good ideas on what to do in my absence. You’re welcome in advance.

EAT. ICE CREAM.

Not that I need a “seasonal” excuse to eat my favorite food, but yes- Ice Cream! There is nothing I love more than ice cream, it is absolutely my weakness. This city has some amazing spots to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Some of my favs in the city are: Amorino Gelato, super authentic Italian gelato. They make your cone into the prettiest flower and they have unique flavors like Speculaas, which is a type of short-crust biscuit, traditionally baked for consumption on Christmas Eve in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Emack & Bolios. Homemade flavors and cones covered in gooey cereals. Worth the hike to ther Upper West Side.

Of course, I can’t turn down the NY classic, Mister Softee! Nothing beats a cone dipped in sprinkles. It’s like I’m a little girl at the Ice Cream truck all over again.

Tasti d-Lite (dangerously around the corner of my house), is a topping lovers dream come true. Every flavor of Oreo known to man is available. Walk in there like a kid in a candy store, literally- it’s also a candy store.

Then there’s Brooklyn based, Ample Hills. Their pretzel cone is to die for.

If you want to burn off the calories, I have several ideas.

Take a walk on the Highline! There's some amazing art and while the weather is still good you can enjoy the scenery read a book or enjoy some ice cream of course!

Take a boat ride on Central Park it is absolutely one of the cutest and most romantic things to do. You can rent the rowboats for 15 minutes at a time they're very inexpensive and if you do it while the sun is going down, you have a beautiful view of the lake and the park.

Of course don't forget to visit the Alice in Wonderland statue, which is one of my favorites.

Rent a CitiBike and ride over the Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy some delicious food at Smorgasburg!

Must try: Parmesan truffle fries!

And of course, the ice cream cookies sandwiches.

This right here is a toasted almond cookie with burnt sugar, caramel, toffee and chocolate ice cream. By the way it's gluten-free in case you were wondering!

One of the most memorable things I did this summer was visit the New York Botanical Gardens! They have an amazing Frida Kahlo exhibit that runs all the way through November! They have beautiful gardens, 5 minutes in, I forgot I was in the middle of the concrete jungle.

You can still have a day at the ballpark! Head to a Yankees game! It's the best time I've ever had at a baseball game. For starters the fans here actually show up. Can't say the same for my Miami team. I got to see the Yankees play the Marlins and wore my grandfather's old Marlins shirt, which has his last name on it. I knew he would have loved going to a Yankees game and I know he was there in spirit.

What an amazing summer it's been! I can't believe September is coming to an end soon! It's been a crazy 8 months, and time has flown! I don't feel like I've even scratched the surface of what the city has to offer! Can't wait to see what the Fall brings! Aside from you know, sweaters & gorgeous leaves.

I'm off to grab a drink with friends and enjoy this last "Summer Friday"- Adios amigos!