GARDENS Gardens BROOKLYN BOTANIC ...

BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 1000 Washington Ave. (Eastern Pkwy.), Bklyn, 718-623-7200, www.bbg.org The Garden is open Tues.-Fri. 8-6, Sat., Sun. & holidays 10-6. $5, $3 st./s.c., free child. 15 & under. Enter at Eastern Pkwy. & stroll through the infamous & very pink Cherry Esplanade, flaunting 76 Oriental flowering trees. Take a nap on one of the benches, head to the Japanese Garden or take a swim in the Lily Pool (just kidding!). For the sight-impaired, be sure & stop by the Fragrance Garden to touch & smell the plants, herbs & flowers. The garden also offers a full program of lectures, classes & educational amenities. Also, rose gardens, terraces, ponds & manicured bonsai dating back 130 years, Brooklynites nearly as old abound.

THE NY BOTANICAL GARDEN 200th St. (Kazimiroff Blvd.), Bronx, 718-817-8700, www.nybg.org Hours are Tues.-Sun. 10-6. $3, $2 st./s.c., $1 child. 2-12. This 250-acre historic site is a garden aficionado's paradise. Most flowering plants wilt in the summer months, but the orange- & green-splashed Victorian coleus are radiant in the extravagant Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. If your testosterone level can't tolerate flowers, check out the Mexican Blue Fan Palm in the permanent "Deserts of America" exhibit. Haven't had your fill of Picasso yet? Some of his pieces are hanging out this summer in the MOMA sculpture garden.

6TH ST. & AVE. B GARDEN Ave. B (6th St.), 212-982-5673. From its front gate to Barefoot Eddie's famous three-story tower of found objects, the garden has 6th Street soul in it; not to mention 200 children that visit weekly. Events throughout the summer, incl. plant & bake sales. Call for full schedule.

STATEN ISLAND BOTANICAL GARDEN 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island 718-273-8200, www.sibg.org Tues.-Sun. 10-5. $5, $4 st./s.c. Take the Wandering Green Walkway to the Knowing Fish Pavilion. No, you're not Alice in Wonderland?you're in Staten Island inside the country's only Chinese Scholar Garden. The garden hosts other horticultural exhibits, incl. rare flowers in the Perennial Garden. Educational programs are scheduled throughout the summer; call for info.

QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDEN 43-50 Main St., Flushing, 718-886-3800, www.queensbotanical.org Open Tues.-Fri. 8-6, Sat. & Sun. 8-7. Free. Reminiscent of the 1939-40 NY World's Fair, two Mt. Atlas cedars guard the main entrance. The garden's arboretum feat. 21 acres of sloping hills embroidered with Lions Club cherry groves & gardens courtesy of Queens schoolchildren. B.Y.O.S.B. (Bring your own soccer ball; the fierce Colombian soccer players are next door in Flushing Meadow Park.)

WAVE HILL 675 W. 252nd St. (Indep. Ave.), Bronx, 718-549-3200, www.wavehill.org Tues.-Sun. 9-5:30, Weds. 9-9. $4/$2 st./s.c. Garden holds a special summer treat, the Aquatic Garden's lotus & lilies, complete w/pads in full bloom. Along with dramatic Hudson river views, the garden is home to 3236 plant species & Sunset Wednesday, music-inspired event that allows visitors to dance barefoot on the Great Lawn without the risk of looking like backward yokels.

Parks

BATTERY PARK Battery Pl. (State St.), 212-344-7220. The in-line-skater-friendly esplanade also welcomes joggers and "Tai Chi-ers." As the birthplace of New York City's history, the park is freckled with monuments commemorating soldiers, inventors & immigrants, incl. the revered Irish Hunger Memorial. The Clinton National Monument honors the fort that was built for the War of 1812 to protect the city. Hopefully one day soon, we'll be able to visit the lovely lady. For now, the Statue of Liberty remains closed.

CARL SCHURZ PARK East River & East End Ave. (betw. 84th & 90th Sts.), 800-201-PARK. Due to some fancy planning the many microcosmic activities taking place in the park never disturb its serenity. Readers take refuge in tree-lined enclaves, while children rally in the dog-free grounds & dogs play in the kid-free runs. Until Bloomberg broke tradition, the 1799 country home at the park's north end (aka Gracie Mansion) had been home to the city's mayors since La Guardia. Call 212-570-4751 for tour info.

CENTRAL PARK 59th St.-110th St. (betw. Central Park W. & 5th Ave.), 800-201-PARK, www.centralpark.org New York's greenest! Horse-drawn carriage rides through the park depart from 59th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), 212-246-0520 for $34/carriage (20-min. ride, four people max). In-line skaters take over Wollman Rink for the summer, 59th St. (midpark). The Central Park Wildlife Center 64th St. (5th Ave.) was founded with a small collection of animals donated to the city in 1864. It's now home to the Tisch Children's Zoo, as well as polar bears, penguins & sea lions, 212-861-6030. The Carousel (which rocks!) is open 10:30-4:30 daily, 64th St. (midpark). The Dairy at 65th St. (midpark) is the park's visitor center & houses a souvenir shop, research library & exhibit on the history of Central Park, 212-794-6564. Sheep Meadow (66th-71st Sts., West side) is Manhattan's surrogate beach, attracting hordes of ray-catchers & the frisbee-chasing neohippies who dart between & over them. Check out the adjacent rollerblade run for true NY diversity. North of Sheep Meadow, lawn courts for croquet & bacci are available w/permit, 72nd St. (midpark), 212-360-8133. To play baseball or softball on one of the park's diamonds, call 212-408-0209 for permit info. Strawberry Fields, memorial meditation garden honoring John Lennon, is found across from the Dakota at 72nd St. (Central Park W.). Bethesda Fountain, at 73rd St. (midpark) is one of the park's most popular meeting places & people-watching spots. Bike & rowboat rentals are available at the Loeb Boathouse, starting daily at 10 a.m., 75th St. (midpark), 212-517-3623. Treat yourself to a Bloody Mary on the waterfront terrace. Belvedere Castle, 79th St. (midpark), offers family programs every weekend throughout the summer, as well as mind-blowing views?look out for turtles basking on the rocks below, 212-772-0210. The Conservatory Gardens, 5th Ave. (105th St.), sometimes called "Shakespeare Gardens," is quiet & perfect for a photo shoot or wedding. The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center also offers family programs, outdoor performances & houses an exhibition gallery, 212-860-1370. It stands at the northern end of the park, on the edge of the Harlem Meer, a large well-stocked lake where poles are available for catch-&-release anglers, 110th St. (Lenox Ave.). "Central Park Fishing for Dummies"?oddly enough, there are tons of crawfish just chilling in the Conservatory Water (72nd St.). Bait a piece of string w/gum & reel 'em in. Just don't tell them we told you! The Urban Park Rangers host free hiking tours throughout the park, incl. the notorious, heavily wooded Ramble. Call 212-628-2345 for schedule.

CLAY PIT PONDS STATE PARK PRESERVE 83 Nielson Ave. (betw. Arthur Kill & Sharrots Rds.), Staten Island, 718-967-1976. Visitors can picnic on designated sites in this 260-acre preserve. Tree-hugging activities incl. educational tree & flower identification, pond ecology & bird-watching programs are avail. Kids may find Shakti Yoga instruction more amusing. Call for info.

COLUMBUS PARK Mulberry St. (betw. Worth & Bayard Sts.). Sandwiched between downtown court buildings & Chinatown lies the park of eternal games. Neighborhood kids play ball, while Chinese-checker masters counter one another's moves.

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK Grand Central Pkwy., Queens, 800-201-Park. F. Scott Fitzgerald's "valley of ashes," no longer! To accommodate the 1939-1940 NY World's Fair, the park was stripped of its garage-dump flavor. The 380-ton, 12-story Unisphere, added for the 1964-1965 World's Fair, is one of Queens' most recognizable structures. The now-abandoned space-ships-on-stilts (New York State Pavilion) were once observation towers for the later World's Fair. Now swarms of cleat toting soccer players certify soccer isn't for sissies on the park's spacious lawns. Looking for a little less contact in your sport? La casa de tennis is Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the U.S. Open is held annually. The baseball, soccer & tennis played here (along with the crowning Unisphere) is proof that Queens has lots of balls. And we thought Queens didn't have any. Check out the 8,350,000-building panorama of New York City on display at the Queens Museum of Art.

FORT TRYON PARK W. 192th St. to Dyckman St., (B'way to Riverside Dr.), Inwood, 212-923-3700. Tues.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Once home to the Weckquaesgeek Indians, the park is perfect for the habitué of picturesque surroundings & magnificent views. The architectural spectacle of the world-renowned Cloisters are at the park's northern limit. They house more than 5000 Medieval European works of art that date back to AD800. Tours & concerts are available throughout the summer.

INWOOD HILL PARK Urban Ecology Center, 218th St. (Indian Hill Rd.), 800-201-PARK. Love the woodlands, hate traveling through hillbilly towns? No need for upstate travel, the city has its own forest! Hikes, tours & programs are held throughout the summer. Within Manhattan, but nearly a light-year away, the lifestyle in Inwood is very different from the neighborhoods below. Self-supporting habitat holds the park, a sports complex incl. Columbia's football & soccer fields, numerous stores & restaurants.

MADISON SQUARE 5th Ave. (betw. 23rd & 26th Sts.). Block out the lunching secretaries with bad haircuts & enjoy the park's regal recognition of the 19th century (when smelly horse-drawn carriages ruled the streets instead of smelly cabs). James Madison's tree still stands & so does the memorial to Civil War sea hero Admiral Farragut. Take in views of the Flatiron Building (175 5th Ave.) where in 1902 cops had to chase away crowding young men waiting for the 23rd St. wind to blow up women's skirts?things haven't changed all that much.

MORNINGSIDE PARK Morningside Dr. & Morningside Ave. (betw. 110th & 123rd Sts.), 800-201-PARK. The rocky sliver of green separating Morningside Heights from Harlem is a classic understatement. Crowning 116th St. and Morningside Dr., the Charles Schurz monument offers a panorama of Harlem rooftops, which is rivaled by an enchanting view of the Gothic West Towers of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine down below. With tons of heart rate-raising stairs to pound, the park is a perfect reason to leave the stair-master dusty. With crime down for years now, the only thing left to fear is pretentious students' conversations.

PELHAM BAY PARK, Bronx 718-430-1890. The smaller ones, not satisfying enough? Taking the 6 train?a la J. Lo?to Pelham Bay Park, the Godzilla of New York City parks, should do the trick. Two golf courses, an archery range, bridle paths & plenty of room to hike or horseback-ride make the colossal park grand. Within the park's East shore nests the crescent-shaped Orchard Beach. The extravagance of the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum is a reminder of the architecturally blasé apartment buildings.

PROSPECT PARK Flatbush Ave. (Grand Army Pl.), Bklyn, www.prospectpark.org A memorial to Civil War union forces, Grand Army Plaza's commemorative arc is not the Arc de Triomphe?so relax and thank your lox & cream cheese bagels that snotty Parisians are 3620 miles away. During summer concerts, the 90-acre Long Meadow serves as a stomping ground for the Metropolitan Opera. As if Verdi weren't enough, the 526-acre park incl. the 400-animal-strong Prospect Park Zoo, Flatbush Av. (Empire Blvd.). After riding the Carousel, churn some butter at the Leffert Homestead Children's Historic House Museum (718-789-2822). Tours are offered aboard the Heart of Brooklyn Trolley (718-638-7700), which leaves from Wollman Rink on the hour & makes stops throughout the park. For the active at heart, the Discover Nature Tour comes complete w/woodland hike & a better look at the park's 200 species of birds. Aspiring tech junkies will enjoy the interactive exhibit at the Audubon Center. In the Nethermead, ultimate frisbee addicts can get their game on at regular weekend pickup sessions. While in the area, take a stroll down Eastern Pkwy. to the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

RIVERBANK STATE PARK Hudson River (betw. 137th & 145th Sts.). This Astroturf-covered expanse boasts a 400-meter track, a real-deal Olympic-size pool & two smaller ones, four tennis courts, an ice-skating rink, four basketball courts, baseball & football fields, four handball courts & bike path. Also a community garden, cultural center & picnic grounds. But underneath this modern park lies the euphemistically named sewage plant?the North River Water Pollution Control Plant. Millions have been spent on odor & spin control, to good result, judging by the dedication of the sports teams.

RIVERSIDE PARK Hudson River (betw. 72nd & 153rd Sts.), 800-201-PARK. The park's eastern boundary, embroidered with landscape-hugging European-style buildings incl. the Colosseum (435 Riverside Dr.), is an architecture buff's wet dream. Concave trees form an arc of shade 81 blocks long. Named after the abandoned rail line in the tunnel below, the river-view "Above the tracks" tennis courts provide the perfect backdrop for a game?minus the decorative court ladies. Grant's Tomb (W. 122nd St.) is modeled after the mausoleum at Halicarnassus?one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world?minus the red, white & blue mosaic tiled bench encircling the building.

SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK 31-29 Vernon Blvd. (B'way), L.I.C., Queens, 718-965-1819. This former garbage-strewn vacant lot, where artist Mark Di Suvero began installing huge outdoor sculptures 10 years ago, is now a part of New York's park system. Many works by local artists, both famous & obscure, line the grounds. Unobstructed views of Manhattan, periodic concerts & video presentations & a sense of privacy provide a great?if not sole?incentive to visit Long Island City.

TOMPKINS SQUARE PARK E. 7th St.-E. 10th St. (betw. Aves. A & B). "Quality of life" issues have resulted in the notorious park's midnight closing. Don't even think about jumping the gates unless you want a fat ticket?cops patrol the area vigorously?even though you'd be hard pressed to find any of the drug paraphernalia that littered the park up until a few years ago. During the day, however, the park's winding concrete pathways make for a nice stroll. At the 7th St. (Ave. A) corner, chess players & drunks, often in the same person, reign. At the site of the former bandshell there's usually some sort of pickup game (hacky sack, frisbee or soccer) in the works. Basketball courts at the northernmost end of the park attract many neighborhood residents who got serious game & the jungle gym next to the courts is a popular chin-up spot for local muscle heads. Kids enjoy the park's pair of lively gated playgrounds. For dog owners & dog connoisseurs there's the newly added dog run?fun to watch, but be careful where you stand!

UNION SQUARE 14th St.-17th St. (betw. Park Ave. S. & B'way). During the Great Depression scores of unemployed people rallied in the park demanding jobs. Considering the Depression's decade-long stretch, the protest wasn't that productive. Today the city's unemployed can take advantage of the park's free mid-day entertainment. Watching the skate-boarders nearly lose limbs vaulting over the park's elongated stairs should do the trick. Still employed? Cafes along 16th St. are the perfect spot to sip an after-work martini. Beaches near the fountain or under tree shade are ideal for paper reading. On Mon., Weds., Fri., & Sat., enjoy the Greenmarket Farmers Market (E. 17th St. & Broadway).

VAN CORTLANDT PARK 242nd St., Bronx, 718-549-6494. A golf lovers' idea of a park. It has two golf courses, one 18 hole and one 9 hole complete with driving range. Hitting an extraordinarily small ball into a hole yards away not your idea of a good time? John Muir Nature Trail cuts through the park's forest, wetland & grassland, while the John Kierran Nature Trail concentrates on the Van Cortlandt Lake area. Part of the aqueduct that supplied the city with water is visible along the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. Don't forget to check out the one-time centerpiece to mid-18th-century plantation, the Van Cortlandt House, known for its Georgian-style extravagance. General George Washington set up camp at the house during the Revolutionary Wars. Tues.-Fri. 10-3, Sat. & Sun. 11-4, 718-543-3344.

WASHINGTON SQUARE MacDougal St.-University Pl. (betw. Waverly Pl. & 4th St.) Artists in 1916 once dubbed the square "the state of New Bohemia." It's more like high-hemia nowadays. The park is a great place to sit back and enjoy the cornucopia of unofficial sideshows incl. jugglers, dancers & other creative panhandlers. On its north side, the arch marks the 100th-anniversary of George Washington's inauguration.

Greenmarkets

In 1976 New Yorkers finally caught on to the European idea of a supermarket. The wheat grass, however, has a Manhattan-esque quality to it. New Yorkers & their hyper-gloried chefs love getting their hands & mouths on fresh produce, spices, breads and dairy products. While some markets have only eight to 12 growers, others are large: At its peak, the Union Square greenmarket hosts 70 vendors. On a quiet afternoon, greenmarkets offer an escape from the city hustle. During holidays, brace yourself for crowds.

LOWER MANHATTAN:

Bowling Green (Tues. & Thurs.) Year Round, 8-5; Broadway & Battery Place. South Street Seaport (Tues.) 8-5; Fulton betw. Water & Pearl Sts. Tribeca (Weds. & Sat.) Year Round, 8-3; Greenwich St. betw. Chambers & Duane Sts. Tompkins Square (Sun.) Year Round, 10-6; E. 7th St. & Ave. A. St. Mark's Church (Tues.) Year Round, 8-7; E. 10th St. & 2nd Ave. Abingdon Square (Sat.) Year Round, 8-1; W. 12th St. & Hudson St. Union Square (Mon., Weds., Fri., & Sat.) Year Round, E. 17th Street & B'way. For more info call 212-477-3220.

UPPER MANHATTAN:

Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (Weds.) Year Round; E. 47th St. & 2nd Ave. Rockefeller Center (Thurs., Fri. & Sat.) October-November; Rockefeller Pl. (50th St.) Balsley Park (Weds. & Sat.) Year Round; W. 57th Street & 9th Ave. 77th Street-I.S. 44 (Sun.) Year Round, 10-5; W. 77th St. & Columbus Ave.

97th Street (Fri.) Year Round, 8-2; W. 97th St. betw. Amsterdam & Columbus Aves. Columbia (Thurs.) Late May-Nov., 8-5; B'way at 116th St. 175th Street (Thurs.) late June-Nov.; W. 175th St. & B'way.

BROOKLYN:

Greenpoint-McCarren Park (Sat.) Year Round, 8-3; Lorimer St. & Driggs Ave. Williamsburg (Thurs.) July-Oct., 8-5; Havemeyer St. & B'way. Bedford-Stuyvesant (Sat.) July-Oct., 8-3; Fulton St. betw. Stuyvesant & Utica Aves. Borough Hall (Tues. & Sat.) Year Round; (Thurs.) April-Dec; Court & Remsen Sts. Grand Army Plaza (Sat.) Year Round, 8-4; NW entrance to Prospect Park. Windsor Terrace (Weds.) April-Nov., 8-3; Prospect Park W. & 15th St. Borough Park (Thurs.) July-Oct., 8-3; 14th Ave., betw. 49th & 50th Sts. Sunset Park (Sat.) July-Oct., 8-3; 4th Ave. betw. 59th & 60th Sts.

BRONX:

Poe Park (Tues.) July-Nov., 8-2; Grand Concourse & 192nd St. Lincoln Hospital (Tues.) July-Nov., 8-3; (Fri.), July-Oct., 8-3; 148th St. & Morris Ave.

QUEENS:

Jackson Heights-Travers Park (Sun.) May-Nov., 8-3, 34th Ave. betw. 77th & 78th Sts.

STATEN ISLAND:

St. George (Sat.) mid-May-Nov., 8-2; Borough Hall parking lot, St. Mark's & Hyatt Sts.

Zoos

BRONX ZOO Fordham Rd. (Bronx River Pkwy.), 718-367-1010, www.bronxzoo.com, www.wcs.org Open Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; weekends & holidays 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. You know you're in Wildlife Conservation Society land when the animals have nutritionists! Feat. over 4000 animals, it is NY's blue-ribbon zoo. Exhibits incl. the Congo Gorilla Forest, Himalayan Highland & Asian Rain Forest. The African Plains exhibit was the first predator-prey exhibit in North America. Not to worry, the predators (lions) are separated from their prey (nyala) by a series of moats. Be warned: summer heat & high concentration of animals can contribute to high olfactory dissatisfaction. Continuing public education in zoo science & classes in multiple subjects avail. Call for info.

CENTRAL PARK WILDLIFE CENTER 64th St. (5th Ave.), 212-861-6030, www.wcs.org Open Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; weekends & holidays 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Not as zoologically sophisticated as its northern counterpart, this boutique zoo definitely has Fifth Avenue flare. The Tisch Children's Zoo offers a "story-book" setting complete with an enchanted forest for ages 6 & under. Don't miss Gus, the polar bear in the Arctic exhibit?he's huge & thanks to psychiatrist consults, quite healthy.

NEW YORK AQUARIUM W. 8th St. (Surf Ave.), Coney Island, 718-265-FISH, www.wcs.org Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Last ticket sold 45 min. before closing, call for additional info. The New Alien Stingers is not a new cocktail, it's a new exhibit feat. colorful, odd-shaped sea jellies in enormous curved carousel tanks. Relax, enjoy the show & get wet?the sea lions put on quite a performance. Educational programs offered throughout the summer.

PROSPECT PARK WILDLIFE CENTER 450 Flatbush Ave. (S. of Grand Army Plaza), Brooklyn, 718-399-7339, www.wcs.org Open 365 days a year, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This 400-animal zoo prides itself on its interactive exhibits. With tons of mini creatures and educational programs, the zoo is perfect for kids and parents who don't want to walk marathon distances. If the budget-crisis proceeds further, this zoo will be one of the first to go. Pick out your animal in advance, to avoid lines later.

QUEENS WILDLIFE CENTER 53-51 111th St. (53rd Ave.), Queens, 718-271-1500, www.wcs.org Mon.-Fri. 10-5, weekends 10-5:30. Renovated in 1992 by the Wildlife Conservation Society, this nature center is devoted to North American species?they have ground hogs! Judging by the website, Queens Wildlife is the red-headed stepchild of the New York zoo family. Still, the zoo provides a good opportunity to dress up like Davy Crockett & take pics w/coons & eagles. This zoo will be the next to go. We're not animal experts, but we've heard that groundhogs make great pets?plus they keep the rats at bay.

STATEN ISLAND ZOO 614 B'way (Clove Rd.), Staten Island, 718-442-3101, www.statenislandzoo.org Daily 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. $3, $2 child., free child. 3 & under. Call for class & tour info. The best alternative to the Bronx, feat. new exhibit The African Savannah at Twilight. Though it's might sound like the name of an air freshener, its actually quite an intense grouping of animals incl. antelope, lizards, baboons & leopards.

Manhattan Pools & Beaches

City pools are open June 29-Labor Day. Indoor pools are open year round. For Brookyn, Queens & Bronx pools, see "Recreation" section of www.nyc.gov

Asser Levy E. 23rd St. (Asser Levy Pl.), 212-447-2023 (indoor & outdoor).

Carmine St. Clarkson St. (7th Ave. S.), 212-242-5228 (outdoor & indoor).

Dry Dock E. 10th St. (betw. Aves. C & D), 212-677-4481 (outdoor).

54th St. E. 54th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-397-3154 (indoor).

59th St. W. 59th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-397-3159 (indoor).

Hamilton Fish Pitt St. (E. Houston St.), 212-387-7687 (outdoor).

Hansborough 134th St. (betw. 5th & Lenox Aves.), 212-234-9603 (indoor).

Jackie Robinson Bradhurst Ave. (W. 146th St.), 212-234-9606 (outdoor).

John Jay 77th St. (betw. York Ave. & FDR Dr.), 212-794-6566 (outdoor).

Lasker Central Park, 110th St. (Lenox Ave.), 212-534-7639 (outdoor).

Marcus Garvey 124th St. (5th Ave.), 212-410-2818 (indoor).

Sheltering Arms W. 129th St. (Amsterdam Ave.), 212-662-6191 (outdoor).

Thomas Jefferson 1st Ave. (E. 112th St.), 212-860-1372 (outdoor).

Wagner E. 124th St. (2nd Ave.), 212-534-4238 (outdoor).

Public Beaches

Sometimes it gets so hot, a city pool won't do the trick. On those days be brave & voyage out to the city's many beaches?remember, island! The sand tends to be a little?or a lot?dirty & the crowds are usually old & ugly, but you gotta work with what you got. The beaches are open Memorial Day-Labor Day. Swim at your own risk.

Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk 1208 Surf Ave. (W. 12th St.), Bklyn, 718-372-5159. Take F, Q, or W to Stillwell Ave. Coaster kingdom's sovereign holds is seated in Kings County?the Cyclone in Astroland-Coney Island Amusement Park (718-372-0275). Since its opening in 1927, the rickety coaster has evoked thrills & Nathan's Frankfurters, from the depths of digestion for generations. A few blocks away sits the original Nathan's Frankfurter Stand, 1310 Surf Ave. (718-946-2202). For the past 86 years, on the Fourth of July, Nathan's has held their annual hot dog eating contest, attracting large & in charge men w/healthy appetites?for Christ's sake don't let the scrawny Japanese kid win again! Coney Island, once home to famed figures Sealo the Seal Boy and JoJo the Dogfaced Boy, keeps traditions alive with Coney Island Sideshows by the Seashore, Surf Ave. (W. 12th St), 718-372-5159. Haven't had your fill of freaks? You can always check out the annual Mermaid Parade [6/21]. The sea goddesses are best viewed on Surf Avenue between W. 10th & W. 15th Sts. (participants must arrive at 10 a.m.). The baseball stadium at Surf Ave. & W. 19th St. (info 718-372-5159) is home to the Cyclones & a big part of Coney Island's revitalization effort. The annual Tattoo Festival is held in September; call for info.

Manhattan Beach, Oriental Blvd. (Ocean Ave.), Bklyn, 718-946-1373. Orchard Beach & Boardwalk, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, 718-885-2275. Popular w/locals, the boardwalk is good for cruising & summer concerts (Sundays 3-6 p.m.; July through Labor Day) take place near the Pavilion. From the beach, there are good views of Bronx islands incl. Rat Island & Hart Island, as well as Co-Op City, the country's largest co-op housing project.

Rockaway Beach...& Boardwalk Beach 1st St., Far Rockaway, to Beach 149th St., Neponsit, Queens, 718-318-4000. Rockaway Beach is cleaner & quieter to the north, dicier to the south. Plus it's the sweetest surf spot in the five boros. South & Midland Beaches & Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk Lower New York Bay, from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field, New Dorp, Staten Island, 718-987-0709. Take Staten Island Ferry, then the 51 bus to the beach.

Wolfe's Pond Beach Holton Ave.-Cornelia Aves., Raritan & Princes Bay, Staten Island, 718-984-8266. Take Staten Island Ferry, then the 78 bus to the beach. And you're there.

Street Fairs

New York City is host to innumerable street fairs during the summer months?you can't miss 'em. But if you're looking for a specific fair, go to www.nycstreetfairs.com for a complete schedule. There are fairs tied to specific holidays, incl. Independence & Father's days, as well as simply neighborhood affairs. In either case, too-sweet lemonades, funnel cakes & Italian sausages are guaranteed. Also on hand, discounted things of all kinds & crafty artworks sure to catch the eye of passersby. Mardi Gras Productions supplies many of the stands & merchandise, which explains the general uniform appearance of these events.

Walking Tours

Move your feet outdoors while getting schooled in New York City culture. From the city's radical history to celebrity dwellings, there's a tour perfect for everyone. Some of them are even free! Load up on a buffet of tours this summer & next year become a certified tour guide extraordinaire, or just drop knowledge on your friends when you're out & about.

BIG ONION WALKING TOURS Bklyn, 212-439-1090, www.bigonion.com Offers entertaining & informative tours of New York's historic and ethnic neighborhoods. All guides licensed by the City of New York. Check out "The Multi-Ethnic Eating Tour: From Naples to Bialystock to Beijing" [6/8, 1]. Call for more tour dates, times, & locations.

BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 1000 Washington Ave. (Eastern Pkwy.), Bklyn, 718-623-7200, www.bbg.org Special tours are offered throughout the summer. Highlights incl. special tour of the Cranford Rose Garden with BBG's Rosarian [6/1, 12]. "Seasoned Highlights Tour" [6/8, 1 & 3] feat. roses and clematis.

CENTRAL PARK NIGHT TOUR 891 Amsterdam Ave. (betw. 103rd & 104th Sts.), 917-838-6233. Weds.-Sat. 8-11. Tour focuses on the "darker" history of the park & makes stops at the sites of infamous crimes.

COUNCIL ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES FOR STATEN ISLAND Guided Staten Island Ferry & Walking Tour of St. George, Visitors Center, Whitehall Ferry Terminal (Battery Park S.), Staten Island, 718-447-3329, www.statenislandarts.org Tours in July, Thurs. 11:20. View historic murals from 1930 inside Staten Island's Borough Hall; learn New York Harbor's history & tour the ballpark.

DERING WALKING TOURS 212-873-6715. Meeting locations depend on tour date. Tours focus on the best of several New York City destinations incl. Central Park, Gramercy Park, the Court District & Five Points in Lower Manhattan.

JOYCE GOLD HISTORY TOURS OF NEW YORK 141 W. 17th St., 212-242-5762, www.nyctours.com Joyce Gold has been conducting New York walking tours for 15 years. Discover the culture & history of New York City's most coveted neighborhoods. We recommend the two-hour tour of "The East Village: Culture and Counter-Culture" [6/28, 1]. Meeting locations depend on tour date; call for info.

NEW YORK CITY TALKS & WALKS 888-377-4455, www.newyorktalksandwallks.com Tours with diverse topics & themes. The Gangs of New York [6/28 & 6/29, 1:30]; Brooklyn Bridge Ice Cream Talk & Walk [6/14, 1:30]; Edgar Allen Poe & His Ghostly Friends [6/7, 1:30 & 6; 6/8, 1:30]. Call for info & meeting locations.

NEW YORK TRANSIT MUSEUM The Farewell Tours, 718-694-4915. This may be your last chance to tour two NY facilities that will soon be closing. The Hudson Pier Project [6/20, 1:30]. Corona Maintenance Shop [6/21, 9 p.m.]. Reservations needed.

OUTDOOR BOUND 212-505-1020, www.outdoorbound.com Is Central Park not satisfying the hiker within? Take a hiking tour in NY & NJ state parks. Call or check website for info.

SHOREWALKERS 212-330-7686, www.shorewalkers.org Dedicated to protecting New York City's shore, this group offers plenty of summer tours. SUMMER SOLSTICE BRIDGE tour makes its way up the East River, then along the Harlem River [6/21]. Call for more info.

STREET SMARTS NY 212-696-8262, www.streetsmartny.com Tours with creative topics. Dandies, Dudes, and Shady Ladies [6/15, 2] recalls the wild days of the Bowery. Pubs and Poltergeists [6/28, 6] stops at two of the oldest & most haunted taverns. Meets at various locations, call for info.

SURVEILLANCE CAMERA PLAYERS Surveillance Camera Outdoor Walking Tour, 212-561-0106. Tours last about one hour & highlight the emerging surveillance society & surveillance cameras that monitor public spaces. Check out the cameras spying on students & passersby at New York University (meet at NW corner of Mercer & W. 3rd Sts.) [6/8, 2].

UNIQUE HISTORIC ADVENTURES WITH DIANA STUART 212-685-6150. Explore the little-known world & history of manhole covers. Learn about their evolution & intricate designs. Tours focus on individual neighborhoods. Call for dates.

THE URBAN TRAIL CONFERENCE 2137 Utopia Parkway, Whitestone, 718-352-0381. With tour titles incl. New Jersey Waterfront [5/31], National Trail Day [6/7], Sea Cliff/Gravis Point [6/12] & Magnolia Tree Brooklyn Walk [6/14], be prepared to do some serious hiking & pack lots of insect repellent.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SKATE (17th St. & Broadway) 212-696-7247, www.weskateny.org Leaving every Weds. at 8 p.m. from Union Square Park; Two-hour leisure skate visits sites incl. Riverside Park, Central Park, South Street Seaport & Times Square. Helmet & protective gear required.

WALKING TOUR OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE (meet at SE corner of 5th Av. & 59th St.), 212-673-0477. Let Arthur Marks escort you through the city's post-WWII architecture. [6/22, 1]. Call for info & reservations.