Few signs of life yet, however, for the dead-in-the-water housing market despite a jump in housing starts during June when good weather inspired construction companied to catch-up on previously stalled projects.

FORBES: Euro Gains Ahead of E.U. Meeting

Roosevelt Park, where locals congregate to shoot hoops and splash in water fountains, then catch a show or two at August's month-long Fringe NYC festival, which sees more than 200 international theatre groups hit town.

BBC: Summer in the city: New York