Dating back to 1916, the world-renowned contest once again puts together 20 individuals hungry for fame and hot dogs. Nathan's Famous flagship store in Coney Island plays host to this iconic event as thousands cheer on competitors. As part of the 4th of July celebration, Nathan's Famous will also provide a hot dog lunch to 100,000 troops stationed overseas.

Talk about a showy birthday: Macy's once again puts on a dazzling display of fireworks—said to be the largest in the country—right over the Hudson River. This will mark the 34th of its kind, with "American Harmony" as its theme and featuring the New York Pops Orchestra.

Each Monday of July and August brings a different movie at sunset courtesy of the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival. Spectators can picnic under the stars and curl up on their favorite patch of grass or blanket to watch great Hollywood classics. Get there early to secure a good spot!

Enjoy free screenings of some of your favorite New York-themed movies under the stars as part of Central Park's annual cinema series.

Various street fairs throughout the month bring out the different flavors of the city! Among these are the Greenwich Village Festival, the Madison Avenue Summer Fair and the Lexington Avenue SummerFest.

One of the major events of the sporting world, the US Open is sure to be a highlight of the year for any sports fan.  Featuring the best in singles and doubles play, the final tournament of the Grand Slam brings tennis’ greatest stars to New York.

One of the longest-running outdoor festivals in the United States, this 11-day festival features music, food and parades. Even if you don't want to partake in the cannoli-eating contest, you're sure to find some mouth-watering delicacies from one of the 300 vendors.

Celebrate the working man (and woman) in the city that started it all. New York City was the first city to observe Labor Day, and it is still one of the best places to enjoy parades and picnics to close out the summer.