SummerStage concerts are held at the Rumsey Playing Field near 72nd St and 5th Ave (tel 212/360-2777, www.summerstage.org ). Shakespeare in the Park takes place at the open-air Delacorte Theater, near the W 81st Street entrance to the park, where tickets are distributed daily at 1pm for that evening's performance, but you'll probably have to get in line well before. Tickets are also distributed downtown at the Public Theater (425 Lafayette St) between 1pm and 3pm the day of the performance. Call the Shakespeare Festival (tel 212/539-8750) for more information.

New York Philharmonic in the Park (tel 212/875-5709) and Metropolitan Opera in the Park (tel 212/362-6000) hold several evenings of classical music in the summer.

Claremont Riding Academy , 175 W 89th St tel 212/724-5100. Mon-Fri 6.30am-10pm, Sat & Sun 6.30am-5pm. Horseback riding lessons are available, as are rentals for riders experienced in the English saddle. $42 for a 30min lesson, $35 for a ride on Central Park's bridlepaths.

The Harlem Meer Festival , 110th St between 5th and Lenox aves tel 212/860-1370. Fairly intimate and enjoyable free performances of jazz and salsa music outside the Dana Discovery Center on Sundays from 4 to 6pm throughout the summer.