New York City: Photo safaris

July highlights include carnivals, boat races, park life, flower shows, and dance fests. The Doggett's and Badge race What is said to be the oldest rowing race in the world takes place on 15th July, when teams scull up the Thames between Chelsea and London Bridges. The race was started in 1715 by Sir Thomas Doggett, and Irish actor and comedian, and it always attracts a lively crowd who pay nothing to watch. Many retire to one of the numerous bankside pubs after the race. watermenshall.org Hayes Carnival The sleepy London suburb of Hayes bursts into life on July 10 with one of the biggest London street carnivals. There are dozens of free events, such as live music performances. The main attraction is the colorful, photo-worthy parade, which starts at 12.30 p.m. on Pump Lane and finishes at Barra Hall Park in Hayes. Trains for Hayes and Harlington leave every few minutes from London Paddington railroad station, taking 15 minutes. hillingdon.gov.uk Big Dance A nine-day celebration of dance in London began on July 3rd, kicking off the first of what will be some 500 different dance events throughout the capital. These are set to take place in theaters, concert halls, pubs, and even in the city's busiest streets. Trafalgar square, right in the heart of London and near the Houses of Parliament, will close to traffic on July 10, when 10,000 dancers gather here for a free festival. And many of the biggest dance companies in the city, including East London Dance, the English National Ballet, the Greenwich Dance Agency, Sadler's Wells, and Siobhan Davies Dance will be taking part. See visitlondon.com for info. Love Parks week London is arguably the best city in Europe for park life; with hundreds of parks, half a dozen of which are larger than New York's Central Park. The last week of July (from the 24th) witnesses literally hundreds of free outdoor family events in almost all of the city's parks—from magic shows for children to live music events and bush craft workshops. loveparksweek.org.uk Hampton Court Flower show The world's largest annual flower show takes place in the gardens of King Henry VIII's former palace July 6–10. This year is the Twentieth Anniversary show. And it promises to be the most lavishly florid to date. Learn how to make stunning floral displays at one of several workshops, and grab a bite to eat at one of dozens of makeshift restaurants. (I recommend an amuse-bouche and Pimm's.) Tickets cost from $21. rhs.org.uk

Baseball and fireworks by the beach For a classic summer night out, head to Coney Island, where you can root for the home team, the minor league Brooklyn Cyclones, as they take on rivals like the Staten Island Yankees. The stadium has an intimate, old-time feel, with fluorescent rings around the lights and landmarks like the rickety 83-year-old Cyclone roller coaster in the background. Nineteen new rides opened earlier this summer at Luna Park. Help yourself to one of Nathan's famous hot dogs, and stick around after select baseball games for fireworks—at the stadium on Saturdays (July 3, 10, 31) and along the boardwalk on Fridays (July 9, 16, 23). Baseball games, $8-$16, 1904 Surf Ave., Brooklyn; Siren Music Festival, free, July 17. Opera in the outdoors The Metropolitan Opera is hosting six free concerts in all five boroughs. The Summer Recital Series kicks off at Central Park SummerStage on July 12, 8 p.m., with performances by baritone Nathan Gunn, soprano Susanna Phillips, tenor Michael Fabiano, and pianists Jonathan Kelly and Julie Gunn. You'll hear several pieces over about an hour (not a full-length opera). Additional shows are all at 7 p.m.: July 15 at the Bronx's Crotona Park, July 20 at the brand-new Brooklyn Bridge Park, July 22 at Staten Island's Tappen Park, July 27 at Queens Bridge Park, and July 29 at Manhattan's Jackie Robinson Park. Pack picnic gear and show up early to claim your patch of grass. A Bastille Day fête Americans aren't the only ones celebrating revolution this month. From noon to 6 p.m. on July 11, the French Institute throws its annual Bastille Day on 60th Street, a three-block party devoted to all things French. That means not only mimes, accordion players, cancan dancers, and an Edith Piaf tribute, but also Haitian and Moroccan singers and a francophone rock band Les Sans Culottes. There are market stalls for gorging on nutella crêpes, and kid-friendly activities like pétanque (lawn bowling) and face-painting. 60th St. between Fifth and Lexington Aves. Actors and authors at Bryant Park Break for lunch and a dose of culture at this midtown Manhattan park. Thursdays feature Broadway stars—from In the Heights, Wicked, South Pacific, and more crowd-pleasers—on the lawn's center stage, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The Word for Word series on Wednesdays puts the spotlight on author readings, 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. The FUNny Writers event on July 14 brings together Sloane Crosley, Tom Shillue, Larry Doyle, Josh Kilmer-Purcell, and Simon Rich. Catch Jennifer Egan and Jane Mendelsohn on July 7, Sebastian Junger on July 14, and Gary Shteyngart on July 28. Between 40th and 42nd Sts., Fifth and Sixth Aves. Fine dining for less Three-course, prix-fixe meals are $24.07 for lunch and $35 for dinner at about 275 restaurants during the latest Restaurant Week, July 12-16 and 19-23, plus Sundays at select restaurants. The promotion helps put the city's fanciest, trendiest, and highest rated restaurants in reach; Gotham Bar and Grill, Maialino, Dévi, Telepan, The Modern, Asiate, and Perry Street all caught my eye. But be warned that these fixed rates don't include drinks, tips, or taxes, and you'll typically be stuck ordering from a very limited portion of the regular menu. (The last time I tried Restaurant Week, I broke down and went for the dish I really wanted—at full price.) One ongoing deal: the family-style Southeast Asian Sunday Nonya Dinners at Double Crown, also for $35 per person. MORE SUMMER FUN IN NYC Manhattan's Best Museum Parties 3 Harbor-Area Experiences New York's Street Food Trucks Go Gourmet

We dug through our files to find photos—from readers and pros—that are so spectacular they're bound to get you dreaming and planning a new adventure. See the slide show.

At the antique market in Nice, France, with the cutest vendor around. EARLIER We're still looking for your photos of bridges and California. Upload your photos now!