[Times Square. Photo by AP. Additional photos by MARIO TAMA for Getty]

New Yorkers who decided to brave the heat in the city over the holiday weekend were treated to a pleasant surprise as a portion of Times Square was turned into a relaxing retreat. The plan to redirect traffic around the pedestrian-friendly zone from 42nd to 47th Streets on Broadway, designed by transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, was put into effect early Sunday morning, and both tourists and locals reaped the benefits. Visitors to the car-free zone lounged in lawn chairs while listening to the sweet sounds of summer approaching (and, of course, car horns.)

Check out Curbed's coverage HERE.