This put up could include affiliate hyperlinks. We could obtain a small fee, for free of charge to you, when you make a purchase order. Learn Disclosure.
For those who’re planning a New York summer time, then you definitely’re going to need to go in ready, in any other case you’ll end up standing in lengthy queues, exhausted by the warmth, and annoyed by all of the individuals.
New York Metropolis in the course of the summer time could be extremely scorching and humid, plus it’s thought-about the excessive season so you may count on larger costs and huge crowds.
Don’t fret although, as you may nonetheless have an pleasurable journey!
Summer season additionally brings with it dry climate and well-liked festivals – akin to NYC Delight, Tribeca Movie Pageant, Shakespeare In The Park, and shutting the summer time with Electrical Zoo Pageant.
For those who’re not a chilly climate individual and like the texture of the solar in your pores and skin, picnics within the park, sidewalk cafes, beer gardens, rooftop bars, and bike driving round city, then maintain studying for some distinctive methods to spend summer time in NYC.
Methods to take pleasure in New York Metropolis in the summertime
1. Take pleasure in a New York cafe with a backyard
I bear in mind cafe bumming to maintain heat from the icy rain and the snowfalls within the winter, however in the summertime, that is the best way to go when you want to settle down.
Think about sitting in a spacious cafe with a shaded backyard, flicking by the morning newspaper or indulging in a e book, and watching the world go by below the shade of the timber.
A few of my favourite cafes with outside seating and a backyard are Bryant Park Café, The Oasis Cafe in Flushing, and Ebook Membership Bar in East Village.
If the warmth doesn’t trouble you, seize a takeaway espresso and a blueberry bagel and take a look at Washington Sq. or a wander across the lovely streets of West Village.
2. Watch a FREE award-winning Shakespeare within the Park play, Central Park
Central Park is among the most iconic locations in NYC and no journey can be full with out wandering round this expansive city park.
Throughout summer season, probably the most distinctive issues you are able to do in Central Park is watch a Shakespeare within the Park efficiency on the Delacorte Theater.
Each summer time, the theater has been placing on productions for FREE, and have even seen some world well-known actors and actresses carry out.
James Earl Jones was as soon as stated to have starred in Othello, and Meryl Streep took half in The Taming of the Shrew.
In 2025, the newly renovated Delacorte Theater will open once more (it was closed in 2024), so count on it to be busy this yr. The present going down this summer time is Twelfth Night time and runs from August seventh to September 14th.
It additionally has a standout solid akin to Peter Dinklage, Lupita Nyong’o, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Sandra Oh.
Tickets could be discovered by both of the next methods:
In addition to watch Shakespeare within the park, you are able to do the standard Central Park actions akin to stroll alongside the pathways and admire the lakes, relaxation within the pavilions, and watch the squirrels at play.
Perhaps take a horse-drawn carriage trip, row across the lake, or bike your approach round arguably probably the most well-known metropolis park on the earth.
3. Watch a free present in Riverside Park
For those who don’t get tickets for the long-lasting Shakespeare within the Park in Central Park, then you may nonetheless catch a free present in NYC – you don’t have to pay for a Broadway Present to benefit from the theater – simply head to Riverside Park.
This yr, the Hudson Classical Theater Firm will carry out numerous reveals by the Troopers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park.
In June, they are going to be performing a number of showings of Julius Caesar by Shakespeare, and in July they are going to be placing on a manufacturing of Sense and Sensibility.
4. Take a Circle Line Cruise round Manhattan Island
An effective way to see the Manhattan cityscape is on a cruise round Manhattan Island.
The Circle Line cruises take simply 2.5 hours and passes by a number of of the town’s most iconic monuments, akin to The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Brooklyn Bridge.
On a scorching summer time’s day, it’s almost unbarably scorching utilizing the subway in New York, and getting from A to B to see all these points of interest with crowds of individuals is so tense anybody would simply quit and go dwelling.
The cruise not solely means that you can tick off seeing lots of the metropolis’s high points of interest, nevertheless it’s additionally air conditioned on the within, and has an open high deck the place you may cool off within the sea breeze.
Sit again and calm down and take within the scenic views of Little Island, Hudson Yards, One World Commerce Middle, downtown Brooklyn, Yankee Stadium, and the George Washington Bridge.
Drinks, crusing, a sundown, the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty – rely me in!
Take a look at Manhattan cruises right here. For those who simply need to see the Statue of Liberty, you too can take the Staten Island Ferry.
5. Stroll throughout the Brooklyn Bridge
You simply need to set foot on this well-known landmark, it doesn’t matter what time of yr you go to.
Within the day time, it is going to be scorching and missing of shade, however in late afternoon it’s probably the most divine sight because it’s lit up within the comfortable balm of the setting solar.
At night time, the town lights illuminate the bridge, making a spectacle not like the rest.
Brooklyn Bridge Park can also be a fantastic place to go for views of the bridge. It has additionally turn into a preferred city playground after a venture remodeled a piece of the Brooklyn waterfront into a virtually 85-acre expanse.
It now options distinctive points of interest akin to a restored Nineteen Twenties merry-go-round and riverside esplanades with attractive Manhattan views.
6. Stroll the New York Metropolis Excessive Line
The Highline is a 1.45 mile part of a former elevated prepare monitor and now often known as a thriving city park within the sky.
The New York Excessive Line has plenty of plants and plush lawns to calm down on.
It runs from the Meatpacking District to Midtown and has nice views of the town and the Hudson River.
7. Bike the town of New York
Biking in New York Metropolis would possibly sound daunting, I do know, however I like biking as a strategy to discover a metropolis and if I can cycle round Saigon in Vietnam, I can do it in New York.
Citi Bike is New York Metropolis’s bike sharing system and I’d prefer to navigate the streets of NYC on two wheels, tackle among the 700 miles of motorcycle paths akin to over the Brooklyn Bridge, round Central Park, the Coney Island boardwalk, or the Hudson River Park Bikeway.
It’s also possible to rent bikes on-line right here or take a bike tour of Central Park. A motorbike trip is an effective way to discover Central Park because it’s so large.
8. Take a look at Union Sq. Farmers Market
I really like a superb farmers marketplace for choosing up contemporary provides for a picnic within the park, and the world-famous Union Sq. Greenmarket is superior. It’s open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday’s in the summertime.
Simply fascinated by the wholesome/contemporary/natural/scrumptious treats and the cheese, wine, and contemporary produce out there makes me hungry.
I hear additionally they promote quite a lot of sugar-free and vegan baked items and the costs are very cheap for NYC.
Proper close to right here is Thompkins Bagels the place Kalyra and that i visited on our weekend getaway to New York – they’re scrumptious and so they have gluten free! We ate them in Union Sq..
9. Admire views from High of the Rock, New York
Okay, so High of The Rock isn’t probably the most distinctive factor to do nevertheless it’s presumably our favourite view of NYC from the commentary deck, so I can’t not point out it on this information.
We went to the commentary deck on the Empire State Constructing, which can also be a should do as soon as in your life, however going to the High of the Rock commentary deck at Rockefeller Middle affords 360º views of NYC.
It additionally has shorter strains and a greater view of Central Park. I’ll see you there for sundown.
10. Take pleasure in film nights below the celebs
If Shakespeare within the Park sounds too excessive forehead for you, then one other nice outside leisure choice is Film within the Park.
Every summer time, Bryant Park holds its summer time movie pageant, and has free motion pictures below the celebs in its outside cinemas within the evenings.
You may watch cult classics like Pulp Fiction, Good Will Searching and The Godfather, or you may watch a traditional flicks akin to Kinky Boots.
11. Hit the New York Rooftop Bars and Beer Gardens
When night time falls and the temperature cools, head to a rooftop bar for unbelievable views and breezes from the balcony.
Among the hottest rooftop bars in NYC are Met Roof Backyard Cafe & Martini Bar, which is understood for its panoramic views over Central Park and Manhattan.
Ulysses Folks Home down by Battery Park has an out of doors patio that’s open in the course of the summer time months, and a extra distinctive place to drink is The Frying Pan, which is an outdated boat on the Hudson River.
Take a look at extra spectacular bars in New York.
12. Picnic within the park
It wouldn’t be a New York summer time with out a picnic in a park. That is just about how most locals spend their free instances when the climate will get scorching!
I couldn’t consider a greater strategy to escape the concrete jungle and hustle and bustle of NYC than to throw a picnic blanket on the grass, kick off your footwear and luxuriate in some nibbles and a bottle of wine and breathe within the silence.
In fact, most individuals would consider Central Park, and I might recommend to have a picnic in Sheep Meadow when you’re on the lookout for a picnic spot there.
However I might additionally suggest a go to to Picnic Level on Governors Island by way of a free ferry and calm down in hammocks with unbelievable views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.
There’s additionally Battery Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Hudson River Park, which have beautiful lawns for a picnic.
13. Watch certainly one of NYC’s free concert events
In addition to free cinema within the park occasions, you too can take pleasure in some free music festivals and occasions all through the summer time.
Once more, they’re often held in parks as a result of they’ve the house, and almost each park has one thing taking place.
Watch an opera, classical music, jazz bands, and picnic performances at Bryant Park Stage, an orchestra in Convention Home Park, or catch native and indie artists acting at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park or free stay music in Damrosch Park.
The New York Philharmonic Live shows happen in parks in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens all through the summer time.
You may view free music occasions in NYC right here.
14. Watch a New York Yankee’s Recreation
We love watching a sporting match every time we go to a metropolis, and when you fancy a night of baseball video games, go and cheer on the New York Yankees!
The vitality of a Yankee’s recreation is unmatched, and video games often begin round 7pm at night time to the temperatures are a bit cooler.
Take a look at the full NYC Yankee’s calendar right here!
15. Take a look at Summer season for the Metropolis at Lincoln Middle
All through the summer time months, you may participate in free or “pay what you may” dances, ballet courses, and workshops at Lincoln Middle.
Within the night, be a part of a whole bunch of individuals as they dance below the long-lasting 10 foot disco ball, or reserve your house at one of many dance classes. See the complete occasions calendar right here.
Additionally they have dance with a narrative courses for youths.
16. Trip the rides at Luna Park or Deno’s Marvel Wheel Amusement Park
A summer time exercise you are able to do when you’re visiting with youngsters is to go to the amusement parks on Coney Island; Luna Park or Deno’s Marvel Wheel Amusement Park.
With the nice and cozy breeze and the solar shining, it’s the proper time of yr to really feel the push of adrenaline on traditional curler coasters with views of the harbor.
Coney Island has an incredible vibe in the summertime. With the odor of cotton sweet wafting alongside the boardwalk and the sounds of screams and cheers from the parks, in addition to the shoreline views, it’s the proper nostalgic strategy to spend a day.
What to put on for summertime in New York Metropolis?
You is likely to be questioning what to pack in your suitcase and what to put on when visiting NYC in the summertime. Right here’s what we suggest:
- Light-weight, breathable clothes akin to cotton, linen, or moisture-wicking materials.
- Comfy strolling footwear. NYC is greatest explored on foot, so put on sneakers, snug sandals akin to Birkenstocks, or light-weight footwear.
- Sun shades. Shield your eyes from the brilliant solar whereas exploring the town.
- Sunscreen. At all times apply sunscreen to keep away from sunburn, particularly when strolling round for an prolonged period of time or when enjoyable within the parks.
- Gentle jacket or sweater. Though it’s scorching, air-conditioned areas like eating places, shops, or museums could be chilly.
- Backpack or crossbody bag. A light-weight, easy-to-carry bag to retailer necessities. Put on your backpack in your entrance in crowded areas.
- A small umbrella or rain jacket. Summer season in NYC can deliver occasional showers, so be ready simply in case.
When is summertime in New York Metropolis?
You is likely to be questioning when summer season in NYC really begins and finishes. Summer season begins in June and extends till the top of August, however count on heat climate to proceed into September.
The most popular month in NYC is July, which might attain highs of 84.2°F (29°C), however due to the excessive rise buildings providing a mirror-like impact, and trapping air circulate on the streets, it may possibly usually really feel a lot hotter.
Typically, temperatures in NYC summers could be too scorching to discover outdoors within the warmth of the day, so individuals favor to chill off at indoor points of interest akin to New York Public Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Artwork, the NYC Aquarium, and the department stores and buying facilities.
Remaining Ideas
So there you have got it, these are some distinctive methods to take in a summer time within the Massive Apple!
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for sporting occasions, picnic spots, locations to flee the warmth, or simply one thing completely different to do, we hope this information gave you some inspiration for issues to do in NYC in summer time.
Extra New York Metropolis Journey Suggestions
Want extra inspiration for a visit to NYC? These different guides could assist!
Excursions of New York Metropolis
Save It On Pinterest
What issues are you most trying to do in New York in the summertime? Tell us within the feedback.