This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.
If you’re planning a New York summer, then you’re going to want to go in prepared, otherwise you’ll find yourself standing in long queues, exhausted by the heat, and frustrated by all the people.
New York City during the summer can be incredibly hot and humid, plus it’s considered the high season so you can expect higher prices and large crowds.
Don’t fret though, as you can still have an enjoyable trip!
Summer also brings with it dry weather and popular festivals – such as NYC Pride, Tribeca Film Festival, Shakespeare In The Park, and closing the summer with Electric Zoo Festival.
If you’re not a cold weather person and like the feel of the sun on your skin, picnics in the park, sidewalk cafes, beer gardens, rooftop bars, and bike riding around town, then keep reading for some unique ways to spend summer in NYC.
Ways to enjoy New York City in the summer
1. Enjoy a New York cafe with a garden
I remember cafe bumming to keep warm from the icy rain and the snowfalls in the winter, but in the summer, this is the way to go when you need to cool down.
Imagine sitting in a spacious cafe with a shaded garden, flicking through the morning newspaper or indulging in a book, and watching the world go by under the shade of the trees.
Some of my favorite cafes with outdoor seating and a garden are Bryant Park Café, The Oasis Cafe in Flushing, and Book Club Bar in East Village.
If the heat doesn’t bother you, grab a takeaway coffee and a blueberry bagel and check out Washington Square or a wander around the beautiful streets of West Village.
2. Watch a FREE award-winning Shakespeare in the Park play, Central Park
Central Park is one of the most iconic destinations in NYC and no trip would be complete without wandering around this expansive urban park.
During summer time, one of the most unique things you can do in Central Park is watch a Shakespeare in the Park performance at the Delacorte Theater.
Every summer, the theater has been putting on productions for FREE, and have even seen some world famous actors and actresses perform.
James Earl Jones was once said to have starred in Othello, and Meryl Streep took part in The Taming of the Shrew.
In 2025, the newly renovated Delacorte Theater will open again (it was closed in 2024), so expect it to be busy this year. The show taking place this summer is Twelfth Night and runs from August 7th to September 14th.
It also has a standout cast such as Peter Dinklage, Lupita Nyong’o, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Sandra Oh.
Tickets can be found by either of the following ways:
As well as watch Shakespeare in the park, you can do the usual Central Park activities such as stroll along the pathways and admire the lakes, rest in the pavilions, and watch the squirrels at play.
Maybe take a horse-drawn carriage ride, row around the lake, or bike your way around arguably the most famous city park in the world.
3. Watch a free show in Riverside Park
If you don’t get tickets for the iconic Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park, then you can still catch a free show in NYC – you don’t need to pay for a Broadway Show to enjoy the theater – just head to Riverside Park.
This year, the Hudson Classical Theater Company will perform various shows by the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park.
In June, they will be performing several showings of Julius Caesar by Shakespeare, and in July they will be putting on a production of Sense and Sensibility.
4. Take a Circle Line Cruise around Manhattan Island
A great way to see the Manhattan cityscape is on a cruise around Manhattan Island.
The Circle Line cruises take just 2.5 hours and passes by several of the city’s most iconic monuments, such as The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Brooklyn Bridge.
On a hot summer’s day, it’s nearly unbarably hot using the subway in New York, and getting from A to B to see all these attractions with crowds of people is so stressful anyone would just give up and go home.
The cruise not only allows you to tick off seeing many of the city’s top attractions, but it’s also air conditioned on the inside, and has an open top deck where you can cool off in the sea breeze.
Sit back and relax and take in the scenic views of Little Island, Hudson Yards, One World Trade Center, downtown Brooklyn, Yankee Stadium, and the George Washington Bridge.
Drinks, sailing, a sunset, the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty – count me in!
Check out Manhattan cruises here. If you just want to see the Statue of Liberty, you can also take the Staten Island Ferry.
5. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
You just have to set foot on this famous landmark, no matter what time of year you visit.
In the day time, it will be hot and lacking of shade, but in late afternoon it’s the most divine sight as it’s lit up in the soft balm of the setting sun.
At night, the city lights illuminate the bridge, creating a spectacle unlike anything else.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is also a great place to go for views of the bridge. It has also become a popular urban playground after a project transformed a chunk of the Brooklyn waterfront into a nearly 85-acre expanse.
It now features unique attractions such as a restored 1920s merry-go-round and riverside esplanades with gorgeous Manhattan views.
6. Walk the New York City High Line
The Highline is a 1.45 mile section of a former elevated train track and now known as a thriving urban park in the sky.
The New York High Line has lots of plant life and lush lawns to relax on.
It runs from the Meatpacking District to Midtown and has great views of the city and the Hudson River.
7. Bike the city of New York
Biking in New York City might sound daunting, I know, but I like biking as a way to explore a city and if I can cycle around Saigon in Vietnam, I can do it in New York.
Citi Bike is New York City’s bike sharing system and I’d like to navigate the streets of NYC on two wheels, take on some of the 700 miles of bike paths such as over the Brooklyn Bridge, around Central Park, the Coney Island boardwalk, or the Hudson River Park Bikeway.
You can also hire bikes online here or take a bike tour of Central Park. A bike ride is a great way to explore Central Park since it’s so huge.
8. Check out Union Square Farmers Market
I love a good farmers market for picking up fresh supplies for a picnic in the park, and the world-famous Union Square Greenmarket is awesome. It’s open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday’s in the summer.
Just thinking about the healthy/fresh/organic/delicious treats and the cheese, wine, and fresh produce available makes me hungry.
I hear they also sell a lot of sugar-free and vegan baked goods and the prices are very reasonable for NYC.
Right near here is Thompkins Bagels where Kalyra and i visited on our weekend getaway to New York – they are delicious and they have gluten free! We ate them in Union Square.
9. Admire views from Top of the Rock, New York
Ok, so Top of The Rock isn’t the most unique thing to do but it’s possibly our favorite view of NYC from the observation deck, so I can’t not mention it in this guide.
We went to the observation deck at the Empire State Building, which is also a must do once in your life, but going to the Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Center offers 360º views of NYC.
It also has shorter lines and a better view of Central Park. I’ll see you there for sunset.
10. Enjoy movie nights under the stars
If Shakespeare in the Park sounds too high brow for you, then another great outdoor entertainment option is Movie in the Park.
Each summer, Bryant Park holds its summer film festival, and has free movies under the stars in its outdoor cinemas in the evenings.
You can watch cult classics like Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting and The Godfather, or you can watch a classic flicks such as Kinky Boots.
11. Hit the New York Rooftop Bars and Beer Gardens
When night falls and the temperature cools, head to a rooftop bar for incredible views and breezes from the balcony.
Some of the most popular rooftop bars in NYC are Met Roof Garden Cafe & Martini Bar, which is known for its panoramic views over Central Park and Manhattan.
Ulysses Folk House down by Battery Park has an outdoor patio that’s open during the summer months, and a more unique place to drink is The Frying Pan, which is an old boat on the Hudson River.
Check out more spectacular bars in New York.
12. Picnic in the park
It wouldn’t be a New York summer without a picnic in a park. This is pretty much how most locals spend their free times when the weather gets hot!
I couldn’t think of a better way to escape the concrete jungle and hustle and bustle of NYC than to throw a picnic blanket on the grass, kick off your shoes and enjoy some nibbles and a bottle of wine and breathe in the silence.
Of course, most people would think of Central Park, and I would suggest to have a picnic in Sheep Meadow if you’re looking for a picnic spot there.
But I would also recommend a visit to Picnic Point on Governors Island via a free ferry and relax in hammocks with incredible views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.
There’s also Battery Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Hudson River Park, which have lovely lawns for a picnic.
13. Watch one of NYC’s free concerts
As well as free cinema in the park events, you can also enjoy some free music festivals and events throughout the summer.
Again, they are usually held in parks because they have the space, and nearly every park has something happening.
Watch an opera, classical music, jazz bands, and picnic performances at Bryant Park Stage, an orchestra in Conference House Park, or catch local and indie artists performing at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park or free live music in Damrosch Park.
The New York Philharmonic Concerts take place in parks in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens throughout the summer.
You can view free music events in NYC here.
14. Watch a New York Yankee’s Game
We love watching a sporting match whenever we visit a city, and if you fancy an evening of baseball games, go and cheer on the New York Yankees!
The energy of a Yankee’s game is unmatched, and games usually start around 7pm at night to the temperatures are a bit cooler.
Check out the full NYC Yankee’s calendar here!
15. Check out Summer for the City at Lincoln Center
Throughout the summer months, you can take part in free or “pay what you can” dances, ballet classes, and workshops at Lincoln Center.
In the evening, join hundreds of people as they dance under the iconic 10 foot disco ball, or reserve your place at one of the dance lessons. See the full events calendar here.
They also have dance with a story classes for kids.
16. Ride the rides at Luna Park or Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
A summer activity you can do if you’re visiting with kids is to go to the amusement parks on Coney Island; Luna Park or Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.
With the warm breeze and the sun shining, it’s the perfect time of year to feel the rush of adrenaline on classic roller coasters with views of the harbor.
Coney Island has an amazing vibe in the summer. With the smell of cotton candy wafting along the boardwalk and the sounds of screams and cheers from the parks, as well as the coastline views, it’s the perfect nostalgic way to spend a day.
What to wear for summertime in New York City?
You might be wondering what to pack in your suitcase and what to wear when visiting NYC in the summer. Here’s what we recommend:
- Lightweight, breathable clothing such as cotton, linen, or moisture-wicking fabrics.
- Comfortable walking shoes. NYC is best explored on foot, so wear sneakers, comfortable sandals such as Birkenstocks, or lightweight shoes.
- Sunglasses. Protect your eyes from the bright sun while exploring the city.
- Sunscreen. Always apply sunscreen to avoid sunburn, especially when walking around for an extended amount of time or when relaxing in the parks.
- Light jacket or sweater. Although it’s hot, air-conditioned spaces like restaurants, stores, or museums can be chilly.
- Backpack or crossbody bag. A lightweight, easy-to-carry bag to store essentials. Wear your backpack on your front in crowded areas.
- A small umbrella or rain jacket. Summer in NYC can bring occasional showers, so be prepared just in case.
When is summertime in New York City?
You might be wondering when summer time in NYC actually starts and finishes. Summer begins in June and extends until the end of August, but expect warm weather to continue into September.
The hottest month in NYC is July, which can reach highs of 84.2°F (29°C), but because of the high rise buildings offering a mirror-like effect, and trapping air flow on the streets, it can often feel much hotter.
Often, temperatures in NYC summers can be too hot to explore outside in the heat of the day, so people prefer to cool off at indoor attractions such as New York Public Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the NYC Aquarium, and the malls and shopping centers.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, those are some unique ways to soak up a summer in the Big Apple!
Whether you’re looking for sporting events, picnic spots, places to escape the heat, or just something different to do, we hope this guide gave you some inspiration for things to do in NYC in summer.
More New York City Travel Tips
Need more inspiration for a trip to NYC? These other guides may help!
Tours of New York City
Save It On Pinterest
What things are you most looking to do in New York in the summer? Let us know in the comments.
