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There’s always something to do in New York City, but summer in NYC just seems to bring out the best in the city. It may be hot, but so are the parties, performances, and so much more. Plus, you can always cool down at NYC’s beaches!
Planning a trip to NYC this summer and wondering what to do? Or maybe you’re just overwhelmed by all the possibilities. Well, I’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in NYC in the summer to help you put together your best itinerary. Pick from these NYC summer events and activities, and you’re bound to have an amazing trip.
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1. Catch Shakespeare in the Park
New York City in the summer marks the return of one of Central Park’s best pastimes: Shakespeare in the Park. This NYC summer tradition is held over at the park’s Delacorte Theater, where you’ll find free performances of classic Shakespeare plays, often with unique twists thrown in. Performances typically run from early June through August.
2. Enjoy a free performance at Bryant Park
If you’re looking for more fun, free things to do in New York City in the summer, head over to Bryant Park, where you’ll find the Bryant Park Picnic Performances. During this festival, which runs from June through September, you’ll discover incredible collaborations from some of NYC’s most prominent cultural institutions.
Whether you’re a fan of opera, a contemporary dance lover, or a fan of any other kind of performance art, you’ll likely find it here.
3. Head over to the Little Island for Summer Season
Over on the Hudson River is a little island, fittingly called Little Island. This island is one of the newest public parks in the city and is home to one of the best things to do in NYC in summer!
Throughout the summer, Little Island plays host to its Summer Season, an event series featuring free shows put on by some of NYC’s best and brightest. Not only do you get to enjoy the show, but you also can revel in the incredible location featuring fantastic city views.
4. Experience Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City
One of the best parts of summer in New York City is the way that the city offers so many ways to enjoy the arts and culture of NYC for free, like Lincoln Center’s annual Summer for the City! Throughout Summer for the City, which typically runs from mid-June through mid-August, you’ll find hundreds of free things to do.
Enjoy week-long celebrations that dive into diverse cultures, check out classics played by some of the city’s most incredible orchestras, and so much more.
5. Jam out at the Governors Ball Music Festival
There’s always a party happening in NYC, especially in the summer. But one of the best parties and best summer events in NYC is the Governors Ball Music Festival. For three days in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, you’ll rock out to live music from all different genres. From R&B to rock and everything in between, this festival features more than 60 artists across three stages, making for one massive celebration of sound.
6. Take a trip to the Cloisters
In the summer, you’ll find that the usually crowded museums and landmarks in the city, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, tend to get even more congested. So, go a little off the beaten path by visiting the Met’s sister site, the Met Cloisters in Washington Heights.
The Cloisters are based in an architectural marvel inspired by the Middle Ages, with an open courtyard filled with greenery. Inside, you’ll find more than 5,000 pieces of art and artifacts that will take you back to the medieval era.
7. See a free show at SummerStage NYC
SummerStage NYC isn’t just another of the best free things to do in NYC in summer. It’s actually 80 of the best free summer events in NYC!
From June through October, the Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage hosts nearly 80 free or benefit concerts across 13 parks. No matter which of the boroughs you find yourself in, you’ll likely stumble upon a SummerStage concert there.
8. Chow down at Smorgasburg
Summer means sunny days perfect for wandering around and sampling all there is at Smorgasburg, an outdoor food market featuring hundreds of vendors. Throughout summer, you’ll find Smorgasburg at three locations around NYC: the World Trade Center location on Fridays, Williamsburg on Saturdays, and Prospect Park on Sundays.
Whether you’re in the mood for maple lemonade, macarons, or mozzarella sticks, you’ll find all that and so much more.
9. Spend the day at Coney Island
Coney Island is home to one of the most fun things to do in the summer in NYC: Luna Park. This beloved amusem*nt park is where you’ll find long-loved rides like the iconic Cyclone. It’s a perfect place to spend a summer day.
Summer in NYC also marks the return of historic celebrations, like the annual Mermaid Parade. This event takes place in June and is the US’s largest art parade.
10. Bask in the sand during a beach day
If you tend not to leave Manhattan during your NYC summer trips, you’ll miss out on the city’s many beaches. All of the other boroughs are home to beaches, from Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach to Queens’ Rockaway Beach. You may not think of a beach day as being one of the best things to do in NYC, but the city provides plenty of soft sand and blue water to relax on a sunny day.
11. Dine your way through NYC’s many night markets
Smorgasburg isn’t your only opportunity to experience the many flavors of the city in the summer. One of the best NYC summer activities is munching your way through the city’s many night markets.
The Bronx Night Market runs every first Saturday of the month in summer, the Uptown Night Market in Harlem on the second Thursday, and the Queens Night Market every Saturday. For vegan eaters, one of the newest night markets is the Vegan Night Market in Central Park, which runs every first Tuesday.
12. Catch Manhattanhenge
For one of the most unique things to do in NYC in summer, head to Manhattan to marvel at Manhattanhenge. This twice-yearly natural phenomenon sees the sun align perfectly with the Manhattan streets. The dates for Manhattanhenge change yearly, but they typically happen in the lead-up to the summer solstice.
13. Take yourself out to the ballgame
If you’re a Major League Baseball fan, one of the best NYC summer activities is heading to the ballpark. NYC is home to two teams: the Yankees and the Mets.
But if you want to enjoy a memorable game featuring both teams, there’s a series of games that happens every summer called the Subway Series. See this long-held rivalry in person during these always-exciting games!
14. Have fun during Summer on the Hudson
Over in Riverside Park is one of the best New York City summer activities, Summer on the Hudson. Throughout the summer, you’ll find this annual outdoor arts and culture festival featuring all sorts of different things to do, including dance parties, kid-centric shows, wellness classes, and much more, keeping you busy all summer long. The best part? It’s all free!
15. Dine out during NYC Restaurant Week
Summer in NYC means plenty of daylight to wander the city streets looking to take a bite out of the Big Apple. Thankfully, New York City brings about the return of NYC Restaurant Week. Happening twice a year, one in winter and the other in summer, NYC Restaurant Week offers you deals for more than 600 eateries around the city.
But that’s not all you’ll get. Keep your eyes peeled for the return of Restaurant Week. The celebration also marks the return of even more discounts throughout the city, including on Broadway shows, tours, and museums.
There you have it! The 15 best things to do in NYC in the summer. What’s your favorite?
Jacqueline Gualtieri Jacqueline is a writer and editor pursuing the freelance life to explore the world. Born and raised in New Jersey, she spent her college years in Boston before settling down with her partner and puppy in Monterey, California. When she’s not writing, you can often find her planning her next trip. Road trips are her favorite, whether it’s driving across the country or simply exploring a new city in her own backyard. She loves uncovering the history of every new place she goes. Jacqueline has a restless passion for learning and makes it a goal to pick up a new skill every year. She’s picked up embroidery, crocheting, knitting, and cross-stitching, but she’s hoping to master more languages to help her in her travels. She’s also a published author, with short stories and poetry appearing in several anthologies. View all posts
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