80 Spectacular Things To Do In New York City This June
Forget about the solstice, come June 1st New York summer has practically begun!
Though summer officially begins at the end of June, there are plenty of warm weather activities already taking place. Not to mention, it’s Pride Month! So get ready for a fun-filled June, packed with plenty of fantastic events that will be popping up all month long. Here are 80 of our favorites:
1. Head to the Upside Down in this immersive Stranger Things Experience
Get on your spandex, set that bouffant, and get ready for a nostalgic journey into 1985 Hawkins. The Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn Navy Yard has now become a portal to an immersive Stranger Things mini-verse, filled with epic audiovisual sets, supernatural mysteries, and pulse-racing encounters that bring the cult TV sensation to life. Get your tickets now!
2. Check out the expansive new Arts District heading to Brooklyn
Coming to Brooklyn’s Greenpoint area, this new arts hub is putting on globally recognized experiences, and will feature the US premiere of the installation “Limitless AI” by artists Ferdi & Eylul Alici – designed to expand your imagination and fuel your curiosity. Get your tickets here!
3. Show your Pride at the Pride March
June is Pride Month and that means there will be plenty of opportunities to support the community! With the official 2022 theme “Unapologetically Us,” this year’s march will take place on Sunday, June 26th. Learn more here.
And for more Pride events and fundraisers across NYC, check out our full roundup here!
4-7. Listen to enchanting music by candlelight in beautiful NYC spaces
Hear everything from classical masterpieces to current day tracks in a stunning candlelit venue. These are some of our favorites below:
8. Take part in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is celebrating its 65th anniversary with a series of public events leading up to the culmination of the Parade on the Sunday, June 12. Celebrating and honoring the Puerto Rican leaders, educators, artists and celebrities that have left a cultural footprint on the nation, the event is back in person on Fifth Ave after two years of being canceled due to COVID-19! Learn more here.
9. Grab your tickets to the new exhibit Banksy: Building Castles in the Sky
Banksy: Building Castles in the Sky will give viewers an incredible look at the elusive artist, from when he first appeared on the scene 20 years ago to a closer look at his work from “Dismaland.” The one-of-a-kind exhibit will feature over 100 original and verified Banksy pieces, like Banksy of England banknotes, posters, rare t-shirt and vinyl cover designs, sculptures, and more! Get your tickets now!
10. Enjoy panoramic views of NYC at this Rooftop Rosé Festival
Rooftop Rosé Festival is a wine and champagne festival that will take place at New York’s largest outdoor rooftop garden and a fully-enclosed penthouse lounge, and it’s happening every third Saturday this summer! Enjoy unlimited Rosé, Champagne, and light bites, while a DJ helps you boogie down. Get your tickets here!
11. Pose on the iconic orange couch at NYC’s The FRIENDS Experience
Enter into the classic NYC sitcom like never before at The FRIENDS Experience. Take a load off on the iconic orange couch, order a coffee from Central Perk, and even take a seat at Monica & Rachel’s kitchen table. There’s tons of memorable set recreations, costumes, and props to explore. Buy your tickets today!
12. Head to a galaxy far away at the largest fan-made Star Wars exhibition
This unique Star Wars exhibition features more than 600 official items from the Star Wars Universe collected by fans and displayed for fans. Stand next to replicas of your favorite characters and see iconic movie recreations. Get your tickets here.
13. Go on a theatrical journey at MoonRise
Moonrise uses Rigolo’s signature high-level “nouveau cirque” acts — which combine dance, acrobatics, theater, music, and visual arts — to take you on a magical astrological journey showcasing the stories of the 13 moon goddesses. Get your tickets here or check out the newest experiences: The Lunar Cocktail Experience which will enchant you with uniquely crafted cocktails served by ancient moon goddesses, or Birds of Paradise, which will transport you to a tropical island with music, dancing and art.
14-15. Enjoy a concert under the stars
This concert series under the stars is providing the ultimate vibes this summer. Take in unique vintage sounds in beautiful star-lit venues, featuring NYC’s best musical talents atop incredible rooftop spaces.
- Enjoy a classic cocktail and “those little town blues” with Sinatra
- Or be swept away by a cozy evening of Brazilian Jazz
16. Test your teamwork skills at this live game show experience
Game of 1000 Boxes is a never-before-seen one hour long show that will test your social strategy, reaction time, useless knowledge, puzzle-solving skills, and ultimately — your pure cosmic luck! Guided by a live host, teams of 4 compete in a series of high-energy party games that are sure to get your adrenaline pumping. Get your tickets here!
17. Experience Andy Warhol like you never have before
Bated Breath Theatre Company’s Chasing Andy Warhol is an immersive walking tour production, transporting you into the imagined world of the most influential artist of the 20th century. In Chasing Andy Warhol, you’re a part of the production! Through a blend of immersive theater, dance, film, art, and puppetry, you’ll become a full-fledged part of Bated Breath Theatre’s spectacular adventure. Get your tickets here.
18. Read up on Juneteenth
Juneteenth (a.k.a. Freedom Day) marks the end of enslavement of people of African descent in the United States, which happened on June 19, 1865. In 2020, Former Governor Cuomo declared the date an official state holiday, followed by NYC schools. Learn more about Juneteenth here.
19-23. Join in the celebrations for Juneteenth
See how you can celebrate Juneteenth this month all across NYC with the events listed below:
- Enjoy The Bell House’s variety show of comedians, storytellers, (whatever!) featuring Black/POC performers
- Check out the 13th annual virtual summit, festival, and concert
- Head to Seneca Village in Central Park—a predominantly Black community that existed where Central Park stands today
- Celebrate Black liberation and creativity at the Brooklyn Museum
- Check out the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music for a Juneteenth celebration
24. Surround yourself in color at the Meatpacking District’s massive floral festival
The L.E.A.F Flower Show is returning to the Meatpacking District and showering the neighborhood in over one million flowers for a second year. The festival will run Friday, June 10th – Sunday, June 12th. Learn more here.
25. See the new Northwest Coast Hall at the American Museum of Natural History
The AMNH’s Northwest Coast Hall has finally reopened in the Museum’s oldest gallery and is showcasing “the creativity, scholarship, and history of the living cultures of the Pacific Northwest,” featuring more than 1,000 “cultural treasures,” many with a 360° display view. Read more here.
26. Cool down in a pool with a view
There are several hotels and rooftop pools that you can visit with a day pass or membership that might be worth getting for the summer. They’re the perfect way to stay cool while also enjoying gorgeous views of NYC. Check out some of our recs here.
27. Visit NYC’s first-ever floating park ‘Little Island’ for their second summer season
The city’s only floating park Little Island just announced the return of its summer performances starting Thursday, June 16. The summer-long programming will be the culmination of festivals highlighting music, dance and storytelling. Check out their second summer season lineup here.
28. Boogie down at Lincoln Center’s new massive dance floor
Lincoln Center’s iconic plaza is transforming into a massive dance floor this month called “The Oasis,” and it opens June 1! This will be NYC’s largest outdoor dance floor—complete with a giant 10-foot disco ball and lots of mirrors so New York dancing queens will be reflected all around the space as they jive! Learn more here.
29. See a free outdoor movie at Bryant Park
Always a warm-weather staple in NYC, the free sunset movies at Bryant Park will return once again. This year’s showing will feature 10 films over the course of the season, chosen in collaboration with NY Mag’s Vulture. The movie nights are sponsored by Paramount+. Learn more here.
30. Travel back to the 20s at the Jazz Age Lawn Party
The Jazz Age Lawn Party has been consistently selected by the New York Times as one of the year’s most memorable events. This gathering features a pop-up beer garden, dance lessons, a 1920s motor car exhibition, pie contests, musical performances, and more! Get your tickets here!
31-33. Celebrate World Bicycle Day (June 3rd)
There’s nothing like getting some fresh air during the warmer months in the city so don’t forget to enjoy the outdoors every once in a while! With World Bicycle Day this month, there’s no better time than now to get back into the cycle of exercising.
- Bike around Central Park
- Or on the Brooklyn Bridge
- Even on the Hudson River Greenway
34. Pack your schedule with all the free concerts coming to NYC this summer
Thanks to all of our fantastic Parks, New Yorkers have plenty of choices for where to spend time outdoors during the warm weather months, like enjoying incredible music performances in NYC Parks this summer all for free! From Bryant Park to Hudson River Park to Hudson Yards, the options are seemingly endless. Check out a roundup of free summer concerts here.
35-38. Enjoy the perfect outdoor brunch with friends
Among rent controlled apartments and cheap slices, brunch makes the list of New Yorker favorites! And there’s no better way to spend a warm weekend than with an outdoor brunch with your besties. Some of our recs are below, but you can find the rest of them here.
- Golden Diner, Chinatown
- Juliette, Williamsburg
- Mom’s Kitchen & Bar, Astoria
- Bronx Alehouse
39-40. Do something special for dad on Father’s Day
With Father’s Day just around the corner, coming up with a plan can seem daunting. But, when in doubt, you can never go wrong with a delicious meal and some drinks.
- Give your dad a break from being the grill master with Korean BBQ
- Or pair some cold beers with a big, juicy burger
41-45. Take in skyline views at these stunning rooftops
Nothing beats a drink in hand and a skyline in sight. Here are some of our favorites:
- Experience a backyard vibe at The Ready
- Escape to the Hamptons right in the city at this beachy-themed bar
- Dine on Eataly’s rooftop and see their season decor
- Admire all the floral installations at Ampia Rooftop
- Sip on cocktails at Overstory in the Financial District
Check the entire list here and adventure to one of these fantastic rooftops across the city for the most unbeatable scenery and not to mention, refreshing cocktails!
46. See pianist David Helfgott’s farewell concert at Carnegie Hall
Incredible pianist David Helfgott will be playing his last concert this June at Carnegie Hall. The masterful musician who has been playing since the age of 5 was diagnosed with schizophrenic disorder that required 12 years of treatment. Helfgott continued to defy all obstacles and even inspired the 1996 film “Shine.” You don’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime concert. See more here!
47. Enter the world of The Walking Dead at its new Queens exhibit
The Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) in Astoria, Queens and AMC Networks are partnering to create an epic exhibit highlighting the hit zombie TV show The Walking Dead as it nears its final season! The exhibit, called “Living with the Walking Dead,” will run from June 25 – January 1, 2023. See here to learn more and snag a ticket.
48. Relax at NYC’s beloved seasonal restaurant and beach club Gitano Island
Gitano is opening this month in a brand new, on-brand location. Once called “Gitano Garden of Love” and located in SoHo for the past four years, the Mexican-inspired escape will reopen this year on Governors Island instead with the new name “Gitano Island.” Learn more here.
49. Get your shopping done at NoMad’s newest Whole Foods
At a whopping 54,000 square feet, NYC’s newest Whole Foods will feature more than 1,000 carefully-selected local products plus a Café Grumpy coffee bar and the bar/restaurant “NoMad 63” by Whole Foods Market! Besides all the grocery items, it also includes a quick-service Mediterranean venue called Za’atar. Learn more here.
50-51. Check out some of NYC’s newest speakeasies
There’s something about having a drink in a speakeasy that blows the experience of having a drink in a regular bar straight out of the water. Some of of favs include:
Some more good ones can be found here.
52. Ride a 1940s train from with breathtaking views of the Hudson River
The 20th Century Limited train, which premiered in 1948 and was once known as “The Most Famous Train in the World,” is returning to NYC this June. This rare journey will allow all foodies, day trippers, and history buffs to experience a unique excursion on vintage locomotives more than 80 years old on select dates between June 3 and June 26. Learn more here.
53-56. Skate around NYC’s newest roller skating rinks
Summer 2022 is shaping up to be one groovy season as some new roller skating rinks are taking over the city! Grab your skates and get your groove on at these four spots:
- The DiscOasis – Central Park’s Wollman Rink
- Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace – Rockefeller Center
- A ’60s Mod-Inspired Roller Rink – The High Line
- ‘Roll-A-Rama’ at the Runway Rink – TWA Hotel, JFK
57-59. Taste international fare at outdoor food markets
With warm weather comes nights spent outdoors, and there’s no better way to celebrate some of the city’s most delicious food than at one of its beloved markets. Some of our favs are:
60-63. Enjoy happy hour with friends
Celebrate everyone’s favorite hour with incredible happy hour deals all across the city. Let’s be honest, there’s not much New Yorkers like more than cheap drinks! Definitely check out our favorites like:
- The Mermaid Inn for $1.25 East Coast oysters & select $6 beers
- Villanelle for delicious beer, wine, & cocktails for only $9
- Lido for cheap drinks and tasty bites
- Gray Mare for $5 app options to go with your drink
64. Participate in the Lower East Side’s LGBTQ+ book crawl
Last year was the Lower East Side’s first annual book crawl and, due to its success, it’s returning this year with a focus on the LGBTQ+ community! The LES Book Crawl is returning on Saturday, June 11 and it’s filled with incredible discounts, free drinks, and awesome giveaways. Read all about it here.
65. Enjoy free outdoor screenings at Pier 57’s new rooftop park
The 2022 Tribeca Festival is hosting screenings of world premieres and classic films at no cost from June 8 – June 19 at Pier 57’s new rooftop park. Throughout the programming, film selections will reflect themes surrounding Juneteenth, LGBTQ+, LatinX, the environment, and more! Learn more here.
66. Get your tan on at the beach!
The weather is finally looking up. And with that in mind, it’s time to start working on that summer tan and soaking in all of the vitamin D. Check out the 10 best beaches in NYC.
67. Hit up Coney Island’s Luna Park
Whether it’s Luna Park or Deno’s WonderWheel Amusement Park, take a day trip to Coney Island for some exhilarating coasters and other exciting rides!
68. Kayak for free at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday (family sessions only) through the end of August this summer you’ll be able to walk up to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse Pier 2 for free kayaking. The sessions only run for 20 minutes but the views are worth it and at the end of the day, it’s a free activity! So why not? Learn more here.
69. Catch the return of SummerStage after their two-year hiatus
Just shortly after all the Memorial Day festivities are over, SummerStage will kick off the summer season with their opening night on Saturday, June 11. The lineup for the season will include notable performances by renowned and local artists from around the world in a variety of genres spanning salsa, jazz, hip-hop, indie, reggae, and more. Read more here.
70. Watch a movie at Astoria Park Lawn
Catch a showing of Spider-Man: No Way Home in Astoria Park on Friday, June 3 from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. in part for Movies Under the Stars. Simply sit back, relax, and enjoy. Find more information here.
71-75. Enjoy waterfront dining for delicious food and incredible views
From eating on historic boats with insane views of the sunset to checking out secluded seafood hotspots on NYC’s smaller surrounding islands, these are some of our favorite spots for a breezy cocktail and bites.
- Grand Banks, Pier 25 in Tribeca
- Baylander Steel Beach, Harlem
- The Frying Pan, Pier 66 in Chelsea
- Anable Basin, Long Island City
- Johnny’s Reef, City Island, The Bronx
76-79. Dine al-fresco in a low-key hidden spot
As the weather warms the city, it’s time for enjoying all of the incredible outdoor dining setups all summer long. If you want to avoid the crowds and have a secluded dining experience in peace, you’ll want to add these spots to your list:
- Blume, UES
- Terrace at Cathédrale Restaurant, East Village
- sek’ənd sun, Astoria
- Milk and Roses, Greenpoint
80. Take yoga in the park
Bryant park is returning their yoga in the park twice a week for the first time since pre-pandemic! Whether you’re an experienced yogi or have never taken a class, it’s an experience for everyone! Reserve your spot now because the classes fill up fast.
Also published on Medium.