Bad news New Yorkers: though the summer solstice, or first day of summer, has officially arrived as of today, it’s unfortunately bringing with it a brutal heat wave with 100º+ temperatures, high humidity, and dangerous conditions. So New Yorkers are certainly in need to find somewhere to cool down…fast.
Luckily, there are some city-approved ways for keeping New Yorkers safe and cool during the heat–and yes, this even includes jumping in NYC’s fountains!
Beyond that, though, when NYC goes through a heatwave, the city opens cooling centers; air-conditioned locations where the public can find some respite from the high temperatures and suffocating humidity. These centers include everywhere from libraries and senior centers to school buildings and community centers.
And with the heat wave gearing up to bring record-breaking temperatures and one of the hottest days of the year so far to NYC next week, New Yorkers are urged to stay cool indoors as much as possible. Lucky for us, the city put together a handy interactive map that lists all of NYC’s cooling centers.
To use it, just simply type where you are and it will find the closest cooling centers to you. You can also filter the search by “Accessible Only” and “Pet Friendly” if needed. You can find the map online here. It’s important to note that the site changes daily based on open hours, so be sure to check out the map before you head to one.
Some other ways ways to beat the heat include the following:
- Take a dip in one of NYC’s free public pools
- Have FDNY open a fire hydrant for you–request it here
- Get some ice cream
- Stay hydrated
- Minimize physical exertion during the midday and afternoon hours when temperatures are at their highest
Find more ways on how to stay cool during a NYC heat wave here. You can also check out NYC’s Beat the Heat, an instructive guide for New Yorkers to navigate extreme heat this summer.
And don’t forget NYC’s Cooling Assistance benefit is helping New Yorkers stay cool this summer with financial aid for a new AC unit or fan.