As a dangerous heat dome blankets New York City with sweltering temperatures and relentless humidity, staying cool is becoming a necessity—not a luxury.
Fortunately, NYC has several city-approved ways to beat the heat—and yes, this even includes jumping in many of the city’s fountains!
Beyond that, though, when NYC experiences 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.
The city has also expanded its network of cooling centers in response to the ongoing heat emergency, giving New Yorkers even more places to escape the dangerous temperatures.
And with the summer 2026 forecast set to bring a “volatile mix” of historic heat, severe thunderstorms, & relentless 90º days to NYC, knowing where to cool off will be more important than ever.
Lucky for us, the city put together an easy-to-use interactive map that lists all of NYC’s cooling centers.
How to find the nearest NYC cooling center
Using NYC’s cooling center map is easy—just enter your current address (or wherever you’ll be), and the map will instantly show the nearest places to cool off.
You can also filter results to display only accessible or pet-friendly cooling centers if needed (service animals are always welcome).
Because cooling center hours and locations can change daily, it’s a good idea to check the map before heading out to make sure your chosen location is open. You can find the map online here.
Other ways to beat the heat in NYC
Beyond cooling centers, there are plenty of other ways to stay safe when temperatures soar:
- 🏊 Cool off at one of NYC’s free public pools, which are open throughout the summer
- 🚒 Have the FDNY open a fire hydrant on your block—you can ask at your local firehouse to have a hydrant fitted with a spray cap and opened for recreational use
- 🍦 Take a break with a cold treat at one of NYC’s many ice cream shops
- 💧 Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty
- ☀️ Limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, typically from late morning through the afternoon
- ❄️ If you don’t have air conditioning at home, you may qualify for a free AC unit or fan. New York’s Summer Cooling Assistance Program can cover the full cost of a new air conditioner, installation, and labor for eligible households
(Though it’s still a few summers away, NYC renters can look forward to a major change: by 2030, most landlords will be required to provide air conditioning in apartments under a new city law.)
For more ways to stay safe during extreme heat, check out NYC’s Beat the Heat guide for official heat safety recommendations.