With the summer solstice very quickly approaching, July will offer plenty of opportunities to soak in the sun and hang by the water before the brutal heat of August kicks in.
Check out glorious rooftops, cool off at beaches and pools, traipse through fields of sunflowers and lavender (ok, those are a bit outside of NYC!), and much more with our recommendations of things to do this month:
1. Escape to another (& more colorful) dimension at Bubble Planet
Surround yourself with hundreds of bubbles through 10 mesmerizing bubble-themed rooms at Bubble Planet. After touring cities like Milan, London, and LA, Bubble Planet has floated its way towards NYC to help you unleash your inner child, and you don’t want to miss out! Get tickets here. Plus, kids under 4 get in free!
2. Enjoy a free music-filled beach fest
Grab your sunscreen and get ready to dig your toes in the sand because the Seaport Beach Fest is making its return and it’s bringing with it tasty bites, live performances, DJ sets, and more! It all goes down Fourth of July weekend, from July 4th through 7th, and you can read all about it here.
3. Believe in Magic Again at “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”
Embark on a spellbinding journey at “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Broadway this summer. Join Harry and his son for a new adventure through time, filled with spectacular spells and epic fiery battles. Get closer to the magic than ever before at the Lyric Theatre (214 W 43rd St.), where you can also enjoy Butterbeer, themed snacks, and exclusive merchandise. Grab your tickets now before they disappear!
4. Explore an incredible 15,000-square-foot museum filled with Banksy-inspired art
Calling all Banksy-heads and street art lovers: embrace the legacy of one of history’s greatest street at NYC’s Banksy Museum filled with the largest collection of work inspired by his creations! Uncover his most unique pieces of work and get a deeper look into the mysterious artist. Get your tickets here.
5. Head To The Inflatable Wonderland At A Balloon Story
Starting in July, A Balloon story will open for the summer! Enter this floating paradise where art meets air, walk through these larger than life balloon displays. The experience takes place at Park Avenue Armory located at 643 Park Ave. Go from an underwater world to a tropical jungle all made of balloons! These epic balloon sculptures are also eco-friendly. Head to A Balloon Story with friends and family, tickets and details are here!
6. Head to the beach
NYC is know for its notoriously hot and humid summers, which may be true for all over the tri-state but definitely seem worse when you’re surrounded by tons of sky-high buildings! Taking a trip to one of our lovely beaches is definitely one of the best ways to beat the heat, so check out our list of the best beaches in NYC. Here’s a sneak peek:
- The People’s Beach at Jacob Riis Park, Queens
- Orchard Beach, The Bronx
- Rockaway Beach, Queens
- Coney Island, Brooklyn
7. Or take a dip in an NYC pool
NYC’s free public pools officially open for the season on Thursday, June 27th, but if you’re looking for something more high-end, there are tons of gorgeous private pools to check out too! Here are some of our favorites:
- The Beach at Dream Downtown in Chelsea
- McCarren Hotel & Pool in Brooklyn
- Profundo Pool Club at the Ravel Hotel in LIC
8. Take in an enchanting concert by flickering candlelight
Fever’s popular Candlelight Concerts are better than ever this summer! Take a trip to Long Island and enjoy a Candlelight Summer in picturesque venues such as Guild Hall and With tons of dazzling concerts to choose from, there’s sure to be one you’ll love. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Candlelight: From Bach to Beatles
- Candlelight Jazz: A Tribute to Queen
- Candlelight: A Tribute To Taylor Swift
Check out the full range of concerts here.
9. Snag tickets to the last Jazz Age Lawn Party Weekend
If you missed the kickoff weekend to Jazz Age Lawn Party, you still have a chance to secure your spot to the last 1920s picnic of the summer! See live jazz from Michael Arenella and his band and then take to the dance floor to learn moves like The Charleston! There are a variety of food trucks and vendors onsite for goodies too. The last weekend for Jazz Age Lawn Party is Aug. 10th & 11th and tickets are going fast, secure yours here!
10. Cool Down With Broadway Sings Featuring Hits By Taylor Swift & ABBA
OK we know Taylor Swift is in Europe but for select dates in July, Swifties can sing and “Shake It Off” to hits at Broadway Sings Taylor Swift. Broadway’s finest singers team up with a 14-piece orchestra to belt out a stellar setlist only on July 14th this month. You can also be a “Dancing Queen” when Broadway Sings ABBA on July 13th and 18th!
11. Camp under the stars on Governors Island
Treat yourself to this lovely glamping experience on NYC’s perfect island getaway: Governors Island! Over the years, Collective Governors Island Luxury Camping Retreat introduced plenty of new and exciting amenities that included “live music nights, tarot readings, crafting, morning yoga, bike rentals, chair massages, plenty of lawn games, campfires and cocktails” throughout the season—but this year, the experience is offering even more incredible amenities than years prior. Find out more here!
12. Hop Aboard NYC’s first-ever floating Mexican restaurant
You read that right! This buoyant restaurant serving up delicious Mexican fare is literally in the Hudson River. Cruise around and enjoy the sunset views over the city skyline during your meal, and cheers your friends amongst the beautiful backdrop before you sip on one of their many agave-based spirits. Read more here.
13. Explore the catacombs of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral by candlelight
Head to Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Nolita for a one-of-a-kind tour of its historic catacombs–an experience everyone should check out. On this tour you’ll spend 80 minutes beneath an NYC landmark on a stroll through the city’s past, which until recently was closed off and forgotten. Get your tickets here!
14. Secure Your Spot To The Porte Festival
Brooklyn Navy Yard is getting its first ever Porte Festival which will feature incredible music acts, food vendors, panelists, shopping experiences and so much more! Tickets are available soon and the line-up will be announced before you know it. You’re going to wish you secured those tickets once acts drop! More info and ticket details here.
15. Take in skyline views at these stunning NYC rooftops
Nothing beats a drink in hand and a skyline in sight. Here are some of our favorite rooftops around the city:
- Sushi Lab Rooftop
- Daintree
- Haven Rooftop
- Ainslie
- Elsewhere
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!
16. Sing your heart out at a free concert
Thanks to all of our fantastic Parks, New Yorkers have plenty of choices for where to spend time outdoors this summer. And besides enjoying picnics, games, or just lounging, you can also hear some incredible music performances in NYC Parks this summer–all for free. Find all NYC’s free summer concerts here.
17. Kayak for free at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday through the end of September 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 how to make your reservation here.
18. Explore this stunning lavender farm on Long Island
Make some time to stop & smell the lavender this July. Lavender By The Bay is a lavender farm on the East End of Long Island that offers the perfect weekend visit out of the city. Typically, it’s in full bloom from mid-June through July, so stay updated on their Instagram so you can plan a visit right when they are their most vibrant. Read more here.
19. Or pick summer sunflowers in New Jersey
Nothing says summer quite like getting lost in a field of sunflowers, and being able to take some home! Happy Day Farm in New Jersey is opening its sunflower field for the summer on July 3rd, and it will remain open for picking through August 25th to those looking to come out and pick their own fresh flowers. And honestly, even if you decide not to take any home (though, why wouldn’t you?) the sight of a sunflower field alone is worth the visit. Find out more details here.
20. Dine in the dark and rely on every sense but sight
Allow every sense but sight to guide you and elevate your tasting experience as you dig into a a curated 3-course meal completely blindfolded! Guests will be able to tap into their tastebuds full potential once sight is removed and really experience dishes in a new way. Reserve your spot now.
21. Enjoy free programming at various NYC parks & places
Though NYC is infamous for being pretty pricey, there are many parks that host tons of free summer programming. Some of these parks include:
22. Roam one of NYC’s many art exhibitions
There’s so much beautiful art in NYC to explore, see some of the best exhibitions and installations on display now here.
23. Grab a bite at an outdoor food market
If one thing’s for sure, New Yorkers know how to eat! And with summer weather here, your next delicious bite to eat is at one of NYC’s open-air food markets. Some of our favorites include:
The full list can be found here.
24. Take in waterfront views at Gitano’s giant new beach club on Governors Island
Gitano’s Tulum-inspired paradise has rebranded as a fabulous beach club! Once called “Gitano Garden of Love,” it is now known as “Gitano Island,” featuring 12 truckloads of sand plus 500 tropical plants and palm trees to complete the beachy feel. See more here.
25. Go back in time & ride on a vintage subway train
The New York Transit Museum is once bringing back a fan-favorite tradition with their Summer Nostalgia Rides, giving New Yorkers the opportunity to climb aboard vintage trains that were transporting people around the city more than a century ago. One route will travel on Saturday, July 20th, while the other will travel in August. Read more about it here.
26. Cool off with NYC’s best ice cream shops
One of the best ways to beat the heat in NYC is by indulging in some delicious ice cream! Of course Mister Softee is a classic–and you can always know where he is in NYC using this handy dandy map–but here are some of our other favorite spots to grab a cone:
- Mikey Likes It, Lower East Side & Harlem
- Whipped Urban Dessert Lab, Lower East Side
- Van Leeuwen’s, Multiple Locations
27 …or with a frozen cocktail
Loads of NYC businesses serve refreshing icy slushees that, of course, have a nice little spike of alcohol. From the classic frosé and frozen margs to some new original creations, find our favorite places to head to when you need some quick frozen cocktails to cool off here.
28. Take an outdoor yoga class in Bryant Park for free
Whether you’re a yogi or someone more inclined to say “Namast-ay at home,” Bryant Park’s amazing free yoga classes are worth attending. These hour-long classes focus on healing and stress reduction. They will continue all summer long through September. Read more here!
29. Or try a different free outdoor fitness class
Make your workout a bit more bearable by working out outdoors with a gorgeous view! Working out outdoors provides you with a ton of benefits, including reduced stress, better sleep, improved mental health, and a greater sense of happiness, and you can’t deny those benefits! Find our favorite outdoor fitness classes here.
30. Take in the views at NYC’s most stunning waterfront dining locales
The best (and coolest) place to be in the summer is on the water (Manhattan is an island, after all). 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
- La Barca Cantina, Pier 81 Midtown West
31. Catch an outdoor movie
One of the most nostalgic and entertaining ways to spend a summer night is definitely enjoying an outdoor movie. With that, here are all the NYC parks hosting free movies this summer!
32. View some amazing outdoor art installations
Culture is no stranger to NYC, and so many wonderful outdoor public exhibitions have been popping up around the city for visitors to explore! From sculptures to mind-bending light displays, our city has it all, and you can find all the best outdoor installations here.
33. …Or be wowed by the city’s endless colorful street art
Take a walk through the city streets and you’ll find colorful murals, big bold writing on subway cars, and spray painted words on sidewalks and streets—proving that basically anything is fair game to act as a canvas. The work you’ll find around the city is bright, inspiring, and incredibly artistic, and you can find some of the best places to view street art around NYC here.
34. Enjoy amazing dining deals at NYC’s restaurant week
NYers beloved Restaurant Week is returning for the summer from July 24 to August 20 where New Yorkers can celebrate NYC’s dining scene by enjoying prix fixe menus at some of the city’s most established restaurants and neighborhood favorites. General reservations open July 6! Learn more here.
35. Check out some of NYC’s most recently opened bars and restaurants
New restaurants are bar are constantly opening in NYC, and we’re here to tell you which ones are a must-visit! Some of our favorites can be found below, with more here.
- Ukrainian Staple, Streecha
- NYC’s very first espresso martini bar
- This airy Fort Greene restaurant serving wood-fired Mediterranean fare
- This beloved Taiwanese bubble tea chain
- This new bi-level cocktail bar blending retro-futuristic vibes with nightly jazz
36. Peruse Union Square’s first-ever night market
This summer Union Square is hosting its first-ever Night Market by Urbanspace, the first time they’ll be operating an open-air food market during summer nights. The Union Square Night Market will run for four Thursdays, starting July 11th, with more than 20 vendors gathering together. Read all about it here.
37. Enjoy the sunshine at Rockefeller Center, transformed into a “playground for New Yorkers”
Rockefeller Center’s iconic ice rink has turned into a fabulous community oasis, or a “playground for New Yorkers,” that will be here all summer long! A place where New Yorkers and visitors alike can sit, work, play, and explore dining, shopping, public art, and more, the pop-up will be open for five months of warm weather, and you can read all about it here.
38. Decipher 60+ clues during this two-day citywide scavenger hunt
If kicking butt at trivia and frolicking around NYC is your cup of tea, you must participate in NYC’s citywide scavenger hunt! Spanning across all give boroughs, players will race to decipher more than 60 clues that will take them all around NYC and prizes will be awarded to the top three teams! It all goes down July 7-8, and teams must register by July 5. Learn more here.
39. Enjoy nearly 20 miles of car-free NYC streets in the largest-ever Summer Streets
Summer Streets is returning once again this summer for the last weekend of July (27th) and the four Saturdays of August, and this year’s iteration is going to be the largest one yet! Read all about the program’s happenings here.
40. Catch a semifinal Copa América match at MetLife Stadium
One of the world’s biggest international soccer tournaments, the Copa América, is currently in the middle of its summer 2024 edition, and a semi-final match between TBD teams will be held at MetLife on Tuesday, July 9! Get all the info here.