Feel the warm weather creeping in? Now is the time to embrace it.
To celebrate, we’ve released our guide of the best things to do this summer. NYC is home to free outdoor activities, amazing concerts, fun traditions, and so many other fantastic happenings that you’ll want to fully maximize that PTO for the ultimate staycation.
No plane, no problem! See what’s cookin’ in your city as the season gets under way.
Grab a bite at NYC’s best street fairs and night markets
No reservations? No problem. You can snag some of the best dishes in city without stepping foot inside a restaurant.
From ramen and karaage at Japan Fes to soft pretzels and Jamaican coco breads at Smorgasburg, our guide to food festivals and night markets will satisfy any and all of your hunger cravings.
Not sure where to begin? Here are a few of our favorites that are worth a pitstop this season:
- Bronx Night Market
- Dragon Fest
- Family Style Food Festival
- Japan Fes
- Smorgasburg
- Queens Night Market
- Uptown Night Market
Enjoy sunny days at NYC beaches
Craving sand between your toes and a splash of salt water? Beach season in NYC commences on Memorial Day Weekend, giving you plenty of opportunities to (safely) soak up some Vitamin D.
Even better news? A Train service has resumed to Rockaway Beach! Bring the umbrella — we’ve got the cooler.
Cut a rug at Jazz Age Lawn Party this Summer
For years, the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party has attracted all walks of life in NYC, and get ready to slip on your pearls and adjust that bow tie once again as this time-traveling festival returns to NYC on Saturday, June 14th to Sunday, June 15th and again on August 9th-10th! Returning for its 20th edition, thousands of people take the ferry over to Governor’s Island to party like it’s the roaring 20s! Tickets are going fast, secure your spot here!
Dine on the waterfront at this breathtaking NJ eatery
Why not take in NYC from a different vantage point this summer? Blu on the Hudson, Weehawken’s culinary gem, serves American fare with a contemporary twist, all while providing gorgeous skyline views. Sharing a seafood tower and sipping on a Hamptons Spritz is the ultimate way to usher in the warm-weather season — especially now that the eatery is planning to open a 8,000-square-foot rooftop. Trust us, that trek to Jersey will be absolutely worth it.
Head to NYC public pools for a dip…
While New Yorkers aren’t typically used to backyards and pools, that doesn’t mean they can’t take a dip once temperatures soar. Public pools offer a free way to cool off when the heat and humidity become unbearable, so make sure you have a towel at the ready.
…or book a chair at NYC’s best hotel and rooftop pools
Should you want to add some swag to your afternoon dip, and perhaps enjoy a few treats and cocktails while poolside, we know plenty of places to venture.
Find a new beach read thanks to Secret NYC’s Book Club
Need a new read? The Secret NYC book club via Fable has you covered. Check out what’s happening with the club and join our discussion! Our monthly picks are the perfect companions while you’re hanging poolside or soaking up the rays at at Rockaway Beach.
Catch free movies in the park
Al fresco season is all the more sweet with NYC’s plethora of outdoor movies. Bring a picnic blanket and a fellow movie buff for a fun evening, free of charge. Plus, those skyline panoramas are unmatched. Here are a few movie series to bookmark:
- Bryant Park movie nights
- Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Movies with a View
- Intrepid Free Friday Night Movies
- NYC Parks free summer movies
Reserve your spot at the Jazz Age Lawn Party
No time machine needed: the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party is a blast from the past that transforms Governors Island into a celebration of the roaring 20s. From live jazz music to vintage clothing vendors and old-timey snacks from viral food vendors, this is one throwback you can’t miss. The 2025 dates are June 14th to 15th and August 9th to 10th. Get your tickets to the bees knees of summer gatherings.
Journey to Egypt without leaving NYC
Horizon of Khfu, one of NYC’s premiere VR experiences, dials back the clock some 4,000 years and allows you to journey through Ancient Egypt — Pharaohs, pyramids, and beyond. As you work your way through the Giza Plateau and end up inside the Great Pyramid, don’t be surprised if you mistake this VR exhibit for a time machine.
Relive the best of Rolling Stone’s history through “Amplified”
Music lovers and pop culture fanatics will find a lot to love taking a look back in time through Rolling Stone’s 60-year history. From iconic covers to never-before-seen moments and concert closeups, “Amplified” at ARTECHOUSE NYC is rock and roll magic.
Enjoy a Candlelight concert
Imagine this: a strings ensemble, your favorite tunes, a gorgeous venue, and of course, thousands of (faux) candles. That’s exactly what you’ll be treated to at a Candlelight Concert. The performers set up shop at locations throughout the city, such as St. Ann’s in Brooklyn Heights, for a thrilling ode to today’s most popular artists — from Taylor Swift to Metallica and everyone in between.
Stop by an outdoor concert or performance
An amazing performance does not require a theater. Trust us when we tell you, those informal, outdoor gatherings are worthy of a standing ovation.
From dances and jazz shows to operas and classical concerts, NYC’s lineup of summer shows is expansive. Here’s what we’re looking forward to this year. (Bonus? Most are free!)
- Bryant Park Picnic Performances
- Hudson River Park Summer Series
- Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City
- SummerStage
- TSQ Live
See a performance of Shakespeare in the Park
Now that the historic Delacorte Theater has undergone renovations, Shakespeare in the Park is ready to return to its home and delight theater buffs with an amazing season.
Expect more accessible seating, ticketing areas, and newly designed lighting towers — to name a few upgrades — as the actors gear up for their performance of Twelfth Night, which follows twins Sebastian and Viola who were separated after a shipwreck.
Enjoy a free kayaking session at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Grab your paddles and life vests: Brooklyn Bridge Park kayaking, one of our favorite free activities in NYC, is back this May.
The best part of a lakeside escape is available right in the city thanks to this complimentary park offering. Though you might not be paddling amongst mountains and greenery, we’d say taking in views of the NYC skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge are pretty epic.
Ready to book a slot? We’ll see you there — Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays!
Perfect your poses during free yoga at Bryant Park
Stretch and feel zen at one of Bryant Park’s free outdoor yoga classes for the season, happening Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings beginning May 28th.
The complimentary hour-long class features over 30 of the region’s best instructors, so you know you’re in good hands. Namaste.
Indulge in a scoop (or two) of ice cream
Nothing says summer like a sundae or a shake. There are plenty of scoop shops to visit when you’re craving something sweet — Honeycomb from Van Leeuwen, boozy spoonfuls courtesy of Tipsy Scoop, or a rotating selection from Caffè Panna.
Cheers to NYC’s newest rooftop bars
Now that the weather is finally cooperating, you’ll want to take full advantage. During your next Happy Hour with friends, book a spot outdoors with skyline views.
New rooftop bars, like Leonessa and Bar Sprezzatura, have an Italian influence (plus DIY spritzes at Leonessa) while Executive Chef Samuel-Drake Jones serves up American fare at the 360-degreeHudson VU.
Grab fresh fruit and veggies from your local farmers market
If you’re looking to prepare a farm-to-table meal, you’re in luck. NYC is home to a large number of farmers markets where growers venture weekly with the freshest picks straight from the country.
Go thrifting at a flea market
Whether you have a hankering for antique homeware or upcycled clothing, you’re bound to find a few treasures while thrifting at NYC flea markets. Our guide can point you to the perfect one for you and your next shopping spree.
Search for thrills at Coney Island…
Grab a hotdog at Nathan’s and take a ride on the Cyclone at Luna Park…but maybe not in that order.
From the beach, the Brooklyn Cyclones, the New York Aquarium, and of course, the beloved Luna Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, there’s no shortage of activities to choose from when you’re at the beachside Brooklyn nabe.
…and other fun NYC amusement parks
Looking for more thrills? Whether you’re keen on coasters or want to take things easy with bumper cars and games, we found the best amusement parks in the NY area that will provide high (and mild) thrills for whatever type of action you’re looking for. And if you just decide on funnel cake, that’s fine, too.
Get tickets for the annual Astoria Carnival
Whether you’re eyeing a ride on the ferris wheel or a bite of fried Oreos, the Astoria Carnival is the quintessential summer experience that deserves a spot on everyone’s calendar. This year’s dates are as follows:
- 6/4 Wednesday – 4pm – 10pm
- 6/5 Thursday – 4pm – 10pm
- 6/6 Friday – 4pm – 11pm
- 6/7 Saturday – 12pm – 11:59pm
- 6/8 Sunday – 12pm – 11pm
Hop aboard NYC’s go-to speedboat, The Beast
The Beast is NYC’s only jet-powered speed boat ride and considered a “rollercoaster on the water,” so it’s a must for the daredevils among us.
While passengers are used to the usual fun — music, water-spraying pranks, etc. — now they can opt for a new experience: the BEAST’ro, an exclusive themed dining experience on Pier 81 with delicious eats, drinks, and soft-serve treats.
Catch a baseball game
Batter up! The Yanks and Mets are in town, and you wouldn’t want to miss a single play. We have the best recs for the biggest fans in the city:
- The best Yankee bars
- The best Mets bars
- What to eat at Citi Field this year (a.k.a. the best MLB ballpark food)
- What to eat at Yankee Stadium this year
Explore new exhibits
Whether you have a passion for impressionism, want to take a step back in time, or feel inclined to revel in pop culture’s best moments, NYC museums have just about anything you can imagine. Here’s what we’re loving right now:
- “The Year of Flaco” at the New-York Historical Society
- “Amy Sherald: American Sublime” at The Whitney
- JAPONISME → Cognitive Revolution: Learning from Hiroshige at Gagosian
See a new Broadway show
The Great White Way has plenty of new material for us to look forward to this summer — including revivals of fan favorites like Mama Mia!
The 2025 debuts run the gamut from Shakespeare retellings to ’80s remakes and even sci-fi fun from Netflix. Plus, you can expect plenty of star-studded actors venturing over from screen to stage this year, making the lineup even more alluring.
Grab tickets to NYC’s coolest concerts
Queen Bey is kicking things off with a seven-day run at MetLife beginning May 22nd, but “Cowboy Carter” isn’t the only tour to look forward to. You can expect NY (and NJ) pitstops from artists like Kesha Post Malone, and more this summer
Honor those who served this MDW
Kick off the (unofficial) start of summer by honoring those who serve our country. From activations on the Intrepid to the annual Memorial Day Parade, NYC events are aplenty.
Honor Juneteenth
From classical performances at Lincoln Center and Broadway singalongs to annual parades and park gatherings, NYC’s Juneteenth offerings are a great way to support Black culture and pave the way for a better, more inclusive future.
Celebrate Pride Month
Festivals, performances, drag brunches — NYC’s June calendar is filled with celebratory LGBTQ+ events that represent equality and inclusivity.
Wish America a happy birthday on the Fourth of July
No one does America’s birthday quite like NYC: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, Macy’s Fireworks — the list of celebrations are iconic and symbolic of what makes our city so special. Though we won’t eat anywhere near as many hot dogs as Joey Chestnut, you can rest assured we look forward to ringing in the country’s birthday from its coolest city.