Searching for the best things to do this weekend in NYC? No need to worry–we already did the work for you.
Weekends are prime real estate, and with longer days, warmer nights, and summer in full swing, we’re not about to waste our time on mediocre plans. Your Saturdays and Sundays deserve main character energy, not “guess we’ll just wander around” vibes.
Lucky for you, the city is stacked right now. We’re talking pop-ups, outdoor festivals, rooftop hangs, new bites, and exhibits that are actually worth leaving your apartment for. Ready to make some plans?
And if your weekend mood says “out of office,” we’ve got plenty of summer getaway ideas waiting too:
- Only 1.5 hours from NYC, this ‘tropical paradise’ waterpark is now open — featuring a 1-million-gallon wave pool and one of the country’s largest lazy rivers
- This quiet 46,283-acre preserve in the eastern Adirondacks is the ultimate summer escape — with crystal-clear waters and miles of shaded forest trails
- This crystal clear lake near NYC called the ‘Caribbean of NY’ opens for swimming this weekend—& it’s home to a hyper-rare ‘coral reef’
- ‘America’s best beach’ is located in New York, just a short, scenic train ride from Manhattan — famous for its white sand, crystal-clear water, and Gilded Age mansions
— With contributions from Sydney Hargrove and Corey Fuller
Experience NYC car-free — five Saturdays of open streets, free fitness, art and Citi Bike discounts.
If you’re already planning ahead for peak summer vibes, New York City’s annual Summer Streets returns in 2026, closing more than 20 miles of major corridors across all five boroughs to pedestrians, cyclists and runners.
The program begins this Saturday, July 25 (Queens & Staten Island, 9 am to 5 pm) with free fitness, art programming, and Citi Bike discounts. Learn more.
Celebrate Fearless Girl with music, merch, AR photos, and free treats.
Add this to your Friday lineup: a free two-hour block party celebrating the Fearless Girl statue on Broad Street with music, giveaways, an AR photo experience, and summer treats.
The inaugural event takes place Friday, July 24, 2026, from 2–4 pm on Broad Street between Wall Street and Exchange Place. Learn more.
Experience classic masterpieces reborn through immersive light, sound, and motion.
If you’re looking for a mind-blowing indoor pick, ARTE Museum New York at Chelsea Piers brings Monet, Van Gogh, and Musée d’Orsay works to life using light, motion, and sound. The result:an immersive fusion of fine art and technology that transports visitors into art history.
Who says you have to leave NYC for a proper summer escape?
Just an eight-minute ferry ride from Lower Manhattan, Collective Retreats Governors Island offers a glamping getaway with luxury tents, cozy cabins, glass-walled suites, waterfront dining, sunrise yoga, live music, and nightly s’mores—all set against postcard-worthy views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.
It feels worlds away from the city, yet it’s one of the easiest staycations you’ll ever take. Learn more.
Get the very best out of Secret NYC and New York City life by joining our Secret Club, boasting premiere perks and benefits to use across the city! This must-try membership provides unbeatable deals, discounts, giveaways, and more around NYC.
Some of our current offerings include:
- $15 off a session at Official Ritual
- 20% off live music events like piano brunches and concert tributes
New Yorkers will travel surprisingly far for good food—and Midtown officially has a new reason to draw a crowd.
Shaver Hall opened on Friday, June 26 inside the landmark former Lord & Taylor flagship on Fifth Avenue, bringing 35,000 square feet of food, drinks, entertainment, and one very oversized cheese conveyor belt to the heart of Manhattan. From Brooklyn-style pizza and hand rolls to steakhouse dining and self-pour cocktails, the massive new food hall is packed with reasons to stop by.
Whether you’re coming for the world’s largest Pick & Cheese conveyor belt, one of its 14 food concepts, live music, or late-night drinks, here’s everything you need to know before the doors officially open this weekend.
Enter a gripping immersive exhibition that places you inside an FBI‑style case file.
If you’re in the mood for something seriously chilling this weekend, Mind of a Serial Killer: The Experience is an exhibition in NYC featuring reconstructed crime scenes, archival artifacts, and a VR investigation that immerses visitors in forensic casework.
SummerStage just added more free concerts and new park venues for its 40th-anniversary season.
If you’re looking to fill your long weekend with live music, Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage has expanded its 40th-anniversary lineup with new free performances and venues across New York City, including additions at Central Park, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and Harlem.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances is one of NYC’s best summer traditions—turning Midtown’s backyard into a free, open-air stage all season long.
From opera and jazz to contemporary dance, world music, and big celebratory festivals, the series brings an always-changing lineup of world-class performers to the lawn, where anyone can grab a chair, spread out a blanket, and catch a show under the stars.
Coming up this weekend is Carnegie Hall Citywide (July 3–31), a month-long residency. Learn more.
Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City transforms the campus into a sprawling hub of music, dance, theater, and experimental art from June 10 through August 8.
With more than 85% of events completely free and the rest offered on a flexible pay-what-you-wish model, it’s one of the most accessible ways to experience world-class culture in NYC all summer—plus pop-up food, outdoor stages, and late-night programming that keeps the energy going well after sunset.
If your weekend plans revolve around a great meal, New York City is a culinary paradise with its extensive range of restaurants–over 23,000 to choose from!
The New York Times’ 2026 list spotlights NYC’s top 100 dining destinations right now, spanning all five boroughs, countless cuisines, and every type of dining experience imaginable. Find it here.
…Or have a meal at one of the restaurants we’ve recently been loving
Between the impossible-to-book tasting menus, beloved neighborhood staples, and hole-in-the-wall spots worth trekking across boroughs for, deciding where to eat next in NYC can practically feel like a full-time job. Thankfully, we’re here to help.
Here are some restaurants we’ve been loving lately:
- Georgie’s Chelsea (Chelsea, 161 8th Ave) – an all-day neighborhood café with a downstairs hidden speakeasy-style cocktail lounge serving an elevated contemporary food menu, craft cocktails, and a relaxed but elevated ambiance
- Cecchi’s (West Village, 105 W 13th St) – for happy hour leans into classic New York vibes, stunning murals by Jean-Pierre Villafañe, and a beautifully lit, sexy space
- Seirēn (Chelsea, 94 7th Ave) – for a transportive, coastal feel to with a setup that leans into the spirit of a laid-back European aperitivo hour
- S & S Calabro Pizzeria (Astoria, 30-65 14th St) – a hole-in-the-wall pizzeria serving slices and pies alongside pasta and sandwiches
Trade the traditional dance floor for the cobblestone streets of DUMBO at The Circuit, a one-of-a-kind silent disco that blends live theater, contemporary dance, and an EDM soundtrack delivered through wireless headphones!
As performers lead guests through Brooklyn’s waterfront neighborhood, the city transforms into a living stage—culminating in an immersive, high-energy experience that’s equal parts nightlife, art, and party.
Enjoy free Friday nights at the Whitney Museum with art, drinks, music, and skyline views in the heart of the Meatpacking District
The Whitney Museum of American Art opens its doors for free every Friday evening from 5–10 pm, offering one of NYC’s easiest ways to spend a night surrounded by world-class contemporary art.
Alongside the galleries, visitors can enjoy special programming, music, drinks, and sweeping city views from the museum’s outdoor terraces—making it as much a social night out as a cultural one. Admission is free, but timed tickets are required and capacity is limited, so advance booking is highly recommended.
It’s the perfect low-key Friday plan in NYC: culture, skyline, and a little museum magic without the price tag. Learn more.
Step into ancient China in Flushing with Hanfu robes, nightly performances, and tongue-tingling Sichuan food.
Chuan Bistro 三杯叙 (Sānbēi Xù) is a new immersive Sichuan restaurant in Flushing that combines Han Dynasty-inspired decor, nightly traditional performances, Hanfu rentals, and a spice-forward Sichuan menu–an easy pick if you’re looking for a dinner plan that feels like a full on experience.
What could be better than an evening of outstanding art and time spent with your love bug? Friday and Saturday night dates at the Met not only include picturesque scenes but drinks, music, and more.
Make note: the fun gets underway from 5–9pm.
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!
Whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie, part of the BeyHive, or still blasting Fleetwood Mac on repeat, Broadway Sings is bringing beloved pop and rock anthems to life with powerhouse vocals and a live orchestra.
Taking over The Cutting Room on select dates this month, the concert series transforms hits from Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, KPop artists and more into unforgettable Broadway-style performances that music and theater fans alike won’t want to miss.
If you were to rewind about 400 years, you’d barely recognize NYC–and the New York Botanical Garden’s new exhibit, Before New York, is bringing that long lost landscape back to life.
Based on more than two decades of research, the exhibit blends a mix of large-scale visuals with digital renderings to reimagine the city’s original landscape–one shaped entirely by nature.
It’s on view now through November 15, 2026 at NYBG’s Ross Gallery, but it will appear across all five boroughs throughout the year. Learn more.
Add extra butter to your popcorn and grab a drink: the 2026 movie release lineup is one for the books: book-to-screen adaptations, blockbuster sequels, pop culture favorites and more await, including Wuthering Heights, Project Hail Mary, and The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Looking for something wildly different to do this weekend? Check out BATSU!, a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud live comedy game show where comedians compete in ridiculous challenges, improv games, and over-the-top punishments.
It’s unpredictable, high energy, and feels like a party you’re watching (and sometimes yelling at) in real time. Perfect if you want something fun, chaotic, and totally memorable.
Grab your friends, smash real buzzers, spin giant wheels, and battle through fast-paced mini games on a hidden soundstage–confetti and bragging rights included. If you’ve ever dreamed of being on a game show, this just-opened experience lets you live it IRL, and it’s perfect for a weekend win.
There’s never a shortage of shows on the Great White Way.
Whether you’re thinking of channeling your roots with Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, want to sing your heart out at Wicked, or prefer something a little more serious like The Outsiders, the selection is unparalleled.
For a sophisticated date night à la Ronnie Cammareri and Loretta Castorini, turn to the Met’s Fridays Under 40, one of the most unique experiences you can have on the Upper West Side.
The longstanding tradition makes opera more accessible to a younger crowd and provides a unique way to spend an evening. Every Friday, those who have yet to reach the big 4-0–yes, you’ll have to prove your age–can score tickets to classics like Le Nozze di Figaro, Antony and Cleopatra, and the mother of all performances, La Bohème, at a discounted rate.
