40 Things to do in New York City in the Summer

New York summers can be tough: It’s hot, it’s humid and it feels like there is no air left to breathe. And while you slowly melt outside in the gruelling heat, air conditioners will chill you to the bone once you’ve entered a building. So here are some tried and true tips on how to still spend a perfect summer in the city!

1. If you’re an early bird, how about a morning concert at Rockefeller Plaza? The Today Show hosts free concerts here throughout the year with a-list artists such as Maroon 5, Coldplay, John Mayer or Pink. The bad news: If you want to join them, you’ll need to get there early. Even though the show starts at 7 p.m., plan to arrive at least an hour early for a good spot.

2. Another reason to get up early: Visit Shakespeare in the Park. The tickets are free and distributed on a first-come first-served basis and online via random drawings.

3. While you’re in the Park: Go rowing in Central Park.

4. Go swimming in Central Park.

5. Take the tram to Roosevelt Island and enjoy the sunset in the park.

6. Spend an afternoon at Governor’s Island and either wander around, rent a bike or join a jazz party.

7. Enjoy sweet treats at one of the city’s top 5 ice cream parlours.

8. Indoor option to cool down: Take a stroll around Chelsea Market.

9. Go sunbathing at the High Line.

10. Go stargazing at the High Line.

11. Take a blanket to Bryant Park for the Summer Film Festival. As always: It’s best to arrive early, the space is pretty limited and fills up fast.

12. How about a Barbecue in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park?

13. Attend a free outdoor yoga class.

14. Join a free Tango lesson in Union Square on Sunday night.

15. Go kayaking on the Hudson River at Downtown Boathouse.

16. Join the River to River Festival for art and dance performances, exhibitions, mixed-media, music, and theatre.

17. Love Doug Heffernan? Pay a visit to the Lemon Ice King of Corona. The place really is called Benfaremo and is located in Queens near Corona Park. It’s a bit of a trip if you’re travelling all the way from Manhattan so why not explore nearby Corona Park and the famous Unisphere artwork?

18. Take the Brooklyn Brewery Tour.

19. Dig in at New York’s best food fair, happening weekly: Smorgasburg.

20. Join the crowds for a baseball game at the Yankee Stadium.

21. Enjoy a lazy summer’s evening by the boardwalk in Coney Island with a gentle breeze and fireworks! The free attraction happens every Friday and on some Saturdays in the summer.

22. Have a hot dog at famous Nathan’s in Coney Island.

23. Tour the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx.

24. Explore New York by bike.

25. Take to a rooftop bar for some amazing (sunset) views over Manhattan.

26. In the city in May or July? Head over to Queens if you happen to be in time for Manhattanhenge.

27. Staten Island: Travel to the least populated of the boroughs of the city for some beautiful parklands.

28. Go canoeing with the Bronx River Alliance.

29. Can you imagine New York streets to be shut down for traffic? Summer Streets offer exactly that. Nearly 7 miles of open streets offer plenty of room to explore, dance, and work out.

30. Chill out in one of the gardens of the Lower East Side’s Alphabet City.

31. In the City for July 4th? Rooftop bars offer the best views of the fireworks.

32. Take a tourist approach for a trip around town via the hop-on/hop-off busses. A light breeze included.

33. Take the train out to the beaches of Long Island.

34. The best place for fresh seafood: City Island, Seaport of the Bronx.

35. See a free flick with Rooftop Films.

36. A drink at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Roof Garden Cafe & Bar comes with a price tag but also with an amazing view.

37. Want to calm down from the busy city life? How about a trip to the Cloisters.

38. Travel to Long Island City in Queens and take a stroll on the boardwalk.

39. Attend the Come Out & Play Festival which turns the streets of New York City into a giant playground. You can go play zombie tag, join a scavenger hunt or build a labyrinth.

40. Save the Last Dance for me: Show off your best moves at Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing.

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All photos by Cordula Schaefer.
Cordula Schaefer is a photography enthusiast who loves to venture out to explore new places and hardly ever leaves the house without a camera. A New Yorker at heart, she is especially fond of city trips and has a soft spot for beautiful beachscapes. She currently bases herself in Berlin and keeps the visual documents of her travels at Cordugram.