How To Get On The Water In Nyc:
See the websites and schedules: Downtown Kayaking in lower Manhattan, NYC Parks , Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, Kayak Staten Island, Canoeing in the Bronx River , Red Hook in Brooklyn , Long Island City in the East River, and a walk up first come first serve paddle at this boathouse in Midtown West Manhattan.
The Manhattan skyline at sunset from the Brooklyn Bridge
Shakespeare In The Park
At the Delacorte Theater you can see one of the most famous plays in the world in Central Park. Sounds crazy? Well, it is in New York! In recent years, some stars have made it to the stage as well. Stop by and you might see Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Al Pacino, Blythe Danner, George C. Scott or Denzel Washington.
Find out more about the Shakespeare in the Park event in New York and the current dates here.
Go Kayaking On The Hudson
Looking for a unique and fun way to see the city? Look no further. For those wanting to embrace their adventurous side, book a kayaking trip on the Hudson River. There are tours available for every skill level from professionals to people who have never touched a paddle. They also offer stand up paddle boarding tours for those brave enough to try.
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Rock Yourself On A Boat
OK. You arent really going anywhere on this ship, but right on Chelsea Piers. It is Grand Banks, a restaurant as well as a boat, and it rocks with the waves, making you feel like youre sailing on the waters. The idea is inspired by the floating oyster barges that lined Manhattans waterfront in the 18th and 19th centuries.
While enjoying sustainably harvested oysters and beautiful cocktails with relaxing music, you can look down the Hudson River to the Statue of Liberty. If you want to sit on the water, but dont want to feel the water rocking, we recommend The Water Club on the East River.
Wander Around Two Vibrant Neighborhoods: Soho And Little Italy
Fashionistas, head to Soho. Foodies, make a beeline for Italy. Or, why not get the best of both worlds with an afternoon browsing the shops and boutiques of the former, followed by dinner in one of the typically Italian eateries in the latter?
SoHo is one of New York Citys most famous neighborhoods thanks to its large fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs, and is a hotspot for celebrity spotting. Little Italy, on the other hand, is a slice of authentic New York thanks to its family-friendly atmosphere and mouthwatering eateries .
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Getting To And From The Airport In New York City
If youre spending summer in New York City and plan to take either the train or the bus, then youre in luck because the Port Authority Bus Station, Penn Station, and Grand Central Terminal are ALL located in Manhattan. So, you definitely dont need to worry about getting into and out of the city.
However, if youre flying into the city, then getting to/from the airport and into NYC will vary based on the airport that you fly into. So, heres a quick rundown of how to travel between NYC and all three of its major airports.
Reacquaint Yourself With Museum Mile & Beyond
Our world-class museums are back, and many are offering FREE admission deals, though you may have to book a reservation to visit. See the whimsical art of Alexander Calder at MoMA or larger-than-life pop-art from KAWS at the Brooklyn Museum. We’re overjoyed CMOM is fully reopened and are looking forward to revisiting old favorites like MoMI, The Intrepid , and MoMath .
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Indulge In A Sweet Treat
Turn down the heat with a sweet treat from one of the mom-and-pop ice cream shops within the five boroughs. Some of our favorites: Harlem’s Sugar Hill Creamery, the ever-growing local chain, Ample Hills Creamery, and Brooklyn’s Blue Marble. Another option: Check out one of these convenient-to-the-playground scoop shops.
Attend A Free Summerstage Concert
This city-wide concert series offers events in all five boroughs. From May-September, you can attend a variety of free concerts. The Central Park stage is home to the Good Morning America concert series. On select Friday mornings, you can attend one of these free show put on by top-40 artists .
The complete SummerStage schedule can be found here. Concert-goers will have the opportunity to enjoy free opera, hip-hop, and jazz shows all summer long. Can you really beat free-high quality concerts? Didnt think so!
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Experience A Very Special Nyc Event
NYC has some of the most Instagrammable places in the world, from classic restaurants to historical landmarks. But, if you are in town in May or July, you dont want to miss this magical photogenic event, Manhattanhenge, which only takes place twice a year in Manhattan and only lasts for a few minutes.
Also called the Manhattan Solstice, it is a rare and beautiful sight when the setting sun perfectly aligns with the Midtown Manhattan east-west street grid, creating a radiant glow of light across Manhattans brick and steel canyons.
What time it will appear is a myth. In 2019, it took place at 8:12 PM on May 30, 8:20 PM on July 12, and 8:21 PM on July 13, Eastern time. So, get your camera ready after the parade!
Manhattanhenge during the annual NYC Pride Parade.
Nyc Free Summer Fairs And Festivals
There are free fairs and festivals just about every day all summer throughout NYC. Some are geared towards specific cultures and groups, like the Puerto Rican Day Parade, Pride Week and Fleet Week.
While others, such as the American Crafts Festival at Lincoln Center, Taste of Times Square, River to River Festival and Annual Downtown Dance Festival in Battery Park appeal to a wider audience.
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Admire The Collection At The Whitney Museum Of American Art
For those looking to explore some of New Yorks more contemporary art, the Whitney Museum of American Art which boasts over 21,000 works from over 3,000 artists is an excellent starting point.
Located in Manhattans Meatpacking District and operational for almost a century, the underrated attraction houses works from well-known American artists like Andy Warhol, as well as emerging talents all while giving visitors a chance to interact via pop up installations, workshops, and more.
Visit At Least 2 Of The Citys Best Rooftop Bars
With hundreds of skyscrapers, its no surprise that the Big Apple is home to some fantastic rooftop bars where you can relax after a long day of exploring.
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, just around the corner from Madison Square Park, offers sublime views of the Empire State Building Bar 54 is perched 54 floors above the concrete jungle of Times Square, with signature cocktails to boot Gallow Green is a popular Chelsea spot offering laid-back, green-garden vibes the Spyglass Rooftop Bar near Bryant Park is known for its craft cocktails and Empire State Building view and, finally, the St. Cloud Rooftop Bar atop the five-star Knickerbocker Hotel might be pricey, but it exudes luxury and sophistication.
The cheapest way to see everything
The City That Never Sleeps is not shy of tourists, that we know. To accommodate the millions who visit every year, a range of companies have partnered with most of the major museums, attractions, boat tours, and transport companies to create New York City tourist passes.
The New York Explorer Pass, the New York Pass, the Freestyle Attraction Pass, and the New York CityPASS all offer different inclusions and durations, so take a look and decide which suits your plan best. If you plan on ticking off a handful of the major attractions, theyll save you money in the long run.
Dont know which pass to choose? Read our New York city pass price comparison guide.
Where to stay?
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Soak In The Ambiance Of A Classical Candlelight Concert
Taking places at an exclusive selection of venues across the city including Church of the Heavenly Rest , the open-air terrace at the Mondrian Park Avenue, and St Ann and the Holy Trinity Church a classical music experience enhanced by candlelights just screams romance.
Events change depending on the season, sometimes themed around Christmas or Halloween, other times focusing on music by the likes of the Beatles or Beethoven.
See The National Jazz Museum
The National Jazz Museum is the perfect stop to learn about jazz and its history in Harlem.
Its not that big, but they do have Duke Ellingtons piano on display. Plus a bunch of original music and old films that you can watch.
The best part is that admission is free, though donations are greatly encouraged.
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Lindy Hop At The Jazz Age Lawn Party
Inspired by the Prohibition, this old-timey gathering was started in 2005 by Michael Arenella, with only 50 friends and fans and grow to what is now referred to by The Wall Street Journal as, the biggest, not to mention the cleanest and most family-oriented, and regular event in the Retro Noveau movement.
New Yorkers dressed in 1920s styles step onto the ferry and travel back in time to a bygone era. During the event, you will enjoy live music from Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra, learn the Charleston, sip cocktails, picnic, and of course, dance the Lindy Hop. It is an African-American dance popular during the swing era of the late 1930s and early 1940s – solid, low, relaxed, and yet energetic!
Tickets start at $45 and up to $175 for the special Bonnie & Clyde package that includes swag from the event’s sponsors.
Stuff Yourself With Goodies At Smorgasburg
Chinese Jian Bing at Smorgasburg fair.
As the largest weekly open-air food market in America, Smorgasburg attracts 20,000 – 30,000 people to Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan each weekend to eat from 100 local vendors. The market is held in Williamsburg, Prospect Park, and World Trade Center, and it opens every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM from April through November.
One of our favorite foods here is Jian Bing, a traditional Chinese street food similar to crepes. It is generally eaten for breakfast and praised as one of Chinas most popular street breakfasts. The main ingredients of jian bing are a batter of wheat and grain flour, eggs and sauces. The topping we chose was beef – sliced, and marinated to be very flavorful.
A few other dishes/vendors that we recommend are Fried Anchovies, Peking Duck Bun, and UBE Fruit Bowl and Portuguese Pasteis de Nata for desserts.
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Come Out & Play After Dark
This new annual event called After Dark transforms the streets in a location in a certain neighborhood into an arcade of sorts, with technology-enabled live-action games.
Come Out & Play typically takes place on a date in late July from 7 pm to 10 pm, Manhattan Bridge Archway Plaza in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Its a party for grown-ups that is a companion to the daytime kids Come Out & Play! listed below in the kids section.
Note: After Dark players must be 18 or older.
See their website for details.
Be sure to check out our master post on things to do at night in NYC as well as our list of late-open attractions.
NOTE: This event has not been scheduled for 2021 as of yet.
Get Out Of Town For A Day
NYC is within 3 hours of so many other cities and areas you can visit for just one day. The weather in April makes is pretty easy to head to Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, the Hamptons, Woodbury Common Shopping Outlets and more quite easily.
Whether you live in NY or are visiting, and no matter how much you love NYC, escaping for a day is a treat for everyone. Top choices for 1-day Out of Town:
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Tick Grand Central Terminal Off The To
As what is undoubtedly the worlds most famous train station thanks to hundreds of cinema appearances, a visit to Grand Central Terminal, whether youre catching a train or not, is one of the essential things to do in Manhattan
With its magnificent Beaux-Arts architecture, huge marble columns, and the striking astronomical mural painted under the ceiling dome, this railway station has become a symbol of both NYCs history and culture so if youre looking for some unique Instagram snaps, this is the place.
Cool Off In One Of The Outdoor Pools
When the pavement starts to emit more heat than your apartments radiator and the mass of shiny, reflective skyscrapers offers no escape, its time to hit one of the free outdoor pools, which you can find across five boroughs. Here is a full list, but one of our favorites is Highbridge Park Pool.
Located on West 173rd Street and Amsterdam, this cool outdoor pool opens through April and August from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It has two pools: the shallow one is for younger children while the other one with various depths is for adults.
There are also free lockers close to the pool to lock your valuable items away so you can have a great worry-free time in the pool.
Jackie Robinson Pool, surrounded by lush nut trees.
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Visit New York Botanical Gardens
Looking for a family-friendly day trip? New York Botanical Gardens has been taken over by contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusamas large-scale and super colorful sculptures. The exhibition runs from now through the end of October and provides immersive eye-candy for all ages. Some of her amazing sculptures include Dancing Pumpkin . Masks, social-distancing and tickets are required for timed entry. Adult tickets cost $35 and children tickets cost $15.
Enjoy The Best Ice Cream In The City
Unfortunately, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory right next to the Brooklyn Bridge, what was, which we thought was the best ice cream in NYC, is not there anymore. However, there are still some creative and tasty spots in New York where you can get your hands on some amazing ice cream. Our favorites are Big Gay Ice Cream Shop in the East Village and West Village, Ice & Vice and Morgensterns Finest Ice Cream in the Lower East Side. Also, make sure to check out Van Leeuwen, which has multiple locations throughout the city.
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Check Out The Rockefeller Center
If youre visiting New York during winter, why not try ice-skating at Rockefeller Centers famous outdoor rink and admire the world-famous Christmas tree? The rink is open from November until March every year just be sure to book tickets in advance!
Outside of the wintery months, the center remains a hotspot for tourists, with flagship stores like Lego and Nintendo, plenty of eateries, regular live performances, and the NBC studio tour not too far away.
Dont forget to crack your neck up to check out 30 Rockefeller Plaza although, its a telltale sign of a tourist.
From A New Yorker: 32 Best Things To Do In Nyc This Summer
| 12 Min Read | Updated: June 13, 2021
Hot, humid, and erratic. Thats how we would describe the summer of New York. While it is comfortable to stay inside your AC-ed apartment, the city offers an endless list of things to do outside. From rooftop bars and free dance parties in Gothams best parks to live music festivals and more, here are the best things to do during one of these steamy summer days and nights.
Be ready to get tanned, sweaty, put on some weight, but 100% satisfied!
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Get Some Really Good Ice Cream
Explore New Yorks Citys many unique and amazing ice cream shops. Youll find flavors in the Big Apple you simply cant find anywhere else. Discover inventive options and classic favorites at popular ice cream spots like Sundaes & Cones in the East Village, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory or Daveys Ice Cream in Williamsburg.
Free Summer Movies In Nyc
Watching a movie under the stars is a great thing to do in summer just about anywhere. But in NYC, we throw in a view of the Brooklyn Bridge or NYC Skyline, the sound of the water lapping, the scenery of Central Park or just the fact that youre on the Flight Deck of a war ship!
Each free summer outdoor movie festival has its own theme, allowing you watch classics, kid-friendly films or the latest blockbusters.
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