It’s summertime in the city and that means the world is your oyster. New York City offers an infinite amount of adventures to take advantage of, no matter the season. You’ll find no shortage of fun things to do here. Here are 12 things you can do in NYC this summer
1. Visit a Park
Procrastination is the name of the game this summer. Why not do some of your homework while taking in the beauty of a park? The Central Park Conservancy is hosting several outdoor activities to get you started. Check out some of the suggestions below, and also check out the Central Park Conservancy’s calendar. If you’re looking for more physical activity, you can always head to Prospect Park. There you could enjoy baseball, birdwatching, skating, fishing, and many other nature programs.
2. Check out the art scene
Go listen to live music, if can’t find good music? See what’s happening on your favorite rooftops during the summer season. If it’s on a rooftop, it can’t be that bad, right? Check out the art scene Be sure to see the work of Ed Ruscha, Claes Oldenburg, and Andy Warhol, as well as the annual street art, shows in SoHo and the Lower East Side. Grab a snack at the Jazz Cafe, a cocktail at Patent Pending, and do take a seat at the bar. But whatever you do remember to take in the views! What better way to enjoy the sunshine; than NYC in the summertime?
3. Take a class
When it comes to fun things to do, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to reap the benefits. There are so many options out there, many of which cost just a little bit of money or nothing at all. Take a break from spending hours on your computer and sign up for a fun class. There are tons of dance, Zumba, and yoga classes that can help take your mind off of work.
Get a group of your friends together and meet at a fun studio, like CORENYC. Have fun creatively and playfully New York City is the perfect city to get creative in. Whether you want to cook dinner with friends, head to a brewery for a beer tasting or wine pairing, or simply play in the park, there is a class for any situation. Did you know NYC offers great DJing programs such as Scratch Academy and Dubspot.
4. Watch a show
If you love theater, you’re in luck because there’s a slew of shows worth checking out this season, including the smash hit “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” which is currently playing at the Lyric Theatre. Looking for something more relatable? Performing Arts Weekly has compiled a list of new plays, plays in repertory, and shows that started their runs earlier this year and are still running this summer. You could catch Hamilton, which is coming back this summer. If you want a classic which both you and the family could enjoy, Aladdin and the Lion King are also back.
5. Spend a Day at a Museum
Taking a day trip is one of the best things you can do during the summer, especially if you’re looking to step away from the madness and relax. You’ll be able to experience all the art and culture the city has to offer on a small scale. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has many great exhibits that span centuries and genres. With something for everyone, a visit here is always fun.
If you’re looking for some family-friendly activities, consider going to see an exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History. This museum has hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages. New York City has one whole mile dedicated to museums, and it’s unimaginatively called the museum mile. The locals will tell you, to spread out your visits, so much culture could get overwhelming.
6. Explore the boroughs
The city’s five boroughs have a lot to offer, and plenty of fun things to do all over each neighborhood. Take a ferry to the far reaches of the boroughs and explore Staten Island, Lower Manhattan, and Brooklyn, for example, all throughout a summer weekend. Take a bike ride around the city From Staten Island to the Upper West Side, you can cruise around the city on a rental bike. In fact, you can rent them from a variety of places, from Google Bike and Citi Bike to Pace Rides and B-Cycle, just to name a few.
Check out the Parks The city is filled with public spaces to explore, from Bryant Park in the Village to the East River waterfronts to Central Park. There’s always something to do at the parks, especially when summer temperatures bring out people and their dogs. In certain locations, you can now rent out a moped for a faster, more personal way to check out New York.
7. Eat Your Way Around the City
The city has a ton of great options when it comes to dining and drinking, with plenty of restaurants, bars, food carts, and vendors scattered about the streets to satisfy all your cravings. All you need to do is venture into the right neighborhood or area, and there you’ll find your next favorite hot spot.
Go to little Italy in the Bronx and get yourself some NYC pizza, I’ve had that Chicago stuff, and that’s not ‘za. If you feel more adventurous go to Chinatown, get yourself some bao. Queens if you want some Indian or Nepali Cuisine. And let’s not forget about the Latin American and Caribbean food which is everywhere here.
8. Go Sightseeing
Lookup New York City offers so many pretty sights that you don’t have to travel far to see them. The Rockefeller Center offers an impressive view of the entire city. Standing atop the Rock can be the closest you can get to see New York without actually traveling here. You can even see all of Manhattan from this tall tower. Meet someone new. You could take a ferry to the statue of liberty, or simply a cruise around the isle of Manhattan. View the city like few people ever get to, including the natives. Who knows you could use this opportunity to make new friends. It’s the season to meet new people.
9. Take a Bike Ride
Or if you can’t quite get your sea legs yet, consider renting a bicycle. The city is gorgeous no matter what time of day you go (to help avoid the craziness of Times Square in the morning). You’ll see Central Park and its sprawling greens first-hand. Plus, the Brooklyn Bridge is also an easy route to navigate on a bike.
10. Go to a Music festival
Whether you’re in the mood for some funk, reggae, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, or blues music, there are so many great choices for every taste this summer. For rock lovers, head to Governors Island, the Upper West Side, Brooklyn, and other secret venues to see a variety of top bands this summer. There are also a ton of festivals, including many that have special food, drinks, and performance zones.
Go to a Free Concert Free concerts happen all over the city. If you don’t know where to look, check out the stage in the nearby Washington Square Park, and look for a spot in the grass near the amphitheater to set up camp. If you’re a fan of electronic music like I am. I wouldn’t miss the governor’s ball nor the Electric zoo music festival. And if you’re game, and I’m sure you are champing at the bit to go raving this summer. Remember to get some sleep, most people don’t get enough sleep in winter. Also do some yoga, because partying in the city that never sleeps is a marathon, not a sprint.
11. Go to the Brooklyn Zoo
Located in Prospect Park, this is the only zoo in the city open in the summer. There are over 7,000 animals, including lemurs, birds, and over 900 species, you could easily spend a few days just meandering the grounds. This is a better idea than just strolling around the various neighborhoods because there are countless restaurants, bars, and shopping districts all within walking distance. Tour the city’s public art Summer is prime time for outdoor art installations and installations of sculptures. Did you know there are five zoos in NYC; one per borough. We also have an aquarium. I hear it’s nice, I haven’t been since middle school.
12. Watch a Movie
It’s cold outside, but the smell of fresh popcorn and movie marathons are great for a chill, rainy evening. You can find a good show at theaters all over the city, and there’s no shortage of movie theaters with multiple screens. Make a Picnic Pick up some good sandwich fixings (namely bread, cheese, and condiments) from your local bakery and head to Central Park to make a nice picnic lunch.
Central Park and other parks in NY offer films out in the open. There are plenty of street vendors throughout the park that offers sandwiches, cheese, and fresh fruit all for a cheap price. There is also a resurgence of drive-in theaters in New York. Offering families a chance of experiencing an activity that, like the Coelacanth, was long thought extinct.
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