Summer in New York City has officially kicked off, and everywhere you look something exciting is taking place. The city comes alive with everything from outdoor music concerts to new food festivals for every kind of personality. With a central New York hotel, exploring some of these sites is like a breeze.
Throughout the season, there are tons of must-do events, whether you're a foodie, nature-lover, or yogi. We’ve rounded up six of the best things to do in NYC this Summer so you can enjoy the warm weather and take in the Big Apple.
ENJOY LIVE MUSIC AT SUMMERSTAGE CONCERTS - CENTRAL PARK
Music fans flock to SummerStage in Central Park for dozens of free music shows throughout the entire summer. From 1 June 1 to 24 September, the venue hosts daily dance parties, free concerts, ballets, live theatre and more. Concert-goers can experience everything from hip hop to outdoor opera.
Photo credit: SummerStage NYC
INDULGE AT THE TIMEOUT MARKET - BROOKLYN
This two-level comprehensive food hall with East River views opened up in May and has food lovers uniting from all over the world. The Time Out Market in Dumbo has 24 food vendors, including local favourites such as Breads Bakery, David Burke Tavern, Ice & Vice, Jacob’s Pickles and Avocaderia. It’s an experience that any local or visitor in New York should check out.
Photo credit: Time Out Market New York
WATCH A MOVIE UNDER THE STARS - BRYANT PARK
Every summer, Bryant Park has free movie screenings for all types of film buffs. Whether it’s comedy, romance, or Disney, grabbing a blanket and catching an outdoor movie is always a fun idea. Upcoming screenings include Stonewall Uprising, Bohemian Rhapsody and Crazy Rich Asians. The experience is reminiscent of the old drive-in movies but on the grass.
GRAB A COCKTAIL AT THE ROOFTOP TERRACE - YOTEL NEW YORK
Summer is rooftop season in New York, so why not dine at the city’s largest indoor and outdoor rooftop terrace? YOTEL New York’s rooftop is the perfect spot to meet friends, grab a drink for happy hour and join in on communal games. If you’re feeling hungry there’s an all-day dining menu and special happy hour offerings from 3-6pm. Better yet, the terrace has some of the best skyline views.
Photo credit: YOTEL
ESCAPE THE CITY CHAOS A BOTANICAL GARDENS - BROOKLYN
City life can get chaotic, but the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn is an urban oasis that’s a hidden gem in New York City during the summertime. The stunning 52-acre garden is free depending on what time you visit and is home to over 18,000 plants from all over the world. This summer is one of the best times to visit with a wide variety of natural beauty. The plants in bloom include Water Lilies, Shrub Roses, Siberian Iris and more.
Photo credit: NYC Go
EXPERIENCE SUMMER ON THE HUDSON - RIVERSIDE PARK
Summer on the Hudson is New York City’s annual outdoor arts and culture festival that hosts a variety of different events such as kids shows, fitness classes, wellness activities, music concerts and dance performances. Coming up this summer are yoga classes, tango lessons, musical theatre happy hours, tai chi and dance fitness sessions.