Experience New York City at its most electric.
There’s no bad time to visit New York, but summer in the city—hot, sticky, and pulsing with energy—is something to behold. Sidewalk cafes, not quite approximating Europe, nonetheless overflow with casual cappuccino sippers and boozy brunch-goers. Broadway tickets may be deeply discounted as many locals leave the city in July and August. Time your visit right, and you could even see a show for free: This year, The Delacorte Theater in Central Park returns with Romeo & Juliet, and snagging an in-person ticket the day of is half the fun. There are so many fun distractions across all five boroughs that it can be hard to decide how to fill the days. We zeroed in on this summer’s best of New York so you can plan your perfect urban adventure.
1 OF 10
Catch a Game at Citi Field
The New York Mets aren’t exactly dominating this season, which means tickets can be had for a relative bargain. No matter who you are rooting for, the beloved, bumbling Mets or the opposing team, Citi Field is a good time. Hang out on the Coca-Cola corner for expansive views of the ballpark or sip a cold one on Shea Bridge as you figure out your meal game plan: piled-high pastrami on rye, perhaps, or the classic hot Italian sausage with peppers and onions. You don’t need to be a baseball fan to participate in the 8th inning karaoke, where guests of Citi Field vote for one of three catchy song choices.
2 OF 10
Taste the World at the Queens Night Market
Since its inception in 2015, the Queens Night Market has grown in size, but it remains as scrappy as ever, with most food items costing just a few dollars. Cash is king here, though some vendors do accept Venmo or credit cards. Located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, the market, held on Saturdays from mid-April through October, will test your decision-making skills. Should you go for the Burmese curry, Peruvian ceviche, or momos (Tibetan dumplings)? Why not all three? Portions are (mostly) intentionally small so you can literally eat around the world in a matter of a few hours.
3 OF 10
Spend a Day — or Night — on Governors Island
One of the city’s best-kept secrets is this 172-acre island in New York Harbor, a quick ($5 roundtrip) ferry ride from lower Manhattan. Once on the vehicle-free island, you can rent a bike or go out on foot to explore the lavender grove, Hammock Sheep Grove, and Colonel’s Row, where you can get a brief history lesson. You could stop at QC Spa for a massage or a dip affording supreme views of Manhattan before grabbing a bite at one of the handful of eateries, such as Taco Vista. For a true escape from New York feel, stay overnight in one of the glamping tents of Collective Retreats, but bear in mind that weekends on the harbor can bring party ships, so don’t forget your earplugs. Or better yet, plan an overnight mid-week when there’s less likelihood of live DJs spinning tunes that carry over the water.
4 OF 10
See a Show at Forest Hills Stadium
The summer concert lineups are hot this year. At Forest Hills Stadium, the open-air venue in an otherwise residential neighborhood of Queens, shows off the talents of musical stars like Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews Band, and Jon Batiste. There’s really no bad seat in the house, and for a change, you don’t have to settle for mediocre concert fare to sate your appetite, thanks to a stellar lineup of food stalls. Fan favorites include Rokstar Chicken, a Korean chicken shop; Stacked, for hearty sandwiches; and Empanada Shop, for a traditional taste of Latin cuisine. Groups can consider a Speakeasy Suite—with its private entrance, viewing porch, and restrooms, it’s the ultimate way to take in live music in style with seven or more of your closest pals.
5 OF 10
Have a Cocktail on a Rooftop
As soon as temperatures climb, New Yorkers start jockeying for outdoor drinking space. Sidewalk cafés have their charm, but for a proper summer buzz, head upstairs. The city’s rooftop bars offer breezes, skyline views, and just enough remove from the street-level chaos. Newer additions like Guardian at the W Union Square and One40 Rooftop at Club Quarters Hotel are already drawing crowds, while perennial favorites such as The Rooftop at The Manner and PHD Rooftop at Dream Downtown continue to deliver. For a tranquil escape, Gansevoort’s rooftop in the Meatpacking District remains a worthy go-to.
6 OF 10
Get Out on The Water
Although this activity ranks up there on the tourist checklist, it’s one that New Yorkers also love. The Harbor Lights Cruise with Circle Line offers a golden hour cruise on the Hudson River that’ll show you a different side of New York. For a more leisurely stroll along the city’s waterways, NYC Water Cruises has options: maybe a sunset cruise with live DJ, music, and drinks or a dinner cruise (VIP deck available). And if you want to save a buck and simply get some great scenic shots, there’s the (free!) no-frills Staten Island Ferry affording views of Lady Liberty. The NYC Ferry ($4.50) shuttles passengers to East River, South Brooklyn, Astoria, Rockaway, St. George, and Soundview.
7 OF 10
Wander Little Island
A slightly easier escape than Governor’s Island, Little Island, a man-made park easily accessible from Manhattan’s West Side, is a pretty chill place to while away some outdoor hours in New York. You could go and do nothing but marvel at the architecturally stunning landscape, which landscape architect Signe Nielsen explains was selected to create habitat for pollinators and birds. The Amph is open whether or not there’s a live performance, and it’s a relaxing spot to catch some rays or read a book overlooking the Hudson. Ready-to-serve canned cocktails from bar legends Julie Reiner and Tom Macy are available for purchase—and go especially well with sunset on the island.
8 OF 10
Get a Thrill at Coney Island
You could take the train all the way out to Coney Island to do nothing more than eat a Nathan’s hot dog, and people watch along the boardwalk, but if you want to kick up some real thrills, buy a ticket to Luna Park and relive your amusement park heydays. The rides here are no joke (the historic Cyclone roller coaster still rattles even the brave), and you might want to save the hot dog eating for after your visit. Bring a swimsuit for a quick dip in the Atlantic and stick around for sunset when the real New York characters come out to hang.
9 OF 10
Explore the Lower East Side Agenda-Free
For all the plans that make a trip to New York one for the books, there’s another way to experience the city entirely: an unplanned, whatever-happens-happens kind of day. You could wander anywhere, of course, but the Lower East Side lends itself especially well to a plan-free approach. Maybe you start in Chinatown with a plate of dumplings at any of several unassuming hole-in-the-walls, before drifting up Orchard Street for vintage finds, followed by a spontaneous cocktail stop at whatever spot looks most inviting. From there, it’s less about checking boxes and more about following your instincts—zigging and zagging wherever the day pulls you, until you find yourself crossing the Williamsburg Bridge and into whatever comes next.
10 OF 10
Visit the New York Botanical Garden
Head to the New York Botanical Garden, a 250-acre oasis on protected land in the Bronx that feels a world away from Manhattan. Plan half a day here, allowing enough time to wander the old-growth forest, stop and smell the roses in the Rockefeller Rose Garden, and learn about aquatic environments on the Mitsubishi Wetland Trail. There’s dining on site at Pine Tree Cafe or Hudson Garden Grill, but since you’ve come up to the Bronx, it’d be a pity not to tack on an Italian meal on nearby Arthur Avenue before heading back into the fray.