New York in Summer: Free Events, Weather and What to Do

There's plenty to discover during summer in New York, and plenty of heat too. If you handle it well, the summer season, June 21 to September 21, lets you see a ton, thanks to longer days and hundreds of outdoor activities and events.

If you already know which month you're traveling to New York, check out the detailed guides:

☀️ What to do in June in New York

☀️ What to do in July in New York

☀️ What to do in August in New York

If you haven't decided yet, keep reading. Here I'll explain how to make the most of high season in New York.

Yes, this is when the most tourists arrive and every hotel and plane ticket goes up in price, but there are plenty of free activities that make up for every penny you spend (and there are also central, more affordable hotels in NYC 🤑)

Here's everything to do during summer in New York:

1. Visit New York's parks

Visiting Central Park is something you should do in every season of the year, since it changes with each one. In summer it fills up with people playing sports, having picnics or sunbathing on one of its lawns, and the whole park buzzes with life and activity.

But did you know there are dozens of spectacular parks in New York? The summer months are the perfect time to get to know them, and I'll tell you which ones you shouldn't miss in the guide to New York's parks.

If you're short on time, you have to see the one-of-a-kind High Line Park built on an abandoned rail line, Little Island, the newest park in New York, floating over the Hudson River, Brooklyn Bridge Park at the base of the bridge with stunning views of Manhattan, or Four Freedoms Park in the middle of the East River… There are so many that I'll let you pick your own park 😉

2. Head to New York's city beaches

When the heat sets in, a trip to one of New York's city beaches can make all the difference. You can reach most of them by subway, just like a real New Yorker.

I especially recommend visiting Coney Island in summer. It's a slice of New York frozen in time. If you like Woody Allen movies, you've probably seen «Wonder Wheel» (2017), set in the Coney Island of the 1950s. Trust me, it still looks the same 😀.

Coney Island also shows up in all its glory in the first episode of season four of «The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel«. That day the Maisels and the Weissmans visit Coney Island to celebrate their grandson's birthday.

You've probably figured out by now that I love Coney Island, but the truth is there are more nearby beaches in New York! For example Rockaway Beach in Queens, which you can reach on the NYC Ferry, or by subway of course, though the ferry is a lot breezier.

3. Free summer events

The summer months bring plenty of free events in New York. For example, you'll have a blast at the Pride march in June, which winds through Greenwich Village and Chelsea.

You can also catch a play at the Shakespeare in the Park theater festival or hear a free New York Philharmonic concert in Central Park in July.

Don't miss one of the many outdoor movie screenings held all over the city, either.

Another must if you're in the city on the Fourth of July is the Independence Day fireworks show, or the fireworks on summer Fridays at Luna Park.

4. Travel by ferry

When the heat arrives, it's time to ditch the subway and tour New York's neighborhoods by boat.

That's another perk of this wonderful port city: you can cross between NYC's boroughs by ferry for very little money.

Visit the NYC Ferry page, where I explain how to get around on these refreshing, scenic rides.

If you love being out on the water, don't miss the historic boat tours from the South Street Seaport Museum. You can get right up close to the Statue of Liberty aboard a 19th-century schooner!

5. See NYC spots that are only open in summer

Some places can only be visited during the warm seasons in New York, so take advantage of them if they line up with your trip.

Among them are Luna Park, the amusement park at Coney Island, the Rockefeller mansion in Sleepy Hollow, and sailing on the historic schooner from the South Street Seaport Museum.

6. Guided tours of New York

There are guided tours for every taste, and this time of year it's especially nice to explore the city by bike.

For repeat visitors who want to see beyond Manhattan, those corners of the other boroughs full of history and pop culture references, consider the Contrasts of New York tour.

Besides the classic Contrasts tour through landmark spots in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, there's a Contrasts tour that includes the tram ride to Roosevelt Island.

And if you've always been curious about gospel services, there's another Sunday Contrasts tour where you'll see more of Harlem and attend a service.

If you have extra days and want to see other cities, check out the day trips near New York. You can visit Washington from New York, Philadelphia or Boston.

7. Free walking tours in Spanish around New York

Did you know there are free guided tours in New York? They're short guided walks where it's customary to tip the guide based on how much you enjoyed the experience 😀.

You can sign up for all of the free tours! The important thing is to book your spot ahead of time (they fill up fast in summer, so reserve early):

👻 Free mysteries tour of New York, my top pick!

🏙️ Free tour of Downtown Manhattan

🇮🇹 Free tour of Chinatown and Little Italy

🏢 Free tour of Manhattan's Village

🎨 Brooklyn street art tour

8. Have a Martini at a Manhattan Rooftop Bar

How about cooling off from the summer heat with an iconic martini on the rooftop of a famous New York hotel or restaurant while you take in the city from above?

You can head to the 30th-floor bar at the Hotel Kimberly and admire the beautiful Chrysler Building, or to the elegant terrace at the Hôtel Americano in the heart of Chelsea, with spectacular views of the High Line.

Another idea is the bar at the Hotel Gansevoort, in the Meatpacking District, where you'll get views of the Hudson River.

Visit the Mad Men Bars

Are you a Mad Men fan? Then take the chance to visit Don Draper's favorite bars from the show. Many of them are real!

You can also visit Don Draper in his office like I did, at the Madame Tussauds wax museum in New York. Total fan!

As you can see, there's plenty to do in New York in summer 🙂

Summer Temperatures in New York

In summer (June 21 to September 21) the average temperature is 82°F (28°C).

There are days in July in NYC and August in NYC when the thermometer tops 104°F (40°C), and the humidity can be stifling.

If you can, I really recommend staying at one of the New York hotels with a pool. For example, the West Side YMCA is very affordable and you can swim in a semi-Olympic pool.

Remember to pack light clothing, sandals, a swimsuit, and sunscreen.

Visiting New York in Spring, Fall, or Winter

If you're traveling at another time of year, here's a breakdown of New York temperatures month by month.

You can also check out the guide: what to do each month in New York. There I lay out the can't-miss things to do month by month.