The Ultimate NYC Summer Bucket List

This blog is about the ultimate summer bucket list in NYC.

Summer in New York City is one of the busiest times of the year. Kids are on break, interns are working here for the summer, and natives are making the most of the hot weather! There’s always something to do in the Big Apple, and summer is the perfect time to explore everything the city has to offer.

As a native New Yorker, I’ll share some of my favorite summer spots in the city and what I would do if I was visiting this summer. There’s only so much you can see in a limited time, so don’t worry if you can’t do all of these activities! Use this guide to help plan your next trip to the city.

Is New York Fun in the Summer?

Short answer: yes! New York is definitely fun in the summer, it truly lives up to the hype of being the city that never sleeps. No matter what time it is, there will always be something to do, someplace to be, and somewhere to explore. Now, the hard part is figuring out what to do without getting overwhelmed with all of the various choices.

That’s where I come in! Here are 8 different categories to help you plan the best summer bucket list to explore New York City. Perfect for young adults and couples, and even some kid-friendly ideas!

Things To Do in NYC in the Summer

NYC Iconic Landmarks and Parks

You’ve probably seen iconic landmarks from different TV shows or movies. Now you get to explore them in real life! Here are some of my favorite iconic landmarks and parks that are a must-visit during the summer.

Exploring Central Park is a must! It’s more than just a park, it’s a historical landmark. Central Park stretches over 2.5 miles. It’s a great way to explore uptown Manhattan and midtown. You can people-watch, explore famous locations, grab a pretzel, have a picnic, or even attend a festival. There are so many different activities to do!

The High Line is another great way to explore downtown Manhattan. The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long elevated park that starts on 34th Street on the West side and ends on Gavensroot Street. You’ll be walking through Chelsea and the Meat Packing District. It’s a great elevated summer stroll!

I couldn’t not mention the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I went on a school trip when I was a child, and loved the experience! It’s a great summer day trip for a couple or young family. Perfect views of the city as well!

Spending 4 days in NYC? Check out this blog post for your Four Day New York City Itinerary Guide!

Summer Outdoor Activities and Adventures

If you’re outdoorsy and want to experience the nature and beauty of the city, I highly recommend taking the A train out to Rockaway Beach! Some people are always surprised when I mention that New York City has beaches. I prefer Rockaway over Coney Island (but to each their own). Rockaway feels like an escape from the busy city, there’s a boardwalk with shops, local food, and drinks! Get a tan and enjoy the sun and sand while still being in New York City!

Another great outdoor option is biking throughout the various boroughs! It’s a great way to explore the city and see various neighborhoods while getting in a good workout. I recommend starting in Manhattan, biking over the Brooklyn Bridge, and enjoy the views from Dumbo.

Summer Festivals and Events

What makes Summer really special in the city is all of the festivals and events! Kick off summer by celebrating Pride! Pride is an amazing parade where LGBTQ+ people can go and feel celebrated and loved! The parade starts around noon, and you can be out all day and then go out with friends to parties at night!

For my theater friends, Shakespeare in the Park is a cultural summer tradition. It’s a free event held at the Delacorte Theater, an open-air theater in Central Park! The tickets are distributed on the day of the performance. I highly recommend to get there early and be prepared to wait in a long line, but it’s definitely worth it!

After seeing a great play, you can enjoy some live music at SummerStage. SummerStage has 80 free benefit performances in Central park and and other neighborhood parks throughout the five boroughs. In Central Park, SummerStage can fit 5,000 people! It’s the perfect way to relax and enjoy a nice day out listening to great live bands and artists.

Food and Drink Experiences

If you’re familiar with my blog, you know how much I love Smorgasburg! It starts in April and is open weekly until October. It’s one of the best food festivals in the city! Smorgasburg has three locations: World Trade Center, Williamsburg, and Prospect Park! Each with their own local vendors and great views of the city. It’s a must to go check out on the weekends.

Another great bucket list food & drink activity is spending the afternoon on a rooftop bar, sipping cocktails with a view! It’s one of my favorite activities to do.

Here are some of my favorite rooftop bars:

LoHi (Williamsburg)
Lost in Paradise (Long Island City)
Bella Union (Manhattan)

Arts and Culture

New York City is all about art and culture! There are plenty of museums, galleries, and street art to see throughout all of the boroughs! One of them is famously known as Museum Mile. Museum Mile is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit contemporary art institutions in the USA. It is along the Upper Ease Side’s stretch of Fifth Avenue, including the MET, Guggenheim Museum, The Jewish Museum, Cooper Hewitt, the El Museo del Barrio, and the Museum of the City of New York!

For outdoor art, I highly recommend going to Bushwick in Brooklyn and exploring the street art there. The street art can be found all around Starr St., Troutman St., Wyckoff St., Flushing & Irving Ave and you can make a day out of it!

Shopping!

New York City is a shopper’s paradise. You can’t come here without taking a day (or two) to enjoy all the different stores and markets! I recommend spending the weekends at the different flea markets and treasure hunting in NYC’s open-air markets.

Flea Markets

Grand Bazaar – Sundays only at West 77th St, NY, NY
Greenpoint Terminal Market – Open Saturday & Sundays at 72 Noble St, Greenpoint,
Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Flea Dumbo – Open Saturday & Sundays Archway, 80 Pearl St

Not into Flea markets? There are tons of stores in SoHo! Go on a shopping Spree in SoHo and get the best summer fashion in the city’s trendiest districts!

SoHo Store Highlights

Relaxation and Wellness

Especially on vacation, you need time to relax! There are great spas and wellness classes you can take when visiting New York City in the summer. Maybe you want to do yoga in the park, treat yourself to a spa day, or get a ClassPass and take a Pilates class. Whichever you choose, you’ll always have options!

I recommend checking out ClassPass and finding out which classes to take in your area!

Spa Recommendations:

Nightlife

One of the best parts about visiting New York City in the summer is experiencing the nightlife. We didn’t get the nickname “The City That Never Sleeps” for nothing! There are so many different bars, clubs, and live music venues to explore throughout the boroughs. There’s something for everyone.

Here are some of my favorite places to go out:

NYC Summer

Make the most of your summer in NYC. These recommendations are just a small fraction of what there is to do. Definitely get out there, explore, and create unforgettable memories! There’s really never a dull moment here. I hope you get to try out as many places as possible and have the best summer yet!

If you liked this blog, let me know in the comments and I’ll create a part two!

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Is New York Fun in the Summer?