10 Fun Things To Do During Summer In NYC

There are SO many things to do in New York throughout the year. But one of my favorite times to get out and do stuff in the city is summertime! When it comes to summer in NYC, there are endless places to go and see. Here are just a few suggestions for both tourists and locals to enjoy.

Spend The Day At Coney Island

Located in Brooklyn, Coney Island is the most popular beaches and def a must for your summer in NYC. It’s filled with fun stuff to do. There’s an aquarium, rides, a boardwalk, food, drinks, shopping, and more. There’s a lot of summertime events held there too, like The Mermaid Parade and Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

New York Aquarium

New York Aquarium is located right along the beach and has tons of cool stuff to see. There are sea lion shows, sharks, turtles, jellyfish, and a lot more. It has a really nice setup and it’s not too overwhelming either. You can also read more about their conservation efforts on their website.

The Amusement Parks

Luna Amusement Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel are connected, but they require separate tickets/wristbands (something my friends and I learned the hard way). Luna is where you’ll want to go if you want to ride rollercoasters and more “legit” rides. But Deno’s is where the iconic ferris wheel is. I went on the ferris wheel and did a few other smaller things, like bumper cars. And like any amusement park, there are all of the overpriced snacks and games you could ask for.

Have Brunch At Magic Hour Rooftop Bar

There are tons and tons of places to have brunch in the city, but one of the most trendy spots is definitely Magic Hour, which is located at The Moxy Hotel in Manhattan. They go all out with their decor, and although it’s a year-round rooftop bar, I especially love the vibes during summer. You’ll definitely have to make reservations ahead of time and expect to have an expensive bill. But the scene is so much fun. They have a DJ, Instagram spots, views of the Empire State Building, a carousel (you can actually eat at), mini golf, and pink desserts. What more could ya ask for?

Ride The SeaGlass Carousel at Battery Park

I love the SeaGlass Carousel! I’ve been twice and it’s just so beautiful and serene. It’s honestly kind of relaxing and I always wish it was longer when it ends. Very enjoyable for people of all ages. Tickets are $5.50 and they operate every day from 11am–9pm.

Go To The Zoo

I know the zoo isn’t everyones thing and I totally get it. But if you want to see some wildlife in the middle of NYC, you can check out one of the five zoos (there is one in each burrow). I’ve heard that The Bronx Zoo is the best, but I’ve only been to The Central Park Zoo (yes, the one from Madagascar). Tickets are about $20 for adults. The zoo has lots of birds, bears, snow leopards, monkeys, and more. The zoo also does a lot of conservation work around the world.

Go On A Hot Tub Boat Tour

A really cool experience I got to enjoy for a friend’s birthday was a hot tub boat tour by Sea the City. The 90 minute tour actually starts in Jersey City, NJ and then cruises up the Hudson River. We had great views of the Manhattan skyline and the State of Liberty. We were able to play music and drink on board. You can have a private or semi-private boat depending on the size of your group, but no matter what, the prices are set up so you get your own hot tub (there are two on each boat). Because the hot tubs are so warm, you can do this in the morning, the evening, or even during cooler months. We really enjoyed it!

Take A Ride On The Staten Island Ferry

I love a ferry ride in the summer. And when people ask me if visiting the Statue of Liberty is worth it, I always tell them to skip the long, expensive tour and just take the Staten Island ferry! You can hop on and off for free and it takes you right passed the Statue of Liberty. It’s actually pretty relaxing… and again, it’s free!

Relax At The Beach

A lot of people don’t think of the beach when they think of summer in NYC, but there are actually a lot of them to hang out at (I mean, we are on the coast). As I mentioned above, Coney Island is a popular one with tons of attractions. But I’ve been to others that are more low key, such as Rockaway Beach in Queens, Riis Park Beach (known for being LGBTQ-friendly) in Queens, and Great Kills Beach in Staten Island.

A photoshoot from Great Kills:

Joining my friends while they went surfing at Rockaway Beach:

Have A Picnic In The Park

There are tons of great parks in NYC: Bryant Park, Prospect Park, Washington Square Park, Astoria Park, Battery Park… the list goes on and on. Of course the most iconic of them all is Central Park — and I’ve attended a very lovely picnic there. Of course you can bring your own blankets and snacks to any of the parks to hang out. But if you wanted to take it up a notch, you can also hire a luxury picnic service to set everything up for you and your friends or partner.

Try Ice Cream From Different Popular Spots

There’s a lottt of great ice cream spots to check out in the city. And some of the street trucks have good ice cream too! I mean, what is a summer in NYC without ice cream?! Here are a couple of my favorites:

Van Leeuwen

Van Leeuwen has many locations, but the one I like to visit is in Nolita on Sprint Street. The shop started out in New York in 2008 and was founded by Laura O’Neill and brothers Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen, according to Forbes. The cult-favorite ice cream shop sells artisanal ice cream with fresh ingredients and they have tons of delicious and unique flavors.

Taiyaki NYC

Taiyaki is a Japanese ice cream shop that has a few location in New York. I’ve been to the one in Chinatown. They’re known for their cute, Instagramable fish-shaped cones. Taiyaki is actually a Japanese fish-shaped cake and you can read more about the cultural significance on their website.

Explore Times Square

Yes, most New Yorkers will tell you to steer clear of Times Square, especially during the summer. It’s packed with tourists and people trying to sell you blank CDs. However, it has that special NYC feel to it and it can be fun to check out what’s going on over there every once in a while. And if you’re just visiting NYC, then it’s obviously a must-see. Sometimes there are cool art installations that pop up, you’ll probably see street performers, and last summer I even got to ride a Ferris Wheel in the middle of Times Square. And of course, this area is home to an abundance of restaurants, stores, movie theaters, and Broadway.