Summer seems to make everyone happy and makes us want to stay outside all the time enjoying nature and spending time with friends. During the summer, New York is the best city in the world, I mean it always is, but the summer brings contagious magical energy that makes it even more special.

Things to do in New York City during the summer

1. ENJOY THE VIEWS, IT IS ROOFTOP SEASON!

Summer is the perfect time to check out all the rooftops around the city and enjoy the beautiful views while having fun with friends and having a delicious brunch. There are some rooftops that are better known for their drinks than their food, so depending on your mood, make sure you check your options. Some of my favorite rooftops right now are Magic Hour at Moxy Times Square, Broken Shaker, Westlight, and A.R.T. SoHo (Arlo Rooftop).

2. EAT AN ACAI BOWL OR AN ICE CREAM

Acai bowls and ice cream are my favorite snacks during a hot summer day, well, maybe during any season.  If you are an ice cream lover there are tons of options to choose from. One of my favorite places is Morgenstern’s in lower Manhattan and, if you are a Matcha lover like me, go for a matcha ice cream in Cha Cha Matcha, or at Matcha n’ More. If you prefer acai bowls, my favorite one is the P&B Acai from Juice Generation.

3. TAKE A TRIP TO GOVERNORS ISLAND

Going to Governors Island during the summer is always a great idea because there are plenty of activities depending on what you like. If you are active and want to do something fun with friends, you can go kayaking for free. Or you can always relax and enjoy some cocktails at the Island Oyster.  Also, if you have some money to spend, you should try the decked-out tents courtesy of Collective Retreats. It is an awesome experience and the views of the city skyline and the Statue of Liberty are amazing from there. I also attended the Jazz Age Lawn Party one time and it was an awesome experience.

4. WATCH A MOVIE IN BRYANT PARK

Who doesn’t love movie nights at Bryant Park? Bring your picnic blanket and basket, and be ready to watch some great movies with friends. You can check their schedule on their website.

5. SPEND AN AFTERNOON IN A BOAT BAR

I have been obsessed with boat bars ever since the Classic Harbor Line invited me to his Wine & Cheese Pairing Cruise, which was seriously one of the best experiences I’ve had in the city. The views are so beautiful, and we got to take amazing photos while there. But this is also about having a good time eating and drinking some wine. I recommended this 100%, and if you can go with friends the experience is going to be even better.

6. ENJOY THE VIEWS FROM THE HIGHLINE

The Highline is one of the places I enjoy the most during the summer since you can take long walks there enjoying the good weather and nice views. They also have a few food vendors along the way so you can even have some food while walking through the city.

7. DON’T FORGET “SUMMER STREETS”

Each year, during the first three Saturdays in August between 7 am and 1 pm, around 7 miles of NYC’s streets are closed to cars and open to the public so you can bike, run, walk, and enjoy the tens of activities without having to worry about the usual traffic. It’s truly one of the best free things to do in NYC during the summer.

8. HAVE A PICNIC IN CENTRAL PARK

A picnic is always a great idea, but having it in Central Park makes it even better. Central Park is the perfect place to take a break, enjoy the sun, and recharge energies. It is also one of the most touristic places in NYC, so try to get there early and look for a space that is not too crowded so you can actually enjoy nature and have a good time. Don’t forget to bring ice, a lot of water, and snacks, because I am sure you are going to stay there for hours.

9. CONEY ISLAND, HERE WE GO!

Going to Coney Island is something you need to do while in New York during the summer, it’s truly a unique experience. There are tons of things you can enjoy; You can not only enjoy the ocean, but you can also visit Luna Park, sunbath, ride a bike, and if you are like me, get out of your low carb diet and try the best hot dogs from Nathans.

10. TAKE AN OUTDOOR FITNESS CLASS

During summer there are a lot of opportunities to exercise outside around NYC. For example, you can do Yoga at Bryant Park, Zumba at Hockey Rink, Pilates at Pier 3 Lawn in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and so many more workouts. This is the perfect time of the year to start taking care of your health, and exercise will help you feel happy and energized.

11. IT IS TIME TO ROLLER SKATE OR BIKE AROUND GANTRY PLAZA

Gantry Plaza is one of my favorites places in the city, it has one of the best views of Manhattan, and there are a lot of fun outdoor activities to choose from. My favorite one is to bike or skate around the park. It is also a great place just to relax, enjoy a good book and spend a relaxing afternoon. You won’t forget the views.

12. WATCH MACY’S 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS

If you decide to stay in the city for the 4th of July, you should watch the Macy’s Fireworks at least once in your lifetime. This is a great show that you can enjoy with friends. Here you can find the best spots to watch them live. Be prepared for huge crowds. It will be worth it, I promise. I truly recommended going to a park and having a picnic before the show.

13. GO TO THE BEACH

If you find yourself in New York during the summer, don’t forget to visit some of the beaches here. This is the perfect plan if you are looking to take a break from your regular schedule and do something different. Although New York is not known for its beaches, there are a lot of good options not that far from Manhattan, like Rockaway Beach, Jacob Riis Park, Lido Beach, or Brighton Beach. Plan this trip in advance;  and make sure you take some snacks with you, because sometimes the lines for the few restaurants around these areas are insane.

14. BE A TOURIST FOR A DAY!

Finally, but not less important, take the time to enjoy the big apple: Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, even Times Square. I know that if you live here, and you want to stay away from the touristic places, but it is also important to remember that we are in the BEST CITY IN THE WORLD, and we can’t take that for granted. So let’s enjoy it all!

Now you have a lot of activities that you cannot miss in New York in the summer. From rooftop parties to workout classes, you have no reason to get bored in the big apple. If you actually need more time to enjoy all of them, remember that you can always take some days off for a staycation.

If you want to know in real time what I am doing in New York City, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and keep an eye out for my stories.

I want to be your friend!

With love,

Andreína.