Your ultimate guide to soaking up every iconic (and hidden) experience the city has to offer this summer. From iconic sights to the latest exhibits and outdoor performances, the city has got it all – the summer is one the best times to experience everything New York City has to offer.
Classic Summer Must-Dos
- Watch a sunset from Top of the Rock or Edge Observation Deck
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge at dusk
- Picnic in Central Park (insider tip: check out this picnic guide for the best locations in the park)
- Ride the Staten Island Ferry (great views, for free!)
- Catch a ballgame and cheer for The New York Yankees or The New York Mets
- Visit Governors Island (bike around, see art, go glamping)
- With the Central Park Boathouse back and in full swing – rent a boat and enjoy a day on the Central Park Lake.
- Enjoy a thrilling ride on the Cyclone at Coney Island, or spend a relaxing day strolling the boardwalk or catching the rays on the beach.
- Don’t miss the dazzling spectacle of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show — an unforgettable night of lights, music, and celebration over the New York City skyline.
- Stroll through the elevated High Line and take in the art installations, gardens and stunning views of The Hudson. Check out Iván Argote’s Dinosaur, a monumental aluminum sculpture of a pigeon perched above 10th Avenue and 30th Street, blurring the line between the everyday and the prehistoric.
- Take a Classic Harbor Line Cruise or kayak in NYC for free on the Hudson. Enjoy savory cocktails while you watch the city pass by relaxing in your private seating area surrounded by large windows- or enjoy some free kayaking in NYC. Take in endless views of the city’s skyline as well as iconic landmarks.
- Play pickleball at Central Park’s Wollman Rink this summer at the largest pickleball space in the Northeast. CityPickle is offering Sonesta Hotels of New York guests free paddle rentals, redeemable by showing a room key or reservation confirmation from the hotel.
Arts & Culture
- Check out the Museum Mile Festival (June 10, 2025)
- Watch the return of Shakespeare in the Park. Central Park’s Delacorte Theater makes a bold return this summer for its free Shakespeare in the Park tradition with Public Theater’s production of Twelfth Night, with an all-star cast of Lupita Nygon’o, Sandra Oh, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Peter Dinklage (August 7 – September 14, 2025).
- Visit the Met Cloisters in Upper Manhattan
- Explore museums on pay-what-you-wish days (e.g., MoMA Fridays, Met every day)
- Witness sweeping views of Central Park, with this year’s Roof Garden Commission at The Met, an outdoor sculptural installation commissioned by Jennie C. Jones, and enjoy drinks on the Met’s rooftop garden bar. Jennie C. Jones’ Ensemble, will explore the sonic potential of stringed instruments as well as their formal possibilities (April 15, 2024 through October 19, 2025).
- Van Gogh’s Flowers installation at New York Botanical Gardens (NYBG) highlights the flowers that inspired Vincent van Gogh’s renowned botanical paintings, featuring large-scale sunflower displays and floral recreations of his masterpieces (May 24 – October 26, 2025).
- Watch a movie under the stars with stunning views of the Hudson River & city skyline at the Intrepid Museum’s Summer Movie Series. The Intrepid will turn its flight deck into an outdoor cinema for FREE movie nights on select Fridays once again.
- Celebrate summer in the heart of the city with the 32nd season of Bryant Park’s Summer Movies Under the Stars — grab a blanket, gather your friends, and enjoy iconic films under the stars on the park’s famous lawn (June 9 – August 11).
Foodie Adventures
- Eat your way through Smorgasburg, the food bazaar spectacular and enjoy over 70 vendors for the best bites, vibes and local flavors.
- Outdoor dining has always been a huge part of summer in the city. Take in rooftop city views while sipping on a refreshing beverage. With so many to choose from, we still can’t get enough of the 360° views at Vintage Green Rooftop at The Shelburne Sonesta.
Events & Festivals
- Come together for pride month to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance with NYC Pride – from vibrant marches and concerts to art installations and food festivals all month long in June
- The 2025 Tribeca Film Festival will take place from June 4 – June 15, 2025. For over 20 years, Tribeca has worked to bring the community together through innovative storytelling across film, TV, immersive, games, talks, audio storytelling, and more.
- Gather on the lawn for Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America this summer—a free, open-air celebration of live music, dance, and theater that brings the spirit of New York’s cultural scene to the heart of Midtown.
- Head over to Little Island at Pier 55 to enjoy its new summer programming, Little Island’s Performances. With over 110 performances across music, theater, dance, opera and more, it’s the ultimate outdoor stage for New York’s best artists.
- Enjoy free shows every week of the summer at SummerStage – from concerts, dance performances and film screenings.
- Celebrate the fourth annual free festival, Summer for the City at Lincoln Center, which includes dance parties, opera, kids’ story times, jazz nights, pop-ups and more (June 11 – August 9).
- Cool down with Chinatown ice cream (Chinatown Ice Cream Factory or Eggloo)
- Do a pizza crawl: Joe’s, Prince Street, Lucali, L&B Spumoni Gardens
- Attend the largest art parade this summer and attend Coney Island ‘s Mermaid Parade on June 21, 2025
Shopping & Exploring
- Walk and shop the best shops south of Houston Street in SoHo. or head to Williamsburg along Bedford Avenue.
- Explore the High Line and Chelsea Market
- Browse the Hester Street Fair or the Union Square Greenmarket
- Check out the shops at Hudson Yards and capture the beauty of The Vessel
