Summer in New York: What to do and what to visit

Our Guide to Summer Events in The Big Apple

Categories: What to know

New York Summer Weather

New York City has a Continental Weather with cold Winters and hot Summers. So, Summer -- that begins in June and lasts till the end of August -- will be warm and humid, and then in September, the weather will slowly become more enjoyable and less humid.

In the Summer, especially starting in late July and early August, the hot weather and heavy humidity can be a "tough" combination. Additionally, if you do not like the air-conditioning much, some places can become difficult for you due to the incredible difference in temperatures between outdoors and indoors. Try to always have a light cotton scarf or a light jacket to put on your shoulders, it will become very useful when you use the Subway or go inside a Store. The activities New York offers during the summer months are so many and clearly all open-air. Let's look a little more in details at the weather and activities month by month.



New York Weather in June

In June, you can finally breathe summer air in the city. This is the month recommended for beautiful long walks to discover the island of Manhattan along the Hudson River from Battery Park -- the southernmost tip of Manhattan --  up to Harlem; and then there's Brooklyn with Dumbo and Fulton Landing, Queens with Long Island City and Astoria and much more. You can relax in the parks, enjoy the sea breeze aboard one of the Bay Cruises, both by day and by night, and arrive in Coney Island for a ride on the famous Wheel and to enjoy one of Nathan's famous Hot Dogs!

The Average Temperatures and Precipitation in June in New York

We will have less rainfall in June and average temperatures will be from 60°F  to over 77°F. As we mentioned earlier, June is among the best months to visit New York.

Events in June - What to see

Many of the events that have started in May will also run during the month of June, let's see what New York offers us  usually in June:

  • Brooklyn street party  - Young people stand in line in the sun to enter the Bushwick Block Party, which has two music boxes, dozens of street performers, food and beer trucks on Troutman Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in Brooklyn. Free.
  • Pride  - Pride Week events include Pride Parade on the 5th Avenue, a PrideFest fair in the afternoon at University Place (from Waverly Place to E. 13th Street) and Pride Island at Pier 97, followed by fireworks at noon.
  • Music in the park -  Listen to classical music outdoors in the parks under the stars with the New York Philharmonic Concerts, followed by fireworks. 
  • Taste of Times Square June - Taste of Times Square offers international cuisine from 40 restaurants and music from local groups on 46th Street (from Broadway to 9th Avenue).
  • Big-band dance party June  - Midsummer Night Swing starts with a swing, tango, salsa, etc. lesson, followed by a live band at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center. Closed Sunday and Monday
  • Free movies on a ship deck Opening the doors at 7 pm to watch movies at sunset during the Summer Movie Series at Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.


July Weather in New York

Let's start by looking at the New York Weather in July - July is usually a month that begins with cool, sunny days and then it comes to very high temperatures. Rain isn’t missing either, nor are those typical summer afternoon thunderstorms, the good news is that they usually clear out fast.

Average Temperature in July in New York

In the first few weeks of the month, the average temperature is 70°F / 22°C degrees, with the highs reaching 85°F/29°C degrees during the day and the lows around 65°F/18°C degrees at night. The last week of July is historically the hottest, with highs that sometimes even reach 100°F / 35° C degrees. So, in July you can find nice days, maybe with brief rainfalls at the beginning of the month and then it gets warmer and hotter towards the end of the month, keeping even the lows around 75/80°F 23/25°C but this will give you the chance to spend some beautiful evenings walking around the city.

Average rainfall in July in New York

July is a rainy month with an average of 11 days of rain (115mm of rain) and some afternoon thunderstorms, having with you a small umbrella can be useful. One thing you'll discover right away is that any Weather Forecast App in New York can also give you the exact time when it will supposedly start raining and especially the area! It’s not always 100% accurate, but it’s close enough. Consult it before leaving the hotel/house: Weather in New York

What to See in July - Events July 

The main event of the month is Independence Day celebrated on July 4th. All the details on what to do and how to celebrate this day all about the stars and stripes, you can find it here - Independence Day. BBQ, Baseball Games and then Fireworks! After July 4th, then there are many other things to do in the Big Apple. During the Summer, there are many free concerts in the parks, and you can keep up-to-date here: Summer Stage Festival

  • The 4th of July and the Independence Day Cruise to Watch the Fireworks from the Bay. Cruises and Fireworks of July 4.
  • Visit Governors Island. Take the Ferry from Battery Park and spend the day on this island that offers unique views of Manhattan, Liberty Island, and the Bay. Rent a bike or walk around.
  • Outdoor Cinema & Movie Nights. Summer in New York is home to many outdoor theaters, you will find movies screening in Bryant Park with the HBO Bryant Park Film Festival, Brooklyn, Central Park, and the Hudson River. Bring a towel and sit down among New Yorkers!
  • Restaurant Week gives you the chance to eat in renowned restaurants famous for their great Chefs at low prices. For Summer Restaurant Week --- TBA. You can book your table starting mid-July always on Open Table. Reservations are recommended but you can also try to walk-in and ask for a table. Open Table.
  • In July  Appointment with Summer-Garden: New Music for New York
  • On July 15th, CITY OF WATER DAY is celebrated, events held at Governor's Island and in Hoboken, New Jersey and in many Manhattan’s neighborhoods.

The best activities to do in New York in July



August Weather in New York

August is the month of vacations for both New Yorkers and everybody else ... New Yorkers will leave (whenever possible) the city to avoid the extra-hot weather and humidity, and in exchange, the city gets filled with tourists from all over the world including some domestic travelers. So, you'll often find yourself among many people, long lines to enter museums and attractions and to sit at restaurants and cafés. What to expect from the weather? Well, let's say August is definitely Hot ... but little by little the temperatures will start dropping towards the end of the month!

August Average Temperatures in New York

After the first two weeks of August, during which time the temperatures will be pretty much stable as per July’s last two weeks, the temperatures will start returning to highs around 80-85°F / 25-29° C degrees and lows around 65-68°F / 18-19° C degrees and drop even a little more towards the end of the month.

August Average Rainfall in New York

Even the rainfall decreases in August still leaving room for some afternoon summer storms. It will be pleasant to walk around, and visit the parks around New York but try to avoid spending the warmest hours of 1pm to 3 pm under the sun. In Central Park, among the many activities you can choose from, a bike ride and a boat trip in the pond are pretty fun. And I remind you that among the other parks to visit, we have the beautiful Brooklyn Prospect Park and the new park of Governors Island.

What to See in August - Events August 

  • As every year the U.S. Opens returns to New York for all Tennis enthusiasts! Great matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows starting August.
  • The NYC Restaurant Week will continue,  find your "I wish but I can’t afford it” restaurant and once again treat yourself to a great chef-renowned dinner.
  • The Giglio Feast of Saint Anthony August 10th/13th in East Harlem for our Italian Friends, the India Day Parade, August 20th from 38th St. East and down on Madison Avenue, and, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival August 12th/13th in Flushing Meadows Park, Queens. These are the festivals and parades of August.
  • The Summer Streets will animate the evenings of August  with Music, Dances, Entertainment, Sports Contests and more. The New York White Nights!
  • Central Park with  Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater; at the Lincoln Center with evenings dedicated to classical music, opera, and ballet; while at Bryant Park continues the Bryant Park Film Festival.
  • Do not miss visiting Governor's Island on August  for a dive in the 20s with jazz music and vintage costumes. On August, at Pier 97, we will celebrate the big Blues and BBQ Festival!

What to do in New York in August



Travel - Best Time to Visit New York

When is the best time to travel to New York? Not an easy question to answer ... Although on impetus, we might say Spring with the months of April, May and June, and then the months of September and October, it is also true that New York is always a beautiful place to visit any time of the year. The mid-seasons are those with months sporting milder temperatures, less rainfall, and low humidity levels, and then the months when nature gifts us her best! In the Spring, the Cherry Trees are blooming, all parks and avenues are full of bright colors, tulips and sunflower are everywhere. In the Fall, the foliage transforms New York into a colorful mix of red, orange, yellow and bordeaux hues. If you think of New York as a great metropolis, all skyscrapers, cement, and cars, then think again. New York has an expansive outdoor space devoted to parks, neighborhood gardens, and green spaces all around.

Visit New York in the Summer, our Tips:

What to do during the Summer

The activities that New York offers during the Summer are so many, if you are planning your trip to New York this time of the year, you will have so many opportunities to have fun and discover the Big Apple pleasantly while enjoying the outdoors. Just be smart, it’s not any different from what you would usually do in your hometown to protect yourself in case of great heat and extreme sun exposure. Wear hats, apply sunscreen lotion, stay hydrated etc. Another thing to be aware of in the inevitable crowd that is found in the Summer, like any other place, New York is filled with tourists, but you can avoid overcrowded areas by visiting the most touristic parts of town early in the morning or in the evening, and spend the rest of the day exploring the off the beaten path places to discover the New York City of the locals. The one that remains outside the usual touristic itineraries; And then you have the New York Bay which offers a lot, you can find some advice on our page: Harbor Cruises and Sailing trips through the New York Bay

 

How to dress

Lightweight and comfortable dresses, T-shirts and shorts, some light jacket and shawls for ladies to wear on cooler evenings. Comfortable shoes, in New York you walk a lot. Sunglasses and hats. A comfortable backpack where you can carry a towel -- if you stop in some park -- and a bottle of water. If you are going to visit some local beach, swimsuit ... and always good sunscreen. Bring a light raincoat and umbrella for the rainy days.

Beach & Sea in the Summer in New York

Of course, in New York, you can easily go to the Beach. Take the Subway and with just $ 2.75 you go to Coney Island, it is the nearest beach and offers not only the opportunity to swim and sunbathe but also many places to stop for a bite and then there is the newly restored Luna Park with the Ferris Wheel, a real day trip. Stop by Nathan's for a Hot Dog and if you are here in June, do not miss the Mermaid Parade (last Saturday in June) you will see all the colors you can imagine!!!

Other beaches you can visit for a day:

  • Sandy Hook, here we are in New Jersey, looking at the Skyline of Manhattan from a distance. A wonderful natural park and easy to reach with the ferry. Surely amongst the most beautiful beaches to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Sandy Hook from New York
  • Long Beach: you can reach it leaving from Penn Station by train, LIRR line.
  • Jones Beach: Always from Penn Station with the train, LIRR line.
For more info on events see:  Event Guide





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