Summer in NYC: Six Iconic Experiences You Can’t Miss

There are few places as lively as New York City in the summer. Once the warm weather arrives, the whole city steps (and stays) outside.  

Now that those days are finally upon us, it is only right to spend your time outdoors as much as your schedule allows. Don’t let the heat stop you from all the fun things to do in NYC this summer.
 

Transform Your Idea of Fun

In a city that never sleeps, endless activities can feel overwhelming. Our best tip? Diversify. Make your plans so that you do, learn, or experience something new this summer.

Here are six iconic experiences worth a spot on your list of summer must-do activities in New York City. 

Start your Summer at the Top of the World 

A 360-degree view of the Manhattan skyline on a clear day at the Empire State Building Observation Deck is unmatched. With the bright blue sky as your backdrop, the concrete jungle unfolds beneath you and stretches far beyond what you’d expect. Step onto the 86th Floor Observation Deck to feel the warmth of the sun and the cool summer breeze. Time it right and visit the 102nd Floor Observation Deck at dusk for some of the best sunsets the city has to offer. Located in the heart of Midtown, the Empire State Building Observation Deck is easy to access from any point in the city.

Soccer fans can visit the Empire State Building for a three-floor exhibition from the Classic Football Shirts collection that features the best in soccer shirt design with more than 100 match-worn and rare jerseys from Messi, Ronaldo, Beckham, and other legendary players, on view through July 19. Guests who arrive with a soccer jersey can save 15% on tickets to the 86th Floor Observation Deck through July 31! 
 

Beat the Heat with Free Kayaking

Make your way over to Hudson River Park for a free kayaking experience on the Hudson River! Open from May through October, The Downtown Boathouse runs what it calls “The World’s Largest Free Kayaking Program.” Paddle out onto the Hudson and see the iconic Manhattan skyline from water level – a bit different from what you’ll see at ESB.  
 

Boost Your Mood with Food at Smorgasburg 

New York’s food scene is world-class all year round, but summer is when it truly shines. So naturally, Smorgasburg is every food-lover’s dream.

Named the “largest weekly open-air food market in America,” Smorgasburg runs their markets throughout the city each week, from the World Trade Center to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. With 70+ vendors with dishes from every corner of the globe, whatever you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find it here.  
 

Boogie into Summer at SummerStage

A free music festival in today’s world might sound too good to be true, but SummerStage is doing just that. This year, over 60 live shows will take place across 13 parks throughout the city, with performances in music, dance, and theater across genres like opera, hip-hop, jazz, and more. Though Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield is the main stage, their events spread across all five boroughs.  
 

Take Movie Night Outside

Skip the couch. On select summer evenings, parks across the five boroughs host free outdoor film screenings, including the ESB’s neighbor, Bryant Park. With screenings of iconic films from “Interstellar” to “Indiana Jones,” these movie nights are guaranteed to make your summer unforgettable.  
 

You Can’t Do It All, but You Can See It All 

New York City in the summer is exhilarating, but it can just as easily feel overwhelming. When every sidewalk is packed and every neighborhood has something going on, the noise quickly adds up. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to rise above it (literally).  

Swing by the Empire State Building Observation Deck. From here, the city slows down, the skyline stretches out before you, and everything you’ve seen, done, and still want to do suddenly feels within reach.