11 things to do this summer in NYC!
Yeah, the heat is real people! But so is the fun in NYC! There are so many things to do in the short 3 months of higher temperatures that it can be a little overwhelming! So to make your trip easier as ice cream on a hot summer day, I selected some of my favorite things to do in the summer! For more real life tips, make sure to follow me on instagram @marthasachser! Have fun!
Free movie nights at NYC parks
Some of the most popular parks offer free movie nights throughout the summer! So pack snacks, drinks, a picnic blanket and head to an evening under the stars! It’s a very popular activity in the summer so try to get there as early as possible if you wanna actually watch the movie. The most popular one is Bryant Park, but Brooklyn Bridge Park is right there too! I will be sharing my experience on my instagram @marthasachser so make sure to follow for a daily dose of NYC on my stories! And check the official website for dates, locations, hours and movies!
Exibição de filmes no Central park // CRÉDITO: TIME OUT
Cruise tour
If you have been following me for a while you know that at least once a year I have to go on a mini cruise! Why? The views, the food, the drinks, the live music, the atmosphere…It’s the perfect way to fall in love with NYC all over again. Not that I need that but I can’t describe in words the joy and the gratitude I feel every time I am on those boats with the NYC skyline in front of me, watching the sun going down…. I highly recommend it! You can book the same tours I’ve shared with you in the past HERE!
Go to a rooftop bar
Nothing screams summer in NYC better than an evening out or a quick happy hour with friends on a rooftop! There are so many but I put together a list with 12 of my favorite ones! Click here to check them all! Rooftops are free (except the One Hotel in Brooklyn), you must be 21+ to enter. Some of them require a reservation if you want a table. Have fun!
The Press Lounge – Famoso Rooftop em Nova York
Free concerts
There are countless free concerts happening throughout the city but there are two that gets everyone talking about: the NBC’s Today Concert Series and ABC’s Good Morning America Summer Series. Besides, the Summerstage Festival in Central Park is also a popular one! Click here for more information!
Have fun in Coney Island
The beach isn’t the best but it’s good enough to chill during the hot and humid days of summer in NYC. Besides, it is the perfect spot for families, Luna Park is a traditional amusement park with rides for kids of all ages! The boardwalk is also very popular, there are countless spots for snacks, ice cream and the famous Nathan’s Hot Dog. Also, the New York Aquarium is right there! On Friday nights there is a firework show around 9pm on the beach, perfect way to end the day in NYC, right? You can get tickets for Luna Park HERE!
Coney Island // CRÉDITO: WIKIPEDIA
Where to get tickets for:
One World Observatory – skip the line
Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island
Dining with a view
This is one of my favorite things to do in the summer! There are many restaurants located right by the water and if you can choose, I’d say go for dinner, the sunset in NYC is special! Some of my favorite restaurants are: Pier A Harbor House, with a view to the Statue of Liberty. The unique The Frying Pan, in Chelsea, with a view to New Jersey. The casual Boat Basin Café (photos below) in the Upper West Side; the famous and elegant The River Café, in Brooklyn right by the Brooklyn Bridge, Cecconi’s in Brooklyn as well, between Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge; and the restaurants located at Brooklfield Place!
Boat Basin Cafe
Traveling to NY? Get your discount passes today!
Enjoy the day on Governors Island
Governors Island is the perfect place to escape the city without having to cross any bridges! Once a militar base, the island is now the most popular “playground” for New Yorkers! There are so many events going on as soon as the island reopens every year, with plenty of activities for the family, gorgeous views of the city… It’s perfect to relax, hang out with friends, have picnic, ride bikes and much more! The ferry ride costs U$3 roundtrip but it’s free before 11:30am on weekends! You can take the ferry at the Battery Maritime Building, right by the Staten Island ferry station! Check the official website for schedule and other important information!
Governors Island // Photo: WIKIPEDIA
Book your shuttle from/to Airport/Hotel/Airport here:
Super Shuttle: HERE!
NYC Airporter: HERE!
GoAirlink: HERE!
Shop at Empire Outlets
The brand new Empire Outlets opened in May 2019 and it is the first outlet in NYC! The other two popular ones are Woodbury Premium Outlets and the Mills at Jersey Garden, but for both you have to leave the city and take a bus or drive to get to them. And how to get to Empire Outlets? Simply take the free Staten Island ferry, the ride is about 25 minutes long and the views are breathtaking. And you can get a decent view of the Statue of Liberty! But if you wanna visit the Statue of Liberty Island you can get your tickets here!
Empire Outlets
Jet Ski and free Kayak
New York from different points of view and a good dose of adrenaline? So book your experience with Sea the City for a fun afternoon splashing water and breathtaking views of NY! See the Statue of Liberty and get that photo right by the Brooklyn Bridge!
JET SKI in New York – Sea and the CitY
Now, if you wanna save money, there is free kayaking available throughout the city! Yes, free! You can rent yours at Downtown Boathouse no Pier 26 at Hudson River Park and Manhattan Community Boathouse. It’s an unique experience! There are locations in Long Island City and Brooklyn!
First time use discount code for Uber, Lyft and Via:
Uber: marthas188
Lyft: MARTHA351616
Via: martha5i8
Explore Red Hook
Red Hook’s popularity is rising and once you get there, you will understand why, It has a completely different atmosphere from other neighborhoods in NYC. And since it is right by the water, it is the perfect place to enjoy a summer day in NY. Highlights of Red Hook neighborhood include touring the Red Hook Winery, visiting the Waterfront Barge Museum and sampling chocolate and whisky at Cacao Prieto and Jane Widow. To get there I recommend taking the NYC ferry (U$2.75) from Wall Street terminal to Red Hook.
Rockaway Beach
Considered one of the best beaches for actually swimming and even surfing, Rockaway is not the closest but it is worth the 50 minute long beautiful trip on board of the NYC ferry (U$2.75)! You can also get there by taking the subway, but the ferry is the fun way to go!
Foto: Shinya Suzuki
What is the best attraction pass in NYC? Here are some of the favorite ones:
CityPass: HERE!
Sightseeing Pass: HERE! or HERE!
New York City Explorer Pass: HERE!
For more NYC tips don’t forget to follow me on Instagram HERE and HERE!
