July in New York: what to do, best shows, weather, how to dress and much more!
Considered the hottest month in every sense of the word, the long-awaited American summer now arrives in full power in July, bringing the city a vibrant climate and many fun events. If you’re traveling to New York in July, this post is for you. Happy reading!
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What the weather is like in New York in July
July brings high temperatures, which tend to reach 30°C or higher and lows that usually don’t get any lower than 20°C, with the temperature often exceeding 30°C. Small, fleeting rain showers can also occur occasionally on some days, just like anywhere else, but it’s not the rainy season here. The main problem is how humid it is, it makes things less pleasant and since in NYC we walk everywhere, it’s not fun sometimes!
Is July in New York considered high season?
Yes, it’s school summer break in most countries, so the city is very crowded with people from all over the world enjoying themselves. The relatively pleasant weather (because bitter cold also has its limitations) + the the entire world on vacation mean that the attractions have a lot of lines and even a shortage of tickets, so it’s very important to organize in advance and book your tickets online – I always recommend getting your tickets with free cancellation which you can do clicking HERE and if you insert the coupon NYABOUT10OFF you get an extra 10% off! You’re welcome and thanks for supporting my work at no extra cost to you by buying through my affiliate link!
Or by clicking on the banner below you can buy in advance with free cancellation and get a 10% discount using the code NYABOUT10OFF.
How to dress in New York in July
As it’s a hot and humid month, I recommend wearing sweaters, t-shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses, shorts and pants made of light fabrics, as well as comfortable sneakers and sandals. As it can get a bit cooler at night (it often doesn’t, it’s still hot even after the sun goes down), it might be okay to have a super light jacket on hand if you’re going to be in an air-conditioned environment for a long time, for example, but I don’t particularly wear a jacket in summer. Remember to always take sunscreen and a bottle of water to hydrate yourself, sunglasses, a cap and a hat are also a good idea, especially if you are taking the ferry to Liberty Island, the lines can get long.
Tip: With the possibility of quick showers that are quite common in the New York summer, always try to have an umbrella or raincoat in your bag. If you don’t want to bring one, you can usually find them for around U$10-15 each in pharmacies.
Attractions and things to do in New York in July
July holidays in New York – July 4th
The main event in July is Independence Day, celebrated on July 4th. This holiday features many celebrations and special activities all over the country, from fireworks shows, concerts, parades, barbecues and parties with friends.
Here in New York, the big deal is to watch the Fourth of July Marcy’s fireworks display, which has been held for over 40 years. One of the best places to watch the show (in 2024), which starts at around 9:15 p.m. on the Hudson River, is in Midtown Manhattan between 14th Street and 34th Street or from New Jersey, in the Hoboken area, which has easy access to Manhattan and vice versa via the Path Train, for example. The fireworks last about 20 minutes and light up the city sky in the colors of the American flag.
Hot dog competition – 1310 Surf Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn
On July 4, Nathan’s is holding a competition to see who can eat the most hot dogs at Coney Island, called the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Admission is free and the event is broadcast live on ESPN. Women compete at 10:45 a.m. and men at 12:00 p.m.
Broadway at Bryant Park – New York, NY 10018, United States
Another event that takes place in July is the screening of several popular Broadway shows in Bryant Park. Admission to the event is free and it takes place at lunchtime, but I recommend arriving at least an hour in advance to get a good seat and make the most of the performances. For more information, visit the official website HERE.
Watch free movies in NYC parks
Strolling through the parks is one of the best things to do during any season in New York. But during the summer, most of the city’s parks offer free “movie screenings” on their lawns. Check out the full program HERE! I highly recommend arriving early to get a good seat and bringing some food to eat during the movie and a blanket to sit on. But don’t worry too much, the movie is only part of the fun. Follow me on instagram @marthasachser to see more of summer here in New York!
Go to a rooftop bar
New York is the place to be at night or at the end of the day on a rooftop, and there’s no shortage of options. Here on the blog there are several posts about rooftops, my favorites are in my New York guide (click HERE to learn more and download) but HERE you can find a variety of posts on this topic!
Dine in a restaurant by the river
Being a city surrounded by water, it’s common to find some restaurants located right next to New York’s rivers. They are excellent options for a lively happy hour with friends or a dinner for two on a summer day. Some of the most notable are Cecconi’s, The River Cafe and Celestine in Brooklyn; City Winery on Pier 26, The Frying Pan boat in Chelsea, overlooking New Jersey and some of the restaurants at Brookfield Place. In addition, I recommend some in Long Island City, close to the river, such as American Brass and Brooklyn Osteria. I’ve already talked about most of them and many other restaurants in my New York guide, click HERE to download!
Enjoy a late afternoon at Little Island
Little Island is a “floating park” located on the Hudson River. In addition to the green space, beautiful views of the city and New Jersey, various events take place there all year round! Admission is free. Visit the official website HERE!
Take a cruise
Sailing down the Hudson and East Rivers is an incredible experience, not only because of the wonderful views of Manhattan, but also because the cruise itself is so nice, it’s like treating yourself and going somewhere nice without actually leaving NYC. There are different options such as dinner, lunch and brunch cruises. This one HERE and this one HERE are my favorite ones! Use my code NYABOUT10OFF to book with 10% off! But make sure to click HERE for my cruise options!
Visit one of New York’s observatories
This is an experience that I recommend to everyone when traveling to New York! It’s an incredible experience to see the city from above and guess what, we have 5 options to choose from. By clicking on the links below you can buy at a discount and with free cancellation, very important in case your plans change or the weather isn’t favorable the week of your trip!
- Summit (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to buy with 10% discount)
- Edge (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to buy with 10% discount)
- Empire State Building (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to buy with 10% discount)
- Top of The Rock (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to buy with 10% discount)
- One World Observatory (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to buy with 10% discount)
Another tip is to buy the attraction passes, depending on which one you choose, you’ll have access to 4 of the 5 observatories (The Summit isn’t on the best attraction passes yet – 2024). I recommend either this, this, this or this one.
Walk around the main parks
It may sound cliché, but one of the best things to do during the summer in New York is to stroll through the parks. And don’t think I’m just talking about the famous ones like Central Park and Bryant Park! The city is full of green spaces, such as Battery Park, Domino Park, Prospect Park, Riverside Park, Washington Square Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, High Line, Hudson River Park, Madison Square Park, Astoria Park, Gantry Plaza State Park and many others.
During the summer you can take advantage of the warm weather (when it is actually nice and not super humid) in the parks to take photos and enjoy outdoor activities such as cycling, running, having a picnic, playing ball and whatever else you prefer! Central Park even hosts dance classes and a pickle ball court!
See a Broadway show
And of course, you can’t miss a good Broadway show! Broadway shows are unique and make every trip more special – and escape the heat outside! And for those who don’t want to go because they think it’s too expensive, there are several ways to try and get a discount, click HERE to find out more!
Top shows in New York in July 2024
For those of you who also want to enjoy one of the many shows the city has to offer, here’s a list of some of the ones that will rock the city this July:
10/07 – Janet Jackson – Together Again – Barclays Center
For fans of R&B and pop, Janet’s show is an experience that celebrates music and features iconic and engaging performances. Buy your ticket with U$20 off your first purchase. Just enter the code BLOGNY at Seat Geek HERE! To buy without discount just click HERE or HERE.
17 e 19/07 – Foo Fighters – Everything Or Nothing At All – Citi Field
For lovers of good old-fashioned rock, the Foo Fighters are putting on a show with energetic performances and iconic songs. Buy your ticket with U$20 off your first purchase. Just enter the code BLOGNY at Seat Geek HERE! To buy without discount just click HERE or HERE.
21/07 – blink-182 – ONE MORE TIME – Citi Field
Attending a blink-182 concert is an unmissable experience for rock fans. Buy your ticket with U$20 off your first purchase. Just enter the code BLOGNY at Seat Geek HERE! To buy without discount just click HERE or HERE.
25/07 – Billy Joel – In Concert – Madison Square Garden
O aclamado cantor, compositor e pianista Billy Joel passa por aqui com seu icônico concerto no Madison Square Garden. uy your ticket with U$20 off your first purchase. Just enter the code BLOGNY at Seat Geek HERE! To buy without discount just click HERE or HERE.
Want to know more? Check HERE for a list of more concerts taking place in July and throughout the rest of the year.
Spend the day on one of New York’s beaches
Yes, in New York City we also have nice beaches, two of the most famous are Coney Island and Rockaway Beach (there are several beaches in the area) and in both you can get there by subway and in the case of Rockaway, even by ferry (NYC Ferry). In Coney Island you’ll also find amusement parks, lots of street food, an aquarium, you can watch baseball games… There’s always something going on. Rockaway is already known among locals as a better area for beach lovers, either because of its cleanliness or because of its “beachy” atmosphere. Don’t forget to download my New York guide where I have two itineraries dedicated to the two areas with all the best things to do in each.
Want more tips on what to do in summer in New York? Then click HERE to check out the full post
Are you traveling to NYC? Get my NYC guide now and save time, money and explore the city like a true New Yorker!
What’s inside?
- 16 detailed step-by-step itineraries to explore NYC from morning to evening with all the attractions, shops, spots you can’t miss and restaurants I recommend in each area (organization is key when exploring NYC so don’t worry, I got you!) and much much more. PLUS:
- Travel to and from the airports
- How to use the NYC subway (metro)
- Budget friendly hotels and hostels
- Weather in NYC
- Month by month event calendar
- Store guide
- The best outlets near NYC
- Restaurants you can’t miss in every neighborhood
- NYC FAQ
- NYC with kids (the best things to do and attractions)
- Free attractions you can’t miss
- Extra tips, fun facts, movie and TV shooting locations
- Exclusive discounts for my readers
- “Instagrammable” spots
- Most used Apps in NYC
- Google maps exclusive links, so you can simply use your phone and find the attractions mentioned on the book near you
- Gluten-free and vegan restaurants
- What to do in the winter and summer in NYC
- And much much more!
Get the ebook version HERE
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Discounts in NYC:
Attractions, tours and experiences:
You can book all of the above with a 10% off discount and free cancellation by using my coupon code NYABOUT10OFF HERE!
Where to buy your discount passes for New York attractions:
If you wanna save money on tickets and have plans to visit some of the best attractions, I recommend checking out some of the passes below:
CityPASS at the normal price on the official website HERE!
CityPASS with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF)
The Sightseeing DAY PASS at the normal price on the official website HERE! (one of my favorites)
The Sightseeing DAY PASS with a 10% discount HERE(code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
The Sightseeing FLEX Pass at the normal price on the official website HERE! (one of my favorites)
The Sightseeing Flex PASS with a 10% discount HERE (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
Go City New York Explorer Pass: with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
Go City: The New York Pass with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
How to save money in New York:
Accommodation:
Hotels: Click HERE to check out my post with the best hotels in Queens (super close to Manhattan) and HERE for hotels in NYC in general.
Airport/Hotel Transfer:
Brazilian driver – special discount for my readers: Alex is the blog’s official driver and he offers a special discount on his services when you mention you follow me! You can reach him via text and Whatsapp: (917)6567299 or on instagram HERE
Travel eSims:
I never travel without an international sim card, I ran way too many times into issues with local mobile companies, plus, they are more expensive most of the time. I love that now we can buy digital sim cards, and they are super easy to activate. The two major companies I recommend are:
Airalo: With the code NYANDABOUT10, you receive 10% off HERE!
HolaFly: With the code MARTHASACHSER, you get a discount HERE!
