The 29 Best Places to Visit in New York in Summer

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New York has its charms and has a lot to offer at any time of the year. For me, however, summer is my favorite time to travel! You can spend the whole day outside, take breathtaking summer boat tours or visit one of the many summer events in NYC.

If you’re looking for the best must-see summer places in New York, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll tell you the places that I’ve enjoyed the most and are still super unique to me, even after 20+ visits.

Summer, sun, water & New York: it doesn’t get any better than this!

My favorite places to visit in NYC in summer

  1. 01

    Grand Banks

    Sea Food Restaurant in Tribeca

    Our Highlight

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    Water, a great view of Manhattan and a great atmosphere – the location is simply the best. You are sitting on a historic ship called F/V Sherman Zwicker on the Hudson River and can enjoy New York from the water when the weather is fine. The place also serves great drinks and seafood.

  2. 02

    Brooklyn Bridge Park

    Park in Dumbo

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    You will find the beginning of Brooklyn Bridge Park just below Brooklyn Bridge. With amazing views of the skyline across the water and some great places to sit and enjoy the view, this park is a must-visit! For those of you who like running, this is an amazing place to do so, especially with the amazing Manhattan skyline view. There are also tons of green spaces, basketball, volleyball courts, and soccer fields.

  3. 03

    Refinery Rooftop

    Rooftop Bar in Midtown Manhattan

    Our Highlight

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    A very small rooftop bar very close to Bryant Park with a nice view of the Empire State Building is the Refinery Rooftop from the Refinery Hotel. This two-story rooftop bar in Midtown isn’t particularly large, but it certainly has its appeal due to the combination of location and quality of the cocktails. 

  4. 04

    Westlight NYC

    Rooftop Bar in Williamsburg

    Our Highlight

    Rooftop Bar Westlight at The William Vale Hotel

    Rooftop Bar Westlight at The William Vale Hotel

    The Westlight in Brooklyn is considered one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in New York – and rightly so! It belongs to The William Vale Hotel and has a rooftop bar, a lounge area, a bar and a restaurant. What distinguishes the Westlight from many other spots is the unspoilt panoramic view of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

  5. 05

    Sheep Meadow

    Park in Upper West Side

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    In the summer, it’s just wonderful to let the sun shine on your face! In Central Park, you will find numerous lawns where you can sunbathe, and one of the many that we would like to recommend is the Sheep Meadow. Here you can relax together with many other people and really unwind. The green area is wide, flat, and especially well frequented during the summer, but you can always find a place to relax, even in the shade. The skyscrapers towering above the trees at the edge of the meadow are an imposing sight to see!

    Many New Yorkers also come to this place during the summer to sunbathe and picnic. So pack something tasty to eat and linger for a while at Sheep Meadow, located between West 66th and West 69th Street.

  6. 06

    Governors Island

    Other Attraction in Outside of New York City

    Governors Island during Spring

    When the weather is beautiful in New York City and you want to escape for a moment from the noise, the hustle and bustle, then a trip to Governors Island is something to consider. The Governors Island Ferry will take you across the East River for $2 with the Governors Island Ferry until the end of September.

    Since 2021 Governors Island is open all year round!

  7. 07

    Honorable William Wall

    Cruise in Lower Manhattan

    Our Highlight

    Honorable William Wall

    The Honorable William Wall, affectionately called “Willy Wall”, is the floating clubhouse of the Manhattan Yacht Club. The clubhouse is anchored in New York Harbor north of Ellis Island from May to October. What is so special about it? It’s definitely an insider’s spot, which not only gives you a great view of Ellis Island and of course the Statue of Liberty – you can also enjoy the sunset from here.

  8. 08

    Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

    Ice Cream in Chinatown

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    One of our favorite things to do in Chinatown NYC is grabbing an ice cream from here and stroll through the busy streets. With amazing flavors and many unique ones at that, this is a must-try! The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory offers some of the most unique ice cream flavors in New York City!

  9. 09

    Paley Park

    Park in Midtown Manhattan

    Our Highlight

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    The entrance to the park, which is only 390 square metres in size, is at 53rd Street – and what immediately catches the eye: the 6-metre high waterfall. During the day in summer the waterfall’s spray mist is wonderfully cooling. And: it “swallows” all surrounding sounds and the park is such a spot with a really fascinating atmosphere! Midtown‘s Paley Park is one of those secret places in New York that almost nobody knows about. A normal tourist doesn’t even consider the existence of such a park, but a New Yorker doesn’t either. The fact is that it is an oasis that radiates an aura of peace in the middle of the New York hustle and bustle.

  10. 10

    Pier 35

    Pier in Lower East Side

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    On the Lower East Side you will find an often overlooked part of the East River Esplanade. We took a closer look at the route and discovered Pier 35 there, which we think is so great that we have to tell you about it! Because: At Pier 35 you have a great view of the East River and you can swing comfortably!

  11. 11

    Boqueria

    Spanish Restaurant in SoHo

    Our Highlight

    Boqueria_Tapas_SoHo_1600x800

    One of our highlights is the Boqueria in SoHo. We have walked past it 100 times and have not noticed it at all. Then it was recommended to us during a conversation and what can we say: it is really really good! We had to wait almost 30 minutes until we had two of the coveted seats. Both Tino and I would describe ourselves as Spain connoisseurs, so we were all the more surprised at HOW good the tapas were here. Took us right back to our summer vacations!

  12. 12

    Smorgasburg

    Food Market in Midtown Manhattan

    Food Market

    Smorgasburg Food Market is one of the hottest open air food markets in New York City. People come here to meet, eat, drink and enjoy the view of the Manhattan skyline on the East River Waterfront during the warmer months. Smorgasburg means “a mixture of food” and offers a huge selection of small stalls. It takes place in Central Park during all of the Summer Stage Events from May to September.

  13. 13

    Bryant Park

    Park in Midtown Manhattan

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    Bryant Park is located right in central Manhattan and is a quiet oasis between 40th and 42nd Street. Bryant Park is right in the cetner of Midtown Manhattan between 40th and 42nd Street, yet it still lends you the peace and quiet you need to get away for a few moments from the bustling city. Withg many small cafés dotted throughout the park this is the perfect place to unwind or relax when the weather is nice.

  14. 14

    Industry Kitchen

    American Restaurant in Financial District

    Our Highlight

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    The restaurant offers typical American cuisine with modern influences. Fresh ingredients form the basis for the dishes. Salads, pizza and freshly grilled meat combined with first-class wines make a visit to the Industry Kitchen highly recommended. Beer lovers and cocktail fans will get their money’s worth here, because the selection is great.

  15. 15

    Ardesia Wine Bar

    Wine Bars in Hell’s Kitchen

    Our Highlight

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    Ardesia Wine Bar is one of my favorite spots in Hells Kitchen: not only do you have a great selection of wines (aha), but also a stylish ambiance and really good food at the same time. Be sure to try the Garlic Shrimp Skewers and the Mozzarella & Bacon Sandwich!  

  16. 16

    Pier 54 – Little Island

    Other Attraction in Meatpacking District

    Little Island New York

    Photo credit Michael Grimm

    Not far from the Meatpacking District and the High Line, Little Island is one of the newest attractions in New York and is something very special: a park on 132 beautiful tulip-shaped concrete stilts in the Hudson River!

  17. 17

    Drift In

    Sea Food Restaurant in West Village

    Our Highlight

    Drift in New York Sun

    The Drift In is one of my latest new discoveries in New York: it’s located right on the Hudson River promenade in the West Village. They serve oysters and the best lobster roll in town – no wonder, the team behind the Drift In is the same as at my beloved PILOT Brooklyn and GRAND BANKs. Just great!

  18. 18

    Soho, Little Italy & Chinatown Walking Tour

    Walking Tour in Hudson Square

    Our Highlight

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    Now known for their many excellent restaurants, shops and tourism, Manhattan‘s SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown neighborhoods offer the most varied stories of New York City. Take a 2-hour tour with a local guide and discover hidden gems and 19th century buildings.

  19. 19

    High Line

    Park in Meatpacking District

    Our Highlight

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    There are few parks as unique as the High Line. The elevated freight rail line was repurposed as a public green space that opened in 2009 and now offers amazing views of the city, as well as a place to relax and unwind. Its plant life is based directly off what was growing there while it was abandoned, giving this park a unique and interesting atmosphere! The High Line stretches from The Meatpacking District all the way to Hudson Yards-34th Street.

  20. 20

    cloudM New York Bowery

    Rooftop Bar in Lower East Side

    Our Highlight

    New York Bowery CloudM Rooftop

    For me, the cloudM Rooftop Bar is one of the most beautiful rooftop bars not only in the Lower East Side, but in all of New York. It is located on the roof of the citizenM New York Bowery Hotel and offers everything that makes a good rooftop bar: a great view, beautiful design and relaxed atmosphere.

  21. 21

    Brooklyn Crab

    Sea Food Restaurant in Red Hook

    Our Highlight

    Brooklyn Crab Red Hook

    Brooklyn Crab is a real insider spot, which you can reach within 20 minutes from Manhattan on the IKEA Ferry. The seafood is sensational, you can sit indoors or outdoors and if you stay long enough you can enjoy the sunset over the Statue of Liberty.

  22. 22

    One Vanderbilt The Summit

    Building in Midtown Manhattan

    Summit One Vanderbilt Observation Deck

    The New York City skyline is one of the most famous and recognizable skylines in the world. It’s a city filled with skyscrapers and tall buildings. In most recent years, it has been expanding which made way for new observation decks. The newest observation deck coming to the city will be located at the top of the One Vanderbilt Building. This one will be called “The Summit”. This deck will be the second-highest outdoor deck in NYC which follows the Edge and has been open since October 2021.

  23. 23

    Chelsea Piers

    Pier in Chelsea

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    All sports fans should definitely go to the Chelsea Piers – these include Piers 59, 60 and 61 between 17th and 23rd Street. The complex consists of bowling alleys, climbing walls, fitness studios, basketball courts, an ice skating and skating rink and an indoor swimming pool.

  24. 24

    Hudson River Park

    Park in Chelsea

    Our Highlight

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    With a size of 2.2 square kilometers, the Hudson River Park is the second largest park in Manhattan.

  25. 25

    East Village

    Districts in East Village

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    Originally a part of the Lower East Side, the East Village in New York developed in the 1960s into an exciting identity of its own due to its multicultural influences and thus became its own quarter in the so-called “Village” of New York City.

  26. 26

    Coney Island Boardwalk

    Other Attraction in Coney Island & Brighton Beach

    Coney Island Beach best summer day trips from nyc

    Coney Island Beach

    A day trip to Coney Island is definitely worthwhile and while you are there, make sure to stay until sunset. At the beach it is just beautiful and very idyllic.

  27. 27

    Antique Garage

    Other Restaurants in SoHo

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    As the name suggests, the location used to be an old screwdriver garage, which was brought to life in 2003. The furnishing with antique paintings and lamps creates a relaxed, cosy atmosphere.  And then the food: the starters alone are already a blast. Try “Mezze” – these are Mediterranean little treats.

  28. 28

    Domino Park

    Park in Williamsburg

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    This beautiful park opened up in Williamsburg in 2018. It’s called Domino park because the former Domino Sugar factory was located at that very spot. Now, it’s filled with greenery, food vendors and a playground for kids. It is located directly on the East River and you have a great view of the city from here. The park invites you to play volleyball or have a picnic.

  29. 29

    Gantry Plaza State Park

    Park in Long Island City

    Our Highlight

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    Gantry Plaza State Park is a beautiful escape right on the East River in Long Island City. The park is very beautifully laid out, with many wooden benches (also with ergonomic design) and dunes with sand and a small green space. There are apartments and small restaurants and cafes lined up on the back of the park. The piers also add a nice touch to the park as well. It’s the perfect place to take a stroll while enjoying the Manhattan skyline across the river. Also in sight is the beautiful 59th street bridge that connects Manhattan and Queens.

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