The 43 Best Things to Do in New York in August 2022

01

At this event you can visit over 100 concerts & shows for free in many parks all over New York. It’s one of the most popular summer events in New York and a MUST DO for locals. If you’re in New York this summer, be sure to check out one of the shows!

My tip: these are all summer festivals in NYC this year.

02

We have already tested many dinner cruises in New York for you. One that we have liked the best of all so far is the Bateaux Dinner Cruise. With a glass roof, the ship heads towards the Brooklyn Bridge. Especially when the weather is nice in the summer month of July, the wine or prosecco tastes especially good on the outdoor area of the boat.

You can find more unique dinner cruises in NYC. fantastic brunch cruises, lunch cruises and jazz cruises in this overview.

03

The sailing cruises are back to the rivers of New York City. Sailing in New York City is one of my favorite things to do during August. There’s nothing better than watching the sunset and enjoying a glass of wine onboard. Here are some amazing options that are taking place right now, with safety measures of course:

My tip: these are the best cruises to enjoy the sunset in NYC.

04

Attention food enthusiasts: NYC Restaurant Week will be back in August, meaning you can look forward to enjoying cheap meals all over the city. Thousands of travelers and locals look forward to this event every year because it’s a great opportunity to try new cuisines or simply enjoy top-notch meals at decent prices.

What is NYC Restaurant Week?

NYC Restaurant Week is a bi-annual event that takes place every summer and winter since 1982. Back then only a few restaurants participated in the promotion, whereas this year’s event counts over 380 participating restaurants. Over time, the length of the promotion has been extended, so that now we can enjoy almost a full month of great, affordable food instead of just one week.

Attention: the date haven’t been announced officially – these are the dates that I think it will take places based on former summer restaurant weeks.

05

The answer to whether you should or should not see a Broadway show when visiting New York in August is crystal clear: YES, it absolutely belongs on your bucket list! What is not always as clear, however, is which show to pick.

In order to help you out, we’ve created an overview of the absolute best Broadway shows in NYC in August!

06

In addition to regularly changing exhibitions, there is one Whitney Museum of Art event that tops them all: the Whitney Biennial. It’s been around since 1932, making it the longest-running exhibition of American art and the museum’s signature event.t

To get tickets check the website here.

07

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!

Besides the view, you can visit various events and art exhibitions (every day except Tuesday). Click here for the Little Island event calendar.

08

One of the best things to do in August in New York is visiting the free Bryant Park Film Festival and picnic performances in Bryant Park. In the heart of Manhattan, people gather in the summer months with blankets and chairs they’ve brought themselves to relax at the outdoor movie theater and concerts by the New York Philharmonics. Bryant Park is just under a 5 minute walk from Times Square, surrounded by tall trees, so it’s a bit secluded from the rest, but you’re still in the middle of it all: Awesome!

My tip: this is the complete guide to free summer movies in NYC.

09

If you’re in New York this summer, be sure to add the Bryant Park Picnic Performances to your itinerary! These free concerts bring together many of the things I love about New York: great surroundings, cool events, and you’ll be among locals.

The Bryant Park Picnic Performances are part of the free concert series that happens every summer in New York.

10

This is a really cool event that can be booked several times a month: discover New York from the water – and even better: from a kayak! You can start at the Manhattan Community Boathouse (Pier 96 at the Hudson River) or at the Brooklyn Bridge Park between Pier 1 and Pier 2 (every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday until the end of August). 

Seats are limited, so be quick to secure your preferred date – here for the Manhattan Community Boathouse and here for the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse.

11

On a roof of the Brooklyn Navy Yards you can sit in a real winery: Rooftop Reds grows wine here, which you can taste and enjoy at their Rooftop Red Tours & Tastings!

In August you can watch movies with a view of the skyline and a glass of wine in your hand. Tickets are available here.

12

Whether you’re a local New Yorker or visiting from out of town, the buzz around the US Open is one of the best parts of being in New York during the summer. The biggest stars in professional tennis compete at one of the most iconic tennis venues (and the largest tennis stadium in the world), Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 2022 tournament starts August 29th through September 10th. Tickets are available here.

13

Picnicking in Central Park is always a must-do activity during the summer. There are countless large and small lawns that invite you to relax, making for quite a few spots that are suitable for picnicking in the park, not just the popular Sheep Meadow.

The largest lawn in Central Park is the Great Lawn, where the popular Central Park Concerts are held. The Great Lawn is a large, green space and is a wonderful spot to relax and have a picnic in the park after a long walk. For the athletes among you, there are even some baseball fields on the green, oval area. You’ll find the Great Lawn in the middle of the park at the 79th to 86th street level.

Another picnic option is East Green. Here you can sit on a blanket between the trees and enjoy your meal. The East Green is located on 5th Avenue between 69th and 72nd Street.

The most romantic picnic spot in Central Park is definitely Cherry Hill by the Bow Bridge. It has been the backdrop for many Hollywood movies, such as You’ve got Mail. You can make yourself comfortable on a small slope and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake and the bridge. The bridge is located in the middle of the park around 72nd Street.

14

Baseball is New York. Whether it’s a game of the New York Yankees or the Mets, both baseball teams are definitely worth checking out.

15

You know what’s really unique about New York? The view of the (most likely) snow-covered Central Park from one of the observation decks! With the Top of the Rock, The Edge Hudson Yards and the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt you have three to choose from! And then there’s the One World Observatory and the Empire State Building. You will love it!

16

July in New York can get really hot and humid. Want to escape the heat of the city? There are many destinations near New York City that you can reach perfectly with a day trip from New York in the summer. What do the perfect weekend getaways look like for me this summer? Being by the water, enjoying nature and taking advantage of the good weather to explore major cities like Boston and Philadelphia.

Here you find the Best Summer Weekend Getaways from NYC

17

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.

18

The New York Philharmonic is the oldest symphony orchestra in the US, founded back in 1842. I have seen them for the first time at the Free Concerts in the Park and was very impressed. For anyone who likes art and culture, a visit to the New York Philharmonic is a MUST!

Photo: Diamond Schmitt Architects

19

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.

20

Probably the most popular boat tour in New York in the summer is the fast ride on the speedboat “The Beast”. It is an extremely thrilling experience that you should not miss out on. This custom-built, 70-foot speedboat speeds in the direction of the Statue of Liberty at 45 mph! Make sure you are ready to get splashed with water because this is not an easy ride! Definitely a must for all of the adrenaline junkies out there!

21

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.

22

A really great summer tradition is Shakespeare in the Park. The free event features classic plays by William Shakespeare every summer at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Outdoors, the play is really a great experience. The Delacorte Theater is located pretty much in the middle of Central Park next to Turtle Pond.

23

Every second Wednesday in August, the concert series “Jazz at Pier 84” takes place – New York and jazz are a combination that I personally like very much. You sit directly on the Hudson River and the best part? It’s even free because it’s a joint project of Hudson River Park and the Jazz Foundation of America.

• August 3, 2022: Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans (7:00 pm).
• August 17, 2022: Valery Ponomarevs (7:00 pm)
• August 31, 2022: Monnette Sudler (7:00 pm)

Check the event calendar for more info here.

24

Another great parade in summer is the Dominican Day Parade, which takes place every 2nd Sunday in August. This parade has been around since 1982 in New York, which starts at the Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) level of 38th Street and continues north to 52nd Street.

My tip: This is my complete Guide to Parades in New York.

25

One Friday per month, The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum will open its doors to the public for free. Free Fridays will take place on:

• August 26, 2022
• September 30, 2022

For more information on these special nights, please click the link here.

26

The green terrace in the middle of Manhattan is a great experience in fine weather. The decommissioned freight rail track was once overgrown completely as it fell out of use. Based on the plants that grew there, a park was built in homage to the interesting plants that flourish in the city.

Walk from the Meatpacking District (Gansevoort Street) on the High Line towards Uptown and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Since 2014,  Manhattan has been enjoying this highlight and attracts countless visitors every day. There are many lovely cafés, galleries and great bars – and with Gallow Green one of my favorite rooftop bars in the city.

My tip: these are the best spots along the High Line for me.

27

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.

28

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.

My tip: these are the best rooftop bars in NYC.

29

Governors Island is one of our favorite places in New York City. Especially in the summer, it’s a lot of fun to explore. Being completely surrounded by water, you can count on a fresh breeze. Our tip would be to rent a bicycle (or even tandem, if you dare!) to ride around the island. It’s much more comfortable than walking.

Even though you can only explore the outdoors, there’s still a lot to do: have a picnic, ride on NYC’s longest slide, chill out in one of the hammocks, climb up the hill to enjoy gorgeous views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, take a look at Fort Jay, enjoy fresh lemonade, or even go glamping for anything between $200 and $600 a night. Be sure to reserve your ferry tickets in advance as capacity is limited to ensure safe distances.

30

This is amazing: Lying by the pool in the summer and looking at the New York skyline! The best hotels with a pool in New York will take you to Brooklyn, Soho, the Meatpacking District and Central Park. It’s hard to believe there are so few.

31

Visit this celebrated oyster bar aboard the historic wooden schooner, Sherman Zwicker right on the Hudson River. Hudson River Park was able to set up a pretty sweet deal for the Grand Banks, which now has a row of tables for two running along the south side of the pier. By doing so, they are now able to serve drinks within that space.

This is my favorite spot in New York City!

My tip: these are the best waterfront restaurants in NYC right now!

32

The season is perfect for a museum visit to New York, and the Big Apple really doesn’t lack choices. After the theatrical release of “The Night of Museum” series, (The first movie took place in the New York Museum of Natural History) you really feel like going to the place of the event? In the footsteps of dinosaurs, aborigines and many other historical creatures, the Natural History Museum on Central Park West is always a good idea for a museum outing.

My tip: These are the 36 Best Museums in NYC

33

Bleecker Street is a pleasant change from the turbulent Herald Square or 5th Avenue. It is considered one of the best shopping streets in the world. Why? There are many small and hip designer stores, record stores and second hand stores and lesser known retail brands.

34

Fotografiska New York is a wonderful museum in NYC for all art and especially photo art enthusiasts. Originally founded in Stockholm in 2010, the museum also exists in Tallinn (Estonia) and since 2019 in New York.  It is located in a beautiful building from 1892 and extends over 6 floors. In addition to changing exhibitions, there is a restaurant and cocktail bar to round out your visit.

My tip: These are the best art exhibitions in NYC. and here you find my complete (!) guide to Contemporary Art in New York.

35

Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and spend a relaxing day on Brighton Beach in Coney Island. If you don’t want to be in Coney Island, you can also check out some of our favorite beaches in New York here.

36

Summer on the Hudson is Riverside Park & West Harlem Piers Park’s annual outdoor arts and culture festival. Between 59th and 153rd Streets on the Hudson River, you can experience live DJs, exhibits, special shows for kids, and of course, the outdoor movies. And the best part? All the events are free! 

37

South Beach Staten Island is a gorgeous beach that invites you to relax and take a walk. Why fly all the way to Miami when you can find a South Beach on Staten Island? The wooden beach promenade is about 1.5 miles long and is the fourth longest in the world. From here, there is a beautiful view of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. On the boardwalk, there are bocce and picnic areas, as well as other sports facilities. The beach area is really beautiful and absolutely worthwhile.

38

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!

My tip: check out our 30+ best ice cream shops in New York.

39

I’m a big fan of the craft beer scene and am always happy to discover something new in one of New York’s many bars, especially if it was brewed in or right around New York. After all, there are several breweries in New York that are worth a visit. Therefore: cheers to you and the International Beer Day! And where you can celebrate it in New York City, you can see here in the list of the best bars in New York, the best pubs in New York or the best breweries in New York.

40

New York City is already one of the world’s most walkable cities. But have you ever wondered what it would be like without any cars? Then you’ll love Summer Streets, an annual multi-day car-free event held in August. Taking place over seven miles of NYC streets between the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park, you’ll have the opportunity to walk, run, bike, and more along wide-open streets. Plus, there are public art installations, performances, and activities all along the route.

41

Every Sunday during the summer months of July and August, the Harlem Meer Performance Festival is held. It is a free event held at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (elevation 110th Street and 5th Avenue). The Harlem Meer Performance Festival was founded in 1993 to celebrate the restoration of the Harlem Meer and the surrounding 225 acres above 96th Street.

This year, you can experience the Harlem Meer Performance Festival from July 17 to August 21, 2022.

42

New York in August is hot! So why not cool off by jet skiing on the Hudson and East River? If you take a jet ski tour you will be guided along many of New York’s famous landmarks. A guide is always there and brings you to the locations where you’ll have the best views. The jet skis pick up speed, which can go up to 55 mph. At that speed, you’ll fly over the water. Fun and action are guaranteed, just make sure you’re safe! There are several providers of these tours. Take a look at Jetty Jumpers or Rockaway Jetski!

43

In collaboration with Carnegie Hall, Music on the Green is a free concert series inspired by Maya Lin’s Ghost Forest that brings artists from the Hall’s Ensemble Connect to reflect on the themes of the exhibition. The concerts are usually held every Wednesday from beginning of July through August on the Oval Lawn.

Here you can find more details.

Info: Not confirmed, yet!