New York in August is especially beautiful and typically a great time to visit. Yet, even without concerts, and other large events, your time in NYC will not be boring! Below, we have summarized the best things to do in New York this August.
For those of you who either live in NYC or visit NYC in August, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of things you can do in one of our favorite months of the year!
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.
On three Saturdays in August, large parts of Manhattan between the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park will be closed to cars. During this time, people can jog, walk, and ride bikes on these streets of New York. It’s a big street party with events and many exciting views of New York.
On another Saturday, the same event takes place again in Brooklyn and the Bronx! The streets are closed to cars from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
When?
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 August, 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.
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.
This summer, there are also free live outdoor concerts at Hudson Yards! Every Wednesday from June through August, the events take place at Public Square & Gardens on the Wells Fargo Stage (by The Bowery Presents).
Following each concert, you’ll find various after-hour events at a few select bars and restaurants in The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards. There will be special food & drinks and live DJs will provide you with cool music.
For more information and the full line-up, check out the official website.
Line-Up 2025:
The Battery Dance Festival is the oldest free public dance festival in New York City and will celebrate its 44th edition in 2025 – organized by Battery Dance and supported by the Battery Park City Authority.
The festival kicks off on August 9 at 7 p.m. in Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park for the official reopening of the park and continues every evening at 7 p.m. from August 12 to 16 in Rockefeller Park with international and New York dance companies.
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.
When? July 21 – August 17, 2025
New York City’s largest festival of cuisine, culture and community is back for the third time! This year, the Uptown Night Market will take place on the second Thursday of each month in West Harlem from May through October. Celebrating diverse cultures from around the world, the festival will feature a variety of performances and activities for the whole family.
Unique and tasty foods from around the globe are offered by numerous food vendors. This festival is a MUST for all food lovers!
Blooming Wonders is an immersive exhibition at ARTECHOUSE NYC that blends nature, technology, and art in a fascinating way. Surrounded by huge flower landscapes brought to life digitally, you’ll dive into a colorful dream world full of movement, light, and magic—with fluttering butterflies, interactive projections, and special floral cocktails at the in-house XR Bar.
You’ll find the exhibition at Chelsea Market (entrance on 15th Street) and should plan about 40 minutes to explore this digital garden paradise – a great experience for anyone who wants to experience nature in a different way!
BUY BLOOMING WONDERS TICKETS
New York City’s esteemed Charlie Parker Jazz Festival returns for its 32nd edition, celebrating the iconic saxophonist in the very neighborhoods he once graced, such as the iconic Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem and Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. Annually, this event gathers the crème de la crème of jazz musicians who encapsulate Charlie “Bird” Parker’s unparalleled musical artistry, fostering a deep appreciation for this globally celebrated maestro.
Hudson River Park invites you to dance! Sunset Salsa at Hudson River Park takes place every Thursday this summer. Talía Castro-Pozo, dubbed the “Woman of Salsa” by Latina Magazine, is a professional dancer and is skilled in all dances from Ballroom to Jazz.
At Sunset Salsa, beginners and advanced dancers can dance under the stars and enjoy themselves. This event is free, donations are welcome!
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!
From May to October, major international sporting events are shown on the big screen at The Big Screen at The Backyard at Hudson Yards. Sports enthusiasts can watch soccer, Formula 1, golf, tennis tournaments, baseball playoffs, women’s soccer, and more on the approximately 30-foot screen.
Schedule 2025 TBA
On August 7, 2025, Hudson Yards is hosting the Hudson Yards Summer Bash’25 with great live acts! The best thing about this event is that it’s completely FREE!
Nomad Girl is an all-day cafe and restaurant in the heart of Manhattan. The authentic Italian dishes are always prepared with high-quality organic ingredients. From breakfast and brunch to dinner, you can find delicious Italian dishes here at any time of the day, including handmade pasta! Some of these dishes were developed in collaboration with Chef Fernando Baez (formerly of Bottega del Vino).
To celebrate National Panini Day, Nomad Girl is offering a selection of delicious paninis and piadinas. Options include a panini with shrimp, mozzarella, arugula, prosciutto and salsa. Piadinas, by the way, are rustic Italian sandwiches flown in directly from Italy! Here, for example, you can opt for the version with prosciutto di parma, cheese, arugula and salsa rosa. Sounds mouth watering, doesn’t it?
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.
We’ve chosen the 50 best spots, events and activities to showcase the full diversity of New York City. Even after more than 20 visits, the city never gets boring for us. And with our recommendations, you’ll have a really good time in New York, too, and you’ll have plenty left for your next visit. If you’re not planning a trip yet, you’re sure to get wanderlust after perusing this list!
This year marks the 25th year of the Movie With A View and is part of the Free Summer Movies that take place throughout New York. It’s a free event organized by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy with a new theme each year.
This year’s movies are yet to be announced.
One of the best things to do in August in New York is visit 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.
When? tba
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.
This is what you can see this August:
This lively, colorful, and family-oriented event features performances from an orchestra specializing in Hot Jazz of the 1920s, a dance troupe that channels the Roaring ‘20s, vaudeville spectacles, and more. And because it’s prohibition-themed, you know there’s always a great lineup of summer cocktails and drinks.
When? August 9 & 10, 2025
Where? Governors Island
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York is an annual multicultural and sporting event. It is celebrated on Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, during August, which corresponds with the fifth moon of the lunar calendar. The festival combines sports, cultural performances, and traditional Chinese food, creating a unique experience for all attendees.
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.
Sports enthusiasts will get their money’s worth in New York in the summer: At the Brooklyn Ice Cream Social Half Marathon & 5K, you can run a few laps through Prospect Park and receive not only a medal and a T-shirt at the end but on top of that fresh fruit and ice cream to cool down. Drinks will also be provided on the course and at the finish line, of course. A few days after the race, you can request a photo of yourself at the finishing line. That’s a cool memento, isn’t it?
You can choose between a half marathon and a 5K race here.
When?
The Seaport Cinema is back! Between June and September, you can watch exciting movies once a month in a great location. While watching the movie on a big screen, you can enjoy snacks and drinks. There are popcorn, pretzels, and sweets, but also tater tots and chicken fingers to satisfy your small appetite. Beer and cocktails will quench your thirst.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and you should arrive early to get the best seats. The motto is: first come, first served! The best thing about this event? It is FREE of charge!
When?
Where? The Rooftop at Pier 17, 89 South Street
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 2025 tournament starts August 24th through September 7th. Tickets are available here.
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.
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.
Here you find the best New York Yankees Tickets and New York Mets Tickets
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!
If you want to visit several observation decks, attractions, and tours in New York, check out the New York sightseeing passes. You can save up to 60% on the ticket price!
To find out which New York Pass is the best for you, check out my New York Pass Comparison.
One of New Yorkers’ favorite free summer festivals is the Blues BBQ Festival at Pier 76 in Hudson River Park. What could be better than listening to live blues while eating delicious BBQ from the best BBQ spots in the city?
The Bronx Night Market is one of the best places to find foods that celebrate New York City’s most northern borough. Each spring, this event supports the Bronx’s food scene by offering world-class events that are affordable. Be ready to celebrate cuisine and culture, as it represents NYC’s diverse offerings and encourages people from all around the city to experience this borough.
You’ll find just about every type of food, from ice cream, latkes, and pastries, to tamales, soul food, and vegan options. There are also other types of local merchants and live entertainment.
August 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
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.
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.
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!
Smorgasborg is a popular food festival in New York City. You can find many different dishes from local vendors. The food festival, also known as the “Woodstock of Eating,” is held every Sunday from April to October in Prospect Park in Brooklyn.
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.
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.
The Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum is the only floating museum in NYC. You will find a wide array of historically significant military and maritime vehicles as well as a collection of museum ships on this aircraft carrier which is docked on the Hudson River. This is great for kids and adults alike as it discusses and shows a wide variety of artifacts regarding the US military and maritime history.
Tip: Free Friday is back! During the months of April-September, you’ll get into the museum for free from 5 pm-9 pm! Mark your calendars for these dates:
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.
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.
Here you’ll find everything you need for your New York trip: the most important checklists, travel and visa questions, everything you need to know about the boroughs, airport transfers and our money-saving tips. It’ll help you save $100 right away on tickets!
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.
Since its first performances in 1979, the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! The festival has been entertaining audiences of New Yorkers and visitors alike. This free festival hosts events all summer long that are a testament to culture and creativity.
With performances featuring “global music icons, legendary jazz artists, chart-topping indie bands, gravity-defying dance troupes, large-scale film projects” and even VR installations, this Prospect Park Bandshell-based series is a must-see for any NYC summer visit.
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.
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.
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!
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 Best Museums in NYC
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.
Anyone who’s a fan of New York City’s contemporary art scene knows the name, Jeffrey Deitch. He’s an esteemed curator and art dealer who’s best known for his gallery that operated from 1996 until 2010 called Deitch Projects, where he curated projects such as Post Human and Lives. After shuttering his art gallery, Deitch moved to Los Angeles, where he served as the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) director until 2013.
My tip: These are the best art exhibitions in NYC. and here you find my complete (!) guide to Contemporary Art in New York.
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.
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!
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
When?
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!
The Artists & Fleas at Chelsea Market is located directly under the High Line, so you can easily reach the market’s many vendors & restaurants via the disused elevated line. Or you can combine a walk along the High Line with a visit to the Artists & Fleas Market in the heart of the Meatpacking District.
My tip: These are the best flea markets in NYC.
Pebble Beach – the small stretch of beach in Brooklyn Bridge Park not far from Jane’s Carousel – will host the 14th annual Hindu Lamp Ceremony mid-August.
Dance artist Aeilushi Mistry will perform the traditional Hindu Aarti ceremony there. This ceremony originated in India, where it is traditionally performed every morning and evening at the rivers.
A highlight will be the decorating of the typical palm leaf lamps. Afterwards, they will be released on the East River, prayers will be said to pay tribute to their loved ones.
The Museum of Ice Cream in NYC is the first flagship store of the popular installation. It is anything but an ordinary museum. Here you can enjoy a Sprinkle Pool and other interactive ice installations. What’s better than ice cream on a hot summer day?
The Manhattan Scenic Helicopter Tour takes you on an aerial tour over Manhattan and its many attractions. You wont forget the view of NYC from above or the feeling of flying high above the skyscrapers any time soon. Especially for those of you who like taking photos, this is a guaranteed way to secure some amazing shots of the NYC skyline.
My tip: these are our favorite helicopter tours in NYC!
Monthly Avg DAY | Monthly Avg NIGHT | Rainfall days | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|
82.4°F / 28°C | 68°F / 20°C | 9 days | 11 hours daily |
Der Beitrag The Best Things to Do in New York in August 2026 erschien zuerst auf Loving New York.
