Our Favorite Ways to Enjoy Summer in NYC

Welcome to summer in New York City, an experience unlike any other. Even if you’ve lost count on how many times you’ve been here, there’s never a shortage of things to see, do and taste during an NYC summer. Start with this highlight reel, curated by our local team. It spans from tried and true favorites to newcomers on the scene.

All Day Long

• If the neighborhood starts with “No,” (Nolita, Noho and Nomad), you’ll find Cha Cha Matcha. Never going out of style, this is the spot to get your morning caffeine fix and linger to people-watch. You’ll have your pick of green from lemonades to lattes and fro-yo. – Nolita, Noho, Nomad
• Whether it’s 4 am or 4 pm, Empire Diner isn’t your average all-day haunt. Chef John Delucie has captured quintessential New York with classic American fare and comforting favorites. Our go-to is the smoked salmon pastrami but if you have a sweet tooth, the rye pancakes with strawberry rhubarb compote won’t disappoint. – West Chelsea
• If you brunch (and you must brunch), please do it at Sadelle’s. Their smoked fish selection is the star with everything from lox to sturgeon to whitefish. The bagels are complimentary and served stacked on wooden dowels so proceed with enthusiastic caution. Bring friends and order the Sadelle’s Tower loaded with all the fixings. – Soho

Profess your love for all things pink wine at one of the Rosé Mansion’s many photo ops. Photo Credit James Coletta.

Try Something Different

• We know, we know. There are Instagrammable pop-ups in NYC for literally everything from ice cream to avocados. But how can you say no to the Rosé Mansion? With an impressive array of custom art installations and surprises around every corner, it’s perfect for date night or with all your friends in tow. – Midtown
• At The High Line, you’ll be in a unique elevated green space within the hustle of the city, featuring public art commissions throughout the 1.45 mile walkway and former train tracks. The park turns into a prime stargazing spot every Tuesday after dusk. – Gansevoort Street to West 34^th Street
• MoMA’s Long Island City outpost MoMA PS1 offers world-class contemporary art programming in a red brick former public school. Catch the Young Architects Program’s annual outdoor installation, which also plays host to the museum’s “Warm Up” live music series. – Long Island City
• The Noguchi Museum is truly an oasis in New York City, showcasing the work of Japanese sculptor Isamu Noguchi in a space adjacent to his former studio. Grab an iced drink and enjoy a moment of zen in the peaceful garden. – Long Island City
• Travel to Palm Beach (by way of Brooklyn) at Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, where the sport is alive and well. Push biscuits and sip cocktails under the black and white striped cabana awnings. Local food trucks offer everything from Korean BBQ to Moroccan food. – Gowanus
• The Kimpton Hotel Eventi Big Screen Plaza is the perfect place to hang out and watch sporting events like the US Open matches in an outdoor setting. – Nomad

The Noguchi Museum holds the largest collection of the artist’s work, showcasing his stone, metal, wood, and clay sculptures as well as iconic furniture and lamps throughout its indoor and outdoor spaces. Photo Credit Nicholas Knight.

Cool Down

• NYC is notorious for its heat waves and when that happens, you’ll want to be on a ferry to Governors Island. An oasis close to Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, you’ll find things to do ranging from mini-golf to free kayaking along with a packed summer schedule of programs. The island is also home to free permanent and rotating art exhibitions.
• Rockaway Beach is less than an hour from the city and made a major comeback after a $13 million replenishment project post Sandy. Grab tacos at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club. Come August, their legendary sand castle championship is ringing in its 23^rd year.
• For an indoor activity, the Morgan Library is a timeless favorite. The three-story walnut bookshelves and ornate ceiling of the grand East Room are a book lover’s dream. Check out exhibitions featuring Maurice Sendak’s drawings and the notebooks of Walt Whitman. – Madison Avenue & 36^th Street
• Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream came onto the NYC scene in 2014 and hasn’t slowed down since. Their ice cream parlors are both nostalgic and modern at the same time. Drawing inspiration from classic Americana with a twist, try inventive flavors like Burnt Sage and Banana Curry. – Noho + Lower East Side

Get your sea legs aboard Grand Banks. Seeing this floating bar docked at Pier 25 always marks our favorite season. Photo Credit Alexander Pincus.

Cocktail Hour

• Sip cocktails at modern tiki bar The Happiest Hour—or put your name down for a seat at the subterranean sanctuary Slowly Shirley, where Old Hollywood meets captain’s quarters vibes. – West Village
• Ever wanted to eat oysters at sunset on the Hudson? We thought so. Grand Banks is home to epic happy hours aboard a historic schooner charmingly named the Sherman Zwicker. The waterfront views are enough of a draw, but their nautically inspired cocktails make it doubly worth a visit. – Pier 25, Tribeca
• Also on the Hudson, BlackTail will transport you to another era bringing the tropical vibes of Havana to Lower Manhattan. It feels like the kind of place Ernest Hemingway would have frequented. Go for a daiquiri. – Pier A, Battery Park
• The downstairs bar at The Flower Shop is like stepping back in time to the bright ‘70s, complete with kitschy upholstery and throwback photos. The cocktail menu is more grounded in the present with a focus on classics like martinis and gimlets. – Lower East Side
• Slip into a tropical daze with Mother of Pearl‘s Polynesian-inspired décor and order a round of vegan appetizers for the table. Their Shark Eye cocktail is instantly recognizable and totally Instagram-worthy. – East Village

Filled with palm fronds and tropical prints, Mother of Pearl feels like you’re on vacation. Courtesy of Mother of Pearl.

Evening Eats

• The menu at Uncle Boons starts with “drinking snacks,” which we’re extremely supportive of. From there, it’s a love letter to the bold and colorful diversity of Thai cuisine. Just save room for the coconut sundae. – Nolita
• Pretend you’re vacationing on the Amalfi Coast at Santina, under the High Line. Taking inspo from the Italian Riviera, the setting is bright and playful. The avocado cecina (chickpea pancakes) and squash carpaccio are not to be missed. – Meatpacking District
• Indochine is a NYC institution and former haunt of the likes of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The menu here is French-Vietnamese and the palm print wallpaper is classic. There’s a reason this restaurant has been around for decades. – Noho

With coconut milk gelato and candied nuts, it might just be impossible not to like the toasted coconut sundae at Uncle Boons. Photo Credit Evan Sung.